Chapter 22

Night at the Inn

Wen Shia watched as Xiang finished her meal, her movements slower than usual, a clear indication of her weakness. He sighed quietly, setting down his bowl. "How can life be like this?" he muttered to himself, his mind weighed down by their predicament.

After eating, Wen Shia decided to arrange a room for himself, hoping for a night of solitude to gather his thoughts. Xiang, however, followed him and also requested a room. The innkeeper informed them that only one room was available.

Shi Bao, noticing Xiang's pale complexion and unsteady gait, quickly made a decision. "We'll share the room for now. She's unwell and might need help during the night," he explained.

Once inside, Shi Bao placed a blanket on the floor, preparing to sleep there. However, Xiang insisted, "It's too cold on the floor. You'll fall ill too. Ask the innkeeper for a sofa."

Reluctantly, Shi Bao requested a sofa, which was promptly brought in. As the cold night deepened, Xiang fell into an uneasy sleep. But her restlessness woke her after a while, and she turned to Shi Bao.

"Let's take a walk outside," she suggested, hoping the fresh air might ease her discomfort.

Shi Bao shook his head firmly. "No. You need rest. It's my responsibility to take care of you, so I won't listen to your whims right now."

Though Xiang pouted, she eventually lay back down. The two talked quietly for a while, their conversation tinged with the lingering tension of their uncertain situation. Somehow, the night passed.

---

A Morning of Distress

Shi Bao woke early, preparing a simple breakfast and heating water. When he turned to wake Xiang, he noticed her shivering uncontrollably. Her forehead was burning with fever, and her breaths were shallow. Panic surged through him.

Without wasting a moment, Shi Bao ran out of the room, searching for help. He stopped the innkeeper, his voice trembling. "Do you know a doctor? My mistress is very ill!"

The innkeeper frowned in concern. "I can direct you, but—"

Just then, Wen Shia, passing by, noticed Shi Bao's distressed state. "What's wrong?" he asked.

The innkeeper replied, "Her mistress is unwell. She needs urgent care."

Wen Shia's eyes narrowed. "I have some knowledge of medicine. May I take a look?"

Shi Bao hesitated but nodded. "Please, if you can help her."

---

The Checkup

Wen Shia followed Shi Bao to the room. Xiang lay beneath a blanket, her face obscured. Shi Bao gently uncovered one of Xiang's hands, offering it to Wen Shia to check her pulse.

As Wen Shia pressed his fingers to her wrist, he frowned in concentration. "Her pulse is weak, yet her spiritual energy is incredibly strong," he murmured. "Her body doesn't align with the strength of her soul. It's... unusual."

Shi Bao, guarding Xiang's identity, spoke carefully. "She is a cultivator, but she's been unable to practice for some time. That's why her condition is like this."

Wen Shia nodded. "That explains it. Her spiritual energy is immense but unstable. She'll need proper treatment soon, or her condition could worsen. For now, I'll prepare some medicine to strengthen her body and lower the fever."

After administering the medicine, Wen Shia turned to leave but paused. A strange feeling tugged at him. "What is her name?" he asked quietly.

"She's my mistress, Xiang," Shi Bao answered.

The name struck him like lightning. Wen Shia's heart raced. Xiang? It couldn't be. The powerful disciple he had known would never be this fragile. Yet the resemblance in the voice and the faint energy signature...

Dismissing his thoughts, Wen Shia left the room, his mind swirling with doubt. "It's impossible," he muttered. "How could she be so weak? The Xiang I knew could never fall so far. Something isn't right."

---

Awakening

Back in the room, Xiang stirred. Slowly opening her eyes, she felt her surroundings blur before settling. A sense of warmth spread through her, and she whispered faintly, "Wen Shia…"

Shi Bao froze at the sound, her heart sinking. It was a name Xiang hadn't spoken aloud since they left Heaven. Shi Bao leaned closer, gently squeezing Xiang's hand.

"Rest," Shi Bao urged, masking her concern. "You're safe."

But Xiang's weak murmur of Wen Shia's name lingered in the air, leaving Shi Bao shaken and uncertain of what would come next.