SOBER LIVING HOME RESIDENCE – Two days later
After what felt like an eternity wrapped in dreamless slumber, Yue Chan's eyelids finally fluttered open.
The soft morning light seeped through the curtains, illuminating five anxious faces hovering above her, their gazes fixed and filled with anticipation.
Each face was only inches away, and the room was thick with both worry and relief.
"You're awake!" Li Haoran exclaimed, his voice trembling with joy as he leaned closer, eyes shining.
As Yue Chan's vision sharpened, the blurry shapes resolved into familiar figures: Master Yun, his wise eyes crinkled with concern; Elder Qing Yun, arms crossed and lips pressed together in a thin line; Su Mei, who dabbed at her eyes, fighting back tears; Hou Yan, stoic but visibly relieved; and Li Haoran, whose beaming smile outshone the rest.
Startled, Yue Chan bolted upright, her heart pounding.
Confusion clouded her face as she scanned the room and the expectant group surrounding her.
Memories eluded her, and she struggled to piece together how she had come to be here, under their watchful care.
"Am I..." Her voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper, cracking with uncertainty.
"At a sober living home residence, for recuperation," Hou Yan replied, his tone gentle but insistent. "You were unconscious for two days. Tell us—how did you end up like this?"
Yue Chan reached instinctively for the mask covering her face, feeling its familiar weight.
She lowered her gaze, searching her memory for clarity.
Fragments of recent events drifted through her mind—flashes of pain, confusion, and the overwhelming sense of crisis that had swallowed the last few days.
"I remember... I was beneath the surface of the lake. There was something down there—a vine." Her brows knit together in concentration, the memory hazy and fragmented.
"A vine?" Hou Yan repeated.
"Yes... but it wasn't an ordinary vine. It moved, almost as if it was alive. It attacked me!"
She shuddered at the recollection, her voice trembling as the sensation of panic flickered in her eyes.
A heavy silence settled over the room as everyone exchanged uncertain, uneasy glances—everyone except Li Haoran, whose gaze remained locked on Yue Chan, concern etched deeply into his features.
"What kind of vine are you talking about?" Master Yun finally asked, his voice low and steady.
"It was very strong," Yue Chan answered evenly, her tone steady as she recalled the memory. "I couldn't pull myself free. The vine was glowing, with both gold and black light. When it coiled around me, I could sense it was interested in my power. That's probably why I lost consciousness. It felt like it was trying to draw something out of me."
"Then how did you escape from the crisis?" Su Mei interjected.
Yue Chan furrowed her brow, searching her memory for the answer.
"It's because..." She trailed off, her eyes suddenly settling on Li Haoran.
A vivid memory surfaced—she could clearly recall what happened beneath the lake.
It was Li Haoran who had saved her, reaching her just in time and pressing their lips together to share his breath.
Even now, she couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes.
She remembered all the times she had scolded him whenever they were together, never expecting that things would end up like this—caught in a moment she couldn't quite put into words.
How embarrassing!
"Chan'er?"
The sound of her name jolted Yue Chan from her thoughts.
"You haven't answered us yet," Hou Yan said, her brows knit in concern.
Before Yue Chan could respond, Li Haoran spoke up.
"Because I arrived just in time and saved her," he said calmly.
All eyes turned to Li Haoran.
"I was there when the crisis happened."
The two elders exchanged a silent, meaningful glance.
Hou Yan unfolded her arms and let out a sharp sneer.
"So you knew all along? Why didn't you tell us? We've been waiting for answers for the past two days, but we got nothing. If Chan'er hadn't woken up, were we ever going to find out what really happened?"
"Hou Yan, don't raise your voice," Yue Chan said firmly, meeting her gaze.
"How did you end up in the lake?" Hou Yan pressed.
"I—" Li Haoran began, but Yue Chan interrupted him.
"It was me. I brought myself there," she answered, looking directly at Hou Yan. "Whatever happened, no one is to blame. As for Li Haoran... without him, that might have been the end for me."
A heavy silence fell over the room.
Li Haoran's gaze lingered on Yue Chan, his eyes searching hers, questions swirling in his mind.
Why is she covering for me? Why is she taking the blame for my actions?
"Instead of finding fault with him, you should be grateful I made it back alive—even if I'm not unscathed," Yue Chan said, turning her palm upright to check her spiritual power. "Those vines were corrupted. I nearly lost everything. This time, I won't let it slide."
Without hesitation, Yue Chan swung her legs over the side of the bed, determined to act.
But the others quickly moved to stop her, blocking her path before she could take another step.
"What are you doing?" Li Haoran stepped in front of her, blocking her way.
"Stand aside!" Yue Chan demanded, eyes flashing with impatience.
"You're not completely healed—don't act impulsively," Li Haoran insisted, his tone firm. "Those vines are dangerous. If I hadn't risked myself to save you, we might never have had another chance to be together."
The commotion drew everyone's attention, and all eyes were fixed on Yue Chan and Li Haoran.
A ripple of curiosity passed through the room—how could Li Haoran speak so boldly, openly declaring his feelings in front of them all?
"Can you repeat what you just said, Li Haoran?" Su Mei asked, her curiosity piqued.
Yue Chan shot Li Haoran a sharp look, her pride bristling at his boldness.
But before she could object, Li Haoran gently took hold of her shoulders and guided her back onto the bed.
"Just sit still!" he insisted.
Elder Qing Yun glanced at Master Yun Ji, a flicker of quiet suspicion passing between them.
The two elders hadn't spoken so openly in some time, and now a silent question hung in the air—could the rumors be true?
Both pressed their lips into thin lines, each feeling a subtle thrill of anticipation.
Their discreet mental conversation began.
"My friend, it seems we may need to prepare a dowry sooner than we thought. Let's hope our suspicions aren't misplaced."
"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"As I see it, they truly act like a couple—protective of each other. I must admit, it moves me."
"Chan'er can be quite stubborn. I never imagined Li Haoran would be the one to soften her aloofness."
"When two people fall in love, everything changes. There's no need to be surprised."
Both of them smiled sheepishly and let out a soft sigh in unison.
"Look at you. Still weak. Do you think those mysterious vines will spare you?" Li Haoran scolded, one hand planted on his waist.
Yue Chan's brows knit together as she looked at him, silently questioning his behavior—why was he acting like this?
"We're doing this for your own good," Li Haoran said, crouching down to meet her eyes. "Young Master, behave yourself."
At his words, everyone's eyes widened in shock.
"YOUNG MASTER???" they chorused in disbelief.
Li Haoran and Yue Chan both turned their gaze toward the others, meeting their stunned expressions head-on.
Standing to the side, Elder Qing Yun—Li Haoran's master—narrowed his eyes to thin slits.
He strode closer to Li Haoran, his gaze sharp enough to cut right through him.
"I think you owe me an explanation. Li Haoran, you're a naughty child," Elder Qing Yun said sternly.
"Master, calm down!" Li Haoran protested.
"You're giving me a headache. This time, I'll have to cut your ear!"
Without warning, Elder Qing Yun reached out and grabbed Li Haoran's ear, giving it a sharp squeeze.
Li Haoran winced in pain but still managed to flash a smile at Yue Chan.
"Young Master, help me," he pleaded, reaching out his hand toward her.
Even behind her mask, Yue Chan couldn't hide her amusement.
She ducked her head, shoulders shaking with laughter as she tried to stifle it.
"Come with me, I'll show you what you've earned," Elder Qing Yun said, dragging Li Haoran out of the room by the ear.
Once they were gone, the room settled into a peaceful quiet, the absence of Li Haoran's lively presence instantly noticeable.
As the calm returned, Elder Yun Ji moved closer and took a seat beside Yue Chan.
"How do you feel right now?" he asked gently.
"I'm feeling better, but sometimes my internal forces aren't stable," Yue Chan replied.
"That's because you're still gathering back your qi," Elder Yun Ji explained.
"Next time, be more careful. To fully restore your power, you need to meditate regularly."
"I understand, master," she said with a nod.
"However, my concern is how you ended up in the lake?" Elder Yun Ji pressed.
Yue Chan lifted her head and glanced at Su Mei and Hou Yan.
"I'd like to speak with Master alone. Please, leave us for a while," she requested.
With a soft sigh, Su Mei and Hou Yan quietly exited the room, leaving Yue Chan and her master in privacy.
Elder Yun Ji watched Su Mei and Hou Yan until they had fully left the room. Only then did he turn his attention back to Yue Chan.
"They are still your martial sisters, you know. Why are you being so cautious around them? Don't you trust them—even now?"
"I do trust them, Master. But do you understand why I have to do this?"
Her master, Yun Ji, shook his head slowly, a faint sigh escaping him.
"Hou Yan is too fiery. I don't want her to lose her temper if she finds out that Li Haoran was actually the one who brought me there," Yue Chan explained.
"Li Hao—" Yun Ji caught himself, lowering his voice. "Li Haoran? What's going on?"
"This is all your fault," Yue Chan muttered, scowling. "I saw everything yesterday. You're the one encouraging those ridiculous rumors."
"Wasn't there some truth to them?" Yun Ji asked, eyebrows raised.
"Of course not!" Yue Chan insisted. "Li Haoran is only pursuing me because he wants me to be his master. He wants to learn everything from me."
Elder Yun Ji was speechless.
"Instead of clarifying things, you just went along with the rumors. After all that, we had to slip away—I've lost face in front of my juniors," Yue Chan said, frustration flickering in her eyes.
"Alright, I believe you. It's not true," Elder Yun Ji conceded. "But you still haven't answered my question. How… did you… end up beneath the lake?"
Yue Chan glanced at her master, steady and composed.
"I never expected Li Haoran to be so skilled in a duel. I was caught off guard by his technique and ended up falling into the lake. That's when the mysterious vine appeared and attacked me."
"That was not just a mysterious vine," Elder Yun Ji said gravely.
"What do you mean?" Yue Chan asked, frowning.
"Based on your description, that vine is known as a nether abyssal vine. For a thousand years, it hasn't been seen. If it's reappeared now, it means the great demon has returned."