Chapter Thirty-Eight: Fragility

Li Mo Han had been wounded, the blood soaking through the brocade quilt.
In addition to the wild boar trap clamped onto his leg, a knife had also sliced his arm. Even standing nearby, Chu Bing felt the pain as if it were her own.
Her eyes flickered, and suddenly, an idea took shape.
Covering her eyes, she pinched her thigh hard, the sharp pain instantly bringing a mist of tears to her eyes.
She lowered her head and wiped her tears, her shoulders trembling with weakness, looking so pitiable that one could not help feeling sorry for her.
Li Mo Han rested against the headboard, and when he heard the soft sobbing, he turned his head, startled. "Why are you crying?"
Just moments ago, when a blade was pressed to her neck, she had not shed a tear—why now?
Chu Bing lifted her head, her long lashes still clinging to tears, making her appear even more fragile. "I'm frightened... I've never seen anyone hurt before..."
As she spoke, she seemed worried, and asked softly, "Does it hurt?"
Li Mo Han felt a sudden tremor in his heart.
No one had ever asked him if he was in pain.
He looked at Chu Bing; her pale, delicate face was filled with concern. When she noticed his gaze, she quickly glanced elsewhere, but could not help stealing another look at him.
She truly did have the timidity of a little rabbit.
Chu Bing hunched her shoulders, trying her best to pretend she was a good person.
Now, she realized that Li Mo Han likely did not know she was the little thief in the bamboo grove last time. To avoid revenge, she played up her weakness, hoping he would not connect her to that incident.
Otherwise, she would surely not survive the day.
"I—I can help you with your wound," Chu Bing wiped her tears, speaking timidly.
Li Mo Han did not like anyone getting close, but seeing the girl's earnest expression, he unexpectedly allowed her to approach.
Because she was often injured during training, Chu Bing had some medicine stored in her room, which now came in handy.
She pretended to be clumsy as she applied the medicinal powder to Li Mo Han, and tied the bandage with extra force. Yet the man remained impassive, as if he were a machine without sensation, leaving Chu Bing rather bored.
"Why are you in this temple?"
After finishing the treatment, Li Mo Han leaned against the headboard, feigning sleep. Chu Bing saw how weak he was, and her courage grew a little.

Li Mo Han kept his eyes closed, and after a while, said, "I'm looking for someone."
"Looking for someone?" Chu Bing blinked, wanting to ask more, but Li Mo Han had already shut his mouth, showing no desire to speak.
The commotion outside grew louder, and Chu Bing grew anxious. Since Li Mo Han ignored her, she paced the room, back and forth.
Just as she was tiptoeing toward the door, Li Mo Han suddenly spoke, "It is dangerous outside now. As a weak woman, you would do better to stay here."
Weak woman, Chu Bing...
She turned back awkwardly and had no choice but to sit beside Li Mo Han.
Li Mo Han still did not open his eyes, listening to the sounds outside. Chu Bing felt as if an ant was crawling inside her heart, itching and uncomfortable.
Finally, Li Mo Han's breathing steadied. Chu Bing guessed he had fallen asleep, and carefully rose, tiptoeing toward the exit. Just as she was about to leave, Li Mo Han, who had seemed fast asleep, suddenly opened his eyes.
Those indifferent eyes now stared unblinkingly at Chu Bing.
Her mind raced, and she bent down, placing her hand on his forehead. Her voice was so gentle it gave herself goosebumps. "Luckily you haven't developed a fever. With such a wound, if you did, it would be much harder to handle."
The girl's voice was soft, almost magical.
Li Mo Han lowered his gaze, his voice hoarse. "What is your name?"
Chu Bing paused for a moment, then replied with a forced laugh, "Chu Bing."
Li Mo Han asked no more, and Chu Bing couldn't guess his intentions. She tried to shrink her presence, not daring to attract his attention.
"Miss Chu!" Li Hao Ran's voice rang out again. Before Chu Bing could react, the dagger returned to her throat.
She wore a bitter expression, raising her hands in surrender. "Brother! I swear I won't say a word!"
Li Mo Han's face was expressionless, as if weighing the truth of her words.
Chu Bing looked innocent, but she always remembered how this man had stood before the raging fire, watching people consumed by the flames without a flicker of emotion.
He was a madman.
And such people were the most terrifying.
"Miss Chu? Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Chu Bing replied stiffly.

After a long while, Li Mo Han released her. Chu Bing rubbed her neck, looking back three times with every step as she headed for the door.
She suspected that if she didn't show herself soon, Li Hao Ran would burst in.
She reached the door, opening it just a crack. Li Hao Ran stood outside, his sword stained with blood, a murderous aura clinging to him.
When he saw Chu Bing, he sighed in relief. "Most of the enemies outside have been killed. When I saw you hadn't appeared, I feared something had happened."
Chu Bing was not the type to hide when danger struck.
She shook her head, lowering her voice. "I'm fine. There was someone in my room..."
"Someone?" Li Hao Ran asked.
He craned his neck, trying to peer past Chu Bing and see inside the room.
Chu Bing thought that with just herself and Li Hao Ran, they might not stand a chance against the murderous demon inside, now wounded. She gritted her teeth, flung the door wide open, and turned to shout, "Hurry, catch him!"
"...Who?" Li Hao Ran was baffled.
Behind Chu Bing, the room was empty; only the window creaked and rattled.
Chu Bing opened her mouth. "He escaped! There was someone here, holding a blade to my neck..."
"What?" Li Hao Ran's expression changed. He grabbed Chu Bing's shoulders, nervously inspecting her neck, where he saw a vivid red mark.
He said angrily, "I knew you were acting strange today! I can't believe someone broke in and held you captive!"
"It's all my fault. I should have noticed, but I let you suffer such distress!" His eyes flashed with guilt—he had let someone harm Chu Bing right under his nose.
Chu Bing, seeing his reaction, was at a loss for words. She patted Li Hao Ran's shoulder to comfort him. "It's not your fault. I simply wasn't skilled enough. Besides, he didn't intend to hurt me. If he had, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you."
Li Hao Ran gritted his teeth, his gaze dark. He was determined to find the culprit and give Miss Chu an answer.
"By the way, what's happening outside? Have the Imperial Consort's people arrived?" Chu Bing, sensing the tense atmosphere, changed the subject.
Li Hao Ran caught her meaning and responded, "No, two groups came today, but from their methods, they weren't from the palace."
Chu Bing frowned. "Two groups?"