The forest was bleak, the biting cold wind howling through the trees. Branches and weeds pressed together, rustling as they rubbed against one another, their eerie whispers mingling with the whistling wind. The dim moonlight, already faint, gradually disappeared as thick black clouds gathered, shrouding the sky in darkness so profound it sent shivers down the spine.
After walking for over an hour, the two finally found a cave to take shelter in. The darkness made it impossible to see how deep it went, but the echoing sound suggested it was a long, narrow passage. The entrance, however, was too wide, allowing the cold wind to sweep inside, making it even colder than the forest outside. Ji Chun scanned the area and spotted a few large boulders nearby. Thinking they might block the wind, he quickly moved them one by one to the cave entrance, stacking them to form a barrier. The cave grew quieter as the wind was partially blocked.
After several trips, Ji Chun placed the last stone, but a large gap remained. The wind threatened to blow the stones apart. Ji Chun, who always strived for perfection, frowned at the sight. He searched the area for more rocks but found none. It was then he realized Su Ran, who had entered the cave with him, was no longer nearby. He must have gone deeper inside.
Ji Chun decided to explore further, hoping to find more stones. He took out a flint from his qiankun bag and lit a small fire to light his way. Not far in, he sensed a presence in the darkness. Moving the flame closer, he saw Su Ran slumped against a stone, his face pale and lifeless, his eyes half-closed. His thick beard was disheveled, and his arms hung limply at his sides. His slender, pale fingers looked fragile and pitiful. Exhausted from his injuries and the relentless fighting, Su Ran could do little more than lean against the cold stone, seeking rest. The howling wind seemed to sap the last of his strength, but as it gradually died down, he appeared to drift into a restless sleep.
Ji Chun approached quietly, looking down at the man who had always been so arrogant and domineering. Now, weak and vulnerable, Su Ran seemed almost pitiable. Ji Chun felt a flicker of sympathy. He had seen this man at his most prideful and now at his most broken. It was a strange twist of fate.
Seeing Su Ran shiver and curl up, Ji Chun sighed. He stepped closer, crouched down, and called out in a low voice, "Benefactor, wake up..."
After a moment, Su Ran's eyes fluttered open, dazed and unfocused. When he saw Ji Chun, he waved a hand dismissively and muttered, "You bald fool... bothering me even in my dreams. I'll tear you to pieces..."
Ji Chun's expression darkened. Even in this state, the man couldn't speak without hostility. He reached out and patted Su Ran's shoulder again, raising his voice slightly. "Benefactor..."
"What do you want?!" Su Ran snapped, his eyes sharp and cold, his tone stiff and alert. He leaned back instinctively, putting distance between them.
"I've blocked most of the cave entrance with stones, but there's still a gap letting in the cold wind. I need one more rock to seal it. For now, I'll use your rock to block the wind," Ji Chun said, suppressing his irritation as he stood up.
Su Ran glanced at him, clearly annoyed but too exhausted to argue. He pushed himself up with the help of the stone and stepped aside, gesturing for Ji Chun to take it. "Fine. Do what you want."
Ji Chun wasted no time. He picked up the stone and carried it to the cave entrance, securing it in place. When he returned, he found Su Ran rummaging through his bag, pulling out a monk's robe and wrapping it around himself. Ji Chun opened his mouth to protest but stopped when he saw Su Ran leaning against the cold, dark wall, his eyes half-closed, the simple robe looking oddly out of place on his usually fierce frame.
Su Ran, sensing Ji Chun's gaze, snorted disdainfully but subconsciously tightened the robe around himself. He turned his face away, refusing to meet Ji Chun's eyes. Ji Chun said nothing, but for a moment, he found the man's behavior almost... amusing.
Ji Chun thought to himself, This man is truly shameless. He took the robe without asking and wore it as if it were his own, completely unbothered by the owner's presence. But considering how Su Ran had helped him multiple times that day, Ji Chun decided not to make an issue of it. He walked over, gathered the scattered scriptures, clothes, needles, and other small items from the ground, and placed them back into his bag. As he did so, he said calmly, "Benefactor, it's customary to ask before taking someone else's belongings."
Su Ran rolled his eyes impatiently, pulled the robe tighter around himself, and leaned back against the wall, closing his eyes as if to shut out the monk's presence. Ji Chun, not one to press the matter, left him alone. He ventured deeper into the cave with the help of a small lamp, collecting broken branches and dry leaves to build a fire a few steps away from Su Ran. The flames provided warmth and light, pushing back the pitch-black coldness of the cave. Ji Chun then settled down to rest not far from the fire.
Late into the night, the cave was silent except for the sound of breathing. The faint glow of the fire brought a sliver of warmth and light to the otherwise dark and frigid space. Here, in this unlikely setting, a stern and solemn monk and a cold, arrogant demon slept peacefully under the same roof.
The next morning, Ji Chun woke early to find the fire had gone out. He glanced over at Su Ran, who was now lying on the ground, curled up tightly against the cold. Only a corner of the monk's robe covered his shoulders. His cheeks were flushed, but his lips were pale and dry—clear signs of a fever. Ji Chun knelt beside him, placing a hand on Su Ran's forehead to confirm his suspicions. The man was burning up.
Ji Chun looked around the cave. The bare walls and damp ground offered no comfort. He knew he had to act quickly. "Benefactor... Benefactor..." he called, his voice growing louder when Su Ran didn't respond. He gently patted Su Ran's cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath the rough beard. Despite his disheveled appearance, Su Ran's features were refined, almost noble.
Su Ran groaned, forcing his eyes open. His body felt weak and heavy, and he had no strength to resist the monk's presence. He tried to speak, but his throat was too dry and sore to form words.
"You've caught a cold, and your fever is high," Ji Chun said. "I'll go find some water. Stay here and try to stay awake. If anyone comes, hide yourself."
Su Ran, however, had other plans. Weak as he was, he grabbed Ji Chun's robe and rasped, "I'll go with you." He wasn't about to be left alone, defenseless, in case the Tiangang Sect came searching for him.
Ji Chun frowned. Su Ran's condition was dire, and his injuries were far from healed. Traveling in this state would only worsen his illness. Yet, leaving him alone in the cave was equally risky. After a moment of hesitation, Ji Chun sighed and nodded. "Fine. But you must stay close."
He handed Su Ran another monk's robe. "Put this on. It'll help keep you warm."
Su Ran, too weak to argue, obeyed without complaint. He layered the robe over the one he was already wearing and followed Ji Chun with unsteady steps. Ji Chun slowed his pace to accommodate Su Ran, guiding him toward what he believed was another exit. The previous night, while gathering branches, he had noticed the sound of wind coming from this direction, suggesting an opening.
As they walked, Su Ran's steps grew slower and more labored. Eventually, he stopped altogether, bending over with a hand pressed to his head, clearly in discomfort. Ji Chun turned back and hurried to his side. Just as he reached out to steady him, Su Ran collapsed forward. Ji Chun caught him, hooking an arm under his legs and lifting him effortlessly. He quickened his pace, carrying Su Ran as he pressed onward.
Though Ji Chun harbored no fondness for the man—their clashes and Su Ran's arrogance had seen to that—he couldn't simply abandon him in this state. Moreover, Su Ran's injuries were partly his responsibility. For now, duty and compassion outweighed their animosity.
Ji Chun could only hope that they would survive this ordeal safely and that, in the future, this man might turn away from evil, embrace goodness, and walk the right path. As they neared the end of the cave, the path grew narrower and more uneven. Sunlight filtered through the dense canopy of branches and leaves, casting scattered patches of light on the ground. Though faint, the light brought a glimmer of hope.
Ji Chun pushed aside the overgrown grass and branches blocking their way, carefully shielding the man in his arms as he bent forward to step out of the cave. Outside, the rain had stopped, and the sky was clear and bright. They found themselves at the foot of a small hill, surrounded by steep, rugged mountain paths. Only a winding trail offered a way forward.
Ji Chun frowned as he surveyed the towering cliffs and dense forests on either side. The area was secluded and well-hidden, making it unlikely that their pursuers would find them easily. He followed the winding path, which twisted and turned until it led to a valley bursting with life. Flowers bloomed in abundance, butterflies flitted about, and a waterfall cascaded from a towering peak, feeding a crystal-clear stream. About ten feet from the stream stood a small thatched cottage.
Ji Chun was struck by the beauty of the place—it was like a hidden paradise. But who lived here? He approached the cottage and tried to knock on the door, only to find it half-open. Inside, the air was still, and a thick layer of dust coated every surface. It was clear no one had lived here for a long time.
He stepped inside, noting the neatly arranged necessities of daily life. Yet, spiderwebs clung to the corners and eaves, and a faint, decaying odor lingered in the air. Ji Chun moved to the inner room, where he discovered a dried human skeleton lying on a bamboo bed. This, he assumed, was the owner of the house.
With a heavy heart, Ji Chun carried Su Ran to a bamboo chair and bowed several times to the skeleton, offering a silent apology for intruding. He then carefully moved the remains to a bamboo mat on the floor. After spreading some clothes from his bag over the bed, he laid Su Ran down and covered him with a quilt. He opened a nearby closet and found two thin quilts, using one to add an extra layer of warmth for Su Ran.
Next, Ji Chun went outside to search for a pot. He filled it with water from the stream, boiled it, and used a damp handkerchief to gently wipe Su Ran's face. The man's feverish skin was warm to the touch, and Ji Chun knew they couldn't afford to delay further. For now, this secluded cottage would have to serve as their refuge.