Rain pours heavily outside.
The cave is illuminated by a small campfire. Wet cloaks hang over nearby rocks. The disciples rest quietly after the battle.
Princess Shin lies unconscious on a bed made from folded cloaks.
Shinzi kneels beside her, worry written across his face.
Qiao Tian sits on the opposite side, preparing medicinal herbs.
Xuan Dao quietly drinks tea near the cave entrance, keeping watch.
Silence fills the cave.
SHINZI
(softly)
Her fever is coming back...
QIAO TIAN
Let me examine her.
Shinzi immediately moves aside.
Qiao Tian places two fingers gently on Shin's wrist.
She closes her eyes.
Several moments pass.
Everyone waits silently.
DISCIPLE
Young Master...
How is the Princess?
Qiao Tian slowly opens her eyes.
QIAO TIAN
Her pulse is steady.
Her spiritual meridians are unharmed.
She's simply exhausted.
Shinzi lets out a quiet breath he hadn't realized he was holding.
SHINZI
So she'll recover?
QIAO TIAN
Yes.
She only needs rest.
Qiao Tian carefully checks the bruise on Shin's arm.
She applies crushed medicinal herbs before wrapping it gently with a clean strip of cloth.
Every movement is slow.
Careful.
Almost...
Motherly.
Shinzi notices.
His expression softens.
SHINZI
You're... surprisingly skilled with medicine.
Qiao Tian doesn't look up.
QIAO TIAN
Master believes every swordsman should know how to save a life...
Not only take one.
Across the cave—
Xuan Dao smiles into his teacup.
XUAN DAO
That's one lesson she never argued about.
Qiao Tian glances toward him.
QIAO TIAN
Because you made me grind herbs every morning for five years.
XUAN DAO
(grinning)
And now you're thanking me.
QIAO TIAN
I'm not.
The disciples chuckle.
Even Shinzi smiles.
Suddenly—
Shin stirs.
Her fingers twitch.
SHINZI
Shin?
Slowly...
She opens her eyes.
Everything appears blurry.
SHIN
Brother...?
Before anyone can react—
Shinzi gently places a hand on her forehead.
SHINZI
I'm here.
She blinks several times.
SHIN
Did...
Did we win?
Everyone in the cave laughs.
DISCIPLE
The first thing the Princess asks...
QIAO TIAN
Yes.
We won.
Shin smiles weakly.
SHIN
Good...
She suddenly notices the bandage around her arm.
SHIN
Who treated me?
Shinzi looks toward Qiao Tian.
SHINZI
Young Master Qiao did.
Shin slowly turns toward Qiao Tian.
SHIN
Really...?
Qiao Tian nods once.
QIAO TIAN
It wasn't serious.
Shin looks at the perfectly wrapped bandage.
SHIN
It's prettier than the ones Brother makes.
Shinzi coughs awkwardly.
SHINZI
I... never claimed to be good at it.
SHIN
Last time you wrapped my hand...
You wrapped your own fingers too.
The cave erupts with laughter.
Even Xuan Dao nearly spills his tea.
XUAN DAO
Young Master Shinzi...
Perhaps swordsmanship suits you better.
Shinzi rubs the back of his neck.
SHINZI
I won't argue with that.
Shin slowly sits up.
Immediately—
She sways.
QIAO TIAN
Easy.
Don't force yourself.
Without thinking...
Qiao Tian reaches out to steady her shoulder.
Shin instinctively leans against her.
SHIN
You're warm...
Qiao Tian freezes for the briefest moment.
SHINZI
(noticing)
...
Qiao Tian gently helps Shin sit upright before quietly withdrawing her hand.
QIAO TIAN
Drink some water first.
She hands Shin a wooden cup.
SHIN
Thank you...
Young Master Qiao.
She drinks obediently.
After a few moments...
Her cheerful personality returns.
SHIN
Brother.
SHINZI
Hmm?
SHIN
I'm hungry.
The entire cave bursts into laughter again.
XUAN DAO
There.
Now we know she's perfectly fine.
Only our little princess would ask for food after collapsing.
SHIN
I fought a monster...
I'm allowed to be hungry.
DISCIPLE
That's actually reasonable.
Shinzi smiles with relief.
For the first time since the battle...
The worry in his heart finally begins to ease.
Outside the cave...
Rain continues to fall.
Hidden among the darkness beyond the trees...
A lone figure watches the cave entrance.
His crimson eyes narrow.
Yu Yan.
YU YAN
(quietly)
Rest while you can...
Tomorrow...
The mountain itself will become your enemy.
He disappears into the rain.