Be Gentle, Immortal Master

The other two ingredients that we needed—the bile of a viper and the blood of a scorpion—might sound strange and exotic to some, but since Bai Ye had been experimenting with myriads of rare herbs and medicines for hundreds of years, we happened to have both of those in storage. I poured everything carefully into a pot, made another fire in a ventilated side chamber, and started boiling the mixture.

The next nine days passed quickly. Between tending to the fire and making sure that things didn't dry up before they were ready, I kept my routine of brewing Bai Ye's potions and keeping him company while reading. By the time I finished the last book in my pile on demonic swords, the ninth day had arrived. The medicine had boiled down into a dark plaque, which I transferred to a fresh pot to bake over the fire.

Bai Ye "watched" me quietly during the entire process. Ever since I returned from the Misty Mountains, his unseeing gaze had never left me. Neither did that faint smile ever leave the corner of his lips. I marveled at the power of our newfound hope, and as I counted down the days to the bath, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of look would be in his eyes the moment he could see again.

His words the other day had strengthened my confidence and hope. I was still concerned over the discomfort that the bath would cause him, but I was no longer afraid, because I knew how far one's willpower could take them. He had shown me his determination to take this opportunity and live on, and I had faith in him, so when the second ninth day finally arrived, I wasn't anxious. He was ready, and so was I.

It was just past noon when I filled the large tub in the bath chamber with hot spring water and dissolved the medicine into it. The tub was too heavy for me to move, but fortunately, thanks to his recent potions, Bai Ye was able to walk a little now with my help. After a few small stumbles over the fresh snow that fell the night before, we made it safely across the yard, and I led him to the side of the tub.

I didn't want to hurt his pride by taking over everything for him, so when he fumbled along the rim of the tub to find his bearings, I stepped back and let him handle the rest. Turning away from me, he undid his clothes, and stepped inside.

"How is the temperature?" I asked. I had avoided touching the bathwater myself because of the poison.

"Perfect." He sat down and immersed himself in the dark liquid, resting his head over the edge. "You made it so comfortable that I won't want to get out when the time is up."

I smiled, knowing that he was trying to ease my mind by talking so lightheartedly. Darting a look towards the water clock, I remembered the time, then sat down next to the tub.

"I wish I could do this with you," I sighed, leaning against the outside of the rim. I knew it was the wrong thing to wish for, but if only there was enough demonic power left in me, I would be able to share this burden with him right now. Even if it was just to keep him company.

He only chuckled though. "It is for the best," he said. "If you come in here with me … It'll remind me too much of what happened last time when we took a bath together."

I blinked, remembering too slowly that the last time we took a bath together … was when he prepared that herbal mix for me after I returned from East Village. Right here in this room, he had picked me up and dunked both of us into the tub, and then …

My cheeks burned. "B-Bai Ye!" I grunted. He must be feeling better these days to be remembering such things at a time like this! "You are supposed to stay concentrated and control your spiritual power right now! Not to be distracted with random thoughts like this!"

"And that is why it's for the best that you aren't taking this bath with me," he chuckled again, not knowing that I had given him multiple glares in the meantime already. "Come closer, Qing-er," he said after a short pause. "Sit next to me. You don't have to be in the tub to let me feel you're here."

I hesitated, but only for a brief moment. Repositioning myself, I moved to the side of the tub that he was leaning against, and I rested my head over the same edge, touching my cheek to his. "I'm right here," I said softly. "I'm not going anywhere."

He didn't speak further, and we leaned against each other just like that for quite a while. His breathing was calm and smooth, and I knew that the full effect of the bath hadn't kicked in yet. I wasn't sure if I should feel relieved or nervous about the fact though. Even if his tolerance for pain was high, the bixie had said that this one was enough to make people lose consciousness, and I couldn't pretend that I wasn't concerned at all about how much he would have to go through.

So after a long silence, I shifted. "Talk to me, Bai Ye," I said, placing my palm under his head to make it a little more comfortable for him.

He looked surprised for a moment. Then he smiled a little. "Are you trying to distract me now?" he asked.

"A little conversation isn't enough to distract your spiritual power control," I argued. Only enough to divert your attention away from the pain … though I didn't say the second part out loud. "I don't want to spend three long hours sitting here in silence … How about you tell me something about my previous self? I don't even know her name."