A Glimmer of Hope

Wen Zhi’s words, spoken at that critical moment, delivered a profound shock to a self that had been on the verge of succumbing to despair.

Reflecting now, it became clear that Wen Zhi’s deepest yearning during that period was, in all likelihood, the power to defy her own destiny.

Amidst such utter chaos, the natural inclination was to cling to anything tangible.

Unsurprisingly, the words that most profoundly shook her were those she herself had uttered.

Xia Niansheng continued, “Your body has also begun to deteriorate, hasn’t it?”

Wen Zhi’s expression, in turn, shifted to one of profound astonishment.

In the previous life, Wen Zhi’s physical condition had steadily declined; after she had resided on Cold Moon Mountain for some time, she became so frail that she could no longer even leave her bed.

Her remaining years were tragically few.

Observing the subtle dimming of Wen Zhi’s complexion, Xia Niansheng was overcome by an ineffable sensation.

Wen Zhi, however, bit her lip.

“To speak of such things…”

Xia Niansheng gazed into Wen Zhi’s clouded eyes, as if sensing her thoughts.

Wen Zhi slowly turned her head, and her sightless gaze at last found his.

Xia Niansheng’s demeanor softened once more.

“Senior Sister, do you truly believe in me?”

Wen Zhi regarded Xia Niansheng with a hint of resignation, despite knowing that he had diligently sought a cure for her condition throughout the years.

Yet, this marked the very first occasion he had broached the subject with her directly.

Coupled with his nature, it was entirely plausible that….

Wen Zhi finally spoke, asking, “How certain are you of success?”

This, undeniably, was Wen Zhi’s paramount concern.

For a heart that had known no hope, the crushing weight of a false one would be far more agonizing.

The so-called treatment, however, was merely an entry within the Records of Cultivation Oddities.

While, judging by current standards, everything detailed within that tome – be it cultivation techniques or other knowledge – represented the pinnacle of their respective fields.

The information it contained seemed almost akin to a cheat code.

Nevertheless, every endeavor carries risks, especially one so audacious as to seemingly conjure a cure for Wen Zhi’s blindness and fully restore her utterly damaged meridians.

To call it a divine intervention would be no exaggeration.

Crucially, during the treatment process itself, many pivotal elements would hinge upon Wen Zhi’s own resilience.

After a few moments of contemplation, Xia Niansheng replied, “Perhaps a thirty percent chance?”

Such a success rate was already remarkably high.

One must consider that for all these years, every renowned physician who had examined Wen Zhi had been utterly helpless.

Xia Niansheng offered another soft smile, his voice imbued with a soothing reassurance.

“The reason it appears so low is simply due to the lack of recorded precedents, and much of the process itself will, truthfully, be quite arduous.”

Perhaps even excruciating?

Xia Niansheng understood he had no right to compel Wen Zhi to endure such trials; the ultimate decision rested solely with her.

Observing Wen Zhi’s silence, Xia Niansheng knelt down, reaching out to gently clasp her hand.

He gazed at Wen Zhi with an intense focus, and she, in turn, seemed to perceive his unwavering attention.

As her cool, slender hands were suddenly enveloped by Xia Niansheng’s grasp, his radiant, sun-like presence seemed to wash over her.

Her somewhat withered hands felt as though parched wood had miraculously encountered spring.

In that fleeting instant, her heart hammered against her ribs.

It was the first time Wen Zhi had ever been held by a man in such a manner; her face flushed with heat, and though blind, she instinctively turned her head slightly, shying away from his fervent presence.

This youth, or perhaps, this man.

Since falling ill, she had witnessed an abundance of hypocrisy, countless individuals feigning “visits” to her, when in truth, they merely sought to ascertain the extent of her injuries and confirm her irreversible state as a cripple, beyond any hope of recovery.

This held true for both her erstwhile admirers and her rivals alike.

Save for her Master…

Only Xia Niansheng, solely Xia Niansheng.

“During this recent mission, I acquired an ancient text detailing a treatment method for symptoms precisely like yours, Senior Sister.

However, significant preparations are required before we can commence the therapy.

You need only place your trust in me.”

Alas, fate had even deprived her of the ability to shed tears.

Wen Zhi’s teeth gently pressed into her lower lip, his pervasive tenderness always enveloping her.

She was willing to trust Xia Niansheng, unequivocally, at any given moment.

She understood that Xia Niansheng sought no recompense, and that she herself possessed nothing of tangible worth to offer.

Yet…

Even she herself harbored a deep aversion for her own helpless state.

Why, then, did he find it necessary to go to such extraordinary lengths for her?

Turning her head towards Xia Niansheng, she strained to conjure his likeness in the depths of her mind.

Wen Zhi rarely experienced regret.

Yet, in that sudden moment, an overwhelming wave of regret washed over her heart.

Her regret stemmed from a single, agonizing thought: why had she not, before her vision failed, imprinted every minute detail of Xia Niansheng’s face more vividly, more indelibly, into her memory?

In that instant, even the prospect of recovering her strength or reclaiming her former glory held no appeal.

She simply harbored no interest in such things.

She yearned to recover, to behold Xia Niansheng’s face just one more time.

Biting her lip, Wen Zhi nodded her assent.

****

“Gathering the necessary medicinal ingredients may still require some time, but before the Grand Sect Competition, I will prepare some concoctions to help regulate your body.”

Xia Niansheng then drew up a small stool, settling beside Wen Zhi.

The spring sunlight, falling gently upon them, banished the lingering bite of winter’s chill.

Wen Zhi turned her face towards the sun, her fair complexion imbued with an almost ethereal glow, lending her a sacred aura.

It was no wonder, then, that her acclaim as a Saintess had been so widespread.

“How has your cultivation progressed recently? You haven’t been slacking, have you?”

Had those unfortunate incidents not occurred, the current Wen Zhi would undoubtedly shine as brilliantly as White Snow Jade.

Initially, Xia Niansheng had deliberately steered clear of any topics concerning cultivation, and had refrained from discussing the younger generation within the sect.

However, when Wen Zhi eventually brought it up herself, Xia Niansheng discovered that she possessed a strength far exceeding his initial estimations.

“I haven’t slacked off,” Xia Niansheng replied casually.

“Maintaining a spot within the top ten is sufficient.”

Securing the top position in the upcoming Grand Sect Competition was, in fact, part of Xia Niansheng’s meticulous plan, though there was no need to disclose this to Wen Zhi.

“Oh, you…”

Wen Zhi offered a wry smile, feeling a touch of exasperation at Xia Niansheng’s nonchalant attitude.

Xia Niansheng turned his head, his gaze settling upon Wen Zhi’s delicate profile.

“If nothing untoward had befallen you, Senior Sister, I would undoubtedly be content to simply lay back and rely on your immense talent.”

In earlier times, Xia Niansheng would never have uttered such words.

He continued:

“Thankfully, I truly have discovered a method to cure you, Senior Sister.

Once you have recovered, I won’t even need to maintain a spot in the top ten… I’ll simply do as I please.”

Wen Zhi’s heart stirred, and she pressed her lips together.

“Why do you…”

She knew that, deep down, Xia Niansheng was fundamentally akin to her, never having offered her false flattery or obsequious praise.

But why would he dedicate himself to her with such unwavering devotion?

Even a true elder sister might not achieve such a level of commitment.

Xia Niansheng understood the unspoken question lingering on Wen Zhi’s lips, a testament to the profound unspoken understanding they shared.

He drew a slow, deep breath.

“There isn’t really a ‘why,’ is there?

Perhaps it’s simply because I wish for good people to receive their just rewards?”

A truly absurd world, Xia Niansheng mused with a faint, inward chuckle.

“Good people receive good rewards?”

Wen Zhi, much like Senior Aunt Xue, performed acts of kindness without seeking any recompense.

Furthermore, Xia Niansheng genuinely owed her nothing.

“If this explanation does not suffice, Senior Sister…”

Wen Zhi once more sensed that inherent warmth emanating from Xia Niansheng, his voice exceptionally gentle.

“I simply believe that such a pair of eyes is utterly unworthy of Wen Zhi.

All my present actions stem from my own selfish desires, so Senior Sister, you need not bear any burden.”

****

Xia Niansheng departed from Wen Zhi’s secluded courtyard.

He set foot upon a path intimately familiar to him from his previous life.

He understood with absolute clarity the natures of both Senior Aunt Xue and Wen Zhi.

Regrettably, in this brutal world, their inherent virtues would afford them no advantage, instead potentially becoming the very blades that would pierce them.

Though his own end in the previous life had been tragic, both women had extended considerable aid to him.

He readily admitted that his actions were indeed intertwined with many personal motives.

Naturally, this did not imply that his desire for ‘retribution’ against others would be swayed in the slightest.

His next course of action, then, was to arrange a meeting with Qiu Yan.

A dark shadow flickered in Xia Niansheng’s eyes, his pupils, darker than the deepest night, concealing a labyrinth of thoughts.

As he walked along the narrow path carved within the bamboo grove, he prepared to depart.

“Rustle, rustle…” Footsteps echoed.

He froze, startled, halting abruptly at the bend in the path.

At such an hour, the only person likely to traverse this secluded path was, of course, Senior Aunt Xue.