Fang Xuan immediately held up the jade bottle in his hand, his face wearing the smile of an enthusiastic junior brother.
"Senior Sister, I heard your injuries were severe, so I specially sought out some pills. I hope they will be beneficial for your recovery."
Medicine? Ning Xian froze instinctively, then immediately became wary.
An unsolicited favor was rarely ever altruistic; there was almost always an ulterior motive.
She had been on Sword Peak for many years. Aside from the necessary rewards from her master, when had anyone ever proactively given her healing pills?
Especially this junior brother who had only joined the sect a few days ago and with whom she had no prior interaction.
She shifted her body slightly, seemingly trying to narrow the gap in the door even further, her voice remaining cold and distant. "Thank you for your kindness, Junior Brother, but the pills won't be necessary..."
Before she could finish, her brows suddenly furrowed. She let out a muffled groan, and her body swayed slightly.
The pain radiating from the wound on her back caused her to break into a cold sweat instantly, forcing her to swallow the rest of her words.
She had been in a hurry when bandaging it earlier; she must have strained it again.
Fang Xuan’s heart stirred. He immediately took a half-step forward, his tone filled with sincere concern—at least, that was how he perceived it.
"Senior Sister! Are you alright? I know a thing or two about treating injuries. How about... you let me come in and help you look at it?"
As long as he got into the room and closed the door, a man and a woman alone... such deep bonds between disciples.
With a little subtle guidance, wouldn't his grand training plan be well within reach?
But as soon as those words left his mouth, the wariness in Ning Xian’s eyes instantly sharpened into a cold glare.
Fang Xuan reacted quickly, realizing he had been too impatient.
The eagerness on his face vanished instantly, replaced by an apologetic expression that said, "I've been too forward."
He took a half-step back, re-establishing the distance between them. "If it's inconvenient for Senior Sister, then... I won't disturb you any further."
He gently placed the jade bottle on the stone steps by the door.
"This medicine has miraculous effects on both external and internal damage. Please take care of yourself, Senior Sister. I... shall take my leave."
After saying that, he turned as if to walk away.
The great work of training could not be rushed; things had to be planned out carefully.
This was what they called retreating to advance.
He didn't believe that after showing such pure kindness without any apparent motive, Ning Xian—who had just experienced betrayal from those closest to her—could remain unmoved by his act of offering help in her hour of need.
......
Ning Xian looked at the pills on the stone steps, stunned.
Even the jade bottle containing them was no ordinary item, suggesting the pills themselves were of high quality.
For the first time in years, a complex emotion welled up inside her.
In these past ten years, aside from being used or having things taken from her, when had anyone ever truly given her anything? She had grown accustomed to such a life.
Even with this gift of medicine, she had habitually met it with suspicion...
Perhaps... this junior brother really was acting out of simple sect camaraderie...
Her attitude just now had indeed been too much, even bordering on rude.
"......Junior Brother, wait."
Fang Xuan stopped in his tracks. He turned around. "Is there something else, Senior Sister?"
Ning Xian leaned against the door, forcing herself to stand straighter, though her voice remained weak. "I... I'll see you out."
As she spoke, she moved to step over the threshold.
But she had underestimated just how weak her body had become.
The simple act of lifting her foot to take that step caused her vision to go black, and her body fell forward uncontrollably.
Fang Xuan was quick. His arm shot out, steadily catching the light, collapsing body in his embrace before she could hit the ground.
Her skin felt icy to the touch. Even through the thin disciple robes, he could clearly feel how thin she had become.
There was also a faint, cold fragrance clinging to her.
Fang Xuan: "......"
......Does this count as an accidental encounter? No, does this count as an unexpected advancement in the mission progress?
He looked at the unconscious Ning Xian in his arms, then at the empty surroundings, and could only let out a sigh.
"You can't blame me for this. You were the one who insisted on seeing me out..."
Helplessly, he bent down and carefully picked her up in a horizontal carry.
He carried Ning Xian quickly into the hall and kicked the door shut behind him.
No lamps were lit inside; only thin slivers of moonlight filtered through the window frames.
With his constitution as a cultivator, Fang Xuan could easily see the layout of the hall.
It was very simple, one might even say sparse.
His gaze swept over the small table by the bed, which was cluttered with blood-stained bandages.
There were also several bottles of ordinary ointment that seemed to have had little effect.
Truly... her situation was as miserable as it could get.
He carefully laid Ning Xian down on the bed, which was covered with a simple thin mattress.
Now, here was the problem.
What should be done about the injury?
Given her current state, the wound had clearly reopened and needed to be re-cleaned and treated.
His bottle of Nine-Revolution Soul-Restoring Pill was a top-tier medicine for internal consumption, but without spirit energy to dissolve the medicinal power, it would be useless.
So... did he have to remove her clothes to treat the wound?
Fang Xuan looked at the unconscious Ning Xian on the bed and rubbed his chin, feeling a bit conflicted.
Should he do it? It felt a bit like taking advantage of her, which didn't fit his image of a proper gentleman... though it wasn't like he actually had such an image.
If he didn't? The blood was flowing freely. What if the wound became infected and worsened?
If the master died before the mission was complete, who would he complain to?
System, what do you have to say about this?
【Ding! Detected that "master" Ning Xian’s vital signs are dropping and her injuries are worsening! Host, please take effective measures immediately!】
【Tip: A high-quality "attendant" must ensure the "master's" basic health and safety.】
Fang Xuan: "......"
Attendant your ass, who the hell is an attendant...
Fine, he was doing this for the sake of the mission and for the master's health!
Miss Ning Xian! Please allow me to remove your robes...
He first tried to pry Ning Xian’s mouth open, intending to stuff the Nine-Revolution Soul-Restoring Pill inside.
However, another problem arose.
A spirit pill of this grade was not a piece of candy; it wouldn't just automatically digest and be absorbed upon being swallowed.
The consumer needed to use their own spirit energy to guide it, slowly melting the medicinal power and dispersing it through the limbs and bones.
Otherwise... it would likely go in one way and come out the other, at most giving her stomach a little tour and providing some minor nutrients.
Was he supposed to wait for her to wake up before feeding it to her?
Who would be responsible if the wound worsened in the meantime? Or... should he help her guide the medicinal power himself?
Fang Xuan’s gaze fell upon Ning Xian’s pale, cracked lips, his expression becoming somewhat subtle.
Guiding medicinal power usually required... well, spirit transfer through the mouth, or at the very least, pressing a palm against her back to use his own spirit energy as a catalyst...
Well then.
Miss Ning Xian, please accept your junior brother's spirit-fusion!
Rate on N.U.
