Immortal Road Worry-Free - CHAPTER 5:
Hexu Xingye sat beside the lake, watching as Bai Yushuang came
toward him through the morning mist. Her steps were light,
dewdrops clinging to the grass beneath her bare feet.
In her hands she carried freshly brewed medicine and a new bundle of herbs.
Her robe drifted like a wisp of cloud, and for a moment,
she looked less like a person than a spirit born from the island’s fog.
Today it won’t be bitter, she said softly, setting down the bowl beside him.
I added a little spirit honey while no one was looking.
He raised a brow, a faint smile playing on his lips. Secretly?
Her face reddened in embarrassment. Because Fusang said
I shouldn’t, but… it was too bitter, so I added just a little.
Thank you, he murmured, taking the bowl from her hands.
He drank it slowly, as if the warmth in that cup might slip away too quickly.
When Bai Yushuang tended his wounds, her touch was steady and gentle.
Yet each time she reached to uncover the bandages on his chest,
she lowered her gaze, her ears turning faintly red. I’ll… be careful,
she whispered each time, as if afraid to cause pain.
Hexu Xingye had always disliked physical closeness, but now, every day,
he found himself waiting for that brief moment the warmth of her fingertips,
the flow of her spirit energy against his skin.
The spirit spring murmured nearby. The shadow of the
Fusang Tree danced across the water, its golden light falling like liquid sun.
On the Isle of No Worries, time seemed to stand still.
Though Bai Yushuang told him that a patient should lie still and rest,
he often insisted on helping her. In the end, she could only sigh and let him.
They did many things together sorting herbs, picking spirit fruits,
walking along the lakeshore, even catching fish for dinner.
Once, she stood barefoot upon a stone, skirts gathered in her hands,
holding a net woven from spell-light. Her expression was serious as she instructed him.
You watch the fish carefully. I’ll cast the net.
Their first attempt failed. The spirit fish slipped free,
and Bai Yushuang fell into the water with a startled cry.
Sitting by the spring, she hugged her knees, cheeks puffed out in frustration.
Hexu Xingye glanced at her, then quickly looked away.
The sight of her soaked and radiant, strands of dark hair clinging to her shoulders,
her pale skin flushed with warmth made his throat tighten.
He shut his eyes, stood, and draped his outer robe over her shoulders.
Your spirit flow was unsteady just now, he said evenly.
I’m not cold, she murmured, blinking up at him.
Wear it, he said simply, tightening the robe and tying a knot beneath her chin.
Still thinking of the escaped fish, she declared stubbornly, Then we’ll try again!
He looked at her, uncertain whether to sigh or smile. His voice was soft. All right.
This time, they succeeded. Bai Yushuang caught the spirit fish,
and together they made a pot of fish soup. When she handed him a bowl,
her eyes sparkled with pride.
It’s delicious, he said after a long taste.
Then eat more, she answered, her smile curving like a crescent moon.
He ate slowly, savoring each mouthful as if trying to memorize the flavor,
the warmth of her laughter, the peace of this moment.
Life on the island was too quiet, too gentle.
There was no battle, no duty, no burden of command only her.
He wondered, if destiny had not bound him to his role,
whether he might remain here forever, living these quiet days beside her.
And Bai Yushuang, for the first time in her life, began to feel curiosity
about the world beyond the island. Not because of the books she read,
nor the tales told by Fusang, but because of him.
So there are people like him out there, she thought.
She looked at Hexu Xingye as if he were a riddle stepping out from the pages of a story.
A question bloomed quietly in her heart.
What is the world outside truly like?
Bai Yushuang had never left the island, yet the world had already entered her heart.
Fusang, she asked softly one evening, what is the world really like?
The ancient tree replied in a voice as gentle as wind through its leaves.
Do you wish to see it for yourself?
She did not answer. She only gazed toward the sea fog beyond the island,
where the horizon blurred into dream.
Morning light brushed the golden veins of the Fusang leaves,
reflections rippling across the spring’s surface.
The air smelled faintly of spirit mist and sunlight.
Bai Yushuang sat by the water, a book resting in her arms.
Her toes stirred the lake, sending rings across its glassy surface.
Not far away, Hexu Xingye sat beneath the shade of the tree,
applying medicine to the fading scar across his chest.
The once-severe wound was nearly gone.
She tilted her head, her voice quiet. Were your wounds…
caused by people from the outside world?
He lifted his gaze to hers. In her eyes, he saw sunlight and water,
untainted by any dust of the mortal world. After a pause, he nodded.
Humans, he said slowly, are complicated creatures.
Beyond them, there are other races spirits, demons, ghosts, and beasts.
Out there, deception and desire weave through every breath.
Conflict is constant. It is nothing like the calm of this island.
Bai Yushuang thought for a long time before speaking again. What else is out there?
His expression softened. You should see it yourself one day.
The world beyond is vast. There are things you cannot imagine
cities that float among the clouds, demons as tall as mountains,
great sects with tens of thousands of disciples,
night markets glowing with a thousand lights.
And there’s a pastry, delicate and golden, with a sweet scent of osmanthus.
It’s called sweet osmanthus cake.
Her eyes widened with wonder. Osmanthus cake? Is it like spirit rice cakes?
Sweeter, he said, his tone gentle. It smells of flowers.
If you ever want to try it, I’ll make it for you.
He smiled then, warmth flickering across his face like sunlight through leaves,
as she gazed at him in wordless delight.