," he said, stepping inside. "Took long enough. You passed out before you could even introduce yourself. Bad manners."
"I—I'm sorry. I didn't mean—"
"You didn't mean to nearly die? Mm, I believe that."
She opened her mouth to explain—but the words stuck in her throat.
He walked past her to the stove, dropped the herbs into a boiling pot, and stirred slowly.
"You're looking for Gu Wei," he said casually.
Her heart jumped. "Yes! Yes, I am! Do you know him?"
The old man stirred once more.
Then smiled.
"Let's talk about that after you finish drinking what I made you. You'll need your full strength for what comes next."
He held out a small cup containing a burgundy looking drink.
Hua Jing paid him no mind and quickly got up.
The moment Hua Jing shot upright, her body reminded her of every bone and muscle she'd just abused over the last twenty-four hours.
Pain surged through her like a crashing wave.
Her vision blurred. Her legs turned to air. And the world tilted sideways.
