"…"
The Cloud Knight silently watched Tingyun's departing figure, then glanced up at the bright, clear moon. She stepped into the house and locked the door behind her.
Clang…
After removing the heavy armor, Jingliu wiped the dust from her wrists. She turned to look at the small Wende, still unconscious on the bed. Silently, she untied the black cloth covering her eyes, revealing crimson-hued pupils.
"Hah…"
Exhaling a soft, cool breath, Jingliu quietly walked to Wende's side. Looking at that familiar face, the coldness in her eyes immediately softened.
"I never thought I would see you like this again before I left… It's truly nostalgic…"
Her pale, slender, and chilly hand gently took hold of little Wende's small, fair one.
"Mmm…"
Little Wende on the bed seemed to be startled by the cold touch, but then, his breathing became more even. It was clear he was enjoying this bit of coolness…
"Heh… still the same as before. Once you overuse your Yin-Yang energy, the balanced forces can no longer suppress your innate pure Yang constitution…"
Jingliu smiled serenely, recalling how things were over a decade ago…
Back then, the little Wende had only just begun to grasp a sliver of the power of Yin and Yang. Every time he overused it, he would fall unconscious…
But it was precisely because of this constitution that he was able to peer through the gateway of Yin and Yang to glimpse that sliver of "truth"…
She gently removed the towel from Wende's forehead and caressed his burning hot little face…
Then, Jingliu shed her clothes.
Her skin, bathed in moonlight, was as white as snow, exuding a faint chill.
Lifting the covers, Jingliu's slender arms wrapped around little Wende's body, using her own icy body temperature to lower his heat. At the same time, wisps of Yin energy continuously flowed from her body into his.
"Heh… still just a child~"
Supporting the back of Wende's head, Jingliu smiled tenderly as she watched him unconsciously snuggle into her embrace.
The Mara-Struck state… after Wende frantically plundered the Yin energy from within Jingliu's body, it slowly began to recede… and for the first time in a long while, Jingliu felt it… that scorching warmth.
"Mmm… Bad Person?"
Still unconscious, little Wende sensed the familiar presence in the embrace and mumbled unconsciously in his dream.
"…"
Hearing this familiar word, Jingliu's body stiffened for a moment, then the smile on her cold face grew wider.
"Yes, I'm here."
Half an hour later, Jingliu released Wende from her arms. She gently stroked his small head, then arranged his clothes back to how they were.
After getting fully dressed again, she walked to the door to wait for the tardy Dragon Lady.
Knock, knock, knock…
"Coming."
Jingliu, once again disguised as a Cloud Knight, opened the locked door and let the tiny Bailu in.
"Mmph! How is the patient?"
Bailu leaped through the door and immediately saw Wende still lying there. She turned and asked Jingliu, who was disguised as the Cloud Knight.
"Reporting to Lady Bailu, the heat from Doctor Wende's body has subsided significantly, but he has yet to awaken."
Looking down at the little Bailu, Jingliu spoke in a soft tone.
"Ah! That's wonderful! That strange fever has finally broken!"
Bailu was first surprised, then immediately ran to Wende's bedside. She took his wrist and carefully checked his pulse.
"Oh! It's true! It seems Doctor Wende is truly blessed by fortune! I believe he should wake up within a few hours!"
Bailu nodded happily, speaking with certainty.
As long as this Doctor Wende wakes up, that General probably won't drag her to this godforsaken place again, right?
Honestly, she felt so uncomfortable every time she came here!
"Thank you for your hard work, big sister Cloud Knight. I'll go inform the Astral Express crew of the good news right away. Please continue to stand guard here for a while!"
"There is no need to be so polite, Lady Bailu. Guarding Doctor Wende is my duty."
"Okay! Then I'll leave it to you!"
"Mhm."
Bailu turned back to Wende's bedside, then unconsciously wrinkled her little nose.
"What a light fragrance… it smells like plum blossoms…"
---o---
Wende had a dream. He dreamt that he was young again, practicing the sword with that bad woman… eating together… sleeping together…
That woman was always like that, holding him to sleep regardless of his protests. Though her body was cool, and it was indeed very comfortable…
And that fragrance on her body… like plum blossoms blooming in the dead of winter…
"Mmm…"
Wende slowly opened his eyes, and the first thing he saw… was a pair of jade-green eyes, shimmering with emotional tears…
"Benefactor Wende… you're finally awake!"
Tingyun's voice was hoarse, but it held back an indescribable excitement…
"Miss Tingyun… you're… wait, what am I…"
Wende, his eyes still heavy with sleep, was about to ask Tingyun what was going on when he was stunned by his own childish voice. He froze on the spot.
"No way… uh, this is…"
His large, violet eyes stared in disbelief at his own little hands. Wende was completely dumbfounded.
Although a massive loss of Yin-Yang energy would cause temporary side effects, this was… this side effect was too much, wasn't it? How did he suddenly turn into a human child? Where were his eight-pack abs and his strong pectoral muscles?
"Wende!! You're finally awake!"
March's voice came from behind the closed door. A moment later, a gray-haired creature quickly arrived at Wende's bedside. Her large, golden eyes were filled with concern as she looked at him, her small, fair hands tightly gripping his own.
"Huff… huff… why do you run so fast…"
March panted, complaining to Stelle who was beside Wende.
"Wende, you're finally awake! You had us worried sick!"
Walking over to sit by the bed, March took Wende's other hand, her large pink-and-blue eyes filled with nothing but concern for him.
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry for making you worry. It won't happen again, okay?"
Wende smiled at the two girls who cared so much for him. He then pulled his hands free and gently stroked both of their heads.
Tingyun smiled as she watched this scene from the side. Wende felt her gaze, turned his head, and gave her a smiling nod.
"Welcome back, Miss Tingyun," Wende said softly.
"Yes. Welcome back, Wende," Tingyun replied in kind.
The Cloud Knight who had been standing guard outside Wende's door saw this heartwarming scene and nodded slightly. After taking one last, deep look at Wende, she quietly departed.