Ling Yu opened her eyes. She felt refreshed, like she had just had a really good sleep. Well, she did. Even though the bed was hard—it was made from stone and only had one layer of cotton—she had slept like the dead.
She stretched her arms and climbed down from the bed. Scanning her room, she noticed a basin with hot water, steam still rising from it. Next to it, a small towel lay neatly folded, ready for use.
She put on her shoes and washed her face and hands with the towel and warm water. It felt heavenly. She let out a small, contented sigh as the dirt from climbing the mountain was wiped away.
As she wiped, images flickered through her mind—climbing the mountain on the doctors' backs, crawling into the cavern, Iron Wall about to be harvested, getting attacked, fainting. Wait—shouldn't I have some injuries? Ling Yu checked her body. No injuries. Was it the doctors… or Iron Wall?
Then she remembered waking up, the enemies sprawled on the floor. Iron Wall had said he did it. Ling Yu honestly hadn't believed him, but none of the doctors had corrected him. And that grovelling person… who was it? Iron Wall said his name… I think.
Ling Yu frowned. How long have I slept? How are the victims? Why didn't I check on them? What was I— Her thoughts froze. Oh. My. LORD. Those lips!! Those damn lips!!
Ling Yu's face turned fiery red. I can't believe myself. STOP. THINKING. ABOUT. IT.
She covered her entire face with her hands.
Then, in a desperate attempt to cool down, she plunged her face into the basin of water.
Xu Yun walked in just in time to see this. "Ling Yu! What are you doing?!"
She rushed forward and yanked Ling Yu out of the water.
Ling Yu gasped for breath, water dripping from her face.
Xu Yun shook her by the shoulders. "What are you doing?!"
Ling Yu wiped her face with the towel. "I'm washing my face. What does it look like I'm doing?"
Xu Yun blinked a few times. "Wash—washing your face? That's how you wash your face? Dunking it in the water?"
"Yes!"
Xu Yun shook her head helplessly. "Okay, if you say so. I came here to see if you're awake. We have food prepared for you."
At the mention of food, Ling Yu's stomach growled in protest. She looked at Xu Yun, grinning. "I guess my stomach agrees."
Xu Yun laughed. "Yeah, I can hear it. Let's go. But first, here. Change your clothes. You've been wearing Xue Qin Lou's uniform. You said you wanted to change out of it."
Ling Yu's eyes widened. "Wow! Xu Yun Jie-Jie! You're amazing! Where did you get it?"
Xu Yun smiled proudly. "I went back to the inn to check on our guests. And I bought these clothes for you."
"You went back? This late? But then, you are an Immortal, so I guess it's okay." Ling Yu shrugged. "But I hope you didn't go alone."
Xu Yun laughed again. "Yes, I went back. No, I didn't go alone. Lin Qian Jie-Jie, Lei Wen Dage, and Chen Zhaoyun went back with me. And Ling Yu, what do you mean 'late'? It's past noon!"
Ling Yu was stunned. "What? Past noon?"
Xu Yun nodded. "Yes, I was checking if you wanted some lunch."
Ling Yu still looked shocked. "I slept until noon? Noon?!"
Xu Yun chuckled. "Yes, noon. It's okay, you've been through a lot. Xuan Ge said to not wake you until you woke up on your own."
Hearing 'Xuan Ge,' Ling Yu's mind wandered again to Xuan Ge's lips. Her face instantly turned red.
Xu Yun gasped. "Ling Yu! You're so red! Do you have a fever? Let me check!" She reached for Ling Yu's wrist, but Ling Yu quickly hid her hands.
"I'm fine! Where's my lunch? I'm starving! And who is this Chen Zhaoyun?"
"Ah, that's right. You haven't met him."
The two of them chatted as they headed toward the dining room.
The dining room was just a regular cavern chamber that the female doctors had turned into a makeshift dining area. In the center of the room sat a large stone table, big enough to accommodate ten people dining together. A wide variety of food was spread across it.
Zhao Zhi was placing food on the table when Ling Yu and Xu Yun arrived.
He lit up immediately. "Hey! You're up! Just in time for lunch. Come, sit!"
Ling Yu took her seat, scanning the room. "Where's everyone else?"
Xu Yun helped Zhao Zhi place bowls and chopsticks. "Lei Ge and Lin Qian Jie-Jie are at the inn. They should be here soon. Xuan Ge should be in his own chamber. Elder Mo is guarding the entrance."
Two people entered the dining room. Xu Yun continued, "And this is Elder Gu Tianzhu and Chen Zhaoyun Xianren from Ziyu Sect."
Xu Yun turned to the newcomers and introduced Ling Yu. "And this is Ling Yu. She's the heart of our operation."
Ling Yu stood up and bowed slightly to both of them. "Elder Gu, Chen Zhaoyun Xianren."
Gu Tianzhu saw a young girl with a pleasant appearance and good manners. He immediately found her likable. "Please, no need for formalities. We are sorry for intruding."
Chen Zhaoyun also found himself liking Ling Yu, especially her eyes. They were clear and pure, with no trace of malice. "Please, Miss Ling Yu, no need for formalities."
Ling Yu bowed again to Chen Zhaoyun. "Please call me Ling Yu. 'Miss' is too formal. I'm not used to it."
"Very well, Ling Yu."
After exchanging pleasantries, Lei Wen and Lin Qian entered the dining room accompanied by Elder Mo. They all took their seats.
Lei Wen looked around. "Where's Xuan Xiong?"
Elder Mo immediately stood up again. "This lowly Immortal will call Shengzun." And with that, he left.
Ling Yu was sitting between Xu Yun and Lin Qian. She turned to Lin Qian. "How are our guests at the inn?" Ling Yu instinctively didn't divulge any unnecessary information.
Lin Qian smiled warmly. "They are doing well. We decided to leave them there. After lunch, Lei Wen and I will return to the inn and stay with them."
Ling Yu nodded. "That makes sense. What about Chen Wei? When is he planning to return to his mother?"
Lin Qian shook her head. "We don't know yet. But if things continue like this, then he can go fetch his mother tomorrow. One of us will go with him."
"Then you'll bring his mother to the inn?"
"Yes. It's safer that way."
Ling Yu nodded in satisfaction.
At that moment, Xuan Tian entered the dining area with Elder Mo behind him.
His gaze immediately landed on Ling Yu. "You look good. Are you alright?"
Ling Yu locked eyes with Xuan Tian. "Yes, I am. Thanks for asking."
Xuan Tian frowned. Why is she suddenly being so formal? He took his seat and waited.
Everyone else also waited. They were waiting for Xuan Tian to take his food first. No one moved.
Ling Yu, who had been absentmindedly looking down at her fingers, sensed the tension. She looked up. What's going on? Why is no one moving?
Xuan Tian was looking at her, waiting.
Ling Yu came to a realization. You're waiting for me?
Xuan Tian nodded slightly and indicated with his chin for Ling Yu to take the food first.
Ling Yu blinked.
Xuan Tian blinked.
Ling Yu blinked twice.
Xuan Tian blinked twice.