After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 49

Ye Qingge didn’t even lift her eyelids at the sound of the voice.

 

Feng Mingyi stopped at the doorway, his gaze falling on the young girl sitting quietly by the bedside, spiritual energy faintly flowing between her hands.

 

“You’re awake too?” Feng Mingyi said softly. “This young lady suffered not only severe spiritual depletion but also a terrible fright. Her body is covered in wounds. I thought you were the one most badly injured.”

 

Though he had spoken in a low tone, his voice still carried clearly in the quiet room.

 

Ye Qingge lifted her eyes at last. An impatient flicker of cold light and cast a single glance toward the door.

 

Startled by that chill, Feng Mingyi immediately fell silent, bowing slightly. “Then, continue treating her. I’ll go check on the others.”

 

He bit his lip, muttered something under his breath, and turned away without another look.

 

Ling Lan watched him leave, then turned her gaze back toward the person on the bed. The questions she had meant to ask caught in her throat.

 

Under that frigid, unreadable gaze, she quietly closed the door.

 

The room fell into silence as Ye Qingge turned her gaze back to the person lying on the bed.

 

She had already examined all of Jiang Mianhao’s wounds. They were far worse than she had imagined. Yet throughout the chaos of last night, this girl had not uttered a single cry of pain.

 

What kind of resolve or desperation? Could make someone forget pain entirely?

 

Ye Qingge’s eyes lingered on Jiang Mianhao’s palms, where scraped skin had swollen into raw blisters.

 

The fingers are connected to the heart; just looking at them made her chest tighten.

 

“So foolish,” Ye Qingge murmured softly. “I am a divine maiden. Why would I need a lowly grass spirit like you to save me?”

 

“All the celestial beings in the court trust me to handle matters alone… yet you alone could not rest easy.”

 

A faint sigh escaped her lips.

 

Climbing such a treacherous mountain, wielding a sword heavier than her arm, and facing her natural enemies.

 

A little grass spirit who would cry over a scraped knee and burst into tears at the sight of a caterpillar.

 

After transferring her spiritual energy, Ye Qingge gently placed Jiang Mianhao’s hand back beneath the covers.

 

The blood blisters on her palms had been healed by spiritual energy yet the fright she had suffered could not be soothed so easily.

 

The wooden door opened, then closed again with a quiet thud.

 

As soon as Ye Qingge stepped out, she met the gazes of the two people waiting outside.

 

“Is Mianhao—” Ling Lan’s voice trembled, unable to hide her concern. “Is she alright?”

 

She had assumed Lu Jiu to be the one most gravely hurt, but after hearing Feng Mingyi describe their treatment, her heart seized when she learned of Jiang Mianhao’s condition.

 

Her knees, her arms, her back—almost her entire body was covered in wounds.

 

Yet last night, she hadn’t uttered a single cry of pain, nor shown the slightest hint of discomfort.

 

“Does she love Lu Jiu that much?”

 

Ling Lan lifted her eyes toward the person before her. Naturally beautiful, with a quiet grace that even coarse clothing could not conceal.

More than envy, what Ling Lan felt was admiration.

 

“You mentioned earlier that she was frightened. Is there something that can treat that?” Ye Qingge asked, ignoring Ling Lan’s gaze entirely. “Name your price.”

 

Feng Mingyi quickly waved his hands. “No, no, there’s no need! I should be thanking you, Immortal. Last night, my wife told me how you single-handedly fought that soaring bird. Aside from the Divine Maiden, you are the second savior of Mount Hua!”

 

Ye Qingge’s brows furrowed; she had no patience for flattery.

 

“It’s in the back mountain,” Feng Mingyi continued quickly. “But that qi-tonifying ginseng has already gained sentience and runs all over the mountain. It’s extremely difficult to catch.”

 

Sensing the warning edge in Ye Qingge’s eyes, he hastily added, “I’ll go pick it for you, Immortal.”

 

“No need,” Ye Qingge said coldly. “Lead the way. I’ll go myself.”

Feng Mingyi froze, realization dawning that the person inside must be of great importance. He immediately gestured respectfully and said, “Please, this way.”

 

“I’m coming too!” Ling Lan declared, waving her hand. The sword in the room quivered, then flew into her palm with a clear hum. “Since it’s a rare opportunity, an extra person means an extra hand!”

 

Long, dark lashes fluttered lightly like a butterfly about to take flight.

 

The person on the bed frowned and stirred.

 

The butterfly spread its wings. The figure on the bed slowly opened her eyes.

 

Jiang Mianhao blinked at the unfamiliar room, her mind momentarily blank until the memories of the previous night came rushing back.

 

Lu Jiu!

 

Bracing herself on her arms, she pushed herself upright, realizing that her wounds had been treated and her clothes changed.

 

Even the blisters on her palms had been carefully dressed.

 

“Lu Jiu?” Jiang Mianhao called softly. There was no response.

 

She tried again, her voice trembling, “Ling Lan?”

 

The empty room remained silent.

Growing anxious, Jiang Mianhao threw off the covers and scrambled out of bed.

 

The moment her feet touched the floor, a sharp pain shot through her knees.

 

“Hiss—” Jiang Mianhao winced but didn’t dare stop. She hurried toward the door in quick, unsteady strides and pulled it open.

 

Outside lay a spacious courtyard, surrounded on all sides by quiet wooden halls.

 

In the yard, a woman was sweeping. Though her robes were simple, they couldn’t conceal her natural grace.

 

Her back was slender, her figure youthful but her hair was tied in a low bun that hinted at a calm maturity.

 

At the sound of the door opening, Jiang Yuanjuan turned her head.

 

Leaning against the doorway was a young girl. Her plain clothes only made her pallor more striking, and her timid, jade-green eyes looked up at her like those of a startled deer.

 

Recognizing her as the most severely injured of the three, Jiang Yuanjuan set aside her broom and said softly, “You’re awake? Do you feel unwell anywhere?”

 

Seeing the woman’s face clearly only confirmed Jiang Mianhao’s earlier impression.

 

Despite her simple attire and low bun, her lightly made-up face was gentle and serene, and two shallow dimples appeared on her cheeks whenever she spoke.

 

Yet, facing a stranger, Jiang Mianhao still felt a little nervous. She shook her head and half-hid behind the wooden door.

 

Peeking out with only half her face visible, she asked timidly, “Excuse me, have you seen a girl in white? She’s a bit taller than me and prettier too.”

 

At that description, Jiang Yuanjuan couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “She and your other friend woke up much earlier. They went into the mountains with the sect leader to find some immortal herbs for you.”

 

Jiang Mianhao blinked in confusion. “But Lu Jiu was so badly injured. How could she go up the mountain?”

 

“Of the three of you, you were actually the most severely hurt,” Jiang Yuanjuan said gently, resting her hands on the broom handle. “The other two only slept for a while before waking—already lively and full of energy.”

 

Her gaze softened as she looked at the young girl. “But what about you? Are your wounds really healed? Why are you already up and running about?”

Hearing the woman’s gentle concern, Jiang Mianhao replied quietly, “Thank you! I’m feeling a bit better. I’m just very worried about Lu Jiu.”

 

“Lu Jiu?” Jiang Yuanjuan tilted her head. “The one who doesn’t smile much and rarely speaks?”

 

Jiang Mianhao nodded earnestly. “Lu Jiu isn’t unfriendly or quiet. She just hasn’t gotten to know everyone yet. She’s really, really, really kind.”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan chuckled softly. “Haha, I didn’t say she wasn’t. So, her name is Lu Jiu. What about you?”

 

“My name is Jiang Mianhao,” the girl replied obediently. “I’m from Mount Taibai. My good friend Ling Lan wanted to learn the most powerful sword technique in the martial world from Master Feng Ming, so we came to Mount Hua together.”

 

“Oh? Then we share the same surname,” Jiang Yuanjuan said with a light laugh. “I’m Jiang Yuanjuan.”

 

At that, Jiang Mianhao’s eyes brightened. Her earlier apprehension faded a little, and she finally mustered the courage to step out from behind the door.

 

Jiang Yuanjuan looked at the timid young girl and teased gently, “What’s this? Not afraid of me anymore?”

 

Caught off guard at being seen through, Jiang Mianhao’s ears turned red. She fidgeted nervously, twisting her fingers together without saying a word.

“My lady~” A coquettish voice called from behind.

 

Jiang Yuanjuan’s smile froze, and she rolled her eyes before turning around.

 

Feng Mingyi strode over in a few quick steps, deftly taking the broom from her hands. “Didn’t I say to leave these chores to me when I return? How could my lady trouble herself with such things in her condition?”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan clicked her tongue, scolding him with mock severity. “Feng Mingyi, are you planning to buy a loudspeaker and announce my pregnancy to the whole sect? There’s a child behind us, have you no shame?”

 

Only then did Feng Mingyi notice the timid girl standing by the doorway, her innocent green eyes watching him warily.

 

“So this is the third one, the one who took her time waking up?” he asked, his voice softening slightly as he kept one arm around Jiang Yuanjuan. “Are you feeling better now?”

 

Jiang Mianhao bit her lip and nodded, her gaze flicking uncertainly between them.

 

“I told you your intimidating aura would scare her,” Jiang Yuanjuan said, half teasing, half reproachful. “And look at your hand, how did you manage to injure it again?”

 

Seeing the two so naturally close, Jiang Mianhao rose on tiptoe, peering past Feng Mingyi in search of Lu Jiu or Ling Lan. But there was no sign of them.

She wanted to ask where Lu Jiu had gone, yet the pair before her were already lost in their own small world.

 

Quietly, she took a step back and turned away.

 

As soon as she turned, her vision went dark, her head had bumped into something soft.

 

Startled, Jiang Mianhao lowered her gaze and began bowing repeatedly, words tumbling out in a panic. “I’m sorry! I didn’t see.”

 

Before she could retreat any further, a pair of hands caught her by the waist and pulled her forward.

 

She froze. Her forehead rested lightly against a warm chest, and a familiar fragrance filled her nose — faintly cool, with the clarity of mountain snow.

 

“Why do you never watch where you’re going?” The low voice brushed against her ear, soft yet reproachful. “You’ve hurt me.”

 

Jiang Mianhao’s heart gave a sharp jolt.

 

She looked up and joy flickered across her pale face like dawn breaking through mist.

 

“Lu Jiu,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Her nose stung as memories of last night rushed back: the blood, the fear, the desperate helplessness.

 

Tears welled up, threatening to spill.

 

It hadn’t occurred to Ye Qingge that the girl in her arms would cry.

 

She had returned alongside Feng Mingyi and, from afar, caught sight of the small figure half-hidden behind the door like a timid creature straying into unfamiliar ground. The pale face, the glimmering eyes that shone with confusion and fear. They made Ye Qingge’s heart itch inexplicably.

 

So, she had hidden her presence, quietly slipping up behind Jiang Mianhao.

 

Unexpectedly, the girl hadn’t noticed her at all and had turned straight into her embrace.

 

“Why are you crying again?” Ye Qingge asked softly, lifting a finger to brush away the tears gathering at the corners of Jiang Mianhao’s eyes.

 

Jiang Mianhao sniffled and said in a small, choked voice, “I hurt you.”

 

Her heart twisted with guilt. If only she had been a little faster last night then Lu Jiu wouldn’t have missed the moonlight.

 

Yet Lu Jiu hadn’t blamed her. Instead, she had gone to pick herbs for her as soon as she awoke.

 

Those few words softened something deep within Ye Qingge. Beneath the girl’s trembling voice, she could feel every tangled emotion — guilt, fear, affection — all laid bare.

 

Without realizing it, Ye Qingge’s tone gentled as she said, “It didn’t hurt at all. I was only teasing you.”

 

But Jiang Mianhao didn’t believe her. She tried to step back, yet the arm around her waist only tightened.

 

The pressure of that embrace shattered the fragile wall holding back her tears. She no longer tried to hide.

 

“It’s all my fault,” Jiang Mianhao sobbed, clutching at her. “If only I’d found you faster, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Lu Jiu, I almost lost you.”

 

The emotions she had forced down since last night flooded out uncontrollably. Jiang Mianhao buried her face in Ye Qingge’s chest, her shoulders trembling as she held her even tighter.

 

Ye Qingge sighed softly and ran a hand down her back. “You won’t lose me,” she murmured. “See? I’m right here, safe and sound.”

 

“Lu Jiu,” Jiang Mianhao whispered between uneven breaths, “promise me that no matter what happens, you’ll take me with you. I know I’m clumsy, but I’ll protect you. Just don’t leave me alone again.”

 

“Alright,” Ye Qingge said patiently. “I won’t leave you alone.”

 

She lowered her gaze to the top of the girl’s head, a faint, unfamiliar emotion rippling through her heart.

 

But even as it stirred, she couldn’t tell whether the feeling was her own or the echo of the Heart-Link Knot.

 

Her eyes drifted downward, and she frowned. “Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”

 

Still sniffling, Jiang Mianhao shook her head, offering no explanation.

 

The next instant, Ye Qingge’s arm slipped under her knees, and she was lifted clean off the ground.

 

“You’re not fully recovered,” Ye Qingge scolded lightly, “and you’re walking around barefoot. Truly foolish.”

 

The sudden motion startled Jiang Mianhao. She looked up and their gazes met.

 

Her tear-filled eyes reflected the other’s calm features, lashes trembling as crystal tears hung, unfallen, at their tips.

 

Ye Qingge felt momentarily dazed. Before she realized it, she had leaned forward and gently brushed her lips against the tears on Jiang Mianhao’s cheek.

 

The trembling of the girl’s lashes brought Ye Qingge back to herself. She drew back slightly, her heart unsteady.

 

In her arms, Jiang Mianhao’s eyes remained closed, tears still slipping down her face, her fingers clutching tightly at Ye Qingge’s robe.

 

A faint smile curved Ye Qingge’s lips. She reached out, wiping away the last traces of tears with her thumb.

 

“Don’t cry anymore,” she whispered softly. “I’m here.”