"Come with me," the old woman smiled eagerly, her tone warm and inviting, as if she feared Su Ran might feel out of place. Su Ran studied her for a moment, sensing her genuine kindness, and nodded. "Okay," he replied. He followed her through a small door in the corner, which led to a modest-sized medicine shop. The air was thick with the earthy scent of herbs, and Su Ran noticed Ji Chun and an old man seated at a table, deep in conversation. This surprised him—he hadn't expected the monk to be so talkative.
Ji Chun was discussing their upcoming journey with the old doctor when he noticed movement from the corner of his eye. Turning his head slightly, he saw Su Ran entering the shop, his tall frame unmistakable. Su Ran's expression was impassive as he glanced around the pharmacy, taking in his surroundings.
"Young Gongzi, you're awake?" the old doctor greeted Su Ran with a warm smile.
Su Ran gave a slight nod but said nothing more. His aloofness didn't seem to bother the elderly couple, who likely assumed he was simply unaccustomed to their hospitality. As evening approached, the old doctor picked up a meal and said to Ji Chun, "Young Dashi, please stay here for a while. I'll be in the backyard." With that, he and his wife excused themselves, leaving the two young men alone.
"Are you feeling unwell?" Ji Chun stood and approached Su Ran, his voice low as he studied the other man's pale face.
"No," Su Ran replied, shaking his head. He walked over to a chair by the table and sat down. "What were you talking about with the old man earlier?"
Ji Chun returned to his seat, pouring a cup of hot tea and sliding it toward Su Ran. "Last time, I mentioned finding a secluded place to stay until your injuries heal and you are in better condition. Then we can set out to look for Di Mang. I was asking the Doctor if he knew of any suitable places nearby."
Su Ran took a sip of the tea, feeling its warmth spread through him. His tone softened slightly. "And?"
"There's a place called Yunwu Mountain on the edge of Tongcheng. There's a village there, isolated due to poor transportation. The people are simple and honest, making it an ideal spot for seclusion. The Doctor mentioned he has relatives there who are also doctors, so we'd have someone to look after us if we went."
Su Ran's expression remained skeptical. "Why is he so eager to help us? He's taken us in and even found us a place to stay. Have you looked into their background? What if someone's behind this, instructing them to—"
Ji Chun sighed in exasperation. Why did Su Ran always assume the worst of people? "The couple lost their son years ago and have been running this medicine shop for decades. They're elderly now—who would be instructing them? Not everyone has ulterior motives."
Su Ran's frown deepened. "How do you know they're telling the truth? Don't be naive—not everyone has a heart of gold."
Ji Chun's expression darkened. "Then what do you suggest? These people have treated us like family. Should we repay their kindness with suspicion? Must everything be a conspiracy with you?"
Su Ran didn't flinch. Since childhood, he had rarely encountered genuine kindness. To him, skepticism was second nature. He didn't care if others saw him as dark or cunning—it was how he survived. "Let's not argue," he said, waving a hand dismissively. "I'll look into it myself. When do we leave here?"
"We'll rest for a few more days. Your injuries aren't suitable for travel yet," Ji Chun replied firmly. Though Su Ran hadn't complained, Ji Chun knew the man's wounds must be causing him significant pain.
Su Ran acknowledged this with a nod. "Then we'll set out in five days. After dinner, we can find an inn to stay at."
Ji Chun hesitated. While he didn't want to impose on the elderly couple, he was concerned about Su Ran's condition. Staying here would be safer if anything went wrong. "The inn is quite far, and you're still injured. It might be better to stay here, where the elders can—"
Su Ran cut him off, understanding Ji Chun's concern. "Fine, we'll stay here."
Just then, the old doctor returned through the small door, overhearing their conversation. "It's better to stay here," he said with a smile. "We can discuss other matters once the Young Gongzi's injuries have healed. Come, let's eat." He handed Ji Chun a small box of ointment. "This is for wound care—it helps prevent scarring."
Su Ran glanced at the old doctor in surprise. Why was he giving the ointment to Ji Chun? His eyes shifted to the monk, puzzled.
Ji Chun accepted the ointment, his face slightly flushed, and murmured, "Thank you." He then turned to Su Ran. "Let's go eat."
Su Ran nodded but couldn't resist patting Ji Chun on the back as they walked to the backyard. "Are you... injured somewhere?" he asked, his tone casual but curious.
Ji Chun paused, turning to look at Su Ran. "No," he replied simply.
"So... you're going to apply the medicine to my wound?" Su Ran asked, frowning slightly as he studied the monk standing before him. His tone carried a hint of skepticism.
"Uh, no," Ji Chun replied after a brief pause, shaking his head quickly. He handed the ointment to Su Ran. "This is for you, Sect Leader Su."
Su Ran accepted the ointment with a half-smile, his piercing gaze seeming to see straight through Ji Chun's thoughts. "Thank you," he said, his voice smooth. "Now, go get me some food. Let's eat in the yard—it's too stuffy inside."
In the yard, there was a small stone table surrounded by several stone benches. Su Ran found the area clean and sat down, waiting for Ji Chun to bring the food. Soon, the monk emerged from the kitchen carrying two plates of side dishes, two bowls of porridge, and five steamed buns.
Su Ran glanced at the meal and couldn't help but frown, his expression tinged with disdain. "No meat?" he asked, his tone almost incredulous.
Ji Chun nearly lost his composure. Su Ran, with his elegant and refined appearance, was the last person one would expect to immediately ask about meat. Suppressing a chuckle, Ji Chun replied, "Eat something light for the next couple of days. You can have meat later." Unbeknownst to him, his tone carried a faint note of indulgence.
After dinner, the old doctor and his wife returned to the front shop, leaving the two men to stroll through the alley behind the house to aid their digestion. Given Su Ran's injuries, they didn't wander far and soon returned. As night fell, Su Ran pushed open the door to the guest room, only to find Ji Chun still trailing behind him. He stopped, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed, a mischievous smile playing on his lips. "Why are you following me? Planning to share my bed?"
"There's... only one guest room," Ji Chun stammered, his face flushing under Su Ran's teasing gaze. "I'll go to the inn." He turned to leave, but before he could take a step, Su Ran grabbed his sleeve.
"Come in," Su Ran said, pulling Ji Chun into the room. He muttered under his breath, "Sometimes I really can't figure out what goes on in a monk's mind..."
Ji Chun felt a wave of unease wash over him. When Su Ran had been unconscious, he hadn't felt this nervous. But now, in the dim flicker of candlelight, Su Ran's beautiful features seemed almost ethereal, adding to Ji Chun's growing panic.
"You sleep on the inside; I'll take the outside," Su Ran said casually, gesturing toward the bed.
Ji Chun nodded, removing his shoes and outer robe before sitting on the edge of the bed. He shifted inward, his heart racing. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself. He couldn't afford to embarrass himself in front of Su Ran—not when the man seemed to take such delight in teasing him.
Soon, Su Ran extinguished the light and groped his way to the bed in the darkness. Through the faint moonlight streaming through the window, Ji Chun could just make out Su Ran's figure lying beside him. The monk's breathing, slightly rapid, was audible in the quiet room. Ji Chun closed his eyes, silently reciting the Heart Sutra, his body stiff with tension.
Just as he thought Su Ran had fallen asleep, he felt a light tap on his arm. Su Ran's voice, soft and reassuring, broke the silence. "I won't do anything to you. Relax."
Whether it was Su Ran's words or the exhaustion finally catching up to him, Ji Chun gradually felt his body loosen. After what felt like an eternity, his breathing evened out, and he drifted into sleep.
Around midnight, Ji Chun stirred awake, sensing movement beside him. When he opened his eyes, he found the space next to him empty. The mattress was still warm, suggesting Su Ran had only just left. Uneasy, Ji Chun got up, slipped on his shoes, and walked to the door. It was slightly ajar, and through the gap, he could hear voices outside.
He didn't push the door open but instead peered through the crack. In the courtyard, a dozen men in black knelt in perfect formation. Su Ran stood before them, his chin slightly raised, exuding an air of authority. Even from behind, his presence was commanding, and the courtyard seemed to hum with an invisible tension.
"Within three days," Su Ran's voice cut through the night, cold and unyielding, "I want Yun Mushang and Nangong Chanmo of Liuyun Manor dead." Despite his injuries, his tone was sharp enough to make the kneeling members of the Demonic Cult tremble.
"As you command!" the leader of the black-clad men replied in a hushed voice.
Su Ran pointed at two men in the front row. "You two—investigate this pharmacy. Report to me by noon tomorrow."
"Yes, sir!" they responded immediately.
Su Ran's icy gaze swept over his subordinates. "If they're not dead within three days, bring me your heads."
"Yes, Leader!" the men chorused, bowing their heads in unison.
"Good. You may go," Su Ran said with a nod, dismissing them with a wave of his hand. In moments, the dozen men in black vanished into the night, leaving the courtyard silent once more.
Ji Chun stood by the door, his mind racing. He thought back to the night Su Ran had been gravely injured, nearly losing his life. As the leader of the Demonic Cult, Su Ran was not one to let such transgressions go unpunished. Ji Chun knew better than to interfere—Su Ran's vengeance was as inevitable as it was ruthless. Those who crossed him rarely met a peaceful end.