THE BLUE WHISPER 驭鲛记

Chapter 8: Secrets and Friends

      Ji Yunhe conjured some water and moistened all the dry and cracked scales on the jiaoren's tail. It looked much better afterwards even though it was still covered in scars.

        While Ji Yunhe tended to the wounds, the jiaoren finally gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep.

        "Master Warden, here is the medicine," one of the guards called from outside the cell. He took one look at the demon lying on the ground, the loose chains placed aside, and did not dare to walk another step closer.

        Ji Yunhe eyed him, "Are you asking me to go out and get you or what?"

        The man trembled and hesitated a long while before reluctantly inching a step forward. Snow March could not take it anymore. "A demon master so scared of a demon, what has your master been teaching you? Shameful!" She took a few big steps to him, grabbed the medicine bag and threw it into the cell with a backhand.

        The bag passed through the gap between the bars and was steadily caught by Ji Yunhe. The guy was honest enough to deliver a lot of good medicine, but they were all external medicine that would do nothing for internal injuries.

        Demon masters usually did not heal internal injuries for demons so as not to replenish their power. It was common sense.

        Ji Yunhe asked Snow March, "Got any ningxue pills?" 

        The ningxue pills were the best internal medicine made here in the Demon Valley.

        Snow March was a bit surprised that Ji Yunhe would want such precious medication for the demon. She felt uneasy about it, but still pulled out a small bottle and tossed it over without saying anything.

        The faces on the two guards changed at once, but they did not dare to question Ji Yunhe. 

        Ji Yunhe did not care much for what others were thinking anyway. She made an attempt to feed the jiaoren a ningxue pill, but his teeth were so tightly shut they would not open no matter what. She sighed and decided to set the pills aside for now. Then she took the healing ointment and started applying it little by little to the wounds on his body.

        Her fingertips were gentle and soft. She was very thorough and did not pass up on even the slightest scratch under each scale.

        The ugly wounds seemed to heal under her touch.

        Some cuts were thin and deep, others were wide and massive. Applying the medicine was not an easy task, dressing them was even more difficult. By the time Ji Yunhe finished, she raised her head and saw the moon was already high.

        Snow March was long gone, and the two men left on guard by Lin Haoqing were sitting back to back on a rock, dozing off. 

        Time always passed quickly when one stayed focused. Ji Yunhe tilted her head and twisted her neck which now felt a little stiff.

        The last injury left to be treated was on his wrist where the binding chains had made their mark.

        Ji Yunhe washed the wound, applied some ointment, and started to bandage it when she suddenly felt a cool gaze on her face.

        "Oh, you're awake," Ji Yunhe greeted him gently.

        Ice blue eyes stared at her. Ji Yunhe held the ningxue pill in front of his face. "Here, take this. It is good for your internal injuries."

        The jiaoren did not open his mouth.

        "I know what you're thinking." Ji Yunhe's hands kept working on the bandage and her tone was no different from a casual chat. "You are thinking -- might as well just die. If it were me, I would probably think the same. However, if you have a home, or unfinished business, or if there is someone you still want to see..."