That night, they stayed at a roadside inn outside Baiyun.
The rooms were small, the walls thin, but the fire was warm.
Liang Hu remained outside, seated by the door, guarding the inn.
Inside, Zhen Yu sat by the lamp, polishing his sword. The silver edge gleamed faintly. His arm ached from the fight earlier, though he ignored it.
The door slid open. Mei Lian stepped in. Her hood was gone, her long black hair falling loose over her shoulders.
She signed, her fingers sharp and quick.
Your arm is injured. Let me apply ointment.
Zhen Yu shook his head. "It's nothing."
Her crimson eyes narrowed. Without a word, she opened a small bottle from her pack. The scent of herbs filled the room. She knelt and pulled back his sleeve.
Her cold fingers brushed his skin. The ointment burned, then soothed. Zhen Yu said nothing, only watched the faint glow of her veins in the lamplight.
At last, he broke the silence.
"Tomorrow… we'll be close to the first monster. How do you plan to find them?"
Her hands moved, slow and steady.
I can feel them.
The closer I am, the stronger it becomes. Like a pull.
Zhen Yu frowned. "And when you find it?"
Her hands trembled slightly. Then:
I devour it. Or it devours me.
The room grew still. The fire cracked once.
Zhen Yu's grip tightened on his sword. His voice was low, steady.
"Then I'll make sure it's the first."
For a moment, Mei Lian's silence softened. Her crimson eyes lingered on him, calm as snow.
"Rest," Zhen Yu said quietly.
She nodded and slipped away.
Zhen Yu rose and stepped outside. Liang Hu was waiting, sword across his knees.
"Stay at the inn tomorrow," Zhen Yu said. "We'll likely face the monster."
Liang Hu's brows furrowed. "Why only you? Let me come. I can't entrust you to that witch alone."
"She won't harm me," Zhen Yu answered firmly. "She can't. If we don't return in time… then find us."
"But—"
"It's an order," Zhen Yu cut him off, his cold gaze leaving no room for argument.
The night deepened. The hunt was close.