Ambiguous. Neither too close nor too distant.
After taking the medicine internally and applying it externally, Mu Ge’s high fever finally broke.
When Mu Ge opened her eyes, the day was already bright. Warm yet piercing sunlight streamed into the room, and the dust motes suspended in the air were clearly visible to her.
Her eyes slowly shifted as her chaotic, heavy mind gradually cleared.
Mu Ge remembered drinking the medicine the day before, eating the candy Cheng Huan gave her, and being wiped down with alcohol by Cheng Huan to lower her temperature. And then…
Mu Ge blinked, raising a hand to rub her sore forehead as she slowly sat up.
She was the only one in the room. There was no sign of Cheng Huan.
Mu Ge wanted to get out of bed to look for her, but just then, she heard the door open.
Mu Ge looked up to see Cheng Huan walk in carrying a tray of food. Seeing she was awake, Cheng Huan called her over to eat.
Mu Ge looked at Cheng Huan, her expression somewhat dazed and distant, like the haziness upon just waking from a long dream.
Seeing Mu Ge hadn’t moved, Cheng Huan walked over and waved a hand in front of her eyes. “What’s wrong? Still feeling unwell?”
Mu Ge reacted, lifting her eyes to look at Cheng Huan, but her gaze fixed on Cheng Huan’s injured lip.
Her eyes suddenly widened, and the stimulating images surging from her memory nearly made her cry out.
Seeing Mu Ge looking like she’d seen a ghost, Cheng Huan asked, puzzled, “What is it?”
“Your mouth…”
Mu Ge wanted to apologize, but she also wanted to test the waters, so she deliberately asked with feigned confusion.
Cheng Huan touched her lip and said casually, “Last night while I was sleeping, I accidentally fell out of bed and bumped it.”
Mu Ge’s expression was complicated. She swallowed. “Is that so?”
Cheng Huan nodded. “Mm-hmm, it really hurt to fall. I even wrenched my back.”
“Alright, come and eat.”
Mu Ge’s eyes darkened. Watching Cheng Huan’s evasive actions, waves of dejection and gloom washed over her heart.
She remembered everything from last night vividly. She had feigned confusion to see what Cheng Huan’s attitude towards it would be.
Now, seeing Cheng Huan dismiss it so completely, the sharp pain clenching her heart almost made it impossible for Mu Ge to breathe.
She tugged the corner of her mouth slightly, a faint, mirthless smile. “Then you should sleep more soundly in the future. The bump looks quite serious to me.”
Cheng Huan was ladling soup. Hearing this, she smiled. “Alright, I’ll be more careful next time.”
She placed the soup bowl on the table. “Come, drink some soup.”
Mu Ge got up and sat at the table. Looking at the ginger and jujubes in the bowl, she asked, “What kind of soup is this?”
Would an inn even sell this kind of soup?
Would anyone order it?
Cheng Huan said, “Drinking some Ginger Jujube Soup after a fever breaks can help replenish your blood and energy.”
“Can I not drink it?”
Mu Ge didn’t really like the taste of ginger. It was too pungent.
“No,” Cheng Huan pushed the bowl forward. “I got up early to make it. Don’t let it go to waste.”
“You made it?” Mu Ge seized Cheng Huan’s hand, looking at the burn on her finger. “How did you get this?”
“It’s been a long time since I cooked. I wasn’t paying attention and the stove burned me,” Cheng Huan pulled her hand back. “It’s nothing. Drink the soup. You’ll need to take more medicine in a bit.”
Mu Ge withdrew her hand, pressing her lips tightly together, seeming somewhat distressed. “Then… did you put medicine on it?”
“It’s a small wound. No need for medicine.”
Cheng Huan ladled a bowl of congee and started drinking it herself, without any fuss.
Mu Ge glanced at Cheng Huan’s finger, then lifted the bowl and drank the soup in one go. The spiciness of the ginger instantly made Mu Ge shiver all over, and she forcefully suppressed the urge to vomit.
Mu Ge put the bowl back. Seeing a Lollipop suddenly appear on the table, her pupils constricted.
“The medicine should be about ready. I’ll go get it for you.”
Cheng Huan got up and went out.
Mu Ge lowered her head, looking at the Lollipop. Her eyes ached, and tears fell silently.
She complained in a small voice, “Why are you so good to me?”
Cheng Huan brought the medicine from the backyard. Passing through the main hall, she saw a large group of people with a powerful, imposing presence walk in.
“Huh? What is the Seven Luminaries Pavilion doing in Zhaohe Town? Isn’t the Martial Arts Tournament still two months away? Are they heading to Bochuan this early?”
“Probably. I saw people from Jade Cloud Manor in Zhaohe Town a few days ago, though they left after only a couple of days.”
“I heard the Morning Sun Sect and Ferryless Prefecture have almost reached Bochuan. Looks like all the major factions of the Jianghu are eager to test their mettle at this year’s Martial Arts Tournament?”
“I heard the Martial Arts Alliance Leader is about to step down. The vacant position is naturally being eyed by the leaders of various sects, all watching like tigers, with undercurrents surging. This year’s tournament will surely be full of bloodshed and turmoil.”
“Sheng Haozhou is clearly in his prime, has profound martial arts skills, and is ranked third on the Expert Ranking List. Why would he want to step down? Where did you hear this news?”
“Now that the Fanli Clan has been exterminated, Sheng Haozhou has lost such a huge backer. With only his Yujian Manor left, do you really think he can withstand these ferocious, cruel jackals and wolves of the Jianghu?”
“Then who do you think can take first place at this Martial Arts Tournament?”
“If Ferryless Prefecture continues to stay out of it, then the most likely candidate for the next Martial Arts Alliance Leader is none other than the Sect Master of the Morning Sun Sect, Ma Deyong.”
…
Cheng Huan watched as the people from the Seven Luminaries Pavilion finished checking in and headed in her direction.
She averted her gaze, carefully carried the medicine, and went upstairs.
Seeing Cheng Huan return with a grave expression, Mu Ge quickly said, “What’s wrong?”
“Drink your medicine,” Cheng Huan handed it to her. She noticed the Lollipop on the table was untouched, and Mu Ge’s eyes were slightly red.
Cheng Huan understood in her heart but didn’t show it. “After you finish, we leave Zhaohe Town immediately.”
Mu Ge drank it all in one go, frowning slightly. “What happened?”
Seeing her drink the medicine so readily, completely unlike the wronged, pitiful state she was in last night, Cheng Huan couldn’t help but ask, “You’re not afraid of the bitterness anymore?”
Mu Ge said flatly, “Even if I’m afraid, I still have to drink it. I got sick and troubled you to take care of me. I’m really sorry.”
“…” Cheng Huan handed over the Lollipop. “Eat this. It’ll take away the bitterness.”
Mu Ge took it but didn’t unwrap it in a hurry. Instead, she repeated her question. “Did something happen outside?”
Cheng Huan answered honestly. “I saw the Seven Luminaries Pavilion. I also heard people say that the Morning Sun Sect, Ferryless Prefecture, and Jade Cloud Manor are all already heading to Bochuan.”
“I heard it’s for the Martial Arts Tournament, but I don’t think that’s the case. They must be plotting something to head to Bochuan so early.”
“The Seven Luminaries Pavilion!” Mu Ge ground her teeth, her eyes reddening, a bottomless surge of hatred and killing intent gushing from their depths.
Seeing her about to rush out, Cheng Huan scooped her back. “What are you doing?”
Mu Ge trembled as she spoke. “Li Chengyang, the Pavilion Master of the Seven Luminaries Pavilion, is one of the main culprits who slaughtered my clan. A fragment of the Treasure Map is in his hands! I must kill him, avenge my clan, and protect the treasure!”
“Can you defeat him?” Cheng Huan blocked the door, looking at the furious Mu Ge. “You have no Internal Energy, your martial skills are weak, you’ve been injured, and your fever just broke. Your body is still very weak. Forget Li Chengyang himself, even his disciples could stab you to death with one sword. Is this avenging your clan? This is suicide!”
Cheng Huan understood Mu Ge’s agitation at seeing her enemy. But if she acted rashly now, it would undoubtedly be throwing her life away.
How could Mu Ge not know her own strength was insignificant, that she couldn’t possibly resist the Seven Luminaries Pavilion? She was just too grief-stricken and helpless.
The enemy who slaughtered her clan was right before her eyes, yet Mu Ge was powerless. She could only hide in her room, raging helplessly. The self-blame and guilt in her heart crushed her, making it hard to breathe.
Mu Ge collapsed weakly, covering her face with her hands as she wept bitterly.
Seeing Mu Ge calm down, Cheng Huan sighed. “Don’t be afraid. With me here, the Seven Luminaries Pavilion won’t dare to touch you.”
“Cheng Huan…” Mu Ge wailed, “I hate them… I hate them so much…”
“I know, I know…” Cheng Huan patted her trembling back, her voice gentle.
The two quickly packed up. Cheng Huan exchanged for a human-skin mask from a previous Mission World for Mu Ge. Once Mu Ge put it on, she transformed from an innocent, pure little white flower into an utterly ordinary, plain face. In a crowd, even Cheng Huan almost wouldn’t recognize her.
Cheng Huan, holding Mu Ge’s hand, came down from the second floor. They happened to run head-on into the disciples of the Seven Luminaries Pavilion, who were ascending with their swords. Cheng Huan, leading Mu Ge, slowly descended.
The two groups crossed paths, brushing shoulders.
Mu Ge kept her head down, supported by Cheng Huan as they went downstairs.
“Hold on.” The Head Disciple of the Seven Luminaries Pavilion called out to them.
Cheng Huan didn’t stop, acting as if she hadn’t heard.
But just as they went down one more step, they were blocked by the Seven Luminaries Pavilion disciples on the lower floor. “Didn’t you hear our Eldest Senior Brother tell you to stop?”
Cheng Huan looked up. “No name was called, no surname given. Who’s to know who you were calling?”
The male disciple in front of her was momentarily stunned by Cheng Huan’s appearance and stammered, “On these stairs… besides us, naturally we were calling you.”
“I’m not familiar with you. Why should I answer you?” Cheng Huan looked at their swords. “What’s this? Blocking the road to rob in broad daylight?”
“Robbery of money or beauty?”
The male disciple couldn’t argue with Cheng Huan and could only look to his Eldest Senior Brother for help.
The Head Disciple of the Seven Luminaries Pavilion walked up, stopping in front of Cheng Huan. His gaze paused on Cheng Huan’s face for a moment before shifting to Mu Ge. “You’re injured?”
Mu Ge coughed twice. “A chill.”
“A chill?” the Head Disciple said. “How come I didn’t know a chill came with the smell of blood?”
Cheng Huan, too lazy to bandy words with them, was just about to draw her sword and beat them up when she heard Mu Ge say calmly, “A woman’s monthly cycle naturally comes with the smell of blood. Does this young master have a problem with that?”
The moment the words left her mouth, everyone present, male or female, flushed red, their eyes darting away, their expressions flustered.
The Head Disciple was instantly at a loss. Faced with Mu Ge’s composure, the other questions he had died on his lips. He could only order his disciples to clear a path, allowing them to leave the inn.
Once Cheng Huan and Mu Ge were far away, she asked, “Are you on your period?”
Mu Ge said, “No.”
Cheng Huan gave a thumbs up. “Impressive.”
Mu Ge said flatly, “There’s nothing impressive about it.”
Seeing her listless expression, Cheng Huan said nothing more.
Cheng Huan had to buy a new horse again. After all, yesterday’s horse no longer belonged to her.
This time, horses were plentiful, so Cheng Huan bought two. She had expected Mu Ge to be angry with her, but instead saw her calmly mount one horse and ride ahead.
Cheng Huan sighed, flew up onto her horse, and followed.
[Host, you’ve been sighing a lot lately. Are you tired?] Little Hedgehog asked.
Cheng Huan watched Mu Ge’s slender figure swaying unsteadily on the horseback, looking as if she might fall off the next second.
Her gaze deepened. After a pause, she said, “I’m alright.”
Little Hedgehog said, [Host must take care, take care of your health, okay?]
Cheng Huan nodded. “Mm, I know.”
Everything would be fine once things were back on track.
Mu Ge had just recovered from a serious illness, and her body was still very weak. On top of that, the huge emotional turmoil at the inn had exhausted her both mentally and physically. Her body swayed back and forth with the horse’s jolts.
Afraid of falling off, Mu Ge had wound the reins around her wrist, wanting to lean forward for a moment to rest.
Suddenly, Mu Ge felt a gentle breeze brush against her cheek. A softness pressed against her back, an arm wrapped around her waist, and her body involuntarily leaned backward.
Mu Ge straightened up, her pale little face lifting as she murmured, “I’m fine.”
Cheng Huan unwound the reins from her wrist, holding them herself. She squeezed her legs, and the horse bolted forward swiftly.
The momentum threw Mu Ge backward, and the arm around her waist tightened.
Just as she was about to sit up, Cheng Huan’s voice, both helpless and doting, sounded by her ear.
“Rest for a while.”
Mu Ge was stunned. She turned her head and hid in Cheng Huan’s embrace, tears silently soaking away.
Back in the valley, there were people she liked, and she was close with them. There were also people she disliked, and she kept her distance.
Only this person before her… made her feel both dislike and fondness, left her unable to do anything about her, and unable to control her own heart.
