"I was just passing through this forest, and I saw a 'random' girl going to get killed by a spirit beast, so I helped her."
Zhu Zhuqing narrowed her eyes at him, but then a wave of pain hit her, and she looked down to see her injured leg.
'Argh.... I am also reaching my limit...'
Her legs trembled violently as pain stabbed through every muscle, and the strength vanished from her knees entirely.
"Urgh-" A soft gasp escaped her lips as her vision dimmed and she braced for the ground.
Suddenly, a pair of strong hands caught her at the waist, steadying her with a firm, warm grip.
Before Zhu Zhuqing could even process the sensation, she felt her feet leave the earth entirely.
Her heart skipped in confusion 'Wait, wait... what's he doing? He… lifted me?'
His arm shifted, and in the next instant, he swung her upward and over one shoulder like a sack of grain.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"H–Hey!" She sputtered, and her voice was muffled against his back. "I am not a sack of potatoes! Put me down, you bastard."
Xuan Yan didn't even bother turning his head. "Night will fall soon. More spirit beasts will come, attracted by the tiger's blood. You're injured. So excuse me."
And then he ran.
*woosh*
The world blurred as the trees, rocks, and shadows streaked past her vision in dizzying flashes.
'H-He is too fast...' Each step shook the air, and the relentless wind stung her eyes.
It felt like minutes later when he abruptly slowed, stepping into the mouth of a spacious cave.
He crouched and gently lowered her to the ground, placing her back against a smooth rock before releasing a soft breath.
Zhu Zhuqing exhaled shakily. "Too… fast…"
Xuan Yan paid no attention to her complaint and looked at the injuries in her body "Your arms are severely injured."
Before she could respond, he knelt in front of her with one knee touching the ground "Sorry for this."
Before she could even ask anything, she gripped the leather near her hand and tore it open.
"H–Huh?!" Zhu Zhuqing jolted, and she crawled back instantly.
"W–Wait, what are you doing?! You perverted bastard."
He didn't react to her fluster "Just stay put."
Instead, he pulled a white cloth and flask of water from his storage ring, soaking the cloth and gently wiping away the dirt and dried blood.
His touch, though firm, was unexpectedly careful.
"Ssh." The cool water stung her torn skin, and he sprinkled a layer of medicinal powder across her wounds, his fingertips brushing lightly against her skin, then wrapped fresh bandages around her arms.
It was the first time someone had treated her with such unspoken care.
Closing her eyes, she let out a soft sigh "…Thank you."
Xuan Yan just shifted lower, removing her shoe before tearing the leather around her injured calf.
Zhu Zhuqing swallowed hard, unable to look at him directly as he applied medicine and wrapped the wound on her thigh.
When he finished, he asked "Need water?"
She gave a faint nod "Mhm."
He handed her a wooden flask, and she drank greedily until it was empty.
Without a word, Xuan Yan stood and gathered several pieces of dry wood.
He arranged them neatly, then flicked his fingers.
A small spark of flame leapt from his hand and ignited the pile.
Warm firelight filled the cave, casting flickering patterns across the walls.
Zhu Zhuqing stared at him silently 'A fire spirit master…? But more importantly, who even is he? He is even hiding his face with a hood.'
Xuan Yan sat across from her, and for a while, only the crackle of burning wood echoed in the silence.
Finally, Zhu Zhuqing spoke first "…What is your name?"
He turned his gaze toward her and muttered "It's basic manners to give your name before asking for another's."
She frowned slightly but complied. "…Zhuqing."
"Yan,"
Silence stretched again.
Zhu Zhuqing's fingers toyed with the edge of her bandage "Why… did you really save me?"
"Because I want to."
She was startled and blinked again.
Her eyes narrowed further "That… that isn't a proper answer."
Xuan Yan tilted his head slightly "That's the truth. As i said I just happened topass through here and saw you struggling against the tiger."
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated, then tried one more question "Then… why hide your face?"
"Because I can."
She stared at him with a deadpan expression, seeing the strange mixture of cold and warmth he carried.
'He... doesn't seem like a bad guy. I shouldn't pry much; I should just be grateful for even helping me.'
Looking at Zhu Zhuqing, he asked "Do you wish to see my face?"
Though slightly suspicious, she nodded her head "Yeah..."
With that, he reached up and began to remove his hood...
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I hope you guys liked this chapter!