Chapter Thirty-One: Guilt

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The night was shrouded in mist as Chu Bing stood upon the stone steps.

Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps came from behind. She turned and saw two familiar figures supporting each other as they approached.

It was Chu Wenyen and Li Haoran!

“Big sister!”

“What are you doing here?” Chu Bing exclaimed in surprise. “Did something happen at the inn again?”

The murder case had already been resolved with Li Haoran’s help, at least enough so that the vengeful county magistrate no longer dared show his face to trouble them.

Chu Wenyen could not bear to lose a single day’s income, so he had stayed behind at the restaurant to tidy up the aftermath, planning to reopen once the incident was forgotten.

So seeing him here now, Chu Bing was truly taken aback.

Supporting Li Haoran, Chu Wenyen said helplessly, “Nonsense, don’t say such things. Everything at the inn is fine. When I saw you both hadn’t come back so late, I got worried and came to look for you.”

At the foot of the mountain, he had found Li Haoran leaning against a tree, resting with his eyes closed.

Both of them were concerned for Chu Bing, so they went up the mountain together.

“I’ve sent everyone to rest at the temple. It’s already late; even if we return now, it’s too late. Let’s spend the night here,” Chu Bing said, looking at Li Haoran.

After all, those people were his subordinates. She couldn’t make decisions for them without at least informing their master.

Li Haoran nodded, offering no opinion.

The three walked side by side toward the mountain peak. Along the way, Chu Bing kept a watchful eye on Li Haoran.

She noticed his steps were unsteady; after only a few paces, he was already short of breath, and her heart ached all the more.

When they reached the temple, she greeted the abbot and then hurried into her room, eager to reflect on her actions that day—and to consider how she would train these shadow guards in the future.

Seeing them so exhausted they could hardly stand, yet not daring to rest without her command, she made a silent vow to teach them properly.

Knock, knock.

Someone rapped on the door.

Chu Bing started. “Who is it?”

Chu Wenyen’s voice came through, tinged with worry. “Sister, it’s me. Are you all right?”

He had noticed on the way up that Chu Bing seemed troubled.

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. Go rest,” she called back.

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Chu Wenyen coaxed gently, “If you’re truly fine, open the door and have something to eat?”

Chu Bing replied impatiently, “I have no appetite. Just go!”

Outside the door, Chu Wenyen stood alone with a lunchbox in his hands, looking forlorn.

Suddenly, a pair of warm hands reached from behind and took the bowl from him. A soft voice said, “Let me do it. You should go eat as well.”

It was Li Haoran.

Chu Wenyen glanced at him, then at the tightly closed door, and left reluctantly.

Though he hated to admit it, the truth was that Chu Bing listened more to Li Haoran.

Li Haoran’s slender fingers knocked on the door, the rhythm strangely soothing.

“Miss Chu, whatever has happened, you must still eat.”

There was no response from within, as if the room were empty.

Li Haoran was not discouraged. He continued, “Miss Chu, I know you’re upset because I was injured today, but I am quite recovered now. If you make yourself ill over this, it truly isn’t worth it.”

Creak...

The door swung open. Chu Bing stood inside, her face set in a stern frown. She glared at Li Haoran. “You can say so much without even running out of breath? Looks like your injury is healed.”

Li Haoran smiled, his gaze indulgent. “It’s healed. So, Miss Chu, there’s no need to blame yourself any longer.”

Chu Bing’s expression stiffened, her tone stubborn. “Nonsense! Who’s blaming themselves? I was only training you today. If you couldn’t keep up, who’s to blame but yourself?”

She was as softhearted as could be, but refused to admit defeat.

What a silly girl.

Did she not realize that her eyes could never hide her feelings?

Chu Bing lowered her head and stepped aside to let Li Haoran in.

He set the dishes on the table. Before he could turn around, he heard her voice behind him. “Your injury... is it really better?”

A sharp pang struck Li Haoran’s heart. In that instant, he realized she had been burdened with guilt and worry all this time because he had coughed blood that afternoon.

He turned, sighing softly, and explained, “Anyone who practices martial arts will be injured now and then. Today’s incident was nothing. I’ll be fine in a few days. Please, Miss Chu, don’t dwell on it.”

Chu Bing still felt uneasy, but not as distressed as before.

She sat at the table, eating slowly, one small bite at a time.

Li Haoran stood by her side, watching her intently.

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His gaze made Chu Bing uncomfortable.

She put down her chopsticks and said coldly, “Don’t you have anything better to do? Why are you here?”

Was he really just going to watch her eat?

Li Haoran was taken aback, then chuckled, and said earnestly, “I was just thinking, it’s rare to meet someone as kind-hearted as you.”

Chu Bing’s gaze darted away, her cheeks burning. She pointed fiercely at the door and said, “Don’t think flattery will get you out of tomorrow’s training! Now go eat and rest. We’ll continue tomorrow!”

Seeing this, Li Haoran knew she had finally shaken off the weight of the day’s disappointment. He laughed heartily and walked out.

His clear, cheerful laughter made Chu Bing’s lips curl into an involuntary smile.

She looked out the window and saw the shadow guards gathered together, chatting and laughing with ease.

As they were in a temple, there was no wine or meat to be had, but everyone ate with great enjoyment.

Long San raised a teacup from the ground. “Friends, tonight I toast you all with tea in place of wine!”

“Cheers!”

“Well said!”

Nearby, the monks adding food to their bowls smiled as they watched.

“You’ve all worked hard today,” one monk said kindly. “These basic exercises may seem simple, but they are actually the most testing.”

His gentle tone disarmed everyone, inviting them to converse freely.

“Monk, do you practice these basics every day?”

“Yes. Practicing the basics not only strengthens our foundation, it builds endurance. Only by enduring monotony, by treating these well-worn moves with caution and enthusiasm, can one become a true martial artist.”

As the monk spoke, the group gradually quieted.

The shadow guards glanced at each other, then turned to look at Chu Bing’s door.

“So Miss Chu really had our best interests at heart.”

They had thought she knew nothing, that her training was pointless. Now, with hindsight, they felt guilty for ever doubting her.

As the fire crackled, Long San declared, “Let’s all train hard tomorrow—only then will we truly be worthy of Miss Chu.”

“Yes!”