Coin of rebirth

The sun hung high in the eastern sky, casting long shadows through the devastated forest. Mu Yan realized they'd spent nearly three days in the cave, lost in their cultivation.

A loud growl echoed through the cave. Mu Yan's hand instinctively went to his stomach, but another rumble - this time from Qin Ying's direction - made them both burst into laughter.

"Looks like we both need a meal," he said, smirking as he rubbed his belly.

Qin Ying chuckled softly, a hint of embarrassment flashing across her cheeks. "I could eat a horse."

Mu Yan's hands moved with a familiar swiftness, deftly weaving tough, sinewy vines pulled from the cave entrance and jagged, sharpened pieces of fallen stone into rudimentary but effective snares. He positioned them strategically near the faint trails left by the merrily scurrying rodents, a silent promise to remedy their persistent cheer. With keen observation and a natural aptitude for the wilds guided his precise movements.

Within the hour, four plump rodents were caught. Soon after, Mu Yan kindled a fire using dry twigs and leaves, coaxing flames into life with careful breaths. and then skinned and cleaned the rodents with water from a running stream in the cave. Hen then proceeded to put together a makeshift spit over the fire. The rodents were hung from his makeshift spit over a small fire. The aroma of roasting meat filled the air as Mu Yan sprinkled herbs he'd gathered from nearby bushes, some of which he could recognize. He would have to make do with this for now. Once in a better setting, he would make Qin Ying taste something even better than this. For now, this would suffice.

Qin Ying's eyes widened in surprise and admiration. "You're quite skilled."

"I've had my share of practice," he replied with a wink.

"The secret is in the timing." He rotated the spit carefully. "And these wild herbs - they bring out the natural flavors."

The meat turned golden brown, fat dripping and sizzling on the hot stones below. Mu Yan carved off portions with his knife, presenting the first piece on a makeshift plate made from large leaves to Qin Ying with an exaggerated bow.

"Your dinner, my lady."

Qin Ying accepted the meat with proper decorum, taking small, measured bites at first. Her eyes widened at the unexpected flavor.

Mu Yan didn't bother with such restraint. He tore into his portion, juice running down his chin as he devoured the tender meat.

"This is... incredible." Qin Ying's proper facade cracked. She took a bigger bite, then another. Soon, she matched Mu Yan bite for bite, propriety forgotten in the face of genuine hunger.

"You've got a little..." Mu Yan gestured to his own chin, grinning as Qin Ying realized she had meat juice dripping down her face.

Her cheeks flushed red, but she didn't stop eating. "Well, you're hardly one to talk." She pointed at his grease-stained face.

"Fair point." He grabbed another piece of meat. "But I have never been one refined."

They feasted until only bones remained, both sporting satisfied grins and greasy faces. Qin Ying wiped her mouth with a leaf, trying to regain some semblance of dignity.

"I never knew a rodent could taste so good." She licked the last bits of seasoning from her fingers, then caught herself and quickly folded her hands in her lap.

"Food tastes best when you're truly hungry." Mu Yan tossed another stick on the fire. "Though I must admit, having company makes it even better."

"That hit the spot. We should relax a bit before descending." Mu Yan proposed.

"After a hearty meal, I would have been a fool to say otherwise. Let's rest and then climb down."

Okay.

After a few hours, Mu Yan woke up feeling refreshed and full of energy. He went to wake Qin Ying, but noticed she was already awake, looking at the destruction brought by the storm.

Nearing her, he asked, "Should we climb down then?"

"In case you haven't noticed, the storm not only brought devastation to the forest below, it also swept away any chance of us climbing down."

Hearing this, Mu Yan noticed that the vines draped around the cave entrance were surprisingly short. The vines were torn off halfway, leaving them dangling in the cave with the way out gone. "Hmmm, now that this is a dead end, why don't we try to see where the cavern running into the depths takes us?"

"Okay, let's try it. If no way, then we will see."