Mo Dao Zu Shi: Astray

Bloom, Part One

Double chapter update! So there was another chapter before this one!

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"Your reign of terror ends here!"

Pain exploded everywhere as he was impaled by countless swords.

Even as blood spilled out of his mouth and his heart slowed to a halt, he felt himself grinning.

He would return one day...no...he will.

Pan Wukun woke up coughing and gasping for air. She clutched her sides, still feeling the swords embedded in her body.

What was that dream? Some kind of vision?

Pan Wukun groaned and rubbed her head.

How long had she been unconscious?

She remembered waking up to Wei Wuxian and passing out at the mention of Lotus Pier.

Shit...she was actually alive...

Pan Wukun shook and almost started crying. If Wei Wuxian hadn't been there, that spider demon would've eaten her. If they never succeeded in making the instant communication talisman, she would've...

She was never going to look at normal spiders the same way again.

No giant spider monster movies once she returned home.

Pan Wukun opened her coat to look down at her shoulder and chest, which were wrapped in bandages.

Well, shit. Someone saw her breasts and found out she was a woman.

Couldn't be Wei Wuxian. If he found out, he would've said something after she regained consciousness last time.

"We're here to change Pan Wukun's bandages and give him medicine again!" a voice came from outside Pan Wukun's room.

Luo Qingyang and Qin Su entered.

Pan Wukun simply kept silent as they approached her. Was it those two who saw? How were they going to react?

Luo Qingyang leaned down and whispered in Pan Wukun's ear. "Don't worry. Your secret's safe with us, Pan Wukun."

Pan Wukun's eyes widened. "What?"

"We figured you must be keeping it secret for a reason. We didn't want to reveal it and betray your trust," Qin Su said.

"So no one knows but you two?" Pan Wukun asked.

Qin Su and Luo Qingyang nodded.

Pan Wukun released a heavy sigh of relief. Qin Su gently patted Pan Wukun's back comfortingly.

"Thank you," Pan Wukun said softly. "I feel more comfortable in men's clothing but I still consider myself a woman. I don't want to deal with people's questions about why I crossdress."

It was easier to say that she was a man. If people realized she was actually a masculine woman, she was often met with heavy scrutiny and hostile glares.

If dressing differently from your perceived gender was so heavily frowned upon in modern society, then it was going to be so much worse in ancient times.

Pan Wukun felt icky about growing her hair. It felt like she was playing right into the hands of the very people who despised her existence. But she had to fit in with ancient Chinese society. Both men and women had long hair during this era so that made Pan Wukun feel a little better. But once she returned home she was going to get a haircut ASAP.

"You know how women are mistreated in this society," Pan Wukun said grimly.

"Perfectly," Qin Su and Luo Qingyang replied bitterly.