An eight-immortals table stood upon a high platform, flanked by several chairs, catching the sunlight to reveal a faint, ruddy glow that hinted at antique grace.
Xiao Yuan rose from her cushion, moving to the northwest corner of the dais. She pulled up her skirts and squatted down, reaching out to tend to a small red clay stove. With a gurgling sound, white vapor curled upwards, drifting out a wisp of pure fragrance.
In this posture, her back formed an elegant arc. Her bright eyes fixed intently on the swirling, circling white mist, unblinking, lost in thought.
After a long while, she let out a soft sigh, blowing away the lingering vapor.
"Alas..." Three days had passed. Zhan Ran was surely in grave danger!
Elder An was certain he lived, but after such severe injuries and so much blood loss, his body must be weak. How could he endure three days without food or drink? Starvation alone would kill a man!
Yet, Elder An had issued a strict decree: no one was permitted to touch Zhan Ran. Everyone else could only fret anxiously.
Vice Steward Li fell ill the very next day and couldn't leave his bed. The bond between those two brothers was truly deep; the Vice Steward never got sick before, yet collapsed just like that. According to Elder An, the sudden surge of anger had blocked his vital energy, and if not carefully managed, it could leave a lasting ailment.
To outsiders, the Young Miss appeared serene and unworried, but only she knew she was just as anxious; she simply refused to show it.
The four fellows from the Tian Shu Court were all drooping, spirits entirely gone, blisters forming at the corners of their mouths. Zhan Ran had only been inducted for a short time, yet their bond as martial brothers was already so deep—he certainly had a knack for making friends.
Commander Jin’s face was so dark you could wring water from it; he hadn't spoken a word in three days, ignoring everyone, which was truly terrifying.
The most pitiful was Sister Gong. She grew paler each day, like a sapling struggling through drought. In three days, she had wasted away noticeably, her jawline becoming even sharper.
Her nature was stubborn; the Young Miss had told her to leave, but she refused, determined to stay right there, enduring the fierce glares from the four youths of the Tian Shu Court. Watching her was painful even for others.
The surroundings were vast and empty, the training ground bordered by lush greenery. Standing on the platform should have been refreshing, but these three days felt oppressively heavy; even breathing required caution.
Xiao Yuan rested her chin in her hand and sighed softly once more, dissipating the drifting vapor, her eyes growing increasingly hazy.
"Hey, look! Look, look!" Yu Chi Ming suddenly cried out urgently, startling Xiao Yuan. She turned her head and instantly her eyes widened.
Li Mu Chan floated a foot above the ground, maintaining his cross-legged posture, utterly motionless, seated serenely in the air. His bearing was majestic, as if the Buddha himself had descended!
At this moment, his complexion was ruddy, his expression peaceful, and a trace of compassionate smile touched his lips.
"Fifth Junior Brother!" Yu Chi Ming exclaimed.
Mei Ruo Lan raised a hand slightly. "Yu Chi, wait!"
Yu Chi Ming turned to look, his face immediately lighting up. He grinned, "Eldest Young Miss, Fifth Junior Brother is alive! He is alive!"
"Mm." Mei Ruo Lan gazed at Li Mu Chan and nodded, raising a slender finger to her cherry lips: "Don't speak. Do not disturb him!"
Yu Chi Ming scratched his head awkwardly, quickly sealing his lips. He had spoken out of pure instinct, but upon the reminder from Mei Ruo Lan, he immediately grasped his own impetuousness and felt somewhat sheepish.
However, the others paid him no mind. Everyone's spirits surged; they stared wide-eyed, terrified of missing even the smallest detail. Though they knew Li Mu Chan hadn't died, seeing him genuinely revive felt utterly unbelievable, akin to returning to life after death.
Xiao Yuan rushed back too, sitting on her cushion, her round eyes fixed wide open.
Li Mu Chan sat motionless in the void for the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Suddenly, his gray monk's robe stirred. First, it slowly puffed out, then gently settled back down, rising and falling like ocean waves.
The undulations grew more intense, until finally, they were rapid like a flag whipped by a gale, fluttering violently.
Just as everyone watched in stunned confusion, the garment abruptly stilled, clinging tightly to his body.
Li Mu Chan drifted down like a single leaf, landing softly. His eyes slowly opened, releasing two clear beams of light that swept deliberately over everyone present.
Xiao Yuan started; his gaze felt sharp enough to sting, and she instinctively looked away.
Bathed in the light of his eyes, everyone felt their bodies sink, as if facing a colossal, towering mountain. They couldn't help but crane their necks to look up, feeling utterly insignificant.
In that instant, Li Mu Chan embodied the Buddha, radiating solemn majesty and immense authority that compelled onlookers toward prostration and worship.
"Fifth Junior Brother!" Yu Chi Ming shouted loudly, then burst into booming laughter. He paid no heed to Li Mu Chan's extraordinary state, overwhelmed only by boundless joy, laughing uncontrollably.
"Fourth Senior Brother," Li Mu Chan replied, a gentle smile in his bright eyes.
As he smiled, the immense authority instantly receded, as if it had never been present. Yet, his voice was hoarse and rough.
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!" He coughed violently a few times, then with a soft pfft, he spat out a black lump—it was a clot of blood.
Xiao Yuan leaped up and glided away, returning in a flash from the northwest corner, holding a cup of tea. "Zhan Ran, have some tea!"
"Thank you, Miss Xiao Yuan," Li Mu Chan smiled, accepting it. He lifted the cup, took a sip, and immediately frowned. The tea was cold, bitter, and astringent—truly unpleasant.
Xiao Yuan watched him closely. Seeing his frown, she quickly said, "This is the finest ginseng decoction. It’s very bitter, isn't it?"
"Indeed, it is bitter," Li Mu Chan agreed. He set down the cup, rose from his seat, and bowed with hands clasped towards everyone. He smiled faintly: "Eldest Young Miss, Commander, Sister Gong, Miss Xiao Yuan, and my four Senior Brothers, I apologize for causing you all such worry. It was truly inexcusable!"
"Fifth Junior Brother, don't move!" Yu Chi Ming rushed forward to support him, speaking urgently, "You were so badly hurt. Are you alright now?"
"I am fine, Fourth Senior Brother, there's no need for this," Li Mu Chan chuckled.
Yu Chi Ming supported him, urging, "Sit down, sit down! ... Even if you are recovered, you haven't eaten for three days and nights. How can you stand it!"
"I'll go fetch some congee!" Xiao Yuan jumped up again, running off like a cheerful young deer.
"Fifth Junior Brother, that was a close call. We almost didn't see you again!" He Nan Shan chuckled heartily.
"It was indeed close," Li Mu Chan returned the smile.
This time, it had been a brush with death, narrowly escaping leaving this world. If not for the Gazing at Heaven and Man’s Divine Illumination Sutra, he would surely have already reached the Western Pure Land.
His clear gaze fell upon Gong Qing Yun, and he smiled faintly. "Sister Gong, I am well now, please stop worrying." Seeing how haggard she looked stirred a sense of pity in him.
Gong Qing Yun gritted her teeth and said coldly, "Good people don't live long; disasters last a thousand years!"
Zhao Yu Zhen and the other three glared instantly, fists clenched, veins bulging, ready to strike. Yu Chi Ming’s teeth ground together with a squeak, his eyes bulging.
Jin Kai Tai’s face was also grim, his eyes flickering with cold light.
Li Mu Chan rubbed his smooth scalp and chuckled, "The Yaoguang Sword Technique truly lives up to its name!"
Gong Qing Yun slightly raised her chin, stubborn and proud, staring at him coldly. "Why didn't you dodge?"
This question had tormented Gong Qing Yun for three days; every moment she thought about it—he clearly could have dodged it, so why didn't he?! Why didn't he? Why didn't he!
This thought coiled around her like a snake, nearly driving her mad. She couldn't sleep or eat, utterly unable to comprehend his thinking. He could have dodged it!
"Perhaps... I was blinded by lust," Li Mu Chan offered with a self-mocking smile.
Gong Qing Yun stared, her brow deeply furrowed, trying to pierce his thoughts.
"Enough, Qing Yun, say a little less," Mei Ruo Lan waved her hand, turning to Li Mu Chan. "Master Zhan Ran, please sit and talk. Do not be careless."
Li Mu Chan smiled and returned to his lotus position on the cushion.
Xiao Yuan came back carrying a small bowl of congee. The palm-sized bowl was snow-white and lustrous, delicate as jade. The porridge inside was deep red, like blood, exuding a fragrant steam.
She carefully brought it before Li Mu Chan, smiling sweetly, "Eat a little to settle your stomach. If you've been starved for too long, you can't eat too much all at once."
"Thank you, Miss Xiao Yuan," Li Mu Chan accepted it without ceremony.
The porridge was very hot, with vapor curling off it; he needed to blow gently before taking a mouthful. But the bowl was small, and it was finished quickly. He let out a soft sound of lingering satisfaction—it was truly exquisite.
This was the supreme grade of Crimson Bird's Nest, found only near the coast by the town of Nanyang, by the shores of the South Sea. Its yield was extremely rare, mere ounces. When it appeared, it was immediately monopolized by the powerful elite; ordinary folk never even knew of its existence.
Given the status of the Mei Residence, they shouldn't have had any, but the Second Mistress of the Mei family, Mei Song Wan, was the yet-to-be-wed bride of the Penglai Wang family. When the betrothal gifts were delivered, the Penglai Wang family included one jin (about half a kilogram) of Crimson Bird's Nest, an item considered supremely valuable.
The Penglai Wang family was one of the few preeminent aristocratic houses in the realm.
The Crimson Bird's Nest truly lived up to its reputation. After just this small bowl, his body instantly warmed through, vital energy surged, and his strength greatly increased, giving him a slight sensation of lightheadedness.
Everyone’s gaze had remained fixed on him, watching him drink the tea and eat the porridge, conversing and laughing naturally, exhibiting none of the weakness expected after severe injury.
After the initial joy, overwhelming curiosity followed.
Such grievous injuries should have meant certain death. They had watched him as he seemed ready to draw his last breath, yet he suddenly sat up and entered meditative stillness for three full days and nights. Upon waking, his complexion was ruddy, and he moved with ease, as if perfectly well!
To them, this occurrence was truly beyond comprehension.
"Xiao Yuan, go invite Elder An here," Mei Ruo Lan instructed, studying Li Mu Chan closely.
"Right away!" Xiao Yuan replied cheerfully, first collecting the small bowl and returning it to the northwest corner, then gliding off the dais and out of the training ground.
Li Mu Chan smiled. "Eldest Young Miss, I am fine now. There’s no need to trouble Elder An, is there?"
"Better safe than sorry," Mei Ruo Lan extended her slender, white jade finger.
Li Mu Chan shook his head with a smile and offered his left wrist, allowing her three fingers to rest upon his pulse.
Mei Ruo Lan closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them, nodding. "Indeed, there is no major issue. A period of recuperation should suffice... Master Zhan Ran, what exactly happened?" Her mesmerizing eyes remained fixed on Li Mu Chan, her curiosity impossible to conceal.
Li Mu Chan chuckled, shaking his head. "Eldest Young Miss, as for what exactly happened, I am quite bewildered myself... I was entering samadhi for final transcendence, focusing my entire mind on reciting the Vajra Sutra... I truly thought I had reached the Western Pure Land. Only upon waking did I realize I was still alive, and half my injuries had already healed!"
A wry smile touched his lips, though inwardly he chuckled; it wasn't that he intended to lie, but the true circumstances could not be revealed.
P: There will only be one update today; I deeply apologize. I've noticed that quality and quantity are inversely proportional; writing too fast causes the quality to drop, so I must slow down again. I will try my best to manage two updates tomorrow. This depends on the plot; some parts are easy to write quickly, while others require extreme care, like walking on landmines. Today’s chapter took me an entire day of repeated revisions. Regardless of how much or how little I write, I spend a full day on it, doing my utmost. I would never dare to be lazy.