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The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first hints of dawn, casting a soft glow through the windows and seeping through the cracks in the walls.
Wu Meifen, who had spent the night watching over the patient in the healer's room, noticed Physician Chu Feichen stirring at his work table, his body shifting as if on the verge of waking up. Not wanting to be seen, Wu Meifen decided it was time to leave. She slipped out the door with grace and silence, her footsteps barely making a sound on the wooden floor as she moved through the dimly lit hallways.
As she crossed the gathering hall and entered the kitchen to head toward the outhouse, she was suddenly confronted by a terrifying view: Cook Gu stood there, holding two newly butchered chickens, their feathers freshly plucked, and blood still dripping from their necks, their lifeless bodies dangling from his blood-stained hands. The macabre sight was amplified by the dim light of dawn which cast eerie shadows on his face from the kitchen's single lantern, giving him the appearance of a ghoulish specter.
Wu Meifen's heart skipped a beat. The sight of Cook Gu, with his blood-stained hands and the dead chickens, was almost too much. She felt a shiver run down her spine, but she restrained her reaction, maintaining a calm demeanor. After all, she couldn't let anyone see her weakness.
"Up early, Mistress Wu," Cook Gu remarked nonchalantly, completely unaware of how he had scared the life out of her.
Wu Meifen, ever the dignified and honorable lady, suppressed her initial fright. She maintained her composure, though a cold sweat trickled down her back. "Yes, I needed to take care of some things," she replied, her voice steady despite her heart pounding.
Forcing a smile, Wu Meifen struggled to calm her turbulent mind. Deep down, she couldn't shake the unnerving thought that Cook Gu resembled a murderer straight out of a horror tale. However, she kept this unsettling observation to herself, deeming it an opinion best left unspoken.
Cook Gu, either oblivious to her fright or choosing to ignore it, commented on her lack of a light. "You're walking around without a light. Are you going to the outhouse?" he asked, his voice calm. "It's still dark out there. You should take a lamp."
Before she could answer, he had set aside the two dead chickens and lit a torch lamp for her. "Here, take this," Cook Gu said, handing it. The flickering light illuminated his hands, still stained with chicken blood, adding an almost morbid touch to the already sinister scene.
Wu Meifen stood there, still in silent shock, trying to calm her racing heart. She stuttered slightly, "Th-thank you," as she took the lamp from him, her fingers brushing against the bloodied handle. His broad smile in return was somehow both reassuring and alarming.
"Need to cook up breakfast," Cook Gu said cheerfully, turning back to his preparations, seemingly ignorant of the fright he had caused.
Wu Meifen nodded and continued to head out, still somewhat shaken by the encounter. She swiftly made her way to the outhouse, the torch lamp guiding her path. As she walked, she managed to steady herself, grateful that Cook Gu hadn't questioned her further. Her thoughts were a jumble of concern for the patient and the strange start to her morning.
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As dawn fully broke, the forest surrounding the hunters' cabin came alive with the sounds of morning. Birds chirped merrily, leaves rustled gently in the breeze, and the sun's rays filtered through the dense canopy, casting dappled shadows on the ground. The scent of fresh pine mingled with the earthy aroma of damp soil, creating an invigorating atmosphere.
The Dragon's Edge workers began their usual workday. Wu Chen, Zhao Baiyi, Zhao Tao, Xiao Han, Xiao Lin, Escort Zhu Changli, Escort Wu Yunzhou, and Escort Chun Haoyu prepared to head to the harvesting site. Each character had their own routine, their actions finely tuned by years of practice.
Wu Chen and Zhao Baiyi, the elder masters, were the first to check the tools and equipment, ensuring everything was in order. They moved with a practiced efficiency, their years of experience evident in their precise actions.
"Everything looks good," Wu Chen remarked, inspecting an axe.
Zhao Baiyi nodded in agreement. "We need to be careful with the blades. Sharp tools make for safer work."
Zhao Tao assisted them with unwavering focus, handing over tools and checking the harnesses. "I'll double-check the carts, make sure nothing's missing," he said, moving briskly to where the young apprentices were working.
Xiao Han and Xiao Lin, the eager young apprentices, gathered the necessary supplies and loaded them onto the carts. They worked diligently, their youthful enthusiasm a stark contrast to the calm demeanor of the elder masters.
"Do we have enough water for the day?" Xiao Lin asked, securing a barrel onto one of the carts.
"Yes, and extra rope too," Xiao Han replied. "Master Zhao said we'll need it for the northern section."
The group boarded the boat for the thirty-minute crossing of the river. The boat moved steadily across the calm waters, the sound of oars slicing through the river blending with the morning symphony of nature. Healer Wang, who was also on the deck, took the opportunity to inquire about the patient.
"How's the condition of the patient?" Healer Wang asked, his voice carrying over the gentle splashing of the water.
Wu Chen shook his head slightly. "Nothing much has changed. He's still unconscious. But starting today, we'll administer the prescription you advised Physician Chu. Our Chief Helper will help feed him a few spoons of nourishing soup. It's difficult feeding an unconscious person, but we'll try to regain his strength."
Healer Wang nodded reasonably. "It's good to hear. The soup will help. It's important to keep her hydrated and nourished, even if only a little at a time."
Meanwhile, on the side of the boat, Zhao Tao was engaged in a lively conversation with some of the boatmen who weren't busy.
"You should have seen it!" Zhao Tao exclaimed, his eyes wide with enthusiasm. "The helmet the stranger had, it glowed! Not like any lamp I've ever seen. It was almost magical."
One of the boatmen, intrigued, leaned in. "A glowing helmet, you say? What kind of light did it give off?"
Zhao Tao grinned, enjoying the attention. "It was bright and steady, like a lantern but without any flame. And the material was unlike anything I've seen. Almost as if it was made of stars."
The boatmen laughed, entertained by Zhao Tao's storytelling. "Sounds like you've been reading too many fairy tales," one of them joked, slapping Zhao Tao on the back.
"Maybe," Zhao Tao chuckled, "but you should see it for yourself. It's the most curious thing."
Their camaraderie was evident as they chatted and laughed, the mood light and relaxed despite the day's impending hard work.
Upon arriving at the harvesting site, the group disembarked and gathered their tools, a mix of sharp axes, saws, and ropes. The early morning mist still clung to the forest, giving everything a serene, almost otherworldly appearance. Master Wu Chen called everyone together for a quick briefing, his voice cutting through the quiet.
"Today, we focus on the northern section. We need those timbers for the second batch and new shipment," he instructed, his voice authoritative and clear. "Remember, we're looking for straight, sturdy trees that will make good beams."
"Understood!" the men replied in unison, their voices echoing through the trees.
Master Zhao Baiyi stepped forward, holding a marking stick. "Let's make sure we mark the trees properly. No mistakes. The marked trees are for the primary cuts. Leave the younger ones alone to mature for future harvests."
The group nodded in agreement and moved efficiently, each person knowing their role. The sound of axes chopping and trees falling echoed through the forest as they worked, the rhythmic thuds punctuating the serene morning atmosphere. Escort Chun Haoyu, observing from a distance, marveled at the precision and skill of the woodcutters.
Master Wu approached the young apprentice, Xiao Lin, who was struggling with his axe. "Remember, it's all about the angle and the force. You want a clean cut that doesn't waste wood."
Xiao Lin nodded, adjusting his stance and trying again, this time making a smoother, more effective cut. "Thank you, Master Wu. I'll get it right."
As the day progressed, the group worked in harmony. Master Zhao periodically checked on the progress, ensuring the trees were being felled correctly and safely. "Remember to leave the stumps low to the ground," he reminded the workers. "We don't want anyone tripping over them later."
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Meanwhile, back at the hunters' cabin, the unconscious patient had been changed into an apprentice's spare uniform. The clean clothes fit comfortably, a marked improvement from the torn and dirty garments the patient had been found in.
Physician Chu Feichen returned from the outhouse after his morning ablutions to find Chief Helper Jing Xiu in the healer's room, attempting to feed the patient spoon by spoon with a nourishing soup.
Jing Xiu was gently coaxing the patient, her movements careful and precise. "Come on, just a little more," she murmured, her voice soothing.
Physician Chu, observing from the doorway, felt a pang of admiration for Chief Jing's dedication. "You've been here a while," he noted, stepping closer.
Chief Jing Xiu looked up as Physician Chu entered the room. "Ah, you're back," she said, her eyes shifting to the patient, now looking more refreshed in clean clothes. "He's dressed properly now," she remarked with a relieved smile.
With that comment, Jing Xiu assumed Physician Chu had changed the patient's clothes last night as she had advised. Meanwhile, Chu Feichen thought Chief Helper Jing had taken the initiative to dress the young man while he was at the outhouse.
Both assumed the other had taken care of changing the patient's clothes, silently agreeing without needing to confirm their assumptions.
Physician Chu nodded, taking his usual place in front of his work table. "Thank you for your help, Chief Jing."
Chief Jing nodded, not taking her eyes off the patient. "He needs all the help he can get. It's important we keep his strength up," she said, carefully spooning the soup into the patient's mouth. Each spoonful was a small victory, the patient swallowing the warm broth slowly but surely.
Physician Chu then took out the prescription provided by Healer Wang, which he had meticulously prepared the previous night, working late into exhaustion until he fell asleep at the work table.
They worked together in silence. Jing Xiu continued to feed the patient, glancing more closely at his features. Despite the small cuts and bruises, there was a calmness to his face, a resilience that hinted at his fortitude. She wondered about the young stranger's story, what had led him to this state, and what kind of person he was before fate brought him to their care.