Ishin wasn’t a fool. He didn’t expect Zixuan Juan to go easy on him, but he hadn’t expected the Combat Hall disciple to go all out either. Ishin was wrong.

  Zixuan Juan burst forth across the platform, propelled by twin jets of flame emitting from his feet. The bulky martial drew his fist back in preparation for a punch as scarlet and amber flames engulfed it. When Zixuan Juan appeared in front of Ishin and struck forward, the heat from his fist felt like a miniature sun.

  He’s trying to kill me!

  Ishin thrust his spear at the incoming attack, intent on skewering Zixuan Juan’s hand. Upon colliding with his fist, however, Ishin’s spear was rebuffed by the flames themselves, protecting Zixuan Juan’s fist.

  His flames can do that? Ishin thought in bewilderment. He exerted more force against the incoming fist, but he was distracted by focusing on keeping the dagger embedded inside his torso. Zixuan Juan did not have that limitation.

  The fire surrounding Zixuan Juan’s fist exploded forward, burning wisps of flame that struck Ishin’s spear arm and then his face.

  Ishin growled quietly in pain as he felt his right cheek seared by the attack. He pulled his spear arm back as well, certain that he’d suffered third-degree burns from the unexpected strike. He cycled qi to his legs and jumped ten feet back.

  That bastard!

  Part of his sleeve had caught embers, and Ishin shook his arm in a desperate attempt to put them out. He winced from the movement and saw that his right hand was charred a nasty black. With an experimental twitch, Ishin discovered that his nerves were damaged, his fingers barely responsive.

  Ishin’s inner beast growled in fury, and Ishin shared its anger. He found Zixuan Juan standing in the same place as before, a pleased smile spread across his lips. No—he wasn’t standing. He was hopping gently between his feet, faint sparks appearing beneath each shoe.

  His techniques are more versatile than I thought.

  The spear dropped from Ishin’s grip, clanging against the platform floor. Ishin glanced down at his ruined hand. I can’t even grip my spear. He lifted his arm to examine the blackened appendage more carefully. His fingers trembled on their own. I can’t use my techniques with this.

  Ishin shoved his useless arm against the dagger, freeing his other hand. The action brought forth another wave of pain as the dagger’s blade shifted inside his body from the adjustment. His right eye twitched violently, his burnt cheek flaring in protest as well.

  “Don’t tell me you’re done already?” Zixuan Juan asked.

  “Not at all,” Ishin snapped back. He pointed the fingers of his left hand at Zixuan Juan and released an Indigo Sky Bolt. The blue lightning soared across the platform, but Zixuan Juan brought up his palms and conjured a shield of fire that successfully blocked the technique.

  “Lightning versus fire,” Zixuan Juan remarked once the flames dispersed. “How perfect.”

  The martial shot forward again, using his fire movement technique to propel himself ahead. Ishin tried cycling his Pale Azure Lightning Force Strike technique, but the attempt made his torso wound flare violently and blood filled his mouth.

  No good. Ishin pressed his arm more tightly against the dagger, but it was clear that he was bleeding internally now.

  Zixuan Juan was in front of him within two seconds. The stout martial swung a fist at Ishin, and Ishin blocked it with his own arm. His arm buckled under the strike, recognizing that Zixuan Juan had cycled qi into the attack while Ishin had not done the same.

  Then, in a blink, Zixuan Juan disappeared, leaving behind a dark wisp of smoke. Ishin turned, searching for the fire cultivator to no success. Something hard collided with the back of Ishin’s head, and his vision went dark.

  When Ishin opened his eyes again, he saw white-colored walls and amber light pouring in from glass windows rimmed along the ceiling. His mouth tasted of iron and soot, but the pain had dulled. As he shifted his head, Ishin realized that he was lying on a cushioned mattress. The room felt familiar.

  “You’re finally awake,” a familiar voice said from beside him.

  Ishin blinked a few times and finally understood where he was. This is the Restoration Hall. Like where I brought Rhee.

  He turned his head to the left and found Wen Mei sitting beside him, relief written plainly across her face.

  “Sister Mei.”

  “Try not to speak,” Mei said quickly. Dark circles rested beneath her eyes, making Ishin wonder if she’d lost sleep waiting beside him. “Disciple Jun De said your cheek needs two days to recover.”

  I see.

  Now that Ishin knew to look for it, he could feel soft padding around the right side of his head. It wasn’t just there, but also over his forehead and entire lower right arm and hand. Ishin tried to move his fingers, but there was no response at all. Still, he could feel that they were wrapped in something tight, soft, sticky, and strangely warm—healing salves and bandages, he guessed. Ishin tried to glance down at his arm, but his entire body below the neck was covered by a cyan blanket.

  “Would you like some water?” Mei asked, retrieving a cup from the bedside table. “Disciple Jun De said you could still drink, as long as the water is warm.”

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Ishin nodded, and Mei brought the cup to his lips. The warm fluid helped wash away the unpleasant taste in his mouth. To his relief, he found that his left arm was free and withdrew it from beneath the blanket. He gestured for more water, and Mei obliged. This time, he swished it around his mouth, trying to remove the lingering taste of iron and ash. The inside of his right cheek stung faintly as the water touched it, but the pain was insignificant compared to what he’d endured during the Gauntlet.

  “How long?” Ishin asked quietly after Mei set the cup down.

  “Brother Ishin, don’t speak,” Mei chastised, frowning.

  He didn’t repeat the question, but met her eyes meaningfully.

  “Just one day,” Mei relented with a sigh. “I brought you to the Restoration Hall with Senior Jiang Yu. You’ve been asleep since.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I said don’t speak!” Mei exclaimed. “How hard is it for you to listen?”

  Ishin’s only response was a thin smile. Her concern was genuinely touching, and Mei was cute when she became flustered. It was a stark difference from her usual shy and reserved demeanor.

  “I’m going to inform Disciple Jun De that you’ve awakened,” Mei told Ishin as she rose. She pressed her hands to her sides as she looked down at him. “Do not get up or do anything while I’m gone. Understand?”

  Ishin was tempted to respond verbally, but ultimately just nodded.

  Seemingly satisfied, Mei left. A few minutes later, she returned with the spectacled disciple Ishin recognized as the one who had treated Rhee.

  “You’re awake. Good,” Disciple Jun De commented as he approached Ishin’s bedside.

  Ishin attempted to sit up, but Jun De raised a hand to stop him. “Try not to move.” Jun De pulled over a stool and sat down. “I’ll be clear. Your right cheek and right hand suffered third-degree burns. Your lower right arm suffered second-degree burns. I’ve wrapped your arm and hand in a restricted bandage coated with a healing salve. You won’t be able to move your arm for the next three days. Similarly, your cheek has a layer of medicinal paste applied to it. I used a similar remedy on your forehead to treat the cut there. You need to avoid talking or moving for the next three days. Nod if you understand.”

  Ishin nodded.

  “Good. I also stitched the laceration on your upper abdominal cavity. Remarkably, the dagger didn’t pierce your stomach or intestines. You must have had the Heaven’s luck.”

  The Heavens weren’t involved at all, just me, Ishin thought, keeping it to himself. In truth, his tactic—while effective—had been reckless.

  “However, the blade was beginning to scrape your right kidney. I repaired the damage with acupuncture. The wound should heal, though a thin, nearly invisible scar may remain. It could have been much worse.”

  Ishin sank deeper into his pillow. Overall, the risk had been worth it. The only injuries that truly bothered him were his hand and cheek.

  Is my face going to be even more marred now?

  Despite Jun De’s instructions, he couldn’t help himself. “Will my cheek and forehead be scarred?”

  “Brother Ishin,” Mei snapped, eyes narrowing. “What did Disciple Jun De tell you?”

  Ishin opened his mouth to respond, but Jun De cut him off. “Don’t answer that.” He adjusted his glasses. “Your cheek will recover to its former appearance. I won’t drown you in details, but I’m effectively having new skin replace the damaged tissue. The burned skin will be removed once the bandage comes off. Your hand and arm are being treated the same way.”

  He paused. “Only a faint scar will remain on your forehead. It won’t be noticeable unless someone is looking very closely.”

  Ishin let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding.

  “Three days,” Jun De repeated, holding up three fingers. “Try not to talk or move for that long.”

  Ishin groaned silently. That was a long time to do nothing.

  Then again, I could use that time to cultivate.

  Senior Jiang Yu’s advice came to mind. He needed to improve both of his chakras.

  And learn at least one water technique. But that will have to wait until I’m out of here.

  “For your meals,” Jun De continued, “you’ll eat these.” He withdrew a small rectangular wooden box from his robes. When he opened it, Ishin saw three pills—brown, orange, and green. They smelled faintly of sautéed potatoes and roasted spinach. “Fasting pills. Each contains enough nutrition for an entire day. You’ll swallow one per day until you’re discharged.”

  Jun De closed the lid and set the box on the bedside table. Turning to Mei, he asked, “Will you remain here until he’s recovered?”

  “Yes,” Mei answered without hesitation.

  Ishin frowned. “Sister Mei, what about your obligations in the library?”

  “Quiet, Brother Ishin.” There was no room for argument in her tone. She pointed at him sharply. “Listen to Disciple Jun De and stop speaking. Or are you going to keep being rude to the one kind enough to heal you?”

  Shame prickled through Ishin. He bowed his head in silent apology to Jun De.

  “Don’t just apologize to me,” Jun De said casually. “Apologize to her as well. She’s been watching over you since you arrived, without leaving to rest.”

  That only deepened Ishin’s guilt. He hadn’t meant to burden Mei so heavily. He bowed apologetically to her as well.

  “That’s unnecessary, Brother Ishin,” Mei said softly, her usual shy tone returning as her cheeks turned faintly crimson.

  Ishin couldn’t help but smile. She really was cute when she was like this.

  “Besides,” Mei continued, “I spoke with Elder Su. She approved my absence for the next few days, so don’t worry about me.” Her eyes met his. “And I… I don’t want you to be alone while you recover.”

  Something stirred in Ishin’s chest at her words.

  The door to the recovery bay opened, and Rhee stepped inside. Ishin’s attention snapped to her immediately, relief flooding him at the sight of her standing on her own.

  Rhee approached, dressed in pristine Crimson Abyss robes. Her silky black hair hung loose over her shoulders rather than tied back. She moved between Ishin and Mei, stopping beside Jun De. Worry lined her face, and Ishin knew it was for him.

  “By the Heavens, you’re worse off than I was.”

  Ishin chuckled, earning a brief sting from his damaged cheek. He examined Rhee’s own cheek where she’d been cut—it was completely unmarked.

  “You look just as good as ever.”

  Rhee rolled her eyes, though her lips curved upward.

  “Brother Ishin!” Mei groaned.

  Jun De rubbed his temple. “If you are unable to refrain from speaking, I will ban you from receiving visitors.”

  Ishin raised his left hand in surrender. He didn’t want that—especially not now.

  “I’ll ensure he stays quiet,” Rhee said calmly.

  “Fine by me,” Jun De replied, already turning away. “If anything happens, I’ll be nearby.”

  Once Jun De left, Rhee turned back to Ishin with a knowing smirk. “I have some information I think you’ll find interesting—but I’ll only tell you if you swear to remain silent for the next two days.”

  Ishin tried to rise in anticipation, but his abdominal wound protested sharply, forcing him back down.

  “This is only making it worse,” Mei muttered.

  “It’ll be fine,” Rhee replied, then looked back at Ishin. “Promise?”

  Ishin bobbed his head, curiosity burning.