Li Tian's eyes fluttered open, his vision blurry at first before gradually sharpening to reveal the unfamiliar surroundings of a medical pavilion. The room was simple yet orderly, with neatly arranged wooden shelves stocked with jars of herbs and Gu materials. A faint scent of medicinal ointments lingered in the air, mingling with the soft light filtering through the lattice windows.
As his gaze adjusted, he noticed a woman seated nearby. She was strikingly beautiful, her features delicate yet commanding. Her long, dark hair was tied back, accentuating her fair skin and piercing eyes that held a mix of curiosity and authority. Dressed in a flowing gown of soft jade green, embroidered with silver patterns resembling blooming flowers, she exuded an air of calm and competence.
Li Tian, still maintaining his disguise as a weary and injured traveler, appeared to be no more than an ordinary man of 26. The faint injuries he had fabricated—scratches, bruises, and a gash on his arm—added to the illusion of vulnerability. The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties, likely around 25, and carried herself with the poise of someone accustomed to leadership or responsibility.
She noticed him stirring and leaned forward slightly. "You're awake," she said, her voice clear and measured, yet tinged with genuine concern. "How are you feeling? Can you speak?"
Li Tian feigned a weak smile and spoke in a hoarse tone, "I… I think I'll live. Thank you for helping me. Where… am I?"
"You're in the medical pavilion of our clan," she replied. "Our guards found you collapsed at the entrance. You were in a dire state, though… it seems you're a resilient one." Her eyes studied him carefully, as if assessing his truthfulness.
Li Tian's mind worked quickly, maintaining his facade. "I was traveling through the desert when I was ambushed by… bandits. They took everything I had. I barely escaped with my life." He allowed his voice to falter slightly, conveying exhaustion and a trace of fear.
The woman nodded thoughtfully. "Bandits are common in these parts, though it's rare for them to let anyone escape. You're fortunate." She rose gracefully from her seat and moved to a nearby shelf, retrieving a small jar of ointment. "Your injuries are not severe but should still be treated properly. Let me tend to them."
Li Tian watched her carefully as she approached, her movements precise and deliberate. Though he maintained his injured act, his mind remained alert, cataloging every detail of the room and the woman. "May I know the name of my savior?" he asked, his voice soft but grateful.
She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Xiao Lan," she said simply. "I oversee the medical pavilion here. And you are?"
"Zhao Ming," Li Tian replied smoothly, using a name he had prepared in advance. "I owe you my life, Yan Xing. Thank you."
"Rest for now," she said, her tone kind but firm. "You'll need your strength. Once you're recovered, we'll discuss what comes next."
Li Tian nodded, reclining back onto the cot as she began applying the ointment to his "injuries." As her hands worked with practiced ease, he suppressed a smirk, his thoughts racing.
For now, he allowed himself to appear as nothing more than a grateful traveler, biding his time as he planned his next move.
The moonlight spilled gently through the lattice windows, casting soft patterns on the wooden floor. Li Tian's eyes opened once more, this time to the quiet stillness of night. The faint chirping of crickets and the distant rustle of leaves accompanied the cool breeze wafting through the pavilion. He sat up slowly, his fabricated injuries giving him no hindrance, and reached for the clay jug of water on the nearby table.
After taking a few sips, he stood, his movements deliberate and slow, maintaining the guise of an injured man. He limped slightly, as if every step brought him discomfort, and walked toward a nearby washing bin. Reaching into his apreture, he retrieved a Rank 3 Wind Blade Gu.
Activating it with a faint flicker of primeval essence, he guided the Gu's sharp, controlled wind to shave off his fabricated beard. The precise gusts removed the beard cleanly, leaving his face smoother and slightly more presentable. Observing his reflection in the water, he nodded faintly before returning to the bed. Finally, he lay down and slept for the day.
As the morning arrived, the chirping of birds filled the air, blending harmoniously with the soft rustling of leaves outside the medical pavilion. The first rays of sunlight seeped through the lattice windows, casting golden patterns onto the wooden floor. Li Tian stirred, his eyes opening slowly to the calm morning light.
Just as he adjusted to his surroundings, the door creaked open, and Xiao Lan entered the room. Her sharp gaze immediately landed on him. Her expression shifted briefly, a flicker of surprise crossing her face.
"You've healed remarkably well," she said, noting the almost entirely vanished injuries. Her eyes lingered on his face. "And… your beard is gone. You look… different."
Li Tian's face, now clean-shaven and enhanced by the striking blue eyes of his disguise as Zhao Ming, appeared far more refined. The faint ruggedness had given way to a subtle handsomeness. He smiled faintly, feigning modesty. "I couldn't let my savior see me in such a rough state forever, could I?" he added with a playful tone, his lips curling into a charming smile. Xiao Lan's cheeks flushed faintly, and she quickly looked away, trying to maintain her composure.
"You… shouldn't try to flatter me so easily," she said, her voice slightly wavering, but her authoritative demeanor remained intact. She quickly shifted the subject.
"The clan leader has asked to see you as soon as you're feeling well enough to walk," she continued, regaining her calm. "It seems he has something important to discuss with you."
Xiao Lan helped Li Tian to his feet, carefully guiding him as they exited the medical pavilion. Outside, the clan revealed itself in its full splendor. Rows of traditional wooden houses with intricate carvings lined the paths, their tiled roofs shimmering under the morning sun. The air was alive with the chatter of clan members, the hum of daily activities blending with the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. Red and gold banners bearing the insignia of the Yongshen Clan fluttered gracefully, a symbol of their authority and prestige.
As they walked through the bustling courtyard, Li Tian maintained his facade, limping slightly as though still recovering from his fabricated injuries. He allowed his eyes to wander, taking in every detail of the surroundings—from the sparring grounds where young Gu Masters practiced to the verdant gardens meticulously maintained by the clan's caretakers.
They soon arrived at the grand pavilion, its towering structure a testament to the clan's power. Ornate pillars adorned with dragon motifs supported the expansive roof, and the double doors, carved with intricate depictions of legendary battles, stood open to welcome them. Inside, the air grew cooler, the polished wooden floors reflecting the sunlight streaming through the high windows.
At the center of the room sat the clan leader, Yong Shen Wei. He was a man in his late forties, his presence commanding yet composed. His sharp features were framed by neatly combed black hair streaked with silver, and his piercing eyes seemed to see through all deception. Dressed in an embroidered robe of deep crimson and gold, he radiated the power of a Rank 4 Peak Stage Gu Master. In his right hand, he held a jade fan, its intricate patterns glowing faintly with embedded Gu worms.
Yongshen Wei's gaze settled on Li Tian as he approached, his expression unreadable. "So," he began, his voice calm but laced with authority, "you are the traveler our guards found. Sit, and let us talk."
Yong Shen Wei's sharp eyes locked onto Li Tian's. Without preamble, he continued, "I won't beat around the bush. We saved your life. What can you offer us in return?"
Li Tian smiled faintly, inclining his head. "I have a principle I live by: If someone gives me a drop of water in my time of need, I will return it with a spring. So, I can help you if you need anything, but I want to stay here for a few days. Is that acceptable?" His voice carried sincerity as he spoke softly.
Yong Shen Wei regarded him intently, tapping the jade fan lightly against his palm. "Your words are commendable, Zhao Ming. However, my request will not be simple. We are currently in conflict with a rival clan nearby, and our resources are stretched thin. Your cultivation level is the same as mine, Rank 4 Peak Stage. I want you to serve as an external elder for a few days and assist us. Your skills could tip the balance in our favor."
Li Tian appeared to hesitate for a moment, as if considering the weight of the request, before nodding slightly. "If that is what you require, Clan Leader Yong Shen Wei, then I will assist to the best of my abilities. Let us strengthen the bonds forged by your act of kindness."