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墨書 Inktalez
I drifted in the darkness, my consciousness like a kite with a severed string, floating aimlessly.
In a daze, I felt someone beside me, warm fingertips gently touching my pulse, a deep voice whispering in my ear, "Wake up... please..."
There was a fragility in that voice I had never heard before.
I lost track of time as my awareness gradually returned, yet I still lacked the strength to open my eyes. I sensed someone carefully supporting the back of my neck, pouring a warm liquid into my throat. The liquid was bitter upon entry but transformed into a warm current within me, slowly mending my wounds.
"Just hold on a little longer; it will be over soon." The person's voice was weary yet filled with hope.
I thought it was Xie Wuyuan's voice, though it seemed different—when had the lofty Hall Master of Yin Ming ever spoken in such a gentle tone?
In my haze, I heard someone enter to report, "Hall Master, you haven't slept for three days. Shouldn't you rest for a while?"
"No need." Xie Wuyuan's voice was unusually firm. "She hasn't woken up; I'm not going anywhere."
"But that Thousand-Year Ganoderma..."
"I used it."
"What? That was meant for Bai Gu Niang..."
"Enough!" Xie Wuyuan's voice suddenly rose before returning to calm. "Leave."
A jolt ran through my heart. The Thousand-Year Ganoderma was the life-saving remedy Xie Wuyuan had prepared for his beloved; he had once said he would preserve it even at the cost of his life. But now, he had used it on me?
I lost track of time again before finally mustering the strength to open my eyes.
What came into view was a haggard face. Xie Wuyuan sat by the bed, dark circles under his eyes making his handsome features appear somewhat pale from exhaustion. His gaze was fixed on me as if fearing I would vanish the moment he blinked.
"You’re awake." His voice was hoarse, and a fleeting emotion flickered in his eyes that I couldn't comprehend.
I attempted to move my body but inadvertently tugged at my wounds, causing me to frown.
"Don't move." Xie Wuyuan immediately pressed his hand on my shoulder. "Your injury isn't fully healed yet."
I opened my mouth, wanting to say something, but no sound came out.
It seemed Xie Wuyuan understood my need; he quickly brought over a bowl of warm water and carefully fed it to me.
"Thank you." I finally found my voice, though it was still hoarse.
Xie Wuyuan's gaze flickered for a moment before he lowered his head, his voice barely audible. "I should be the one thanking you."
I was taken aback. What was going on? The high and mighty Hall Master of Yin Ming Hall had learned to say "thank you"?
"Why did you do that?" Xie Wuyuan suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Why did you take that sword for me?"
I was momentarily speechless. To be honest, I hadn't thought much at the time; I had just instinctively rushed forward.
"I don't know," I answered honestly.
Xie Wuyuan looked at me deeply for a moment but didn't press further. He got up and adjusted my blanket, his movements surprisingly gentle.
"Rest well; I'll go prepare something for you to eat."
Watching his retreating figure, I fell into confusion. Was this really the same Xie Wuyuan who used to mock me at every turn?
In the days that followed, Xie Wuyuan's attitude changed completely. He no longer held me to the standards of Bai Yueguang, no longer compared me to her at every opportunity, and even stopped mentioning her name altogether.
He began to care about my preferences, preparing my favorite pastries when I woke up and offering me a cup of warm tea when I was tired from training.
"How are you feeling today?" Xie Wuyuan sat by my bedside, earnestly inquiring about my injury.
"Much better." I tried moving my arm a bit. "I should be able to get out of bed soon."
Xie Wuyuan nodded slightly, but then furrowed his brow. "Don't rush; let's talk when you're healed."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Is Hall Master concerned about me?"
Xie Wuyuan's expression stiffened for a moment before he calmly nodded. "Yes."
That simple word made my heart race.
"Why?" I mustered the courage to ask. "I thought I was just a substitute for her in your eyes."
After a long silence, Xie Wuyuan finally spoke. "I was wrong."
Those three simple words left me stunned and speechless.
"I always thought that since you looked like her, you should be like her too." Xie Wuyuan's voice was low and firm. "But you are not her; you are yourself. You have your own thoughts, your own personality, your own... courage."
When he said the last word, his gaze softened significantly.
"I shouldn't have held you to her standards, nor should I have treated you as her shadow. You are an independent individual, a... special existence."
I didn't know how to respond to Xie Wuyuan. His honesty caught me off guard, and his gentleness stirred something within me.
As my injuries healed, I began to move around Yin Ming Hall. To my surprise, the attitude of the disciples had changed as well.
In the past, they either ignored me or looked down on me, often whispering behind my back that I was the Hall Master's "substitute." But now, there was a hint of respect in their gazes when they looked at me.
"Is your health improving, Miss?" one disciple who usually paid me no mind took the initiative to ask.
"Thank you for your concern; I'm much better now," I replied politely.
"That's good to hear," the disciple said with a smile and nodded. "Hall Master has been quite worried about you these days."
I was slightly taken aback. "Really?"
"Absolutely!" The disciple lowered his voice, "The Hall Master went so far as to use that Thousand-Year Ganoderma to save you, and he has been watching over you day and night, even neglecting his meals."
A warmth spread through my heart, but unease crept in. Xie Wuyuan had done so much for me, and I didn't know how to respond.
Under Xie Wuyuan's care and encouragement, I began to practice my cultivation anew. To my surprise, this time he didn't impose strict standards on me; instead, he tailored a training plan based on my unique attributes.
"Your physique is suited for water-based techniques; there's no need to force yourself into fire-based ones." Xie Wuyuan patiently guided me. "Everyone has their own path; walking someone else's will only lead to exhaustion."
With his guidance, my strength surged rapidly, and I soon surpassed most of the disciples in Yin Ming Hall, becoming one of the top experts in the sect.
"Your progress is impressive." Xie Wuyuan watched as I completed a complex set of moves, admiration shining in his eyes.
"Thanks to the Hall Master's guidance," I replied with a slight smile.
Xie Wuyuan shook his head. "It’s your own talent and hard work."
We exchanged smiles, and suddenly the atmosphere grew a bit delicate.
"I..." Xie Wuyuan began but then hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
"What is it?" I looked at him in confusion.
Taking a deep breath, Xie Wuyuan locked his gaze onto mine. "I want to tell you something."
My heart raced, inexplicably nervous. "What is it?"
"I've fallen in love with you." His voice was firm and clear. "Not because you resemble her, but because you are you."
I stood there stunned, unsure of how to respond.
"You don't have to answer me right now." Xie Wuyuan's voice softened. "I just wanted you to know my feelings."
I nodded, but my mind was in turmoil.
Xie Wuyuan turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone, lost in thought.
What should I do? Accept him? Or reject him?
I closed my eyes, and my precognitive ability activated. I saw two completely different futures:
If I accepted him, we would be together for a lifetime, guarding Yin Ming Hall and spending peaceful, happy years side by side.
If I rejected him, he would once again fall into darkness, embarking on a path of destruction that would ultimately lead to his own demise.
I opened my eyes, having made my decision.
But was this decision born out of love or out of responsibility?
I didn't know.
Perhaps time would provide me with the answer.
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