Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes

Chapter 18: The Pure White Lotus of the Demon Sect

The next evening, just before the city gates closed, An Ran finally managed to drive the carriage into the city. Yesterday was a wake-up call for An Ran. Since she arrived in this world, everything had gone smoothly, and she hadn’t really taken her mission seriously. But Shen Yu’s injury had shaken her. She realized that this task wasn’t as simple as just staying by Shen Yu’s side.

As long as the story hadn’t reached its conclusion, anything could happen. The situation would remain unpredictable until they resolved the central issues. If not, incidents like yesterday would continue to occur.

“Brother Shen Yu, we’re inside the city now. Where should we go?” An Ran asked, unsure of their next step after entering the bustling city. Although she didn’t want to disturb Shen Yu, she had no choice but to ask for his guidance.

“Go to the Yue Lai Inn. It’s one of our properties,” Shen Yu said, still half-asleep.

He had woken up abruptly, thinking something was wrong, but upon hearing that An Ran was just asking for directions, he relaxed again.

“Okay, just rest. I’ll call you once we arrive,” An Ran reassured him, telling him to continue resting while she took care of navigating.

Yue Lai Inn wasn’t hard to find. It was located in the busiest part of the main street. All An Ran had to do was follow the road, and soon enough, the inn came into view.

Despite it being nighttime, Yong City was still bustling with activity. Unlike the small town they had passed through earlier, which became eerily quiet after dark, Yong City was brightly lit. Restaurants, inns, brothels, and street vendors were everywhere. The streets were filled with the sounds of people chatting, hawkers selling their goods, and the occasional shout.

An Ran was both curious and puzzled by how lively the city was at night. Was there no one enforcing rules, or was this city governed differently from others? She wondered if each place could have such varied regulations.

Lost in thought, she soon spotted Yue Lai Inn.

“Brother Shen Yu, we’re here! Let me help you down,” An Ran said excitedly as they arrived.

“Thank you, Ran Ran. You’ve worked so hard,” Shen Yu said weakly, grasping An Ran’s hand as she helped him down. His heart ached to see her taking on so much.

“It wasn’t hard at all. If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t have been injured. You got hurt because of me, so don’t say I’ve worked hard. I’m doing this willingly,” An Ran replied, her face full of guilt.

Every time Shen Yu showed care for her, she felt even more remorseful for her earlier carelessness. If only she had taken the mission more seriously instead of treating it as a game, those attackers wouldn’t have had the chance to harm Shen Yu, and he wouldn’t have been poisoned.

“It’s not your fault, Ran Ran. I told you, it was my own mistake for not realizing there was another person. It has nothing to do with you, so stop blaming yourself. Be good,” Shen Yu said gently, trying to ease her guilt.

“Alright, Brother Shen Yu, let’s stop talking about this. We need to get inside, find a doctor to treat your poison, and discuss everything else later,” An Ran insisted.

Despite Shen Yu’s words, she knew her carelessness had played a role in his injury. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it—getting him treated was the priority.

Leaning on An Ran, Shen Yu walked into the inn, his mind replaying the events of the previous day.

Initially, Shen Yu thought he had suppressed the poison well enough that they didn’t need to rush. But An Ran was frantic, blaming herself for his injury. She insisted on driving the carriage herself, saying that if it weren’t for her, he wouldn’t be hurt. She claimed the injury should have been hers and that it was all her fault.

Shen Yu had no choice but to agree to rush back to the city. But when he suggested that he drive the carriage, An Ran outright refused, threatening to cry if he insisted.

Seeing her on the verge of tears, Shen Yu relented and lay down in the carriage. He figured letting her drive might ease her guilt a little.

At first, he was worried that she wouldn’t know how to handle the carriage, but to his surprise, she did an excellent job. He even managed to sleep during the journey.

Now that they’d arrived in the city, An Ran hadn’t let go of her guilt—in fact, she seemed even more cautious than before. Shen Yu sighed inwardly, feeling a bit powerless. He didn’t know how to restore the carefree, cheerful An Ran he had come to know.

“Someone, get us a top room quickly!” An Ran called out as they entered Yue Lai Inn.

“Oh dear, I’m sorry, but all the top rooms are full tonight. We only have one lower room left. If you’d like to take it, I can show you the way. Otherwise, you can try another inn,” the innkeeper said dismissively.

He didn’t bother looking carefully at the newcomers, assuming they were just poor travelers from the countryside based on their worn-out clothes. He believed they wouldn’t be able to afford even the lower room, let alone a top one.

“Is that so? I wasn’t aware that the top rooms at Yue Lai Inn were in such high demand. Why don’t you call Wang Hua and have him explain it to me?” Shen Yu calmly asked, holding back An Ran, who was about to argue with the innkeeper.

An Ran, realizing Shen Yu was hurt and didn’t want to strain him further, stopped struggling and remained quiet. She couldn’t help but fume at the innkeeper’s arrogance. Did he really think their shabby clothes meant they couldn’t afford a room? Little did he know that they were dressed this way due to their journey.

The innkeeper, however, found Shen Yu’s demand to see their manager laughable.

“Do you really think you can see our manager whenever you please? I bet you’re not even here to stay—you’re probably here to cause trouble.”

“Wang Hua, come out,” Shen Yu called out, channeling his internal energy to amplify his voice.

“Brother Shen Yu, how could you use your energy for something so trivial? If you needed to call someone, I could’ve done it for you. What if this worsens your condition?” An Ran scolded him, upset that he had used his internal energy for such a small matter. It was like using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Before long, a middle-aged man in a brocade robe came rushing downstairs. He had a bit of a paunch but moved with surprising lightness, indicating he likely had some martial arts training.

“Greetings, Young Master. I apologize for not coming out to welcome you earlier. Please forgive me,” Wang Hua said hastily as he rushed down the stairs.

He had been relaxing with a drink after a long day when he heard a familiar voice calling him with internal energy. When he saw that it was the Young Master, with the inn’s server, Wang Xiaobao, attending to him, he was scared out of his wits and hurried down to apologize. He had been told the Young Master would arrive tomorrow, so why had he arrived tonight?

“Enough with the apologies. First, arrange a room for us, and then send for Master Gu to come and take a look at my condition,” Shen Yu said, forgoing any blame for now.

His priority was to secure a place to rest and get a doctor, knowing that An Ran was most concerned about his health. Other matters could wait.

“Yes, of course. I will arrange everything immediately and personally take you to your room,” Wang Hua replied swiftly, gesturing politely for them to follow. He then glanced at Wang Xiaobao, who immediately understood the silent order to fetch Master Gu without delay. Wang Xiaobao hurried off, knowing that if he didn’t act quickly, he might not live to see tomorrow.

“And make sure our carriage is properly taken care of,” An Ran added, remembering the carriage parked outside.

“Yes, of course. I will see to it personally. Young Master, please, follow me inside to rest. I’ll also have water and food prepared for you,” Wang Hua said with practiced ease.

Being in his position meant he was quick to pick up on the situation. From their disheveled appearance and the fact that they were urgently requesting Master Gu, it was clear that someone was injured and there would be no time for meals. He didn’t need to be told what to do next.

“You may go now,” Shen Yu said calmly as Wang Hua helped him and An Ran into the room.

“Yes, Young Master,” Wang Hua responded and quickly excused himself.

“Brother Shen Yu, lie down for a bit while I prepare the bed for you,” An Ran said, gently helping Shen Yu to a chair before she began arranging the bedding.

Shen Yu didn’t stop her, knowing that any attempt to protest would only make An Ran blame herself more. He had learned by now that it was better to let her do what she wanted.

An Ran finally relaxed a little once they were settled in the room, relieved that they had arrived safely.

Meanwhile, Wang Xiaobao had arrived at Master Gu’s residence and was knocking urgently on the door.

“Who’s there? It’s late, and Master Gu is not seeing patients right now. Come back tomorrow,” a grumpy gatekeeper called out.

“I’m a servant from Yue Lai Inn. The innkeeper sent me. The Young Master requested that I bring Master Gu—it’s an urgent matter. Please inform him immediately,” Wang Xiaobao replied anxiously, knowing that failure to bring Master Gu tonight would spell his doom. He hoped dropping the innkeeper’s and Young Master’s names would be enough.

“Yue Lai Inn’s Young Master? Alright, I’ll check, but if Master Gu refuses, you’ll just have to return tomorrow,” the gatekeeper said, recognizing the high status of Yue Lai Inn and deciding it was worth trying. If he succeeded, it could earn him some favor with the inn.

Wang Xiaobao waited nervously, relieved when, moments later, the door opened, and Master Gu emerged with his medical kit already slung over his shoulder. He didn’t even glance at Wang Xiaobao and immediately set off towards the inn.

Wang Xiaobao quickly followed.

“Who’s injured? Where are they? Take me to them immediately,” Master Gu demanded as he entered Yue Lai Inn and spotted Wang Hua waiting for him.

“I’m not sure who exactly, but it should be the Young Master. He looked pale when I saw him,” Wang Hua explained, leading Master Gu to the room.

“Ah, so it’s the Young Master. That’s good, that’s good,” Master Gu sighed in relief.

He had been worried that it might have been An Ran who was injured, given that he knew the Young Master was bringing her back. Upon hearing that it was the Young Master himself, his concerns eased.

“Young Master, Master Gu has arrived,” Wang Hua announced as he knocked on the door.

“Come in,” Shen Yu responded, relieved to hear that Master Gu had finally arrived. Ever since he lay down, An Ran hadn’t stopped fretting, constantly asking when Master Gu would arrive, if he lived too far away, and whether she should go fetch him herself. Her continuous stream of concern had given Shen Yu a mild headache, so he was eager for Master Gu’s arrival to put her at ease.

As soon as Master Gu entered, An Ran leaped up, her face lighting up with relief.

“Master Gu, you’re finally here! Please, come take a look at him. Is he going to be okay? I’ve heard your medical skills are extraordinary—there’s no one you can’t save. Please, help him.”

Without a word, Master Gu placed his pulse pillow under Shen Yu’s wrist and began diagnosing him. After a long moment, he finally removed his hand and cast Shen Yu a complicated glance.

“It’s nothing serious. A few herbal remedies and he’ll be fine,” Master Gu said, his momentary concern disappearing as he spoke.

“Really? That’s wonderful! I knew Brother Shen Yu would be alright. Master Gu, you’re amazing!” An Ran exclaimed joyfully.

“Not at all, Young Master gives me too much credit. It’s fortunate that this is a poison I know how to treat. Well then, it’s getting late. I’ll take my leave now,” Master Gu said humbly as he prepared to leave.

“Thank you so much for coming so late. I’ll walk you out,” An Ran said quickly, offering to escort him.

Master Gu didn’t respond with words, simply nodding as he headed towards the door.

“Brother Shen Yu, rest well. I’ll be back shortly after I see Master Gu out,” An Ran said before she left with Master Gu, leaving Wang Hua and Shen Yu alone in the room.

Shen Yu sighed, finally feeling some peace after Master Gu’s arrival had eased An Ran’s worries, at least for now.