Jianghu Demolition Squad

The Child Returns Home (Part Eleven)

By midday, the sun shone warmly, casting a pleasant glow over the valley. Those recovering from injuries took the opportunity to stretch their legs and enjoy the sunshine.

Tang Linzhi, whose wounds weren’t serious, had grown restless after a few days of confinement. She was now sparring with Qi Tianzhu under the midday sun.

Yang Chun, his leg mostly healed, was still feigning illness, lounging comfortably on a reclining chair. The Xuhuai Valley disciples tasked with caring for him attended to his every need, bringing him tea and snacks. Grateful for their role in saving Bai Sang and eliminating Lingyun and Wu Chang, they doted on Yang Chun with meticulous care.

Hua Lian returned from an errand, carrying medicine. Seeing he was alone, Tang Linzhi asked, “Where’s Yan Li?”

Hua Lian had gone with Yan Li to collect medicine for their injuries. He tilted his chin to the left. “Delivering medicine to the City Lord.”

With many of the Xuhuai Valley’s buildings destroyed in the fire, accommodations were limited. They were all crammed together, sharing the remaining intact structures.

The Jile City group was housed in the courtyard next to theirs. Earlier that day, when Yan Li went to collect their medicine, the disciple in charge mentioned that no one had come to collect Jile City’s share yet. He handed it to Yan Li, suggesting she deliver it since they were neighbors.

Internal injuries were always more troublesome than external ones. Wu Yu was still bedridden, but her strong internal energy was aiding her recovery. She could now sit up.

When Yan Li entered Wu Yu’s room, the City Lord was propped up against the headboard, a silken blanket covering her legs, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders.

“How… how is your recovery progressing?” Yan Li asked.

Wu Yu smiled and said, “It’s just a minor injury.”

“You always try to downplay your injuries. It’s best not to underestimate this one.”

“You came here specifically to check on me?”

Yan Li fell silent for a moment, a strange tension settling over her. She adjusted her wide sleeves, placing two vials of medicine on the table. “These are from the Xuhuai Valley disciples,” she explained, “We’re close by, and when I went to collect our medicine today, they hadn’t seen anyone from your group, so they asked me to deliver these.”

It was the truth, but Yan Li felt she had perhaps said too much, making it seem like she was trying too hard to cover something up.

Wu Yu remained silent, her gaze fixed on Yan Li. The quiet tension made Yan Li uneasy. “This one is for topical application,” she quickly added, gesturing to the vials. “And this one is taken orally…”

Wu Yu coughed lazily a couple of times and said, “Now that you mention it, it’s time for my medicine. Would you mind applying it for me?”

Yan Li turned towards the door. “Shouldn’t you ask one of your attendants…”

She glanced outside and noticed the attendant who had accompanied her was gone. She looked back at Wu Yu, who was watching her with an amused smile, slowly unfastening her sash and loosening her robes. The fabric slid down her shoulders, pooling at her waist.

Yan Li quickly averted her gaze. Wu Yu’s injuries were internal, requiring the medicine to be applied to her chest and back. Naturally, she needed to be bare-chested for the treatment.

Yan Li frowned. “You seem to be able to move quite well,” she pointed out. “Wouldn’t it be easier for you to apply the medicine yourself?”

Wu Yu’s expression was one of feigned helplessness. “My arms are weak, and besides, I can’t reach my back. You just told me not to underestimate my strength, so why are you contradicting yourself now?”

Yan Li was speechless, unable to argue with Wu Yu’s logic.

She knew Wu Yu well enough to understand she would remain exposed until someone intervened. The weather was cold, and Yan Li didn’t want her condition to worsen due to exposure.

Besides, Wu Yu’s injuries were a consequence of her actions, Yan Li couldn’t help but feel sympathetic.

She sighed, picking up the medicine and approaching Wu Yu.

Wu Yu’s injuries had been tended to by one of her female generals, who had also been responsible for collecting the medicine. But earlier that day, when she went to fetch the medicine, she was told it had already been delivered.

When she rushed back, she saw Si Yu standing outside the courtyard, “What are you doing here? The Xuhuai Valley disciples said someone delivered the medicine. Did you receive it?”

Si Yu nodded.

As she attempted to enter the courtyard, Si Yu blocked her, his expression unreadable, “You shouldn’t go in right now.”

Confused, she pushed Si Yu’s arm aside. “The City Lord needs her medicine, why are you delaying the treatment?”

Without waiting for his response, she moved past him and into the courtyard.

Approaching Wu Yu’s room, she saw the door open and stepped inside. The carved screen that usually stood before the bed had been removed, giving her a clear view of the scene unfolding before her.

She saw her City Lord bare-chested, one hand gripping Yan Li’s wrist, pressing it firmly against her chest. Wu Yu’s grip was so tight that her pale flesh bulged between Yan Li’s fingers.

Yan Li was extremely embarrassed and struggled to pull her hand free. She quickly walked to the door, thrust the medicine into her hand, and said, “You’re just in time, apply the medicine for her.” With that, she practically fled the room, as if granted a reprieve.

As soon as Yan Li left, the other woman, terrified, immediately knelt down and begged, “City Lord, forgive me.” She was silently cursing herself for not pressing Si Yu for more details.

Wu Yu threw a silk pillow at her. “Get out!” she roared.

“Yes, City Lord!”

Yan Li, in her haste, hadn’t been paying attention as she crossed the courtyard. Her foot caught on a stray branch, and she stumbled.

Yang Chun saw this and chuckled, “Ah! Miss Yan Li, you must be in a hurry to see Miss Mo Wen now that she’s awake. You almost took a tumble.”

Yan Li was startled and asked, “Mo Wen is awake?”

“Eh? You didn’t know?”

Yan Li went to Mo Wen’s room to see for herself. Bai Sang was sitting by the bedside, checking Mo Wen’s pulse.

Bai Sang’s injuries were primarily flesh wounds. Although gruesome in appearance, they were healing well. She had been personally checking on Mo Wen’s condition every day.

Yan Li approached the bed. Mo Wen was still lying down, her eyes closed. “I thought she was awake?”

“She was, just now,” Hua Lian explained with a grin. “She suddenly sat up, startled me half to death. She called out ‘Shishu!’ and then promptly fell back asleep.”

He cast a sly glance at Bai Sang, prompting Yan Li to observe her reaction. Bai Sang’s expression flickered for a moment.

Hua Lian was exaggerating, of course. Mo Wen had indeed woken up abruptly, but she remained dazed and confused for a while before regaining her senses. After inquiring about Bai Sang and the situation at the Xuhuai Valley, learning that Lingyun and Wu Chang were dead and the corpse army dealt with, she relaxed and drifted back to sleep.

Bai Sang tucked Mo Wen’s hand back under the covers, “She used the Gu inside her body twice in quick succession and lost a lot of blood and vitality, which is why she’s been unconscious for some days. Now that she’s awake, she’ll be fine. She might be a bit drowsy for a while, but her energy will return gradually.”

“Thank you for your trouble, Valley Master Bai.”

“It’s my duty.”

Hua Lian and Yan Li escorted Bai Sang to the courtyard. As they walked, Bai Sang paused, lost in thought.

Hua Lian asked, “Is there anything else Valley Master Bai wants to instruct?”

Bai Sang, somewhat cryptically, started, “She likes to eat meat…” and after a long pause, trailed off without finishing.

Hua Lian chuckled, “That’s unfortunate. Xuhuai Valley prefers vegetarian dishes, and the wild animals in the mountain are hibernating. She’ll have to endure for a while.”

Bai Sang added, “There’s a butcher’s shop in Suolong City that should still be open…”

Hua Lian and Yan Li exchanged looks, and Hua Lian bowed to Bai Sang, saying, “Thank you for informing us, Valley Master Bai.” He thought to himself that despite her tough exterior, Bai Sang still cared for Mo Wen.

After Bai Sang left, Yan Li said, “Where’s Qing Jiu? She’s fast and knows Mo Wen’s preferences. Send her to fetch some meat.” Mo Wen had worked tirelessly for them; she deserved a treat.

Hua Lian responded, “Brother Qi went to find her.”

Yang Chun, with a mischievous grin, said, “Miss Qing Jiu might not be available.”

Yan Li asked, “Why?”

“A few days ago, Yu’er finally told Manor Master Jun everything,” Yang Chun explained. “Today, Manor Master Jun invited Miss Qing Jiu to speak with her. Sounds like there will be some good news soon!” Yang Chun was notoriously curious and a skilled gossip. Living in such close quarters, he was always the first to learn about any interesting developments.

Hua Lian tapped his folding fan against his palm and asked, “Really?!”

“If Brother Jimo said so, it must be true.”

Yan Li, however, looked worried and said, “The Jiuxiao Manor maintains is a strict and traditional family. Manor Master Jun might not approve of Yu’er and Qing Jiu.”

Hua Lian, on the other hand, showed no concern and seemed quite pleased. “There’s no need to worry about her; she can handle it. We just have to wait to celebrate their wedding.”

“You seem very relaxed about it.”

“Just wait, we might get good news by tomorrow.”

Good news did arrive, though it took several days. Qing Jiu and Yu’er came together, and Mo Wen, now awake, was propped up in bed, happily munching on dried meat. Hua Lian and the others were also present, crowding the small room.

The two women announced their engagement and shared the news that they were returning to Hangzhou.

Hua Lian calculated the dates. It was almost the anniversary of the Lin family’s death.

Qing Jiu asked about their plans now that all matters had been settled. Now, if she went back to Hangzhou, she might well settle down there.

The group of seven, now joined by Yang Chun, had traveled together for a long time, but there was no obligation to stay together.

They had shared a purpose, a mission to find the Meiren Gu, to seek a cure for Qing Jiu’s Gu poison. Now, it has all been resolved, and there was even a separation that lasted six years. Separations and reunions have become commonplace.

Yan Li had grown detached from worldly concerns. Her heart, finally at peace, no longer feared returning to Wuwei Palace. As a Wuwei Palace disciple, going back felt natural.

Tang Linzhi, naturally, would return to the Tang Sect, possibly receiving new missions from her sect.

Hua Lian would inevitably return to Hangzhou, and Qi Tianzhu, for now, would remain by Yu’er’s side.

As for Mo Wen, though they had grown close, the Xuhuai Valley was where she had spent her childhood. Bai Sang’s attitude had softened, her actions demonstrating a deep concern for Mo Wen’s well-being. She was no longer the cold and unforgiving figure she once was.

Mo Wen couldn’t easily sever her ties to the Xuhuai Valley. This could be an opportunity for her to stay and rebuild her relationship with its disciples, to find acceptance once more.

And Yang Chun… before their paths crossed, he had been like the wind, free and untethered, wandering wherever he pleased. He didn’t strike them as someone who settled down easily.

Qing Jiu cherished them all dearly. Her heart ached at the thought of losing their companionship, but she couldn’t be selfish and demand they stay. The choice was ultimately theirs.

She couldn’t bring herself to ask them to stay. As long as the words remained unspoken, she could maintain the illusion of indifference, protect her heart from the inevitable pain of separation.

Qing Jiu treated strangers with a casual, even reckless disregard, but with those she cared for, her demeanor transformed. She was thoughtful, considerate, always thinking several steps ahead.

She wasn’t prone to dwelling on sadness. As long as their bond remained strong, even if separated by vast distances, they would be close in spirit.

Yang Chun’s voice trembled with panic and asked, “What? Didn’t Miss Yu’er say a few days ago that I also have a share in that Hangzhou estate? She even asked me what kind of house I wanted. But from Miss Qing Jiu’s tone, it seems like she’s going back on her word. Is she teasing me, or was it just a casual question? I took it seriously…”

His voice cracked, tears threatening to spill. Everyone was taken aback by his distress.

It wasn’t about the money. A house, even a grand one, was just a material possession. He could easily afford one.

But for years, he had wandered the jianghu, never settling in one place. He had been forced to move constantly, fearing his enemies, his solitary life lacking any real sense of belonging.

When Yu’er mentioned the possibility of a home in Hangzhou, he had clung to the idea, even envisioning his life there.

He wanted to choose a courtyard in the southern garden with good feng shui, hang birdcages, and fill them with beautiful songbirds. He pictured himself challenging Tang Linzhi or Hua Lian to friendly lightness skill competitions…

The mere thought brought a smile to his face.

Tang Linzhi also said, “What’s going on? You’re kicking us out before we even get to drink the celebratory wine.”

Yan Li sighed, “I was just thinking about asking Yu’er to get me a place with a study. I’ve already asked my Senior Brother to transcribe some scriptures for me to send to Hangzhou…”

Mo Wen added, “My medicine garden…”

Qing Jiu quickly clarified, her tone reassuring, “It’s not that I’m kicking you out, it’s just that I think the temple is too small for a big Buddha.”

As she spoke, Qing Jiu couldn’t help but chuckle, her laughter gradually turning into a subtle attempt to conceal the emotions welling up in her eyes. That house in Hangzhou was too big. Back when her family was alive, over a hundred people lived there, and even then, it felt strangely empty. Even with just her and Yu’er, it would still feel vast and lonely.

Hua Lian chuckled, “See? She said it all herself.”

Yan Li actually knew why Qing Jiu felt this way. She said, ”We’re all Jianghu wanderers. often on the road. We’ve always been on the move, never settling in one place. But we still need a place to call home, a place to rest when we’re tired. It doesn’t matter where we settle, as long as it feels right.”

“That’s true.”

To her surprise, everyone expressed a desire to settle in Hangzhou. Not permanently, perhaps, but to have a room in that grand estate, a place they could call “home,” a place to return to when their journeys ended.

It seemed so natural, so obvious to them, yet it was something Qing Jiu had never dared to imagine.