Silent Serenity

Xin Long gazed at the ceiling adorned with delicate flower carvings, lost in thought. Knowing that the Seductress Wei Wei had not yet returned, he realized he had the freedom to move about as he pleased. As he stared at the ceiling, his mind drifted back to the experiences he had encountered on his journey through Kunming City.

The place he was currently staying was none other than Room 202 of the Golden Princess Inn, located on the outskirts of Kunming City. It had been seven days since he left the Golden Tiger Manor, and now, he had finally arrived at his destination.

What puzzled him, however, was the gaze of the Sangguan Jin Hu. When Sangguan Jin Hu had looked at him and Wei Wei before their departure, there had been a knowing intensity in his eyes—as though he was aware of something they were about to do. Yet, despite that, their journey had been unexpectedly uneventful. Not a single threat had arisen along the way.

Throughout the journey, Xin Long had taken the opportunity to observe and study everything he could. One particular experience stood out: witnessing a martial arts tournament. The display of skill and depth he saw made him keenly aware of his own shortcomings. Although he had believed himself to be reasonably skilled, the tournament revealed the stark reality—his martial arts were still at a rather basic level.

The martial artists who participated in that tournament demonstrated techniques far superior to his own. Seeing their strength made him realize that if he ever hoped to take revenge on Sangguan, he would need to master a much higher level of martial prowess. That truth weighed heavily on his mind, planting a seed of determination within him.

Xin Long arrived in Kunming City at the break of dawn. Wei Wei had left him at the Golden Princess Inn, instructing him to stay there while she took care of some business in the city. With the money Wei Wei had given him, he pondered where and how he should spend it.

Lost in thought, Xin Long suddenly considered visiting the pharmacy to purchase some much-needed medicine. Resolving to do so, he got up from his bed, freshened up, and left the inn.

The city was alive with gentle snowfall. Under the pale sunlight, vendors shouted their wares while a colorful crowd of people bustled through the streets of Khon Min. Passing by rows of shops and houses, Xin Long finally spotted the small pharmacy he was looking for—a shop called "Silent Serenity." A faint smile crossed his lips as he stepped inside.

The pharmacy was modest, with shelves lined with herbs and medicinal powders. Inside, he noticed two middle-aged women, likely in their forties, who were already there to make their purchases. Curious, Xin Long leaned slightly and asked, "Is the shopkeeper not here, ma'am?"

One of the women glanced at him with a kind smile. "The shopkeeper is packing up our medicine. She'll be out soon, child."

Xin Long gave a polite nod in response, waiting patiently.

When the shopkeeper finally emerged, carrying two neatly wrapped parcels, Xin Long was momentarily taken aback. The person before him was not an elderly herbalist but an eighteen-year-old girl.

She wore a soft pink dress that complemented her fair, rosy complexion. Her silky, chestnut-brown hair flowed down her back, framing her delicate features. Her graceful posture, elegant movements, and gentle smile gave her an air of effortless beauty. Her slender, well-proportioned figure seemed flawless. A subtle touch of rouge on her cheeks and the soft red tint of her lips enhanced her charm. Her straight nose, arching eyebrows, and captivating azure eyes glimmered like gemstones beneath her long, fluttering lashes.

The moment he saw her, he felt as if he had laid eyes on a girl who embodied all the beauty in the world. In his heart, he immediately accepted this truth. Even Sangguan Yun'er's beauty couldn't compare—she wasn't even worthy of standing at this woman's feet.

Thump… Thump.

The sound of a heartbeat. Yes, a heartbeat.

His own heart pounded wildly as he gazed upon the woman who seemed to personify beauty itself—so breathtaking that he could spend a lifetime just sitting still and admiring her. And now, he could hear it. He could hear his own heart pounding in response.

As Xin Long remained entranced, the girl approached him with a warm, gentle smile and spoke.

"The medicine your aunts ordered has arrived. I've packed it carefully for them."

Her voice—soft and melodious—was the kind that could bring warmth and serenity to anyone who heard it.

Then, his gaze fell upon her delicate fingers as she placed the neatly wrapped medicine on the counter. Perfect, unblemished fingers. As he took in the sight, the faint shimmer of a star-shaped earring caught his attention, glinting subtly as she moved.

After collecting the package and settling the payment, the two elderly women turned to leave. As Xin Long instinctively glanced back at them, a cool, refreshing breeze drifted in, brushing against his skin.

And when he turned around again, he met a pair of deep blue eyes staring right at him.

"Young master, please write down the names of the medicines you need on this paper."

She handed him a sheet of paper along with a brush, her lips barely moving as she spoke. Yet her voice, soothing and serene, seemed to echo directly into his ears.

Too soft. Too beautiful. A voice he wanted to hear again and again. The thought settled deep into his mind before he even realized it.

Along with her voice, he caught her natural scent—untainted by any artificial perfume. Just the pure, untouched fragrance of her presence.

His lips parted slightly, but no words came out. Instead, he simply gave a small nod, reaching out to take the paper before carefully writing down the names of the medicines he needed.

After double-checking his list, he handed it back to her. And in that moment, a phrase his father had once said echoed in his mind.

"Son, if a thought flashes through your mind and you truly wish to capture it, don't hesitate. Act on it immediately. If you waver now, one day, you'll look back and regret it, thinking—'If only I had done it then.'"

As his father's words echoed in his mind, a faint smile formed on his lips.

"May I have another sheet of paper? I need it."

The moment he finished speaking, he saw her give a small nod. She pulled out a blank sheet and handed it to him. As he reached for it, their fingers didn't touch, yet he felt the weight of the moment.

She glanced at the list of medicines he had written, her blue eyes widening slightly in surprise before she turned and disappeared into the courtyard behind the shop.

Xin Long stared at the empty sheet before him for a moment, then picked up the brush and wrote something—not a list of medicines, but something else. Folding the paper, he deliberately placed it on the counter where she would be sure to see it.

Then, he stood there, waiting.

The room was silent, yet within him, his heartbeat pounded loudly, echoing in his ears. He was waiting for her to return. And in that moment, he suddenly remembered the very thing he had come for.

The mind-controlling drug.

A drug that needed to be neutralized. A drug that had set his heart racing. As that realization sank in, he could almost feel his blood coursing through his veins with renewed urgency.

But before he could delve deeper into his thoughts, she emerged from the back, carrying a carefully wrapped package of medicine. The moment he saw her, his mind went completely blank.

Again, he was drawn in by the unchanging grace of her every movement.

"That'll be fifty silver coins, young master."

Taking the package from her hands, he reached into the small pouch secured within his robes. Pulling out the required amount, he carefully counted the coins before handing them over.

And with that, he turned and walked out of the shop, the medicine in his grasp.

But in his heart, he was certain of one thing—she would open the paper and read what he had written.

And somehow, that belief alone filled him with an odd sense of strength.

End - 14