Unbeknownst to them, dawn had already begun to creep across the eastern sky.
A soft red sun climbed lazily above the horizon, casting golden light over the sleeping world.
Jiang Chen lifted his head and stretched with a lazy yawn. "It's getting light," he said. "Time to head back."
Mu Xi crossed her arms and pouted. "Tch. Who wants to go back with you?"
"Stop acting up. You're injured and still throwing tantrums."
Jiang Chen stepped forward and grabbed her fair wrist, his tone like an elder scolding a stubborn junior.
Mu Xi struggled, frowning. "You're hurting me. Let go already!"
"And stop curling your legs like that. It blocks circulation—bad for the wound."
Mu Xi felt thoroughly wronged.
Not stretch, not curl—was she supposed to levitate?
Jiang Chen sat beside her and carefully laid her calf across his leg. "Stay still. I'm changing the dressing. If complications set in, and one leg ends up shorter than the other, don't come crying."
Hearing the seriousness in his tone, Mu Xi finally quieted down.
She looked up nervously. "Could it really get that bad?"
Jiang Chen, eyes focused on her wound, replied calmly, "That depends. If you listen and rest for a few days, you'll be running around like nothing happened. If not…"
He suddenly paused and shot her a mischievous glance.
Mu Xi's brow furrowed. "Don't give me that look. Just say it."
Jiang Chen scratched his nose. "If you're disobedient, you might want to start getting familiar with a wheelchair."
Her jaw dropped. "Wait… what do you mean? You think I'll be… paralyzed?"
Jiang Chen shrugged, deadpan. "No, just kidding."
"You idiot—!"
She raised her hand to slap him but was stopped mid-motion by his sudden glare.
"I'm changing your bandages. Don't move."
Startled, Mu Xi froze.
Jiang Chen peeled away the old herbs and wiped the wound clean with practiced care. His fingers were swift but gentle.
Watching him work, Mu Xi felt her heart skip a beat.
He looks… kind of good when he's serious.
Just as the thought crossed her mind, Jiang Chen looked up.
"You injured your waist before, didn't you? Around three months ago."
Mu Xi blinked, caught off guard.
She thought back—yes, she had strained her waist during a training session while practicing a complex move in the 'Sticking to Old Ways' technique. It hurt for a couple of days, but she had an X-ray done, and everything seemed fine.
"Yeah, I did. Why?"
Jiang Chen's face turned serious. "There's a problem with your cultivation method. If you keep practicing it, within twenty years, you'll lose all sensation from the waist down. No more walking, let alone fighting."
Mu Xi's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"
"Do I look like I'm joking?"
She wanted to say yes—but his eyes told her otherwise.
After a brief pause, Jiang Chen's voice softened. "Your method has flaws. I can help you correct them."
Mu Xi stared at him like he'd grown a second head. "You? You want to correct the Mu Family's martial art?"
Jiang Chen gave her a casual smile. "Why? Don't believe me?"
She shook her head. "Not even a little."
It wasn't just pride—Mu Xi had good reason to be skeptical.
The Mu Family's martial legacy traced back to the pre-Qin philosopher Mozi, refined over generations. Though some of it had been lost and patched together through the ages, what remained was still a respected classic in martial circles.
Even Li Lingtian—one of the most revered martial grandmasters alive—wouldn't dare claim he could amend it.
Yet here was Jiang Chen, still in his twenties, saying he could.
Jiang Chen saw the disbelief in her eyes and grinned. "Fine. Let's make a deal. If I manage to correct your family's technique, what will you reward me with?"
Mu Xi blinked. "And what exactly would you want?"