It was an utterly relaxing dream. Upon waking, he could not remember a single thing about it, yet it left his body and mind refreshed. No one could refuse a dream like that, and Zeng Mu was no exception.
He got up with a stretch and glanced toward the window. Outside, the rosy light was turning gold, and white mist clung to the tops of the plants. It seemed to be daybreak.
"Hrr... hrr..." The snoring from the bed was far from quiet. Turning his head, he saw Kanni sleeping soundly, a glistening trickle slipping from the corner of his open mouth and dampening his collar. It lent a comical touch to the usually cold, stern fellow. Zeng Mu wanted to slap his forehead and wake him, but decided against it. After all, Kanni had exhausted himself last night. Zeng Mu had recovered so quickly only because of the abundant elemental power flowing through his body. Kanni would probably need to sleep until noon.
He slipped silently out of the inner room, only to get a small fright when he reached the sitting room.
Hill and Zhao Xinning were each sitting on a wooden chair. She was stirring a bowl of thick, milky-white ointment that gave off wisps of steam and a bitter smell. His closed eyelids and face were covered in the ointment, and his shirt had been removed, revealing a sturdy, well-defined torso. He sat with his back to her, apparently waiting for her to apply more there.
"I wondered where that medicinal smell was coming from. So it was your doing, Miss Hill? I never knew you had this skill." Zeng Mu scratched his head, feeling somewhat at a loss.
"Good morning, my lord. It's nothing, really. I just heated some water to melt the dried ointment.