"Water..." Ouyang lay on the straw and weakly opened his eyes. He licked his cracked lips and called out unconsciously.
His lips met a porcelain bowl. Cool mountain spring water moistened his throat, reviving him a little.
His consciousness returned to his body, and the searing pain slowly began to recede beneath the vast True Essence within him.
Ouyang coughed. The burning pain in his lungs made him frown and suck in a cold breath.
Although the True Essence in his body had many wondrous uses, just how far had that brat Changsheng gone?
Most of the damage had transferred to him, and even he could barely withstand it. Couldn't that brat Changsheng use his head before acting?
"Eldest Senior Brother, are you feeling better?" Xiao Bai's concerned voice sounded beside his ear, interrupting his thoughts.
Ouyang came back to himself and nodded with a smile. "Not bad. Still alive," he said weakly.
Bai Feiyu had never seen Ouyang so weak before. He couldn't help frowning. "What did Chen Changsheng do? He's worked you so hard you can't even cook anymore?"
Ouyang raised an eyebrow slightly, lifted his hand, and flicked Bai Feiyu on the forehead. "Changsheng is still your Third Senior Brother, no matter what. Don't you know to respect your teachers and honor the Dao?" he chided.
Bai Feiyu didn't argue. He merely gave a soft huff and turned to fetch Ouyang another cup of water.
While Bai Feiyu fetched the water, Ouyang surveyed his surroundings.
The dilapidated room was piled with firewood and straw. It was probably where the nearby farmers stored their wood.
He lay on a heap of dry straw, while Little Fox slept soundly, occasionally blowing a snot bubble.
Even after everything they had been through, Little Fox was still sleeping like a log.