Gu Qingshan was cooking.
His movements were quick and efficient. Before long, the meal was ready.
Everyone supported Mu and carefully helped him sit against a tree.
Gu Qingshan ladled out a bowl of soup and handed it to Reneedol.
Reneedol cradled the bowl and personally fed Mu the soup.
Qi Ruo cast another healing spell, while Chi Hu added several auxiliary spells to Mu to help his body recover.
After finishing a bowl, Mu signaled that he didn't want anything else.
Atley went to gather some dry grass, spread it on the ground to make a soft little bed, and helped Mu lie down.
Mu closed his eyes and began to rest.
Gu Qingshan watched and nodded slightly.
These youngsters were pure of heart and treated their companions well.
"Come on, we should eat something too," Gu Qingshan called to everyone.
Several crude basins sat on the ground, but the dishes inside sent up fragrant steam.
They had been busy all night, and so much had happened since dawn. They'd been in constant danger, their nerves stretched taut. Only when they smelled the food did they realize how hungry they were.
"Supplies are limited, so make do," Gu Qingshan said.
They sat on the ground, picked up their utensils, and began to eat.
There was no question that Gu Qingshan was a good cook.
Everyone ate to their hearts' content. Even Reneedol served herself a helping and drank two bowls of soup.
After all, she was still a girl in her teens. Having fought several battles in a row, she was nearing her limit too.
When the meal was over,
Qi Ruo and Chi Hu volunteered to wash the dishes and clean up.
Atley stood atop a tree, keeping watch.
Reneedol went to check on Mu and found that