Wandering Swordsman |

Murong Qing seemed to hear Shen Mo talking to the doctor. She suddenly opened her eyes, her voice filled with urgency and unease: "Shen Mo. Shen Mo."

Upon hearing the sound, Shen Mo immediately came to the bedside, carefully helping Murong Qing to sit up, and said softly, "Miss Murong, I'm here. I'm here." His movements were gentle and cautious, as if he were afraid of disturbing her peace.

Murong Qing's eyes swept around the room, and only after confirming that Shen Mo was beside her did she feel relieved. A hint of fear flashed in her eyes as she whispered, "I just had a strange dream. I dreamt that you and I were being chased. Then you grabbed me and jumped off a cliff, and then... Waaah... Waaah... you shielded me with your body, allowing me to survive..." Her voice gradually choked, and tears involuntarily streamed down her cheeks.

Shen Mo was stunned for a while and did not respond immediately. At this moment, Murong Qing's sudden action startled him from his silence—she hugged him tightly.

Shen Mo seemed a little flustered by Murong Qing's sudden embrace, but he quickly regained his composure and gently patted her back with both hands to comfort her.

"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Shen Mo said softly, his voice filled with firmness and warmth.

After a while, Murong Qing's emotions gradually calmed down. She released Shen Mo, gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, and asked the doctor not far away, "Doctor, do you have pen, ink, and paper here?"

The doctor immediately realized what was happening and nodded, saying, "Yes, miss, wait a moment, I'll go get it for you right away." With that, he turned and quickly walked towards the inner room.

Murong Qing added, "Doctor, could you please prepare an envelope for me as well?"

After the doctor left, Shen Mo subconsciously pushed Murong Qing away gently and asked softly, "Miss Murong, what are you planning to do?"

Murong Qing smiled, trying to hide her inner turmoil: "I just wanted to send a letter to let my family know I'm safe." Although her smile was forced, a hint of determination shone in her eyes.

Shen Mo pondered for a moment, then said earnestly, "Miss Murong, you've already witnessed the dangers of the martial world. Why not go back now? If you continue with me, you'll inevitably encounter other dangers sooner or later." His eyes were full of concern, as if he were thinking of her safety.

Murong Qing was slightly taken aback, then shook her head, her eyes flashing with determination: "I know the world is dangerous, but since I have chosen this path, I will not turn back easily."

She looked directly into Shen Mo's eyes, her voice carrying an undeniable determination: "Besides, as long as you're still by my side, I won't lose my life."

Shen Mo sighed helplessly, then retorted with a serious expression, "What if I die?"

A flicker of pain crossed Murong Qing's eyes, but she quickly replied firmly, "If you die one day, I will die with you."

Shen Mo felt a pang of pain in his heart. He knew that although such words were touching, they were by no means a solution. He said in a deep voice, "Life is given by your parents. If Miss Murong treats her life so lightly, how can your parents be happy?" His eyes were filled with worry and a sense of responsibility.

Just then, the doctor entered carrying a bamboo basket with writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone. His steps were light, as if he were afraid of disturbing the tense scene. The candlelight illuminated his face, revealing a hint of fatigue and concern.

Murong Qing took the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, quickly wrote a letter, carefully wrapped it up, and handed it to the doctor, saying earnestly, "Doctor, please do me a favor. Please send someone to deliver this letter to the Murong family in Luoyang sometime later."

Upon hearing the renowned "Murong Family," the doctor did not immediately agree, but rather hesitated. Clearly, he had reservations about the task.

Seeing this, Murong Qing took out a hundred-tael silver note from her sleeve and handed it to the doctor, her tone firm yet gentle: "Doctor, please accept this as well. Be sure to find someone fast to deliver the message."

The doctor took the banknotes and envelope, clearly taken aback: "Young lady, don't worry, I'll handle this perfectly for you. However, this... this much money is really too much." His voice was filled with surprise and unease.

Murong Qing smiled slightly and explained, "Doctor, the extra money is because there's another matter I need your help with."

The doctor looked at her with suspicion: "What is it?"

Murong Qing's gaze shifted to Shen Mo beside her, her voice tinged with worry: "Could you take a look at this young master and see if there's any way to detoxify him?"

The doctor was quite surprised upon hearing this. He immediately turned his gaze to Shen Mo, looked him up and down, and asked curiously, "This young man seems perfectly normal, with nothing unusual about him. May I ask what the young lady means?"

Murong Qing's eyes were still full of worry. She said to the doctor in a soft but firm voice, "Doctor, please take his pulse and make a diagnosis first."

Although the doctor looked somewhat displeased, he had no choice but to comply since he had already accepted Murong Qing's silver notes. He turned to Shen Mo and said, "Come on, young man. Hold out your hand, let me take a look." His tone was somewhat reluctant, but he still tried his best to remain professional.

Shen Mo calmly extended his right hand, allowing the doctor to take his pulse. The doctor's fingers gently rested on Shen Mo's wrist, initially appearing indifferent, as if it were merely a routine procedure. However, as the pulse examination progressed, the doctor's brows gradually furrowed, clearly indicating that something unusual had been discovered. Time ticked by, and the doctor's expression grew increasingly grave. Finally, after a lengthy examination, his brows relaxed, as if he had reached some kind of conclusion.

Seeing the doctor's changing expression, Murong Qing's heart leaped into her throat, and her voice trembled slightly: "Doctor, how is he?"

The doctor stroked his beard, deep in thought, a hint of confusion in his eyes: "Strange! Strange! In my decades of medical practice, I have never seen such a pulse." His tone was a mixture of surprise and bewilderment, as if he had encountered an unprecedented problem.

Shen Mo was already used to his identity as a mirror image person and a Heavenly Martial Body, so he didn't show much change in expression. He stood aside, as if everything was under control.

On the contrary, Murong Qing's face showed even deeper worry, as if she thought Shen Mo had an incurable disease. She clenched her hands tightly together, as if this could give her a sense of reassurance.

Before Murong Qing could ask any questions, the doctor said to Shen Mo, "Young man, your pulse is the opposite of that of a normal person, and there are traces of toxin erosion on your heart meridian, but you are currently in the recovery period, and there are no other abnormalities." The doctor's voice was deep and steady, as if he were stating an unbelievable fact.