Chapter 72

Afterward, Mu Miefeng and Xue Yao remained at the cottage. They had brought special medicinal herbs and instructed Ji Chun to brew three doses daily for Su Ran. Over the following days, Su Ran grew increasingly fatigued. Aside from the meals Ji Chun roused him for, he spent nearly all his time asleep.

One day, restless from lying in bed for so long, Su Ran decided to get up and move around. But the moment he stood, his body felt unnaturally heavy, his legs unsteady. He dismissed it as stiffness from prolonged rest—until Ji Chun entered the room.

"Help me outside," Su Ran demanded. "I need to walk."

The yard was empty—Mu Miefeng had been summoned by Doctor Liang earlier that morning, and Xue Yao, bored, had wandered into the mountains alone. Ji Chun supported Su Ran as they strolled along the riverbank, the crisp breeze cutting through the fog of drowsiness.

Noticing Su Ran's silence, Ji Chun offered, "Doctor Mu said the medicine replenishes your strength, though it may cause drowsiness. Once the child is born, it'll aid your recovery."

"Mm." Su Ran nodded absently, then shrugged off Ji Chun's hand, stretching his arms experimentally. The wind sharpened his senses; his fatigue ebbed. Closing his eyes, he focused inward—and froze.

A surge of energy pulsed through his meridians, stronger than before.

His eyes snapped open. "Ji Chun—my inner strength—!"

Ji Chun tensed. "What's wrong?"

Su Ran turned to him, grip tight on his arm, disbelief melting into exhilaration. "It's not gone. It's been there all along, dormant—and now it's awakening!" His laughter rang out, bright and unbridled, the arrogance of the Demonic Cult Leader resurfacing. "The medicine… it must have unlocked it!"

Ji Chun watched, helplessly fond, as Su Ran's usual fierceness reignited—that untamed vitality that made him impossible to look away from. He placed a hand on Su Ran's shoulder, lips quirking. "Congratulations, Sect Leader Su."

Su Ran smirked, flicking his sleeve with a flourish. "Once I've fully recovered," he declared, jabbing a finger at Ji Chun, "I'll spar you for a hundred rounds, monk!"

Ji Chun caught his hand, pressing it to his chest. "I'll gladly oblige."

By the time they returned, Xue Yao was already preparing dinner. He grinned at their entrance. "Back so soon? Enjoyed your stroll, Sect Leader Su?"

Su Ran's gaze turned icy. "Your Shixiong's still absent, I see. Did he get tired of your own company, Xue Shenyi?"

Xue Yao barely stifled a grimace. Damn demon—even half-dead, he's still venomous! How does Ji Chun tolerate him?

Ji Chun, recognizing the jab for what it was, interjected smoothly, "Thank you for preparing the meal, Xue Shenyi."

Xue Yao bowed hastily. "It's nothing. I'll fetch Shixiong now." With a final salute, he hurried out.

Alone in their room, Su Ran sprawled across the recliner while Ji Chun kneaded his shoulders.

"Xue Yao's young," Ji Chun murmured. "He speaks without thinking, but he means no harm."

Su Ran exhaled, eyes lidded. "I know. I was merely amusing myself. His pride is amusingly thin."

Ji Chun hid a sigh. Even now, Su Ran's motives eluded him.

"What do you think of Xue Yao and Mu Miefeng?" he ventured.

Su Ran considered. "They're leagues above those hypocritical orthodox masters. Mu Miefeng, especially—broad-minded, principled. Worthy allies."