"ARGH!"
Bai Xunli jolted awake, clutching her abdomen. For a moment, she thought her core was being ripped out.
She sat up straight in bed. Sweat soaked her back, covered her forehead and neck. Her breathing was no better; she was panting like she'd just run a marathon. Her heart pounded hard in her chest, as if it wanted to jump out.
She was disoriented for a while. That yell had been loud, real, and close—almost as if it were her own. She touched her chest, trying to calm her heart. She got out of bed, walking slowly to the nearest table to pour herself some tea.
She managed to reach the table without falling. Her body was still shaking from fear. Her hands were also shaking, making it difficult to pour the tea and drink it.
After drinking with much difficulty, Bai Xunli continued to sit there and tried to calm herself. She lifted her head a little and saw her own reflection in the bronze mirror before her.
The woman who stared back was disheveled. Her hair was untidy, dark circles under her eyes were prominent, and her face was pale and gaunt. The woman in the mirror touched her face.
It isn't the face of Captain Bai Xunli of ICEB; it's the face of Bai Xunli, the mortal woman.
Lin Qian had told her that both her Immortal Core and Heart Core had been freed from their seals. She was not a cripple—she could continue to cultivate. However, right now, she needed to recuperate. But Bai Xunli felt weak. She didn't feel like her old, resilient self.
Bai Xunli turned away from the mirror. She didn't like the woman she saw looking back at her from the mirror.
As she turned, she noticed the room was lit with enough candles to keep it bright. Bai Xunli was touched. Dr. Lin noticed that I'm scared of the dark now.
Yes, as much as she hated to admit it, the former Captain Bai Xunli of ICEB was now afraid of the dark. She was afraid of closing her eyes and sleeping. Afraid that when she opened them, she would be back at that terrifying prison cell. Back at being the subject of torture. Back at being unable to circulate her spirit energy.
She touched her lower abdomen again, making sure her core was still there. Jian Wushuan had made several threats, wanting to extract her core. A few times, he had even started the process. Bai Xunli could still remember the pain.
But Jian Wushuan always stopped at the last minute before actually taking the core out. He said that he wanted to do it in front of Han Zhaofeng. It was clear to everyone in ICEB that Jian Wushuan hated Han Zhaofeng to the core.
Bai Xunli frowned. Han Zhaofeng Shengzun.
She felt pain in her chest. A different kind of pain. She had dedicated her whole life to ICEB, to Han Zhaofeng. And now she was useless. Han Zhaofeng had informed her that she was officially no longer a member of ICEB. Because to the outside world, Captain Bai Xunli had failed her duty and escaped. ICEB couldn't risk further connection to a criminal of the kingdom.
I've lost everything. I can't do anything. I am useless.
Tears fell silently, unstoppable.
Knock, knock.
Bai Xunli started again. Fear crept in. Who's there? It's dark outside! Who's out there in the dark?!
She held her breath, wishing whoever was outside would think she was still sleeping.
"Captain Bai, it's me. Gu Tianzhu. I know you're awake. I can hear your breath."
Bai Xunli exhaled. Gu Tianzhu. Gu Zhenren. He's one of the good guys.
"Co-come in," Bai Xunli replied weakly, fear still gripping her.
The door opened slowly, and the next moment, Gu Tianzhu appeared in the doorway. He looked in. His eyes immediately found Bai Xunli's. Slowly, his mouth formed a kind smile that reached his eyes—a genuine smile.
Bai Xunli's body subconsciously relaxed, and she exhaled slowly. She hadn't realized she was holding her breath.
Gu Tianzhu noticed, his smile broadened, and he entered.
He approached her carefully, remembering Xuan Tian's words: "Approach her with care. Her fear is deeply etched. She must give you her permission."
"May I sit down?" Gu Tianzhu asked gently. He noticed her disheveled hair and her gaunt, pale face. He couldn't help thinking—what if she had been one of his disciples?
Bai Xunli stared at him without blinking and didn't respond immediately. Two people stared at each other in silence: one sitting, the other standing. If the situation wasn't so somber, Gu Tianzhu would've laughed.
Instead, Gu Tianzhu changed his standing posture to a more relaxed one. He kept both of his hands in front of him, as if he wanted to show Bai Xunli that he wasn't hiding anything behind his back.
"I apologize, Captain Bai. I know it's late, but I noticed you were awake. I just wanted to check on you. Per Shengzun's order." Gu Tianzhu tried to keep his tone as gentle as possible.
"Sheng-Shengzun? Han Zhaofeng Shengzun?" Bai Xunli's eyes lit up a little.
Gu Tianzhu was taken aback. Why is she this hopeful? What happened?
His face turned apologetic. "I apologize, Captain Bai. It wasn't Han Zhaofeng Shengzun, but Xuan Tian Shengzun."
This time, Bai Xunli was confused. "Xuan Tian Shengzun? He gave Gu Zhenren an order to check on me? Why would he do that?"
"Xuan Tian Shengzun's order was not to check on you. His specific words were to watch over you," Gu Tianzhu replied.
Bai Xunli's eyes widened. "Watch over me? Why? Is he concerned that I would do something that would bring him harm? Does he not know that I'm useless?! I can't do anything!!"
She said the last sentence with a raised voice.
Gu Tianzhu was completely taken aback. Things were not as simple as he'd thought. He sighed inwardly. Shengzun, you are amazing! Xuan Tian had assigned him to take care of Bai Xunli. He had said that the assignment was not as easy as one would think.
Mistaking Gu Tianzhu's silence as confirmation, Bai Xunli's eyes became red and filled with tears.
"And don't call me Captain Bai!! I am no longer an Enforcer! I was EXPELLED!!" She yelled the last word. And she was panting after that, exhausted. She couldn't hold it anymore; tears were streaming down her face.
Gu Tianzhu sighed. He quietly circulated his spirit energy and sent it out to Bai Xunli, very gently, to help her calm down.