Chapter 41: Hundred Miles

Chapter 41: The Hermit

Shen Yuchao caught Qiu Shuiyi as she fell, his expression icy as he said coldly to the wild man, "Detoxify her."

"Tsk, I know that without you telling me."

The wild man rolled his eyes at him, then got up and went outside.

A moment later, he returned carrying some plants and flowers, parted the vines, and went inside.

It was pitch black inside, impossible to make anything out.

Moments later, the sound of pounding herbs came from within, followed by a strong medicinal smell.

A corner of the vines lifted, and the wild man emerged holding a bowl of medicine.

"Here, pour this down her throat."

The medicine was a shimmering green, with one or two red petals floating on the surface. Shen Yuchao was highly suspicious whether this was an antidote or poison.

But a purplish-blue hue was slowly spreading across Qiu Shuiyi's face, and the situation was critical. He had no choice but to force her mouth open and pour the medicine in.

As soon as the medicine entered her mouth, color immediately returned to Qiu Shuiyi's face.

Shen Yuchao breathed a sigh of relief, his attitude toward the wild man softening. "Thank you."

The wild man accepted the thanks without a hint of modesty, then snorted, "You still owe me a fish."

Shen Yuchao nodded. "Naturally."

"Your medicine is inside. Go drink it yourself."

The wild man, his anger subsided a bit, remarked offhandedly.

After saying this, he realized something was off. Suspiciously, he stared at Shen Yuchao. "Hold on, you ate the fish too. Why aren't you poisoned?"

He suddenly leaned close to Shen Yuchao, reaching out to grab his wrist to check his pulse.

A chill gathered in Shen Yuchao's eyes. He set Qiu Shuiyi down and stepped back swiftly.

"It's just checking your pulse. Why are you dodging?"

The wild man, puzzled, relentlessly pursued him.

A flash of dark ferocity crossed Shen Yuchao's gaze. He raised his hand and aimed for the wild man's vital point.

The wild man barely dodged, his eyes blazing with anger. "You brat, I'm really angry now."

His aura intensified. His tattered clothes fluttered without wind, and the grass and leaves beside him swayed, looking like the monstrous river demons from storybooks under the moonlight.

Shen Yuchao's expression darkened slightly. A suffocating, dull pain spread in his chest.

His hand clenched tightly into a fist, then slowly relaxed.

He suddenly smiled, his expression softening. "What is the senior doing? It was just a joke. Why make such a big deal out of it?"

The wild man sneered repeatedly. "I *am* making a big deal out of it. What can you do about it?"

He clenched his fist and, with lightning speed, rushed in front of Shen Yuchao, throwing a punch aimed at his head.

Shen Yuchao was injured, his movements slightly sluggish. Although he dodged in time, the punch still landed on his shoulder.

He grunted, his face rapidly paling.

The wild man stared at his own fist in confusion.

"You seem somewhat capable. How come you can't take a hit?"

Shen Yuchao tilted his head.

Something seemed to writhe within his dark pupils, struggling to break free.

His lips curved into a smile. His tone was gentle, yet an icy chill emanated from him.

"Senior, feel free to try. Let's see if this junior... can take a hit or not."

With these words, he resolutely launched an attack on the wild man.

Under the moonlight, the two fought bare-handed, each punch landing solidly, each move aimed to kill. They fought with the intent to take each other's life, battling until the heavens and earth seemed to darken.

The surrounding plants and flowers were caught in the fray. Leaves were trampled into the mud, losing their daytime vibrancy.

The wild man huffed in anger. His sleeves, torn into strips, fluttered slightly as something crawled out.

Hidden by the darkness, Shen Yuchao didn't see his movement clearly.

By the time he sensed something was wrong, it was too late.

"Hiss—"

A sharp, stinging pain shot through his neck. Shen Yuchao reached to touch it but found nothing.

Over there, the wild man looked at a small black insect on his fingertip and laughed heartily.

He made a small cut on the insect, and a drop of blood fell onto his finger.

The wild man brought the blood to his mouth and tasted it carefully.

At first, his expression was relaxed, but the more he tasted, the more serious his face became, his eyebrows furrowing.

It was as if a thunderbolt struck his mind. The wild man's eyes widened, filled with disbelief and shock. "You are..."

"Cough, cough..."

Qiu Shuiyi, who had just regained consciousness, interrupted his remaining words. But Shen Yuchao clearly saw the two words hidden on the wild man's lips.

He lowered his head, quietly staring at his palm, clean and flawless under the firelight.

His face remained calm, but his eyes revealed a terrifying, maddened intensity.

"Your Highness... what are you doing...?"

Qiu Shuiyi propped herself up into a half-sitting position.

As she moved, she let out a surprised sound. "Huh? I'm fine?"

"My medicine, its efficacy is top-notch."

The wild man patted his sleeves and spoke boldly.

Qiu Shuiyi said gratefully, "Thank you, um..."

She paused. "What should I call you?"

The wild man replied, "My name is Baili He."

Though he looked disheveled, judging by his tone and gaze, he seemed to be around the same age as her father.

"Uncle Baili." Qiu Shuiyi stood up and bowed sincerely. "I, Shui Yi, thank you for saving my life."

"Don't mention it. Just remember to return my fish."

Baili He waved his tattered sleeves and strode toward the vines.

Pushing aside a section, he glanced back and said, "Come in. We'll make do for tonight."

Qiu Shuiyi was immensely grateful. "Thank you."

After taking two steps, she noticed Shen Yuchao hadn't followed and asked in confusion, "Your Highness, why aren't you coming in?"

Shen Yuchao smiled and nodded. "I'll be right there. Second Miss, please go ahead."

Qiu Shuiyi didn't press further and followed Baili He inside first.

The moon hung high on the treetops, casting a silvery veil over the ground.

Leaves rustled softly. The man's shadow fell on the ground, merging with the tree shadows like a monstrous creature with three heads and six arms—ferocious and soul-devouring.

Shen Yuchao stepped forward.

His expression was calm, his heart at ease.

...

Qiu Shuiyi hadn't expected that behind the vines lay a cave.

The cave was well-equipped with a stone bed, a stove, pots, pans, bowls, and utensils.

Behind the stone bed was a door, unlit and dim, making it hard to see clearly.

Qiu Shuiyi took two steps forward, and a pair of glowing green eyes suddenly appeared before her, accompanied by a series of hissing sounds.

"Ah!"

Qiu Shuiyi screamed, her mind going blank, but her legs moved swiftly.

She stumbled behind Shen Yuchao, who had just entered the cave, clutching his clothes tightly, trembling with fear.

With her eyes shut, she stammered, "Snakes! There are snakes!"

Shen Yuchao frowned and looked over.

Baili He approached with an oil lamp.

In the dim candlelight, countless intertwined snakes flicked their tongues, their pupils glowing with an eerie green light.

Their patterns varied—some were jade-green, some pitch-black, others brightly colored...

The only thing they had in common was their deadly venom.

"Oh, I forgot about you little things."

Baili He kicked the door shut, blocking the spine-chilling sight. Turning to Qiu Shuiyi, he said, "There, I've closed the door."

Qiu Shuiyi still didn't dare open her eyes.

After all, snakes were her greatest fear.

The thought of countless colorful snakes just beyond the door made her skin crawl.

"Women are such a hassle."

Baili He muttered under his breath, then simply lay down in front of the door, fully clothed, and declared loudly, "I'll guard this spot tonight. I promise not a single snake will get out. Satisfied?"

With that, he yawned, rested his arms behind his head, closed his eyes, and said, "Go to sleep early. Return my fish tomorrow and leave as soon as possible."

The cave fell silent.

Only the faint glow of the candle on the stone table remained.

Qiu Shuiyi gently tugged at Shen Yuchao's sleeve.

When he turned to her, she whispered, "Your Highness, I... I'm still scared."

This time, it wasn't an act—she was genuinely terrified.

Back in the orphanage in her previous life, after a mischievous child had thrown a snake into her bed one night, she had developed a deep fear of such creatures. Even toy snakes could frighten her half to death.

Sensing her trembling, Shen Yuchao gently patted Qiu Shuiyi's hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid. I'll guard you."

At that moment, Qiu Shuiyi had never felt Shen Yuchao's presence more reassuring.

She hurriedly replied, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Shen Yuchao guided Qiu Shuiyi slowly toward the stone bed.

After she lay down, fully clothed, Shen Yuchao sat leaning against the edge of the stone bed.

A corner of his robe remained clutched in her palm.

A soft, faint voice whispered beside his ear, "Your Highness, sweet dreams."

Shen Yuchao's lips curved slightly. "Sweet dreams."

Baili He shifted his arm, his lips moving silently.

"...Disgustingly sweet."

...

Qiu Shuiyi didn't sleep well that night.

Though her eyes were closed in the first half of the night, she kept hearing faint hissing sounds, which made her anxious.

Even holding onto Shen Yuchao's clothes couldn't calm her down.

She had to turn on her side, pressing her ear against the soft pillow.

She kept one hand tightly clamped over her other ear.

Later that night, part of her mind stayed vigilant, listening for the snakes, while the rest of her sank into a deep sleep.

Even in her sleep, she could faintly hear the rustling of wind and grass outside.

In her daze, she seemed to have a bizarre, fantastical dream.

By the time the dream ended, the sky had already brightened.

Tiny rays of light filtered through the dense vines into the cave, dancing across Qiu Shuiyi's cheek.

She groggily opened her eyes, sat up, and slowly surveyed her surroundings.

The moment she stirred, Shen Yuchao's eyes opened.

Memories of the previous day flooded back. Qiu Shuiyi released the crumpled hem of her own robe she had been clutching and said awkwardly, "Good morning, Your Highness."

"Good morning, Second Miss."

Shen Yuchao slowly rose from the ground, meticulously smoothing out the wrinkles in his robe.

Qiu Shuiyi cleared her throat softly, got off the stone bed, and prepared to go outside to wash up.

"Ouch, my back! This ground is no place to sleep!"

Baili He pulled himself to his feet, rubbing his lower back with one hand while complaining.

In her fear last night, Qiu Shuiyi hadn't even noticed she'd taken Baili He's bed, leaving him to sleep on the floor.

Only now did guilt wash over her.

"I'm sorry, Uncle Baili, for taking your bed."

"Hey, no worries." Baili He waved it off. "A young lady like you shouldn't sleep on the cold ground; it's bad for your health. An old man like me doesn't mind it."

Qiu Shuiyi couldn't help but smile.

Outside the cave, the sun was bright and the sky was cloudless.

Qiu Shuiyi lifted her face, letting the sunlight bathe her skin.

After standing quietly for a moment, she was about to head to the clear pool when she looked down and saw blades of grass scattered all over the ground. Some were trampled into the mud, others broken into several pieces, as if bandits had swept through, leaving devastation in their wake.

Qiu Shuiyi stared in shock. "What happened here?"

Baili He peeked out and said nonchalantly, "Hey, that was..."

"Probably just some stray cat's doing," Shen Yuchao cut him off.

Baili He narrowed his eyes at him.

A stray cat, huh? Well, that explained it.

Qiu Shuiyi breathed a sigh of relief, muttering, "Where did that cat come from? It's so wild."

Without giving it much more thought, she headed towards the pool.

Watching her walk away, Baili He slowly approached Shen Yuchao. "You don't want her to know? Why?"

Shen Yuchao didn't look at him. "None of your business."

"True, it's none of my business." Baili He nodded in agreement. "But, who exactly trained you to become..."

Shen Yuchao suddenly turned to glare at him, his gaze sharp as a torch.

Baili He wisely shut his mouth, swallowing the last two words. He rummaged in his robe and pulled out a small porcelain vial. "Here, for your injuries."

Shen Yuchao scoffed coldly. "No need."