Awakening from his deep slumber, Chi Cheng felt stiffness in his left shoulder. He tried to shift it around but the movements overexerted him further, sending a nerving sharpness through his arm.
Opening his eyes, he urged himself up from the bed slowly since his body still ached from the strain of his injuries. However, he felt unnaturally rejuvenated, as if his body was filled with a stream of energy that previously never existed to begin with.
"Oh? You're awake sooner than I thought." The voice came from a man dressed in black and blue robes. He appeared youthful, with long silky black hair and icy blue eyes that resembled the Grandmaster's. "How are you feeling, Chi Cheng?"
Chi Cheng scrutinised his surroundings, finding himself in a fairly tidy and simple room which seemed to exude an air of elegance. The heat from the burning braziers embraced him, warming his body comfortingly.
He noted that the only bed in the room was the one he was resting on; spacious enough for two people but the mattress was firmly suitable for a warrior's body. A layer of pale blue sheets covered his legs.
'This is the room Grandmaster Han brought me to before... '
Finally affording his attention to the man who was seated beside the bed, Chi Cheng bowed his head with a greeting.
"You… are?" Chi Cheng awkwardly rubbed his neck, searching for a name he didn't know from the stranger.
"Your healer," the man replied with a light-hearted smile, his features softening as he looked at Chi Cheng.
"Thank you for treating me." Chi Cheng expressed his gratitude by clasping his hands in front of him, intending to bow his head again but the gesture stung him with more pain in his left shoulder.
Wincing when he realised he made a hasty movement, he hurriedly lowered his left arm and the healer chuckled at his carelessness.
"You shouldn't move that shoulder too much." The healer advised while he prepared a medicinal powder using a mortar and stone-made pestle, grinding herbal leaves and pills together. "You've been asleep for two days, but your wounds seem to be healing unnaturally fast."
Chi Cheng tensed, avoiding the healer's watchful gaze that seemed to be subtly scanning him too intensely. He could only vaguely recall the events that transpired when he was brought back from the pit. What he did remember quite vividly was the strangely sweet taste of the Grandmaster's blood that trickled down his throat when he bit his hand.
'This is troublesome… ' Chi Cheng reached to fiddle with his earring, realising it was gone when he touched his bare ear. 'Did I lose it when I fell? Mother is going to be upset if she finds out… '
"But of course, you're recovering faster than it's natural to." The healer broke his line of sight away from Chi Cheng, focusing back on his task. "My skills are only the best and so are my medicines."
Reflecting on his knowledge of the Han Clan, Chi Cheng remembered that the clan leader was a renowned cultivator versed in ice healing. An unusual talent that quickly drew the attention of the Emperor in his youth, thus earning him the title of Royal Physician exclusively in service to the royal Zhao family.
'I've never met him before but he must be Han Yijun's father…'
"Lord Han Zhimin?" Chi Cheng recalled the name.
"Oh? My name precedes me even in the Chi clan." Setting aside the pestle once the ingredients were ground into powder, Han Zhimin reached for Chi Cheng's hand, taking it into his own. "The Grandmaster would be pleased to know that you could recognise me immediately but couldn't put a name to his face."
Chi Cheng lowered his head in shame, embarrassingly remembering his first encounter with the Grandmaster. Yet, in that devastating moment and in disbelief of the situation, he could hardly think coherently enough to search his memory for a name. Not to mention the fact that the Grandmaster mysteriously returned after seventeen years and was rarely spoken of amongst the other clans.
"Please don't." Chi Cheng smiled nervously, sneakily trying to pry his hand away from Han Zhimin but the healer's grip tightened. Thinking back to the incident with his ex-lover, he was reminded that Han Yijun also appeared injured while they were in the pit.
"Is… Han Yijun alright?" Chi Cheng found the courage to ask, briefly meeting the healer's gaze before he looked away.
"Why do you ask?" The healer released Chi Cheng's hand, his smile brightening. "Are you two close? He seemed very worried about you."
Worried about him? After the recent despicable antics that his ex-lover pulled without hesitation and any consideration for what effects it would have, Chi Cheng couldn't help but laugh at those ridiculous words.
Sure enough, he was grateful for his ex-lover's bold actions in saving him, but it didn't alleviate the severity of his actions a few days ago. Chi Cheng still couldn't muster the courage to be in the same space as his ex-lover and the scene that first met his eyes when he opened the door to Han Yijun's room still constantly played at the back of his mind.
Still, Chi Cheng persevered and swallowed the worries that plagued his mind for he had never forgotten his duty and promise to his father.
The painstaking truth of being given a second chance at life was always at the forefront, hence he reminded himself he needed to be grateful for it and live out his time for his brother's sake.
"I'm just concerned because he jumped after me." Chi Cheng ran a few fingers through his hair which was knotted and dishevelled slightly. "Was he badly hurt?"
"Hardly." Han Zhimin reassured him. "Although I do wonder about those whip marks on his back and legs. He must have caused the Grandmaster some trouble to receive those, don't you agree?"
"It would be best if you ask him yourself." Chi Cheng smiled, removing the sheets to assess the condition of his leg. "I'm sure he'll answer to his father."
**********
Carrying a tray of freshly made food, Chi Weiran steadily made his way towards the room his older brother was resting in. He was eager to finally see Chi Cheng after two days of waiting for him to awaken.
He grew tired of being turned away by the healer each time he attempted to visit his older brother, but today once he received news of Chi Cheng's progress and recovery he was determined to meet him.
However, his excitement was short-lived when he felt a hand on his shoulder stop him. Turning around furiously, almost spilling the food, Chi Weiran was determined to give the person a piece of his mind, but the person standing before him made him quickly bow instead while still holding the tray.
"G… Grandmaster Han!" Chi Weiran greeted, cursing his short temper.
"Easy, Chi Weiran," Han Xuelian said, patting him on the shoulder and prompting him to rise. "I'll take that." The Grandmaster retrieved the tray of food from the Chi youngster's hands, flashing him with a smile.
"That's for…" Chi Weiran extended a head to reach for the tray but the Grandmaster took a few steps back.
"For your brother? I'm just on my way there, I'll take it to him." Han Xuelian dismissed him with a nod, sauntering past the Chi youngster as proceeded on his way.
Feeling a sense of complete defeat, Chi Weiran childishly held back his tears that were on the verge of release. Sniffling when the Grandmaster was well out of sight, he rubbed his eyes as he stomped off.
"Why is it so hard to meet my own brother in this place… " He whined, unable to cope with the feeling of separation from Chi Cheng. "Screw all of you!"