Chapter 73: Awakening [Requesting Monthly Tickets]
After the rain, the mountains are green; after the clouds disperse, the sun shines.
A sudden downpour occurred in the middle of the night last night, accompanied by thunder. The next day, the sky cleared up and became crystal clear.
"Meow~~~~"
"Meow~~~~"
"Meow meow meow~~~~"
A soft, baby-like meow echoed inside the house.
Light from outside the window dappled through the cracks, playfully landing on Qi Shan's thick, long eyelashes. A small, light-colored tabby cat, no bigger than an adult's palm, meowed softly; it was too young, its limbs not strong enough to support it on its journey.
It woke up from the bamboo basket and cushion at some point, stumbled and missed a step, and came to the side of the bed. Looking around in a daze, it raised its front paws and pushed away the "obstacle" blocking its way.
The "obstacle" cannot be pushed, or it is soft.
Using both paws and with tremendous effort, it managed to climb halfway up the "obstacle's" face. Perhaps driven by curiosity, it stuck out its tongue and licked it repeatedly, the touch gentle yet slightly itchy, which seemed to sense the "obstacle" trapped in its nightmare.
With a slight furrow in its brow and a subtle tremor in its eyelashes, the "obstacle" showed signs of waking up thanks to the combined efforts of the cat and the sunlight.
Qi Shan felt like she had a very long nightmare.
I woke up but couldn't remember the dream, but the feeling of extreme darkness and suffocation lingered in my mind and wouldn't go away.
He struggled with all his might to break free from the nightmare's grip and suddenly opened his eyes. He didn't know how long he had slept, and upon waking, he couldn't adjust to the bright morning light outside; his eyes uncontrollably welled up with tears.
He closed his eyes and waited for the discomfort to subside.
As his senses returned one by one, he also felt an itch in his throat and a series of tearing sensations in his chest. He frowned and endured it, finally suppressing the churning sweet and metallic taste in his throat.
"Cough cough cough—"
"Meow~~~"
Because of Qi Shan's tilting head, the cat's previous efforts were in vain. It whimpered as if aggrieved, staring at the "enormous creature" so close to it with its clear, watery green eyes. Qi Shan's coughing stopped abruptly, and it turned its head in disbelief at the sound.
Two pairs of eyes, one black and one green, met at close range.
Qi Shan could still touch the cat's soft fur with the tip of her nose.
How could you—
He braced his right elbow on the bed, slowly sat up, gently placed the cat on the covers, and looked around at the familiar surroundings. Only then did he realize there was another person in the room. Young Master Shen, cradling his long sword, leaned against the door, taking a nap, his head slightly tilted.
She slept peacefully, seemingly in a deep sleep.
But when Qi Shan looked over, she woke up.
"Yuanliang, you're awake?" Shen Tang sat up, sheathed her Mother's Sword, and lazily yawned. She raised her hand to rub away the lingering sleepiness from the corner of her eyes, saying, "Are you hungry? I'll go to the east kitchen and get you something to eat. After you eat, take your medicine, and then sleep for a while longer..."
Qi Shan stroked the cat's fur with her palm.
As soon as he woke up, he recalled the scenes before he fell into a coma.
Only the little guy in his palm could stabilize his emotions. Perhaps the most angry and shocked stage had passed. Now, when he thinks about those news, although he still feels upset and heartbroken, he does not have the urge to annihilate Zheng Qiao's ten clans.
"Young Master Shen, what is this...?"
Shen Tang was also confused, thinking that Qi Shan was asking her why she was sleeping with a sword. She explained, "Didn't I offend Gu Chi completely yesterday? I was worried that he would send assassins to kill me tonight, so I slept with a sword just in case."
Qi Shan said, "That's not what I'm asking about."
"Then what about this cat?" Shen Tang, seeing the cat resting in his palm, thought she had finally found the right channel and explained, "Because the way you vomited blood and fainted last night was so frightening, I didn't know when you would wake up, and I was worried it would delay the auspicious day you chose. So, this morning I took the 'betrothal gifts' you gave your cat to your door to 'present the betrothal gifts.' Yuan Liang, you wouldn't be so petty about this, would you? It doesn't matter who goes to 'present the betrothal gifts,' anyway, you've brought your cat bride back, right?"
Qi Shan: "..."
Young Master Shen's focus always managed to steer him away, and about 70-80% of the lingering pain in his heart dissipated, replaced by more helplessness and amusement. He had no choice but to "strike first" to avoid another long speech from Shen Tang: "Have you been guarding this place the whole time?"
What he wanted to ask was: Has Young Master Shen been guarding this place all this time?
Shen Tang told the truth: "It wasn't always like this. I took turns with Mr. Wu Hui and went to the morning market to buy some breakfast."
Qi Shan: "..."
While he was lost in thought, Shen Tang brought over the medicine and minced meat porridge. There was some leftover minced meat porridge that Chu Yao had made last night, which was being kept warm in the east kitchen. Qi Shan's health wasn't very good right now, and her stomach wasn't functioning well either, so she could only eat things that were easy to digest and nutritious.
Qi Shan didn't say much, just whispered a thank you, and without even frowning, drank the whole bowl of bitter medicine in one gulp.
"I didn't realize your health was so poor..."
Last night, I was so angry that I vomited blood and was barely breathing.
Shen Tang was worried that if she didn't see him for even a second, he would stop breathing. Fortunately, his breathing gradually returned to strength by morning, so she felt relieved and went out to have some breakfast. It was also the first time she realized that a person could actually be driven to death by anger...
Qi Shan replied, "Actually, it's alright."
"You lie without even blushing."
Qi Shan smiled wryly and explained, "Shan's health is not bad, it's just that the burden of being a scholar is too great, which inevitably makes him a little weak."
The sword at his waist was not just for show. Although his martial prowess was not as great as Shen Tang's when he was drunk, he could still handle three or five ordinary men without much trouble. This time, his unconsciousness was truly an exception.
"Do you employ your literati way?"
Qi Shan said, "There are no hidden dangers left over from the past at present."
Shen Tang: "Before?"
Qi Shan laughed and said, "Killing one's master."
Each time, it was the lord he was loyal to who broke his promise first, while Qi Shan remained unscathed. However, the spiritual energy required for the backlash was provided by him, which inevitably created a burden. Once or twice was fine, but as the incidents occurred more frequently, his pressure naturally increased.
Shen Tang: "...Can your body recover?"
Qi Shan smiled and said, "It is possible to raise them, but they can either live in seclusion for a few years to recuperate, or seek refuge with a lord who will not easily break his promise."
Shen Tang patted his shoulder heavily, "Then you should rest for a few years. The world is so chaotic, it won't be calm anytime soon. You can come out of seclusion whenever you want. Listen to me, health is the most important asset. Also, try not to get angry in the future. Zheng Qiao's recklessness will not only force the remnants of Xin Kingdom to revolt, but the people of Geng Kingdom will also eventually be unable to tolerate his tyranny..."
What's the point of having money to gamble?
Most importantly—
Although Qi Shan didn't elaborate, judging from his nonchalant tone, he's probably killed at least a handful of bosses over the years through "master murder." His scholarly ways are far too domineering; he should be very careful when choosing his next boss.
For his health, and for the boss's life.
Saving a life is more meritorious than building a seven-story pagoda.
Qi Shan: "..."
Two updates today, and one more later. Everyone, go to bed early.
Seriously, you absolutely must go to bed early!!!
Your sleep schedules are nothing compared to those of night owl authors. Mushrooms can stay up all night and still enjoy late-night snacks, and they can sleep until late in the afternoon as long as they want. You guys have to go to work or school, though.
(End of this chapter)
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