Chapter 59: "Close Enough"

Since the corpse was of no use, Zora took his storage bag. With the master dead, the restrictions on the bag vanished, and Zora’s spiritual sense easily delved inside. It was filled with a vast amount of fresh raw meat, likely intended to feed the swarm of small monsters.

Zora didn't waste any more time. She stowed the bag and prepared to leave. However, Liyu caught hold of her.

Zora tilted her head: "?"

Liyu had a delicate appearance, her eyes holding the depth of everything she had experienced over hundreds of years. She was like a settled pond that occasionally rippled, bringing an immense sense of tranquility. Some cultivators were protected within sects for centuries and remained mentally immature, while others went through a thousand sails, their states of mind either climbing to new heights or plummeting. Having lived in the mortal world for centuries, Liyu’s mindset was far beyond what her outward appearance suggested.

She looked at Zora now as if she were looking at a child in the village, yet with the respect due to someone with higher cultivation.

"Let’s handle your wounds first."

Zora: "I'll let Vane handle it later."

Liyu laughed softly and shook her head: "Wounds are always better handled early. Don't be so indifferent toward your own body."

"I won't die." Zora looked down at her hand, which was riddled with thorns. It was a gruesome, bloody sight; her fingers trembled uncontrollably, unable to bend, yet her expression remained unchanged.

Liyu began to understand this girl's way of thinking. It wasn't that she didn't feel pain, but that her threshold for caring was much lower than a normal person's.

Why?

Liyu had no intent to pry into her personal history; she simply asked: "Does it hurt?"

"It hurts," Zora answered honestly.

"If it hurts, treating it will make it feel much better," Liyu said softly, her brows relaxing into a gentle, coaxing expression. "Instead of only caring for your body because you might die... why not care because it hurts? Some wounds, if accumulated over time, can cause great harm and shorten your lifespan."

"Furthermore, if you don't treat your injuries in time, what if a sudden emergency occurs? What if you are killed because you were hindered by untreated wounds? After all, my cultivation isn't powerful like yours, Zora; I might not be able to protect you well."

"..."

Zora didn't speak, looking up at her slightly. Liyu continued to smile, her attitude remaining humble and kind. Zora was silent for a moment.

"..."

What she said seemed to make a lot of sense. Zora thought about it, then nodded in agreement. Liyu’s smile deepened.

The thorns on the vines were of various sizes. Liyu picked them out one by one. Up close, she truly saw the extent of Zora's injuries. It was shocking. There were so many sharp thorns embedded in the flesh that Liyu didn't even know how to hold her hand; there were tiny wounds everywhere. Not to mention the injuries Zora had sustained during the fight—she remembered Zora being struck by the demonic cultivator's whip, smashing through a massive rock.

Liyu remained silent, quickly and carefully removing the thorns. Each time a thorn was pulled, it brought a sharp sting that poked at Zora's temples, but Zora was used to it. Her endurance was immense; she watched with lowered eyes, her brows not moving an inch. Only Liyu’s forehead was beaded with sweat.

One by one, the blood-soaked thorns were pulled out and dropped to the ground. After the last one was removed, Liyu wrapped the hand simply in a clean cloth and suddenly said, "I also have to thank you for saving me."

Zora expressionlessly: "Because of the mission."

Liyu laughed: "What kind of sword cultivator ignores her own hands for a mission worth only a few thousand spirit stones? You haven't reached the stage where the divine spirit and body are separate; what if you damaged your bone structure?"

She added: "And after finding out there was a demonic cultivator, you went in alone instead of notifying the sect that the mission rank was wrong."

Zora frowned: "That is my business."

Besides, Vane had almost lost control. If anyone else had found out, she would have had to silence them to keep the secret—it would have been such a hassle.

Liyu looked at her for a moment and smiled: "I understand."

She was a cultivator with little dependency on her sect. Liyu gave her a few instructions on what to watch for during recovery. "The rest, perhaps the physicians will tell you when you see them."

"Tell me what?"

"Tell you when to apply medicine—" Liyu stopped herself, asking out of the blue, "Have you never seen a physician? How do you usually handle your wounds?"

"I haven't. I handle them myself, or Vane handles them," Zora paused, then added, "And now you."

"...I see."

Liyu's touch was very gentle. When Vane bandaged her, Zora had never paid serious attention to him because he was a servant; she didn't have the conscious intent to notice then. Now, looking at Liyu, Zora suddenly felt her expression was different from usual. She asked bluntly.

Liyu was taken-back, then smiled softly: "Because you were injured for my sake, I am naturally worried."

When they returned to the village, Liyu expected to see a chaotic scene of villagers rushing out in tears to welcome them. Instead, everything was as usual—even more orderly. Those farming, watering, or running small shops were all following their routines; normal life in the village continued.

Seeing the Goddess return, they finally showed smiles: "The Goddess is back! Thank you for your hard work, please rest quickly."

"Goddess Sister, were those bad people beaten away? They must have fled in panic, right?"

"Goddess, here is the arrangement for the village festival tonight. The village head said you must look over it. It’s a happy coincidence that the Goddess was victorious today!"

A crowd swarmed around. Zora was pulled into the circle by extension, finding herself in an environment full of chattering. She felt annoyed. In truth, the villagers who spoke to the Goddess were also stealing glances at the immortal beside her. How could there be such a delicate girl? Immortals were truly different. Even the sword on her back didn't seem like a mundane object. Even though she looked slightly disheveled after the fight, in the eyes of the villagers, she was like the moon in the sky—someone they didn't dare approach or disturb.

One person saw the wound on Zora’s hand, hesitated for a long time, and then asked carefully: "Is the Immortal injured?"

Zora: "Mhm."

Seeing this, another person spoke up boldly: "Thank you for the help, Immortal! Daoshi Village will never forget your kindness!"

Zora looked over in confusion. This person had suddenly started shouting very loudly. She said flatly: "Because I took the mission."

"Even so, it was help! Thank you, Immortal and Goddess! You saved my brother!" The person spoke with such emotion that they suddenly knelt down.

Zora just watched, having no intention of helping the person up. If it were any other cultivator, they would likely act out a scene of saying "Not at all, it's my duty, no need for such a grand gesture!" before hurriedly helping the person up, while the other wept with gratitude. Liyu was surrounded by people not far away and didn't see what was happening with Zora.

Zora: "Who is your brother?"

"It’s Zhang Gou. He lives right near where the monsters appear. He almost lost his life because he was too stubborn to move. Fortunately, we had the help of the Immortal and the Goddess! Otherwise, my brother would have surely lost his life!"

Who? Zhang Gou?

She didn't know him. And he refused to move. Never mind, they were all "villagers," the subjects of the mission. No difference.

Zora: "Because of the mission."

The person remained prostrate, weeping: "The Immortal needn't decline! Judge by deeds, not intent! Besides, the Immortal's heart is clearly kind! Otherwise, you wouldn't have taken a mission in such a remote place. Thank you, Immortal!"

"No, it was simply for the mission."

"The Immortal is far too modest. To be so successful at such a young age and yet so humble... our village is so lucky to have your help. You also helped the Goddess; the whole village deserves to thank you!"

"..."

What "thank you"? He wasn't listening to a word she said. She paused for a moment, then said seriously: "You're welcome."

As expected, once the person received a response, they immediately turned to sobbing and repeating words of admiration, quickly running out of tears.

Liyu was currently surprised by what the village head told her about Vane. In just a single day, he was able to take control of the village? Not just soothing them, but controlling them. According to the head’s description, Vane started by soothing them with words, but when that wasn't enough, he handled every problem that arose so skillfully that everyone was satisfied. He wasn't a "nice guy" either; he used both carrots and sticks, quickly gaining absolute authority. Some things aren't just about being powerful.

Along the way, it wasn't just a matter of stabilizing the situation; he had arranged everything in an orderly fashion. He quickly mastered a pile of miscellaneous affairs and motivated the villagers to work even harder. The village head was old and weary, and his successor hadn't returned yet, having left a month ago to take family for medical treatment. The head had been forcing himself to manage the village this past month. He thought the immortal was just there to put the people at ease, but the boy had such capability and patience. When asked, Vane just smiled and said another immortal told him to do it, so naturally, he had to do his best.

The youth also added hidden meanings and hints into his conversations—casual mentions that were quickly moved past but clearly increased the villagers' gratitude toward Zora and Liyu.

"By the way, Goddess, the person who exposed our village's ore vein is being publicly beheaded. Immortal, Goddess, please follow me."

Liyu didn't understand the village rules and laws here; she was never good at such things, only taking on the responsibility of protection while the villagers managed themselves. Someone who betrayed the village and brought a death sentence upon it was naturally guilty of a capital offense.

Zora followed along. On a crude wooden platform, a person was tied up and kneeling, begging for mercy: "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'll never do it again! I shouldn't have sold out the village for a bit of money! Forgive me, forgive me!"

In the crowd, an elderly woman was weeping. She was in poor health and being supported by others.

"The time has come—Execution!"

Liyu looked away, unable to watch. This person was one of the infants she had once saved; she couldn't describe how she felt. Beheadings in the village weren't as formal as official ones; they just pulled up anyone with enough strength to do it.

As Zora watched, a person suddenly appeared beside her.

"You're injured."

Zora turned her head to look at Vane: "Mhm."

Vane lowered his eyes for a moment and said: "I followed your instructions and stayed in the village the entire time. No monsters or demonic cultivators slipped in."

"Mhm."

"...The wound, did that Liyu bandage it for you?"

Vane froze as soon as he said it. He could obviously see someone else had bandaged her, and it could only be Liyu. He didn't know why he blurted out such a redundant sentence.

Zora also felt it was redundant: "Yeah. I couldn't bandage it myself."

The sound of a head rolling. Cheers and shouts erupted together. The old woman in the crowd wailed in grief, saying repeatedly: "A good death! A good death! What did I teach you? Have you forgotten it all? Have you forgotten who saved you? It was the Goddess! Ungrateful wretch! I told you to ask the Goddess, but you bypassed her for money, ignoring the village. A good death! A good death!" She covered her face and sobbed loudly.

Zora took a look. Liyu walked over, seemingly to offer comfort.

"That old woman will be left to her biological children to care for. Also, the damage to the house last night has been compensated to the village head. Since it was an ownerless house, the money will serve as funds for the village," Vane said.

In less than a day, he had mastered many detailed situations. Zora gave a "mhm." She handed the demonic cultivator's storage bag to Vane: "See if there's anything useful. Sort them out."

"Okay," he acknowledged, then added, "...It's best to apply medicine to the wound."

Zora: "Then you do it."

The two didn't watch further, entering Vane’s room. Zora sat on the edge of the bed, belatedly feeling exhausted. She simply took off her shoes and curled into the blankets, lying on her side and only stretching out her injured hand.

Vane looked at the wound, sat by the bed, and placed her hand on his thigh while he retrieved the ointment.

"Is that demonic cultivator dead?" he asked, appearing casual.

"Dead." She recounted the swarm of monsters.

Unlike Liyu and Zora, Vane immediately felt something was fishy about the matter, but for now, the matter at hand was more important. The youth thought no more, bowing his head to carefully apply the ointment, his fingertips lightly stroking her hand. A quiet atmosphere flowed between them.

After a long while, as Zora was half-lidded and drowsy, Vane suddenly said: "I listened to you. I didn't leave the village for even a single step."

Zora looked at him. When the youth lowered his face, he was incredibly beautiful. His lips were pale, his pupils like black ink. His face seemed devoid of emotion. Having had Liyu as a premise today, Zora actually took a good look at Vane’s expression this time. Though he was stoic, his slightly pursed lips and the corner of his brow revealed a little.

Zora: "You are like Liyu."

Vane: "...What?" He looked down at her.

Zora reached out her other hand and pressed the corner of his brow, indicating: "She said she was worried about me because I was injured for her sake. You are too."

"..." The youth didn't move, remaining bowed, allowing her to touch the brow that showed his emotion as if she were investigating it. His dark eyes watched her fixedly. He suddenly offered a smile: "No. She is worried because you were injured

for

her. I am worried because

you

were injured. It’s different."

Zora withdrew her hand. "Because you are my servant."

"...Perhaps," he answered, continuing to apply the medicine with extreme care, treating her hand like a fragile object. "So it is different."

He was different from Liyu. The youth's heartbeat returned to a steady rhythm. The veins that hadn't stopped throbbing while she was out hunting the demonic cultivator finally stilled. Today was exceptionally strange. They had been separated before, and Zora’s strength wasn't poor, yet he couldn't stop thinking of her, worried and irritable. His mood had been restless because he couldn't go, and he could only force himself to dive completely into the village's affairs.

Restless, annoyed, anxious—like a beast that was stressed yet had to be obedient and couldn't react, forced to restrain everything. He hid it perfectly—so well the villagers thought he was kind, so well that when Zora arrived at the village, he only watched from afar. His fingertips had unknowingly sunk into his flesh, and he only appeared before her at the absolute limit of his endurance.

He didn't know what he was persisting in, what he was hiding for himself, or what he was resisting. It was clearly a one-man show, yet he did it anyway. He had even imagined scenes of Zora's death or injury a thousand times today—especially the image of her arm being bitten by the Taotie-like creature yesterday. In his heart, it wasn't the usual excitement of imagining death, but panic.

A panic so deep his brain constructed possibilities of her being hurt before he could even think, each time reinforcing the void in his heart and triggering even greater panic—a cycle he couldn't escape. Those possibilities repeated over and over, each one worsening his restless anxiety. Uncontrollable. The imagery wouldn't stop.

Why wouldn't it stop?

His heart was a mess of panic and fear, beating rapidly. His spear, carrying fear, wouldn't stop vibrating in his storage bag, as if it would burst through its constraints and come out on its own in the next second.

The fragrance of the ointment spread. Vane applied it quietly. Zora felt his emotions changing. She asked: "Do you have to worry even about an injury that won't kill me? It will heal anyway."

Vane caught the question in her voice. He pondered for a long time before saying: "Yes. Because it hurts."

Zora: "It does hurt a lot."

Zora turned over to lie on her back, staring at the ceiling in a daze. She hadn't been part of the world in her original life and was ignorant of emotions; only in this world had she encountered such curiosities.

Vane traced the girl's expression, easily sensing her state. He said in a normal tone: "People are greedy after all. If they have silver, they want gold. If they have food, they want delicious food. If they have a Dao companion, they want one who is single-minded." He paused. Seeing Zora look at him, he continued smoothly: "Liyu is grateful to you. Having 'you won't die,' she naturally wants 'you not to feel pain.'"

"I see," Zora agreed. "That makes sense. It's like that person being beheaded—if you said he was going to be ground into powder, he would probably like being beheaded very much."

"..."

It felt like an example used in reverse.

Was she talking about her own mindset?

Because of the life she led before where life and death were uncertain, she felt pain was unimportant. It wasn't that Vane wanted to pry into her past, but the meaning she revealed was too obvious to him. His brain processed the information involuntarily before he even realized it. In an instant, Vane guessed the reason for her attitude.

Finally, he said: "...Close enough."

"Then you are the same," Zora applied the logic as a matter of course. "Having 'I won't die,' you naturally want 'me not to feel pain.'"

Vane’s smile froze for an instant. He gazed at her, then returned to that most attractive and comfortable smile, as if that unidentifiable expression just now was an illusion.

—"Close enough."