CH 15

Upon meeting the Eldest Young Master again, he looked back and forth between me and Ye Tan for a long time, and said with bewilderment, “It’s only been three days since we last meant, why have both of your complexions become so bad?”

Without chatting any further, the Eldest Young Master immediately introduced the doctor. Mr. Wedding Clothes seemed quite anxious, as if he was in a hurry to reincarnate, pushing me and Ye Tan into the back room. The Eldest Young Master followed along, wanting to stick his head in and see what was going on, but was scolded to “get the hell out,” and backed out again in an embarrassed manner.

As the doctor started the treatment, he also was quite stunned, “Back then when my master wanted to pass on this technique of transferring energy, I felt that it was crazy, wondering what kind of idiot would use the soundness of his entire life to save another crippled person, but my master hung me up in the yard and beat me thoroughly. Later, during the Qingming festival,* my master took me tomb sweeping, and it was only then that I realized my master’s own life was saved using this technique. From then on, I felt deep veneration for that person. Although I was able to learn this technique, I have never had the opportunity to use it, after all, public morals have degenerated and people’s hearts are not like they used to be. I didn’t think I would still be able to meet two such sincere people. I deeply respect this young master, but it is always good to plan ahead, I am very familiar with the Xu family who makes coffins, and also close with the Liu family who sells joss sticks, if the time comes where you need to buy these things, please make sure to let me know…”

*Qingming festival = traditional Chinese festival, tomb sweeping day

As I listened to Mr. Wedding Clothes’ chattering, his voice seemed to drift farther and farther away, making me feel very drowsy. It just so happened that I was sitting quite close to Ye Tan, so I leaned on his shoulder and prepared to go meet the Duke of Zhou.*

*Duke of Zhou = known as the God of Dreams, meaning falling asleep

Perhaps because Ye Tan had just listened to the doctor’s spiel about selling joss sticks, he was somewhat panicked, nervously asking, “Master?”

I vaguely said, “I’m a little sleepy, nothing is wrong, you guys can continue.” Ye Tan had a distinct bone structure, with many sharp edges, and was truly not qualified to be a pillow. I moved around for a long time before I found a comfortable position, peacefully falling asleep.

While dreaming, I felt that I was drowning at sea. It was difficult to breathe, and it was as if my insides were churning ceaselessly. My left foot felt like it was stepping in cotton, while my right foot was filled with iron and lead. I tried to open my eyes, but my vision was still blurred, so much that I was unable to tell whether I was sitting or lying down.

I wasn’t sure whether I was asleep or awake, and guessing it was because my sleeping posture wasn’t right, I tried my best to get up, but I couldn’t figure out whether I ended up succeeding or not. I didn’t expect that such a slight movement would cause my qi and blood to surge up, filling the back of my throat.

I seemed to hear Ye Tan’s voice in a haze, and tried my best to distinguish what he was saying, but I couldn’t hear it clearly. I only felt that there was blood between my lips and teeth, which was truly quite uncomfortable.

After enduring for a while, I could just manage to figure out that I was currently being held in someone’s arms, and this person was currently feeding me medicine. This pair of hands was trembling uncontrollably, and I suddenly felt that this wasn’t quite reassuring.

Ye Tan.

If you still have a conscience, please remember to kiss me secretly.

Thank you. [Puts hands together]

In this way, I didn’t know how many times I awoke in a half dizzy and half awake state, and I gradually got used to this floating state. The next time I was able to open my eyes and see the sun and moon again, I was truly ecstatic.

Ye Tan was sitting cross legged in front of the bed, training his breath with his eyes closed. Upon hearing the sound, he jumped up like a rabbit to help me up.

His eyes had become bloodshot, making me extremely alarmed upon seeing him.

“Ah Tan, you… should eat some more meat.” I said.

Ye Tan blankly said, “What?”

“You are too skinny, it’s uncomfortable to hug you.” I said with dislike.

He sniffed a little, “This servant will do as you command.”

I tried to move my arm, but I couldn’t feel any strength at all. I wasn’t sure when the next time I could sit and eat normally again would be, I was truly going through even more ups and downs every day, and the future seemed bleak.

To be honest, I didn’t expect that destroying my cultivation would be so serious. I was a little frightened.

…Ye Tan was probably even more frightened than me.

When I thought about how I would have to pay special attention to and comfort him again, I almost didn’t dare look at him anymore.

I stammered as I tried to find another topic to stall for time, “Is there any water?”

Ye Tan gently put me down, disappearing within the blink of an eye. Like the wind, he poured out a cup and returned, with an astonishing speed.

“Wow.” I quite enjoyed this, “Shadow Guards are truly very fast.”

“…Yes, I have already recovered two levels of strength.” Ye Tan handed me the porcelain cup, and I picked it up with both hands as if facing an enemy, fearing that I wouldn’t be able to hold the cup and he would discover how weak I was.

With a noise, the porcelain cup slipped away from my fingers.

Damn, I couldn’t hold it at all.

In the next instant, the porcelain cup fell steadily into Ye Tan’s hand, and not a drop was spilled.

I didn’t give up and wanted to try again, and was finally able to use all my strength to hold onto the cup, but was unfortunately only able to move half a foot before it slipped again.

Ye Tan still had quick eyesight and swift hands, catching it safely one more time.

He lowered his head, a touch of gloominess appearing between his brows, “Master, how could you have become this weak…”

“Hahahahahaha, this is so fun!” On the contrary, I was very happy. “It’s like training a puppy to retrieve a stick that is thrown, hahaha that’s so cute!”

Ye Tan was silent, and it seemed that he was about to laugh out of anger because of me.

*salted fish = someone who is idle and doesn’t do anything

“Master is truly a very interesting person.” Ye Tan fed me soup as he said, “If someone else were in this situation, they would feel extremely humiliated.”

“I originally couldn’t pick up the meatballs anyways, so wouldn’t I still have to rely on Ah Tan to feed me?” I accepted my uselessness setting very calmly, not ashamed but proud instead.

Ye Tan didn’t pay attention to me, instead talking to himself, “This servant will definitely find a way to restore Master’s strength.”

“Martial arts and stuff don’t matter that much to me. I am just so envious of Ah Tan for being able to use chopsticks so well.” I turned the topic back to chopsticks again.

“…No,” Ye Tan said firmly, “You must learn how to use chopsticks, and you must also learn to practice swordsmanship.”

“Okay okay. Then I will depend on Lord Shadow Guard to teach me.”

After Ye Tan finished feeding me, he cleaned me and then stuffed me back into bed, then going to collect and wash the dishes.

I looked at him after he busied himself here and there, thinking to myself, a live-in nanny, these words are not false.

After getting everything in order, he came back to check on me, and was a little surprised to see that I was still awake.

I did in fact still have something to ask him.

“Ah Tan. At that time when your martial arts were destroyed, were you like how I am now?” I asked.

I had no injuries or pain, and I had him at my side attending to me with great care, but I still felt that I was suffering greatly.

I don’t know about that time, when Yaksha’s martial arts were destroyed, his whole body was seriously injured, and was banished from home by the master he respected, sent back to a forlorn corner in Nightrunner, waiting for death without water or rice to eat…

I didn’t dare think about it anymore.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Ye Tan was cautiously kneeling in front of the bed, and seeing my complexion turn unwell, he suddenly became alert.

I reached out my hand strenuously, dangling it on top of his head, and stroked his soft hair.

“I’m sorry. I should have picked you up sooner…”

Ye Tan looked absolutely dumbfounded.

Upon saying dizzy, I felt dizzy.

Before I passed out, there was one question I didn’t have time to ask about.

I thought, Ye Tan’s martial arts were so easy to recover.

Since he could be cured so easily, why did the Second Young Master so quickly give up on this trump card, the strongest in Nightrunner?