The Creatures that We Are

Spectres’ Mansion, late at night.

The dark, silent mansion seemed to blend into the forest, shrouded in a hazy dim moonlight. Upon closer inspection, though, one would see faint green light leaking from the drawn curtains of the first-floor living room every now and then.

“How do you feel?” Fat Jun asked as he healed Nainai.

“Hmph! It’s just a little scratch. This Empress…” Nainai couldn’t help but suck in a breath.

“Haha, still hurt a little, right?” Fat Jun smiled good-naturedly. “That’s what happens with quick healing.”

It all started two days ago. Nine Frost and the team had openly attacked the Ocean River Union and faced them head-on before making their escape, and Nainai, Chen Ying, and Wang Zikai suffered quite a serious injury. Due to them running out of Medicine C, they weren’t able to recover quickly.

After returning to base, Nine Frost and the others could only patch the injured up roughly and allow them to recover on their own.

Wang Zikai was a special case. While he had been the most seriously injured, he was good as new after two days, only he slept a little more as a side effect.

On the other hand, Nainai and Chen Ying weren’t faring well. Nine Frost was worried that their conditions would get worse, and they would suffer complications even after recovery. After some deliberation, he decided to turn to the Twelve Zodiac Signs for help—Gao Yang had said that Nine Frost had the authority to make decisions on all matters while he wasn’t around.

In disguise, Nine Frost went to Songstress’ shop to contact Heavenly Dog. Then after more exchanges, Heavenly Dog and Fat Jun were invited to the Spectres’ mansion tonight.

Heavenly Dog had not only brought a healer, but also brought regular medical supplies. Of course, the amount was limited.

The Twelve Zodiac Signs were running low on medicines, too. Ever since the merger of the Qilin Guild and the Hundred Rivers Union, the Ocean River Union had stopped the exchanges for the manufacturing of medicines and equipment on several grounds; it was obviously meant to keep the Zodiacs in check. The Union could last a long time with the current supplies they had.

Fat Jun immediately treated Chen Ying and Nainai after entering the mansion.

Medicine C was mainly meant to quickly mend the wounds to provide first aid to the injured during fights. Then they could recover enough to put up more fight. However, it addressed the symptoms and not the root cause. After using the medicine, the injured would still have to rest to regain their energy completely.

Fat Jun’s Healing was different. It addressed both the symptoms and the root cause.

Fat Jun’s Healing was now level 6, allowing him to heal finely and thoroughly. Not only could he heal physical injuries, he could also quickly repair the damaged energy routes in the body.

In less than ten minutes, Chen Ying felt good as new and brimming with vitality. She was no longer injured or weak.

Fat Jun took a rest and started treating Nainai.

“Whew—”

Fat Jun sighed in relief, face covered in sweat. “Alright. That’s about it.”

Nainai jumped to her feet and moved her arms around, satisfied. “This Empress’ divine power is back!”

She placed her hands on her hips and stared at Fat Jun as he rested on the sofa. “Good work, Fat Horse. This Empress approves…”

“It’s Adept Horse!” Fat Jun corrected vehemently.

“Adept Horse, time to go.” Heavenly Dog took off his headphones and drawled, “Uncle Tiger told us to be quick.”

“Wait.” Nine Frost, who had been keeping watch at the window, stopped them. “There are more patients in need of treatment.”

“Who?” Fat Jun looked around. While the members of the Nine Scions looked broody, none of them was injured now.

Nine Frost silently waited.

Click. The door to the mansion opened after a few seconds. Three backlit figures stood outside. Those in the living room looked up to see Gao Yang, Qing Ling, and Ke Yo. řΆΝÖᛒËṤ

Hong Xiaoxiao, sitting on the sofa, started. Her eyes, already swollen from crying, brimmed with tears again. She shot to her feet and rushed to the restroom while covering her mouth.

The other members of the Nine Scions brooded silently as well. They had all learned about Can’s sacrifice.

Hong Xiaoxiao had broken down in tears immediately and hadn’t eaten anything in the past two days. Knowing that their captain was returning tonight, she had been preparing herself mentally and telling herself to be strong, to face reality like a mature adult and not cry.

But when she saw Can missing from the group that should be four, she realized all her preparation was for naught. Sorrow crashed through the mental wall she put up like a flood.

The only thing she could do was hide in the restroom and flush the toilet, drowning out her wails of heartbreak.

“You’re back,” Nine Frost said in a low voice.

“We’re back,” Gao Yang said tiredly.

“Anyone hurt?” Nine Frost asked. “I asked for Adept Horse’s help. He can heal you.”

“Yes.” Gao Yang nodded. “They are both hurt. Qing Ling’s most seriously injured. Heal her first.”

Qing Ling stood on Gao Yang’s right in a cape, her weak condition obvious from her pale face. Ke Yo stood on his left with a better complexion, showing mostly exhaustion and sorrow in her expression.

“And you?” Nine Frost asked.

“I’m fine,” Gao Yang explained in a cool voice. “I comprehended Gecko, so I recovered well.”

The air in the living room seemed to freeze for a few seconds.

Gao Yang glanced at Heavenly Dog and Fat Jun and spoke with distant politeness, “I’d like to thank your esteemed organization for your help. The Nine Scions will remember that and pay you back.”

Before Fat Jun and Heavenly Dog could say anything, he moved past everyone and went upstairs with his head lowered.

Fat Jun was filled with complicated feelings. He broke the silence. “Sis…Qing Ling, let me check your injury.”

“Okay.” Qing Ling tore off the cape and threw it to the ground.

Everyone was stunned when they saw her. Wearing a sleeveless tank top, she was wrapped in bloodied bandages all over. There was almost no part of her that was intact.

“Um…” Fat Jun gaped. “Why don’t you use a shot of Medicine C first?”

“How many did you bring?” Qing Ling asked.

“Five,” said Heavenly Dog.

Qing Ling frowned slightly, unhappy with the number. She glanced at Fat Jun. “I’m not using it. Just heal me.”

Sister-in-law! I get that you want to save medicine!

But have you considered my well-being?

Fat Jun swallowed the comments and nodded. “Sit here.”

Qing Ling and Fat Jun sat side by side on the sofa. Fat Jun held Qing Ling’s right hand with his gloved hands, closing his eyes and drawing Healing’s power.

“There are too many injuries on you, Qing Ling, and the damaged energy routes are a mess as a result. I won’t use localized healing on you. It’ll take too much time and effort. And it’d be inappropriate for me to touch some of the parts. I’ll use passive healing on you.”

“What does that mean?” Qing Ling asked.

“I’ll activate your energy and grant it the ability to heal you. You’ll recover by seventy percent. Then you only have to rest a few more days.”

“Okay.” Qing Ling was good with that.

Fat Jun’s hands flickered a brilliant green glow, which split into several translucent streams of green energy and climbed along Qing Ling’s arms like mischievous fairies, swirling around her body.

The pain from her injuries dulled like ink spreading in water. The deep exhaustion and discomfort in her body smoothed out like a wrinkled shirt being ironed, too.

She relaxed and slumped on the sofa, quickly falling asleep.

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