Blades of Change

[Huo Lian]

Huo Lian walked firmly out of the palace gates, her heart pounding with a mixture of anxiety and excitement. This was the first time she had ever stepped foot outside the palace, and she was determined to mask any sign of unease. Years of hiding her pain from others had taught her to keep her emotions tightly controlled. She inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air and the sights of the outside world for the first time.

As she walked, she thought back to her goal for this outing. Her body was covered in large bruises from overworking her muscles, and the usual meditation had not been enough to heal them. The lingering pain was a testament to her relentless training, but it also hindered her progress. She needed herbs to increase muscle recovery, something to ease the fatigue that had built up over weeks of intense exercise. She had twelve Spirit Stones, but she wasn't sure what they could buy her. Determination etched on her face, she made her way through the bustling capital city.

The streets were alive with activity. Vendors shouted their prices and touted their wares from stalls lining the roads. "Powerful artifacts, five Spirit Stones!" yelled one. "Cultivation resources, very cheap, only one Spirit Stone!" called another. Lian's eyes scanned the various shops, her ears catching snippets of conversations and the rhythmic clatter of footsteps.

Suddenly, her gaze fell upon an old man sitting at a stall, casually drinking tea. Herbs hung from the sides of his stall, and numerous bottles were stacked beneath. Lian approached, her footsteps purposeful. "I need something to heal my body," she said, her voice a bit strained from lack of use. She rarely spoke, often going months without uttering a word, which sometimes led to maids gossiping about her supposed muteness. The thought made her angry, but she had always restrained herself from fighting noncombatants.

The old man didn't seem to mind her brusque manner. Without even opening his eyes, he pointed at a bottle and said, "Take two of these, and the bruises will be gone in a week. Next time, take three days of break after such intense exercise. And train during the daytime. Your master must be an idiot."

Lian was taken aback. How could he know so much without even looking at her? Bitterness welled up within her as she thought about his advice. Resting seemed counterproductive to becoming stronger. But she realized that without adequate rest, she would be stuck in her current state of exhaustion and pain.

"How much?" she asked, her frustration clear.

The old man paused his tea-drinking and asked, "Who is your idiot master?"

Lian's frown deepened. She clenched her fists and said through gritted teeth, "I don't have one. Now tell me how much, or I will go somewhere else."

The old man opened his eyes, revealing pale eyes that could see through everything. Lian instinctively stepped back. His gaze, devoid of pupils, felt piercing.

"You trained yourself until now?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Expecting another ridicule, Lian steeled herself. She was proud of her accomplishments, achieved without anyone's aid. She closed her eyes and nodded.

The old man said nothing to mock her. Instead, he took another sip of tea and instructed, "Drink both bottles here."

Lian hesitated but followed his command. The liquid had a pungent smell and tasted horrible. Even with her strong willpower, she had to close her eyes to keep from gagging. As she drank, she felt a bony, cold hand on her head. She tried to pull away, but a strange power held her in place.

Suddenly, she felt the liquid move from her stomach directly into her muscles. The pain started to melt away as if the liquid was washing dirt from her body. Areas that had been hurting felt soothed, and soon, all her discomfort vanished. She felt rejuvenated, as though she had been reborn. When she opened her eyes, the old man was calmly drinking his tea, as if he hadn't moved.

She reached for her Spirit Stones, ready to pay, but he stopped her. "No need. Today is a reward for your efforts."

His words echoed in her mind as she secured her Spirit Stones and began to walk aimlessly. "Today is a reward for your efforts," she repeated to herself, again and again. The phrase consumed her thoughts, and she found herself standing still in the middle of the street, lost in contemplation.

A loud voice broke through her reverie. "These are the best apples in the world. Please, have some!" A boy with a goofy grin held up a bag of apples.

Lian blinked in confusion. The boy's genuine smile and kind gesture brought a small smile to her face, something she hadn't felt in a long time. "Thank you," she said quietly, taking the bag and bowing to the boy.

He laughed heartily and called after her, "Come back again in three months! We'll have more delicious fruits and vegetables!"

His words made her pause. She nodded slightly and walked back toward the palace, her pace quickening. She didn't remember the journey home or the people she passed. Her mind was consumed with thoughts of the old man and the kind boy.

Entering her room, she closed the door behind her and let herself collapse onto her luxurious bed. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she began to weep, burying her face in the soft pillows. For the first time in her life, Huo Lian cried not out of pain or frustration, but out of the overwhelming happiness.

She wept for the kindness that strangers had shown her, a kindness that had been absent from her family and attendants. But her tears were not of helplessness; they were tears of joy and gratitude. Someone had acknowledged her efforts and rewarded her for them. That day, the proud Huo Lian cried, feeling a profound sense of recognition and hope for the future.