Life and Death in Proper Measure, the Greater Picture and Lesser Righteousness (Part One)

These past few days, Madam Hua's cold spring had scarcely ever been empty.

On one side, Bianchi needed to sort through his sword intent; on the other, Xue Pingzhi needed it to ease her emotions. Sometimes, Yu Ci would also nurture his spirit in the spring waters and let his thoughts drift. Even for an incarnation, it had some effect.

At this moment, there were two people in the cold spring: Yu Ci and Xue Pingzhi.

A dense, cold mist lay between them. Unless one deliberately pierced it with one's gaze, one could only make out vague silhouettes.

Yu Ci had already done everything he needed to do today. He paid no heed to how Xue Pingzhi continued to regulate herself, immersed instead in his own world.

His incarnation was somewhat ethereal. If battle were needed, he would naturally gather his vital energy and condense it into substance. At present, he was in his most relaxed state.

Even so, a maid attended him from behind. Of course, she was not kneading his shoulders or massaging him, but using special fragrant oils mixed with cold spring water to pour over his incarnation.

It was said that this could nourish the soul, and would benefit him even after he withdrew it back into his true body.

These were all instructions left by the maids' former mistress, and Yu Ci accepted them with equanimity.

Perhaps the psychological significance outweighed the practical effect, but he truly needed such a method to ease the state he had been in these recent days—putting much thought into matters, yet finding no clear path forward.

It was precisely in this state that he paid no attention whatsoever to his surroundings, yet remained exceptionally keen.

There had been a moment when the rhythm of the spring water being poured