I took four straight days off.
Honestly, with this transmigration-enhanced body of mine, I’d recovered seventy to eighty percent after just one day.
But who told me to brag so dramatically in the water prison about how earth-shattering and soul-draining my “Marrow Cleansing Technique” supposedly was?
Now I can only… keep pretending to be weak.
Li Xuan folded his clothes slowly, muttering inwardly:
“The senior was right… one lie really does take an entire cartload of bigger lies to cover it up.”
He had just begun considering what excuse to use to sneak off to the Chu residence when steady footsteps sounded outside the door.
The next moment, the door swung open.
Zhao Chengyuan entered in dark casual robes, his imposing aura instantly making the whole dormitory feel heavier. Behind him stood Lu Changfeng, expression solemn.
“Feeling better?” Zhao Chengyuan asked, gaze sweeping over him.
“You’re up and moving. Where exactly were you planning to go?”
Li Xuan’s heart tightened.
In an instant, he switched back into obedient new recruit mode, bowing respectfully.
“Reporting to Your Highness. The Guiyuan Marrow Cleansing consumed too much energy. Though I’ve rested for several days, I still require medicinal nourishment.”
“I arrived here with very little luggage and lack backup medicine. I was planning to head into town to buy a few spare clothes and some ordinary supplements.”
Zhao Chengyuan frowned.
“If you’re still weak, why go yourself?”
“I’ll have Yao Buyi prepare medicine for you. As for clothes, someone can purchase them on your behalf.”
“Rest properly.”
“There are many matters in the army that still rely upon your abilities. Save your energy for where it truly matters.”
Li Xuan maintained a flawless professional smile while internally screaming.
Rely on my abilities, my ass! You’re just using me like a free overworked tool! No raise, and now you want to control where I go too? What are you, some overbearing CEO?!
Outwardly, he let his expression soften with grievance.
His eyes turned faintly red.
“Your Highness may not know this, but I grew up hidden deep in the mountains, unfamiliar with the outside world.”
“I entered Fulong Camp almost immediately after arriving.”
“This is my rare chance to leave camp. I wanted to personally familiarize myself with the town.”
He paused, sounding even more pitiful.
“Besides…”
“My savings are limited. The spirit medicines in the pharmacology chambers are far too precious. I truly wouldn’t dare trouble Master Yao, nor could I afford such things.”
“I only ask permission to buy ordinary supplements with my own money.”
“At least then, I’d feel more at ease.”
Internal monologue:
If you care this much, how about just giving me a raise?
Zhao Chengyuan raised a brow.
Clearly, he had been affected—at least somewhat—by Li Xuan’s pitiful act.
“If you insist on going,” he finally said, “I’ll accompany you.”
“You rendered meritorious service. Today’s expenses will all be covered by me.”
Li Xuan nearly jumped in panic.
“No, no, absolutely not!”
He shook his head so hard it looked like a rattle drum.
“Your Highness handles countless military matters daily. How could someone of your status waste time accompanying a minor official like me on a shopping trip?”
“I wouldn’t dare!”
Zhao Chengyuan immediately grew displeased.
Yet Li Xuan’s reasoning was flawless.
For once, he found himself unable to argue.
Seeing the tension, Lu Changfeng hurriedly stepped in.
“Commander, there are still urgent matters awaiting your attention.”
“Moying has recovered and is waiting in Chengtian Hall to report military intelligence.”
Noticing Zhao Chengyuan’s hesitation, he quickly added:
“If the Commander remains worried, I can assign several reliable Shura guards to accompany Li Xuan and ensure his safety.”
Zhao Chengyuan fell silent for a moment before relenting.
“Choose only the most loyal ones.”
“Not a single step out of his sight.”
Before leaving, he cast Li Xuan one long, lingering look.
Only then did he stride away.
Li Xuan secretly exhaled in relief.
That was close.
Almost got trapped in an all-day tyrant tour package.
The town remained bustling as ever.
Crowds filled the streets as though the dimensional rift crisis several days ago had never happened.
“Hahaha, Brother Changgeng, thank heavens for you!”
Shen Qingci fanned himself dramatically.
“If you hadn’t taken leave and dragged us out, we’d still be roasting like dried meat in the training grounds!”
Yan Chiyu nodded frantically while clutching his notebook.
“Seriously! After joining the camp, I realized nothing borrowed ever gets returned!”
“The senior brothers are all tyrants. I’m stocking up while I can!”
A’Man crossed his arms.
“Outside… nice.”
“Camp… stuffy.”
“Changgeng, thank you.”
Li Xuan blinked.
Weren’t they supposed to be protecting me?
How did this turn into a shopping group?
Still—
Not bad.
At least this gave him freedom to move.
Smiling helplessly, he waved a hand.
“Alright, split up and buy what you need.”
“We’ll regroup in front of this shop in two hours.”
“Don’t be late.”
“Got it!”
The group scattered instantly.
After confirming no one was tailing him, Li Xuan turned sharply—
And headed straight for the Chu residence.
The moment he stepped through the gates, before he even reached the main hall—
A familiar warm figure hurried toward him.
“Changgeng—”
Chu Wanran wore a teal silk robe covered by mist-like gauze, carrying the faint scent of plum blossoms and agarwood.
The joy in his eyes practically overflowed.
Like someone finally reunited with a dearly missed person.
“I’ve missed you terribly these past days.”
Out of habit, Li Xuan reached up and patted his head.
“Ziyi, I’m here.”
“How have you been?”
Taking full advantage, Chu Wanran gently leaned against Li Xuan’s shoulder, cheek brushing lightly against the fabric of his robes.
“Seeing you makes everything better.”
“No matter how exhausting things have been—it all becomes worth it.”
He softened his voice further.
“Can you pet me a little longer?”
Li Xuan’s heart softened.
Quietly, he slipped a trace of purification energy into Chu Wanran.
Chu Wanran closed his eyes and sighed contentedly—
Like a cat being stroked just right.
After settling into the hall with tea served, Li Xuan recounted everything that had happened in the water prison.
By the end—
Chu Wanran burst into uncontrollable laughter.
“HAHAHAHA—!”
“Marrow Cleansing Technique?!”
“You actually came up with that?!”
“That’s ridiculous!”
“It’s perfect!”
Li Xuan rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“The situation was urgent.”
“I had to improvise.”
“Good thing he believed it.”
After laughing enough, Chu Wanran finally regained composure.
Tapping the table thoughtfully, the sharp intelligence of the Wanjin Alliance Master flickered in his eyes.
“Looks like our young commander’s been fighting wars so long…”
“…his brain’s become a little dull.”
Then he shook his head.
“No.”
“That’s not right.”
“Based on what I know of Zhao Chengyuan…”
“He’s never been simple.”
“He’s spent years fighting beasts while navigating court politics.”
“Especially against Chancellor Li’s faction in Fanyang.”
“Someone capable of reaching Commander status isn’t easily fooled.”
Chu Wanran lowered his voice.
“The fact that he’s willing to believe you…”
“…might not mean he believes your story.”
Li Xuan frowned.
“If he’s not actually a bad person…”
“Maybe someday I could tell him the truth about who I am?”
“As long as he’s a good person.”
Chu Wanran sighed softly.
“Ah Xuan.”
“In chaotic times, the line between good and evil is blurry.”
“Everyone fights for power, status, wealth, military authority.”
“To the people of Lingqu, Prince Guang is a savior.”
“To those in court?”
“He’s a thorn in their side.”
Taking a sip of tea, he continued quietly:
“People like us survive in the cracks.”
“Who’s good or bad doesn’t matter.”
“What matters is whether the ending harms us.”
Li Xuan considered it carefully.
“You’re right.”
“I don’t want involvement in politics anyway.”
“I don’t care who becomes king.”
“As long as the people can live peacefully.”
“The dirty stuff?”
“I’d rather not see it.”
“I just want to be a…”
He grinned.
“…a shut-in nerd.”
Chu Wanran blinked.
“A shut-in what?”
Li Xuan laughed.
“Someone with enough money and their own house.”
“Lazing around all day at home without needing to work.”
Chu Wanran smiled warmly.
“That tiny wish?”
“If you wanted, I could let you stay by my side forever.”
“You could be a shut-in for life.”
“For me, that would be effortless.”
Li Xuan shook his head.
“I still want to spend my own money.”
“Live in my own place.”
“That feels more rewarding.”
“Alright, alright.”
Chu Wanran’s eyes brimmed with fondness.
“Whatever you want.”
“I’ll help you.”
Then his expression turned serious.
“By the way…”
“You said you woke near White-Mist Mountain.”
“I had people investigate.”
“The area’s crawling with soldiers lately.”
“Most came from Fanyang.”
“There are even Imperial Guards.”
“Prince Guang’s people are searching the mountain too.”
His gaze sharpened.
“I suspect…”
“This has something to do with you.”
Li Xuan’s face shifted.
I literally just said I didn’t want politics.
Please don’t drag me into this.