"Where is Xue'er? Where is she? Is she alright?"
*Slap!*
Before Chu Ruo could even process the stinging heat on her cheek, the woman beside her had already stood up and roared, "Get out!"
"Sister!" It was clearly Bai Shan, her voice thick with indignation. "She’s the one who dragged us into this. I only gave her one slap—"
"Get out!" Bai Zhier furrowed her brows, her voice trembling with rare anger. "Ruo'er's eyes haven't healed yet, and you still strike her so ruthlessly? Do you truly wish to provoke my wrath?"
Bai Shan huffed in dissatisfaction. "Fine, I'm leaving! You... you're so obsessed with her that you even saved that wretched Nan Muxue! I'm done with this!"
"Shan—" Before the name could leave her lips, the girl had already vanished from the room. Bai Zhier sighed with regret before sitting back down. "Ruo'er, you..."
"Zhier," Chu Ruo reached out, fumbling blindly until she finally touched the other woman's hand. "Thank you for saving us."
"I only wanted to save you."
"Where is Xue'er?" Chu Ruo asked, her voice frantic. She didn't seem to care at all about her own eyes. "Where is she, Zhier? Take me to see her..."
"Calm down," Bai Zhier urged, trying to soothe her. "She is in no immediate danger. She's in the room next door, but she hasn't woken up yet. Where are you going—"
"I need to find Xue'er. I have to see her. I need to see her right now."
"You should rest. Your own eyes are injured..."
Chu Ruo shook her head. "I'm fine, Zhier." She continued to fumble about, eventually tumbling off the bed in a clumsy heap. "I just want to see Xue'er. I need to be by her side. In her state, she must need me most. I have to be with her."
Bai Zhier turned her head away, a pained expression crossing her face. "Fine. I will take you to her."
Inside the adjacent room, Nan Muxue lay peacefully. Chu Ruo knelt by the bedside, clutching the woman's hand. She smiled, though tears carved paths through the dust on her face. "Xue'er..."
"Ruo'er, your eyes... you cannot cry right now."
"Zhier, I'm so miserable." Chu Ruo finally let out a sob, unable to suppress the tidal wave of grief. "My heart hurts so much."
Bai Zhier knelt beside her, offering what comfort she could. "Ruo'er, it's alright. It's going to be alright..."
"Xue'er," Chu Ruo’s lips trembled. "How is she, really?"
"Her martial arts are entirely gone. In the future... she likely won't be able to practice again."
The words were met with Chu Ruo’s heart-wrenching wails. "I ruined her. I'm the one who dragged her down. If it weren't for me, Nan Menghua would never have treated her this way. Zhier, I destroyed her. I'm a jinx. Ever since I came here, I've brought nothing but trouble to everyone. It all started because of me."
"Ruo'er," Bai Zhier’s own eyes welled up. "Don't cry. Your eyes... you mustn't cry. Do you think it makes me feel better to see you like this? You silly girl, stop crying." *You only care for her, but what about yourself? Do you even care about your own fate?*
"Zhier, I'm truly a terrible person. I bring ruin to everyone around me. She was the Young Palace Master, so high and mighty... and now her martial arts are gone. How can they be gone? How will she ever accept this when she wakes up?"
"It will pass." Bai Zhier reached out, her fingers tracing the white bandage over Chu Ruo’s eyes. "Everything will get better."
Chu Ruo shook her head. "No, it won't. Xue'er's martial arts... they can never be restored."
Bai Zhier looked at the broken woman before her. She should have hated the woman lying on the bed; this was the perfect opportunity, and she should have been glad that Nan Muxue was now powerless. But why did her own heart ache in tandem? *Ruo'er, why must you? Is she truly that important to you?* She scoffed inwardly. What a redundant question.
Bai Zhier stayed by Chu Ruo’s side for a long time. As the other woman sat slumped on the floor, Zhier remained in silence, offering a wordless vigil until Chu Ruo finally spoke.
"Zhier."
"I'm here. What is it?"
"How is the situation outside?"
Bai Zhier shook her head, forcing a smile into her voice. "Don't worry about that. You should focus on your own injuries."
"Nan Menghua must be searching the world for us, isn't she? Zhier, this has nothing to do with you. You should leave with your adoptive father and Bai Shan."
"Ruo'er!" Bai Zhier said urgently. "What are you saying? Don't do anything foolish."
Chu Ruo managed a weak grin. "Don't worry, I'm not going to go looking for Nan Menghua. You all should leave. She's too powerful now; even your adoptive father is no match for her. Don't let me be the reason everyone suffers."
"No..."
"Zhier, I know you're only doing this for me. I'm truly moved, and I'm so grateful for everything you've done to help and care for me. I know about the grudge between you and Xue'er—you said it could never be resolved. Being here for my sake must be causing you so much internal conflict. But I truly cannot let you harm Xue'er. So, please, just leave. Don't let me weigh you down anymore. I've already ruined the woman I love; I won't drag you down too."
"Ruo'er, stop talking nonsense." Bai Zhier cupped Chu Ruo’s face. Even though the girl couldn't see her, Zhier looked directly into her sightless eyes. "I have never felt that you were a burden. Everything I do for you, I do because I want to."
Chu Ruo turned her head slightly. "I know, but I can't be so selfish as to keep you here. You've seen how terrifying Nan Menghua is. You have a sister; you two only have each other. If something happened to one of you, the other would be devastated."
"Don't worry about that. If you're worried about her..." Zhier glanced at Nan Muxue on the bed. "Rest assured, I'll keep an eye on Shanshan. I won't let her do anything reckless. Right now, one of you is blind and the other has lost her martial arts. The Four Protectors are in hiding and difficult to contact. The Jianghu is in chaos; it's not safe to go out. This place is secure—it's a hidden fortress of the Heavenly Demon Palace. Nan Menghua won't find it. Recover from your injuries first, then we can plan our next move."
"No..."
"Ruo'er, listen to me." Zhier’s eyes were always full of light when she looked at her, a gentle warmth. "If you go out now, not only will you be in danger, but you won't be able to protect her either. You care for her so much—do you want something to happen to her?"
"I... I just don't want to involve you..."
"Enough. No more of this foolish talk. Come, take your medicine. Get well first; everything else can wait."
Chu Ruo obediently swallowed the pill. Once, she had been so afraid of bitterness, but now she didn't even flinch. "Zhier, are your injuries serious? You and your adoptive father... I remember you both were hit."
"Father's injuries are more severe, but he is already in secluded meditation to heal," she said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood. "I'm alright. That palm strike wasn't too heavy; she was busy dealing with everyone else, so I escaped the worst of it. Wotou is fine too. I put him with Wowotou. You can see them once you're better."
"My eyes... are they serious?"
"You..."
"Zhier, don't lie to me. Tell me the truth." Chu Ruo gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I may not know medicine and my martial arts are mediocre, but I've studied long enough to know my own body. My eyes... it's serious this time, isn't it?"
"She struck you on the head. I've examined you thoroughly and applied medicine, but your vision hasn't improved. You were overwhelmed by grief at the time, and forcing yourself to break free from Nan Menghua's grip took a toll. But it's alright, Ruo'er. Trust me. With my medical skills, I will definitely find a way to heal you."
Chu Ruo remained silent for a moment before reaching up to tear away the white cloth covering her eyes. Bai Zhier rushed to stop her. "You can't—"
"Zhier, promise me one thing."
"What is it?"
"Don't tell Xue'er about my eyes. She's already lost her martial arts. If she hears that I'm blind, I'm afraid she won't be able to bear it. I don't want her to worry."
"You..."
"Please, Zhier. I know you'll help me, won't you?"
Bai Zhier turned away. "Ruo'er, you... you know I can't refuse you anything. But how can you treat your own eyes like this..."
Chu Ruo let out a soft "Heh." "As things stand, if they won't get better, why keep them covered? It's better not to let her worry. In the past, even a small scratch on my hand would make her incredibly anxious. I'm afraid she truly won't be able to accept this. She is such a proud, self-assured person. To lose her martial arts is as good as killing her."
"But you can't hide it forever."
"With your help, I can."
Bai Zhier sighed. "Ruo'er, you truly are the most heartless fool."
"Everyone says that about me. I suppose I am a fool. Is the Jianghu in a total mess now?"
"Nan Menghua is on a killing spree. She's like a madwoman—perhaps she truly has gone mad. In just a short time, many sects have been slaughtered or decimated. The world is filled with grievances, and the Hundred Flowers Palace has become the public enemy of the martial arts world. It won't be long before the remaining sects unite against her. Even the sects my father previously occupied are no match for her now. She has declared her intent to unify the world. And her first order was to send assassins after all of you."
"I wonder if we can contact Duan Ning and the others. They all stood by Xue'er. And Nan Yunshuang... one of her arms was cut off. If Nan Menghua finds them, I fear the worst. If we could find them and discuss a plan together, maybe..."
"Don't worry, I've already ordered the Heavenly Demon Palace disciples to search for them. But the situation is too tense right now; we risk exposing them if we draw the Hundred Flowers Palace's attention. We must proceed with caution."
"Mhm. Thank you, Zhier. Thank you for everything you've done for me."
"You're always thanking me. Aren't we friends?"
In such dire straits, one could only find joy in the midst of bitterness. "Then, as a friend, help me out. Help me get familiar with the layout of this room."
***
Nan Muxue stirred from her deep slumber. The first word she uttered was a call for one person. "Ruo'er..."
"Xue'er!" A bright, smiling face appeared before her the moment she opened her eyes. "You're finally awake. Are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
But with a single glance, Nan Muxue noticed the faint tear tracks at the corners of the other woman's eyes. She reached up to stroke them. "Have you been crying?"
"No, of course not." Chu Ruo caught Muxue's hand with both of hers. "No, Xue'er~"
Nan Muxue propped herself up, a small smile actually gracing her lips. "Silly girl."
"Xue'er," Chu Ruo pulled her into an embrace. "Your martial arts are gone, but we can practice again."
"As long as you are still by my side and you are safe, that is enough."
*Why? Even at a moment like this, the only thing you care about is me?* "Xue'er, it's okay. It's fine. We'll practice together. I'll practice with you."
"Alright." Nan Muxue's gaze was incredibly soft and doting. "I'll listen to whatever my Ruo'er says."
"You've been asleep for so long. Are you thirsty? Hungry? I'll get you something to eat."
Chu Ruo hurried to grab the food and tea from the table, but her hand wobbled, and she let out a small cry of pain. She then carefully brought the tray over to the bedside. Seeing this, Nan Muxue took her hand. "What's wrong? Is your hand injured?"
"Mhm, your mother hit it, so it's a bit stiff. So..." She put on a playful, grinning face. "Since I haven't eaten either, you have to feed me."
Muxue laughed softly. "You rascal. You're clearly just being lazy and faking an injury to trick me."
"Well, I like it when you feed me."
Nan Muxue had always been unable to refuse Chu Ruo. "Fine, I'll feed you."
"I'm lazy!" Chu Ruo laughed loudly and opened her mouth wide, waiting for the food to be delivered. *Little Scorpion, this time, I'm truly blind. You can't tell, can you? I've successfully fooled you.*
***
**Glossary**
Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation
---|---|---
天魔宫 | Heavenly Demon Palace | The sect led by Tu Ao-zhi.
大堡垒 | Great Fortress | A hidden stronghold of the Heavenly Demon Palace.
窝窝头 | Wowotou | Another pet dog, companion to Wotou.
无情的傻瓜 | Heartless fool | Used by Zhier to describe Chu Ruo's self-sacrificing nature.
圣使 | Holy Envoy | Chu Ruo's title within the Hundred Flowers Palace.
莫非 | Mo Fei | The Fifth Protector of the Hundred Flowers Palace.
寒冰掌 | Glacial Palm | A martial arts technique mentioned by Nan Menghua.
