"Much lighter than you," the Demon Venerable interrupted her, "You won't die."
Snow Empress paused for a moment, then said, "There's a medicine box on the table. The third compartment contains the finest skin-regenerating dew. Apply it yourself."
The Demon Venerable raised an eyebrow, glanced at the table, and sure enough, there was a slightly worn wooden box in the corner. He reached out and opened the third compartment, inside which were several rows of small white porcelain bottles, each with a very fine label. He took one, opened the cap, and smelled it; it was indeed pure jade dew. Without a word, he rolled up his sleeve and poured the liquid onto his wounds. The deep, bone-revealing wounds visibly contracted and healed, covered by a thin, transparent film. He then applied the liquid to several other large wounds on his arms, shoulders, and chest, his movements clean and efficient, as if he were used to treating injuries.
"Aren't you going to ask me where my master went?" Snow Empress said, lying on the couch and looking up at the top of the canopy.
"He flew away." The Demon Venerable put the medicine bottle back in the box, turned around and sat back down in his chair. "He said he would give you seventy percent of his Spiritual Power to resolve your obsession. He didn't say exactly where he went, but I don't think he'll ever return to the Ziwei Sect."
Xue Di closed her eyes briefly. Her expression was calm, but the fingers gripping the corner of the blanket tightened slightly for a moment. The Demon Lord saw it but remained silent. Some things didn't need to be said; she understood them better than anyone. When Qingxuan Zhenren threw down the jade pendant and turned to leave, the dim light in his eyes and the words, "Consider it severing that attachment for your master," clearly indicated he was making a clean break with his past self from over a thousand years ago. That old man, who had lived for nearly a thousand years and was regarded as a towering figure in the cultivation world, finally admitted to his disciples that he had obsessions, selfishness, and things he had never let go of. Then he handed all those things over and left alone.
" Demon Venerable," the Snow Empress suddenly spoke.
"Um?"
"Tell me, if someone lives for a thousand years and then suddenly lets go of everything, where will they go?"
The Demon Venerable leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment, "Either find a mountain to bury himself, or find a place where no one knows him and start over. People of his level are more at ease after letting go; you don't need to worry about him."
Snow Empress didn't speak again. The room fell silent once more. After a long while, she spoke again, her voice carrying an almost imperceptible softness. "Thank you."
The Demon Venerable's lips twitched slightly. "Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for staying," said the Snow Empress. "You could have left. The seal on the Source of Chaos could have been completed without you. You helped me fend off those pursuers, and you even temporarily learned my sealing techniques to fight alongside me until the very end... You've already repaid what you owed me long ago."
The Demon Venerable stood up and walked to the bedside, looking down at her. His usual wicked smile was gone, replaced by a handsome and calm expression. He looked into her eyes and said, "I'm not staying to pay off a debt."
Snow Empress looked at him.
"I always keep my promises. That's the first point," the Demon Venerable said. "The second point—" He paused, a rare hint of unease appearing on his face, but it was quickly masked by his nonchalant expression. "Never mind, we'll talk about it once you're healed."
"It's more upsetting when you only say half of what you mean than when you don't say anything at all." Snow Empress glared at him.
The Demon Venerable chuckled, sat back down in his chair, and crossed his legs. "It's nothing. I just felt that carrying things alone for too long would be tiring. I just happened to be passing by, and I just happened to see you carrying it all alone, so I just happened to lend a hand. If you keep asking, I'll have to say it's because I'm accumulating good deeds on my cultivation path."
Snow Empress was momentarily speechless at his words, but the corners of her mouth involuntarily curved into a smile.
As the sun gradually slanted westward, the shadows in the courtyard lengthened, casting long silhouettes. The Demon Venerable went out and brought back some hot porridge for the Snow Empress. He helped her half-up from the couch, supporting her against the pillows, and fed her spoonful by spoonful. The Snow Empress frowned and said she could do it herself, but the Demon Venerable ignored her and held the spoon to her lips, so she had no choice but to open her mouth and take it.
The porridge was plain white, with goji berries and red dates added. Its light sweetness slid down her throat, and a warm feeling seeped into her dry, cold body. Snow Empress drank more than half a bowl and felt warmer, and her spirits improved slightly. The Demon Venerable put the bowl on the table and handed her a cup of warm water.
"You should rest," he said. "I'll stay here. You've used less than 20% of the Spiritual Power in your master's jade pendant. Once you can circulate your meridians, the remaining Spiritual Power will be enough to replenish most of your depleted essence. Don't rush things now; let your body recover on its own."
Snow Empress watched his retreating figure. He walked to the table, sat down, poured himself another cup of cold tea, tilted his head back, took a sip, leaned back in his chair, and closed his eyes. Twilight streamed in through the window, bathing the entire room in a warm orange-red hue. The bloodstains on his black robe appeared dark in the twilight, but he sat very relaxed, his breathing even, as if he were truly just taking a short break.
Snow Empress stared at him for a long time, then whispered, " Demon Venerable."
"Um."
"May I have your name?"
The Demon Venerable opened his eyes, looking at her through the twilight, a slow smile appearing on his lips, "What, the mighty Snow Empress, after fighting such a tough battle alongside me, only now do you think to ask what my name is?"
"You call me ' Demon Venerable ' so naturally, I forgot to ask," said Snow Empress.
The Demon Venerable was silent for two breaths, then said, "My name is Yin Wujou."
" Yin Wujou." Snow Empress rolled the name on her tongue. "A good name. Wujiu, meaning without fault or blame... Did your parents name you that?"
"I don't know." Yin Wujou's tone was calm. "I've been in the Demon Domain since I can remember. I was picked up from the battlefield. I don't know who my parents are. The person who picked me up gave me my name. He probably hoped I wouldn't go astray, but unfortunately, he didn't get his wish. In the end, I still became a demon."
When he said this, there was not a trace of self-pity in his tone; it was calm and indifferent, as if he were talking about someone else's affairs. Snow Empress suddenly felt as if something had gently bumped into her heart.
" Yin Wujou," she called again.
" Snow Empress, are you deliberately trying to mess with my name today?"
"No. I just think... you're a pretty good person." After saying this, Snow Empress pulled the blanket up to cover half of her face, leaving only her eyes exposed, and then closed them. The tips of her ears were faintly pink in the twilight, mostly hidden by her loose long hair.
Yin Wujou looked at the tip of her ear that was sticking out, and the corners of his mouth curved up even wider. He said nothing, but leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and slowly regulated his breathing in the twilight and evening breeze. The bamboo leaves rustled outside the window, and the distant evening school bell rang out, one after another, as if drawing a peaceful period to the thrilling day.
Snow Empress fell into a deep sleep. This time she didn't dream at all, but simply sank into a peaceful darkness. The sense of security of being protected and caught enveloped her, making her completely relax.