The carriage jolted to a stop, waking Jin Lu from her nap. Long Yin stood with her in his arms as the carriage door opened.
"You're awake. We will camp here tonight," Long Yin said as he stepped down. He carried Jin Lu next to a campfire, setting her down on a log someone had rolled over to make a bench seat.
"How's the boy?" Jin Lu asked as she accepted a bowl of stew. It smelled of herbs and watered down meat, but didn't taste bad.
"Recovering." Long Yin watched Jin Lu for a moment before asking, "What are you going to do with him?"
Jin Lu set her bowl on the log and steepled her hands under her chin. Honestly, she hadn't had any other thought than saving him. No matter what world a person is in, having children kill or be killed is wrong.
"I'll figure it out after he wakes up," Jin Lu decided, standing to walk to the carriage. Since she had taken responsibility for him, it was up to her to care and watch over her new charge. She wasn't sure how she was going to accomplish it, but Jin Lu had faith that things would work out the way they should.
Jin Lu stepped into the dark interior of the carriage, folding her legs underneath her, so she could sit on the floor comfortably. With her night vision enhanced, she could tell that the boy was still sleeping comfortably. Seeing the pearl glittering on the floor, Jin Lu placed it back in her bag before taking the boy's hand. She hadn't been sure if her idea would work, but couldn't leave the child to suffer and die.
Jin Lu concentrated on the melody coming from the boy, making sure there weren't any broken parts or jarring rhythms. She had noticed after leveling up that she had become more aware of the melodies that came from the living things around her. Listening carefully, Jin Lu was able to tell who and how many different people or creatures were near her. It was an interesting ability, and she was excited to see what else she could do with it.
Not finding anything wrong, Jin Lu sat back and started to meditate. She hadn't had any time to see how her inner mind had developed after leveling up, and she was curious.
The melodies that had floated aimlessly in her mind were no longer visible, even though she could hear them in the distance. Frowning slightly, Jin Lu followed the sound through the white space of her mind. Gradually, the color under her feet started to darken. Ripples appeared with each step she took, chiming softly like a xylophone.
Once she reached the center, Jin Lu looked down through the darkness at her feet. Underneath, she was able to see the crossed knives. The melodies that had entrapped them were now flowing in a circle underneath them, as though they were holding the knives up.
Jin Lu squatted down, reaching her hand out to touch the surface of the black pond. She stopped when a wave of anxiety flashed through her, her hand hovering just before she touched the shimmering liquid. Her heart started racing, and a cold sweat appeared, sliding down her back. Jin Lu stood up swiftly, rushing back to consciousness.
Jin Lu opened her eyes, her panting breaths harsh in the quiet carriage. The boy on the bench in front of her had his eyes open, watching her with suspicion. Jin Lu was able to get her breathing under control and smile weakly, trying to appear as unintimidating as possible.