Chapter 28: Despair Part 1

Su Yun’s family could finally be laid to rest. Su He had the Leader arrange for people to handle it properly for her, and tonight, Su Yun would need to follow Su He back.

“This slave thanks her Master!” A look of joy finally appeared on Su Yun’s face. She kowtowed on the ground several times. “This slave will be your beast of burden forevermore.”

Su He had heard such words too many times. She raised a hand to silence Su Yun, casually tossing the wooden carving in her hand to Su Yun. “A reward for you. Keep it.”

“Thank you, Master!” Su Yun cherished the carving, tucking it into her clothes. She followed behind Su He, a light finally appearing in her eyes.

The Leader, standing to the side, witnessed this scene and frowned almost imperceptibly. She licked her dry lips and averted her gaze from Su Yun.

“Doctor!”

The Palace Attendant’s anxious voice rang out. Even amidst the bustling crowd, the panic in her tone was unmistakable. “Quick, follow me, someone’s dying!”

Su He looked over at the sound. She frowned and walked over, clearly seeing the large patches of blood staining the Palace Attendant’s robes, almost soaking through the fabric.

For some reason, a terrible premonition suddenly surged in her heart.

“Master.” The moment the Palace Attendant saw Su He, her eyes instantly reddened. Her body went limp, and she grabbed Su He’s robes, collapsing to her knees. “Su Wei has been hurt!”

.

Su Wei had been stabbed. The sword had pierced straight through her abdomen. Blood flowed uncontrollably, and the smell of it, mixed with basins of water being carried out one after another, permeated the air.

Su He sat in a chair, watching in silence as the Imperial Physician and the summoned doctors worked frantically to save Su Wei.

“Master.” Shadow Seven was also pale-faced, kneeling at Su He’s feet. “It is this subordinate’s incompetence.”

Su He’s gaze was fixed on Su Wei’s exposed profile. It was deathly pale, completely drained of color. Her words were almost squeezed through gritted teeth. “Death and injury among Shadow Guards are normal occurrences.”

She stood up and looked down at Shadow Seven, speaking softly: “If she doesn’t survive, you can go down and accompany her, just to keep her company.”

Shadow Seven said nothing, lowering her head, her expression unreadable. When she had turned back, she saw someone else behind Su Wei. That person moved extremely fast. Even though Su Wei reacted, she was still stabbed. The assassin was also struck by Su Wei’s palm and sent crashing into a well, dying instantly.

She lifted her eyes dejectedly. The look she gave Su Wei was one of unspeakable guilt, mixed with grief.

That single sword strike had almost taken half of Su Wei’s life. Several doctors worked for two hours just to keep her alive. The Imperial Physician approached Su He and said, “Master, Shadow Guard Su is out of danger now, but we must be extremely cautious moving forward.”

“Also… if she wishes to retain her Inner Strength in the future, she will need to recuperate slowly and require the use of—”

The Imperial Physician spoke with extreme care, constantly observing Su He’s expression. But the next second, the Female Emperor interrupted him: “Will it require extremely rare and precious medicinal ingredients?”

“Yes.”

Su He let out an “Ah,” drawing out the final syllable, seemingly lost in thought. A few moments later, she suddenly said: “Then cripple her martial arts.”

The Leader immediately looked over, her eyes widening. She quickly said, “Master!”

“Her body is already weak, and this has severely damaged her vitality.” Su He propped her chin on her hand, considerably more relaxed now that she knew Su Wei’s life wasn’t in danger. “It’s better to just start from the very beginning.”

Start from the very beginning. The words were spoken so lightly.

The Leader lowered her eyes. She felt a profound helplessness. To start from the very beginning… it was easier said than done.

But Su He had already made her decision, and no one could sway her in the slightest. She stood up, moving her wrist, and asked, “When will she wake up?”

The Imperial Physician was already drenched in cold sweat. He stammered, “Barring unforeseen circumstances, she should wake by tomorrow morning.”

Su He nodded, relatively satisfied with this timeframe. She waved her hand for the others to leave. Her lips moved, every word utterly cold: “I will do it personally.”

The Leader and Shadow Seven both looked at Su He in unison, then retreated the next second. Under absolute power and faith, there was nothing they could do.

Just as there was no objection when Su He decided to personally cripple Su Wei’s martial arts.

.

Su Wei felt like she had slept for a very long time, yet it also seemed like just a fleeting moment. She dreamed many dreams, all jumbled together—of her parents, of fallen Shadow Guards, and there was Su He too. But it seemed in the dreams, she couldn’t hold onto anyone. They always brushed past her, and gradually, she was left with nothing at all.

“Cough…”

Su Wei choked awake. She felt her eyelids were incredibly heavy. When she managed to open them with effort, her vision was still blurry. It took a long moment to clearly see her surroundings. There was no one else in the room; on the table sat only a small wooden carving of a puppy.

Her throat was parched. She wanted water but couldn’t produce a sound for a while. She only felt her body weak and limp, drained of strength. After a moment’s thought, she still forced herself to sit up and get out of bed.

Su Wei felt the wound on her abdomen aching, but she endured it stubbornly. Her lips were pale, and each step was incredibly difficult.

Finally, she reached the edge of the table. She slowly poured a cup of water. Only after drinking it did she feel somewhat revived. Su Wei gasped heavily, looking down at the wooden carving on the table. She stood for a few seconds, then picked it up, examining it carefully.

The puppy carving was very delicate. A dog sat on the ground, the corners of its mouth upturned in a grin, looking utterly endearing.

“Hey!” The door to the inn room suddenly burst open. A strange woman barged in and hurriedly took the carving from her hand. “You’re awake. Drink your medicine.”

Su Wei watched her warily, stepping back defensively. “Who are you?”

Su Yun wasn’t interested in her at all. Her tone was flat. “I was brought back by the Master. She ordered me to look after you here. The other person went to eat.”

“The Master?” Su Wei murmured. “My Master?”

“You look quite obedient, but why are you touching other people’s things?” Su Yun set the carving aside, storing it carefully. “Drink your medicine first.”

Su Wei still had doubts about Su Yun’s identity. She lowered her eyes, still not moving. “What’s your name? Why did the Master bring you back?”

“My name is Su Yun. It’s a name bestowed by the Master. I was selling myself to bury my father, so she took me in. Are you done with your questions? Drink the medicine.”

Su Wei’s fingers rubbed together. Just speaking a few sentences made her feel tired. Her mind filled with suspicion, yet she still tried to communicate with Su Yun: “I want to see the other person. Otherwise, I don’t believe you.”

Su Yun’s patience was worn thin by her persistence. She turned and went to call the Palace Attendant up. The Palace Attendant hadn’t even finished her meal; she threw down her bowl and rushed up frantically.

“You’re awake.” The Palace Attendant touched the medicine bowl. Finding it still warm, she carefully helped Su Wei sit down. “Drink the medicine first. Your health is most important.”

Only upon seeing a familiar face did Su Wei feel at ease. Her heart was beating erratically. She took the medicine bowl with trembling hands and drank it all cleanly.

Seeing Su Wei’s condition, the Palace Attendant figured she probably hadn’t noticed anything wrong with her Inner Strength yet, likely attributing it all to the injury.

“This person was brought back by the Master yesterday. She’s considered… well…” The Palace Attendant paused. “She’s like you, someone to serve closely by her side.”

Su Wei’s gaze shifted back to Su Yun. She noticed the calluses on this person’s hands; it looked like she had training too. Finally, her eyes moved to that wooden carving.

She actually liked it quite a bit. But it wasn’t hers, and no amount of begging would change that.

“I understand.”

Su Wei nodded. She had only been awake for a short while, yet she already felt drowsy. She forced herself not to fall asleep and asked, “Is the Master about to depart soon? I’m holding everyone back too much.”

The Palace Attendant knew what she was about to say and patted her shoulder to comfort her. “The Master hasn’t said anything yet. Don’t worry.”

“You don’t know this, but last night, when the Master learned you were injured, she waited until you were stable and safe before she was willing to rest. So don’t think you’re a burden.”

How much of this Su Wei took to heart, the Palace Attendant didn’t know. She only saw her nod, her eyes struggling to stay open.

The Palace Attendant didn’t say more. She asked Su Yun to help support Su Wei over to the bed. The moment the person lay down, she fell asleep, clearly utterly exhausted.

“Your name is Su Yun, right?” The Palace Attendant’s smile faded. She turned to look at her. “Be careful with your words. You wouldn’t want to lose your head.”

Su Yun had more or less guessed Su He’s identity. She nodded obediently, taking the dirty bowl downstairs. The Palace Attendant followed behind her and gently closed the door.

So Su Wei could sleep peacefully.

When Su Wei woke again, the sky was already darkening. Su He was sitting at the table, toying with a dagger in her hand.

“You’re awake.” Su He cast a light glance her way. “You slept for a long time.”

Su Wei pushed herself up to sit. She got out of bed, put on her shoes, and tried to stand, but her body simply wouldn’t obey. She could only look at her Master with an apologetic expression.

“It’s fine. Just stay seated.” Su He was very magnanimous, forgiving her lapse. She took the initiative to walk over and handed the dagger to Su Wei. “Use mine. Put away the one He Erlu gave you.”

Su Wei slowly reached out and took it. Whether judging by the craftsmanship or quality, the dagger her Master gave her wasn’t as good as the one from He Erlu. But she still tucked it very carefully into her clothes.

“Did you see Su Yun?”

Su Wei hadn’t expected the topic to change so quickly. She still answered obediently: “I saw her.”

“What do you think of her?” Su He asked again.

Su Wei let out an “Ah” and said, “She’s alright.”

Her voice was dry and raspy, making it sound quite grating.

“The name Su Yun was bestowed by me.” Su He smiled. “Clouds rising, forming rosy mists. I took the sound ‘Yun’.”

“How well it pairs with yours.” Su He’s fingertip touched Su Wei’s face. She continued, “She knows martial arts too, and she can protect me. You must accept her properly.”

A strange feeling stirred in Su Wei’s heart. “She is someone the Master brought back. This subordinate will naturally get along with her. As long as she can protect the Master, that’s enough.”

Su He let out an “Aiya,” almost like a sigh. “So obedient. Su Wei, let me tell you something.”

“This subordinate is listening.” Su Wei lifted her head, meeting Su He’s eyes.

“I have crippled all of your martial arts.” Su He’s fingertip traced down Su Wei’s face. “It’s also because I feel sorry for you.”

Su Wei’s eyes widened instantly, filled with sheer disbelief. She finally understood the source of that strange, unsettling feeling. Her eyes trembled. She wanted to say something, anything, but tears began to fall uncontrollably. She pressed her lips tightly together, lowered her head, and fell silent.

Su He reached out, gently lifting Su Wei’s face. She used her fingertip to wipe away the rolling tears and spoke softly: “I care for you. You can start from the very beginning. There’s still a chance for everything to turn around, isn’t there?”