Du Yue stood inside the lakeside lodge while Su Wen carefully removed the last of the bandages wrapped around her. She wore only her undergarments, and as the final layer came off, the full extent of her injuries was revealed… horrifying lightning-shaped scars stretching from the left side of her face all the way down to her feet.
Her face, once beautiful like carved jade, now bore a terrifying mark across her left eye.
Although Su Wen knew these scars could eventually be healed completely, his heart tightened painfully at the sight. Seeing someone so gentle and innocent suffer like this ignited a flash of anger in him, but he quickly forced it down… there was no time now to dwell on anything but her treatment.
But instead of fear or sadness, her mood was the complete opposite. Her face was burning red, her heartbeat racing uncontrollably. Being alone with Su Wen like this, exposed and vulnerable, made her feel extremely embarrassed.
Grandma hadn't come today… her heart wouldn't be able to handle watching this kind of treatment.
Su Wen gently took her hand and guided her to the center of the training ground. He took out a small bell and asked softly, "Are you ready?... Body cultivation begins with the Skin and Muscles, then moves to the Bones, Organs and Blood, and finally the Heart and Brain, in that order. I'll guide my Sword Qi through your skin and muscles first. When I do, you'll direct the healing medicine to the injured area. After that, I'll shift my Sword Qi to the next region, and you'll send the medicine there as well."
He gave her a reassuring look. "Your body won't have any trouble dealing with impurities from the pills… that's one of the advantages of the Pure Yin Immortal Body."
Su Wen placed the pill in her hand, and she swallowed it without the slightest hesitation.
Su Wen lifted the small bell in his hand and handed it to her, and said gently,
"When you need a break, or if the pain becomes too much, just shake the bell. Don't try to act brave, and don't try to show off. Endure only as much as you should… we can always do this in parts."
Du Yue stared at the bell in his hand, her expression softening. His voice wasn't strict or lecturing… it was warm, almost worried, as if he feared she would push herself too far.
She tightened her grip on the bell and nodded lightly.
"I understand."
Su Wen lifted his index finger, sword qi gathering faintly at the tip. He looked at her and she looked back with determined eyes and nodded. They didn't need to say anything more; their eyes were enough to communicate with each other.
Su Wen took a slow breath, his expression turning serious as his Sword Qi condensed at his fingertip.
He stepped closer, raising his hand toward her shoulder. Du Yue braced herself and activated her Yin Jade Body Tempering Cultivation Technique.
The first wisp of Sword Qi touched her skin, and pain like a burning lightning bolt shot through her entire body. Blood started pouring out of her skin and muscles, but Su Wen used his Soul Sense to restrict the blood inside her skin.
Her legs trembled violently, but she gritted her teeth, forcing her consciousness to guide the medicinal energy exactly as he instructed.
Su Wen's voice came quietly, steadying her like an anchor: "Good… you're doing well. Just follow the medicine. I'll move to the next area."
Du Yue breathed heavily, sweat already forming on her forehead. But even through the pain, she managed a faint smile.
Du Yue had to shake the bell several times as the pain was becoming too much for her to handle.
Su Wen looked calm, but the pain in his eyes betrayed him. He didn't want her to face this pain-enduring torture, but they were both cultivators. No pain means no gain, especially for body cultivators. She was enduring the physical pain, but for some reason, he was enduring the pain in his heart. But he didn't stop, knowing well that he couldn't back down, or she would fall.
Su Wen covered all the areas injured by the Tribulation Law, but there were other areas too. You can't just make one body part strong and leave the other weak, as it will cause future imbalance. So, Su Wen weakened his Sword Qi and sent it toward the Tribulation Law. It felt being provoked and chased the Sword Qi into the normal area of the body... which caused the fight to shift to other areas, becoming complete chaos.
They continued this for around 4 hours, after which Du Yue finally stumbled and was about to fall down. Su Wen had to catch her by the waist to stop her from falling.
Su Wen took out a white cloth and gently draped it over Du Yue's body while holding her in his arms. Instead of carrying her back to the house, he headed for the lakeside lodge. There, he laid out a soft mattress and carefully placed her on it.
She looked so weak and delicate. Su Wen could have mistaken her for fragile and pitiful, but enduring four hours of painful refinement with a faint smile had left a deep impression on him. He lightly rested his hand on her head, brushing a few stray strands of hair from her beautiful face. Her body still trembled from the lingering pain.
Moving to the side, he pulled out some wooden logs, venison meat he had gotten from James, spirit herbs, and other cooking ingredients from his storage rings. He always kept bowls, meat, and ingredients on hand for just such situations. Tonight, he would prepare a nourishing Spirit Nourishment Soup for her to aid her recovery.
He lit a fire with the logs and placed a wok over it. Soon, the warm, inviting aroma of the cooking soup filled the lodge. Du Yue's nose twitched, but she didn't open her eyes. Su Wen had prepared the Peak Grade 2 "Mountain Spirit Venison Soup" for her. He poured the steaming soup into a bowl and sat beside her.
"Hey, I made this for you," he said softly, gently shaking her.
She didn't wake, only blinking her lashes a few times before settling back into sleep. He tried again, but no avail, she acted as if she can't hear him. Su Wen understood and indulged her without saying anything.
Carefully, he placed his arm behind her back and lifted her just enough to feed her. Her eyes remained closed, but her face flushed a deep red. Su Wen picked up a piece of meat, blew gently on it, and brought it to her lips. She opened her mouth and ate it without looking. Warmth spread through her chest, and she felt as though she had found a safe haven in his arms in this cold world. The taste was unlike anything she had ever experienced… rich, savory, and comforting… it was the most delicious food she had ever eaten in her life.
He continued feeding her, taking a few bites for himself, until the bowl was empty. Setting it aside, he intended to wash it later. As he prepared to lay her back down, she suddenly lifted her left arm and hugged him, her face still pressed against his chest and her eyes closed.
Su Wen froze, his mind going blank.
He hadn't expected her to suddenly hug him. He complained to himself, 'Damn it again, she does whatever she wants!' If someone were to look at him, with his face red and his smile like a half-moon, they would say otherwise...
He had no other choice but to indulge her again, but this time he wanted revenge. He also put his arm around her and hugged her back.
Du Yue, who was still pretending to sleep, froze, she suddenly opened her eyes and looked up.
Seeing her look at him, he met her eyes and, after a moment, said proudly, "Did you forget who I am? I am the Young Master of the Mountain."
He smiled, slightly pinched her nose, and said gently, "Now we are even, hehe."
Du Yue had no words, blushing, she could only hide her face in his chest, after a few moments, she said with a feigned pout. "Childish, hmph..," she muttered, but she didn't let go.
They remained like that for a long while until Su Wen finally flicked her forehead gently. "Come on, let's go back. Otherwise, those three will make our lives a complete hell with their teasing."
Du Yue nodded with a blush and got up with him. She then said shyly, "Don't tell them…" and hurriedly picked up the used dishes intending to wash them herself later and ran away.
Su Wen could only shake his head with a wry smile on his face.
Neither of them noticed a small, dark shadow perched on a tree branch, its sinister eyes fixed on them. With a swift flutter, it flew off towards the dark house, where two dangerous figures awaited eagerly, ready to hear the latest news about the scandalous drama unfolding under their nose.