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Chapter 8 Part 1 Ordeal and Surrender
Duanmu Rong's return was a cause for great celebration among the Mohists, and everyone was jubilant. Once settled, she began treating the injuries of the many Mohist disciples.
In the aftermath of the battle at Mechanism City, the Mohists had suffered a crushing defeat and were relentlessly pursued by Qin soldiers. Most members bore wounds, some worse than others. Without Duanmu Rong, a bunch of rough men could only slap trauma salve on themselves.
After tending to the many disciples, Duanmu Rong made her way to Ge Nie's room. After a moment's hesitation, she knocked; Ge Nie, as always, was already aware of her presence.
He opened the door and greeted her with polite detachment, just as he did with everyone else.
"Chief Duanmu, please come in."
Inside, Duanmu Rong noticed the room contained only a bed, a table, and a pot of water clearly, Ge Nie was not very welcome in the Mohist ranks. No one ever came to visit him. The room was awkwardly bare; he rarely slept in the bed, preferring meditation. Now, with no place for guests, he felt somewhat embarrassed.
"Sorry to show you such poor hospitality, Chief."
Duanmu Rong gazed at him deeply. "It's we Mohists who've failed to show respect."
At that moment, Daozhi came by with a chair, clattered it down for them, and poured them both hot water.
"You two talk, I'll wait outside."
Duanmu Rong shot Daozhi a glare before turning back to Ge Nie. "Mr. Ge, how are your injuries?"
Ge Nie maintained his calm. "With medication, the external wounds are much better. But my organs were injured by Xiaozhuang's inner force it'll be some time before I fully recover."
"Thank you for doing so much for us Mohists, Mr. Ge."
"For those in the Jianghu, injuries are common. I didn't do all this just for the Mohists; a lot was for self-preservation."
"Mr. Ge, Wei Zhuang is your younger brother, yet he wants to kill you. Do you hate him?"
Ge Nie shook his head. "Don't blame him."
"He wants you dead, but you refuse to kill him. If you were to die, would you have any regrets?"
Ge Nie was once again silent. Duanmu Rong studied his impassive expression.
"Let me check your wounds." Duanmu Rong inspected him, noting the scars that covered his body. She felt a deep sympathy but disguised it with a calm demeanor.
"Your wounds are not as bad as last time. The internal injuries are manageable the greater trouble is from your old injuries."
Ge Nie listened silently. "Your meridians are blocked in multiple places these accumulate over time. When you circulate your qi, you must feel the old injuries are often obstructed."
"Chief Duanmu, you truly are the Medical Immortal. That's exactly how I feel."
"Rest well. Soon I'll prepare medicinal baths and acupuncture to clear those blockages. With your inner strength, you'll be healed in days."
"My thanks, Miss Duanmu."
When Duanmu Rong prepared medicine, it fell to Daozhi to buy herbs in the city. He didn't mind, relishing any chance to do favors for her.
One day, after acupuncture for Ge Nie, Duanmu Rong sat outside, lost in thought. Daozhi came by.
"Miss Rong, I brought you your favorite pastries made personally by Fat Ding. Also, I've found the herbs you wanted."
"Daozhi, it's a lot to ask you to run up the mountain for herbs."
"Miss Rong, as long as you don't mind my clumsy hands, I'll do anything you need."
Duanmu Rong looked troubled; Daozhi had long declared his love, but she felt nothing for him. Seeing him work so hard for her although these herbs were for her rival, she felt guilty.
"Daozhi, falling for the wrong person is such a painful thing, isn't it?"
Daozhi loved her; she loved Ge Nie; Ge Nie did not love her the pain of loving someone she shouldn't.
Seeing her lost in emotion, Daozhi tried to comfort her.
"Miss Rong, loving someone is already immense joy what pain is there?"
"If you love someone who doesn't love you, is that not reason for heartbreak? If he loved you, you might find it wasn't worth the pain."
His reasoning sounded odd. "How can you be happy if someone doesn't love you?"
"Listen there are different kinds of love. Say you love an eagle do you love its free flight, or do you want it caged?"
Duanmu Rong pondered, "A soaring eagle is truly an eagle. Caged, it's no different than a sparrow. The same for love: wanting to capture another, to turn them into a caged bird when they're caged, you stop loving them."
"A caged bird? Don't you wish to fly together with the one you love forever?"
"The world and moon are full of flaws. To want everything perfect is impossible. I love you for your noble qualities; whether you love me or not, I love you. The Duanmu Rong who doesn't love me is the one I truly love."
She laughed wryly at herself. "I never thought I could be so foolish. If he doesn't love me, so be it. Duanmu Rong is still Duanmu Rong."
She relaxed; the pressure lifted.
"From now on, double the bitter herbs in his medicine, so he'll know the cost of offending a medical immortal. Always making that sullen face who's he trying to impress?"
After being accepted as a slave, Xue Nu seemed to transform her face soft with seductive sweetness, no longer cold at all.
"Master, don't you want me? Xue Ji wants you to fuck me touch me, I'm so wet."
Xue Nu withdrew her hand from between her legs, glistening with honey, and licked it with her tongue. Gao Jianli gaped was this still the Xue Nu he'd known?
"A Xue, shall we wait until we're home?"
"Master, you got it wrong I'm Xue Slave, your girl. Would you dare fuck me in front of everybody at home? Why not do it here? Let me serve you."
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