"Well," the old woman said at last, stepping aside. "It's nearly dark. And I doubt you have anywhere else to go. Come in. Stay the night."
Jiu Xian and Yao Qing exchanged a glance.
The journey here had been smooth, but with the person's claim of not being the Immortal Witch, they were sure this journey was a wild goose chase.
The cold wind of the night left them little choice, but to seek shelter.
They stepped inside.
Creak~
The moment the door closed behind them; Jiu Xian stilled. His eyes shone with brilliance.
'Maybe… Just maybe, there's still hope.'
The cabin was far larger than it had appeared from outside.
Warm air wrapped around them. The scent of herbs and medicines filled the space. Strange bundles hung from the ceiling beams, and faint lines were carved into the wooden floor—patterns he didn't recognise.
"I was just about to have dinner. Would you two like some?"
Jiu Xian and Yao Qing glanced at each other.
"Thank you, but we have provisions," Jiu Xian said politely, holding up the pouch of jerky. "We wouldn't want to trouble you."
"I See." The hooded figure did not insist.
They settled at the table while the hooded figure ate. The fragrance of the cooked meal filled the cabin— rich, warm, and far more inviting than the dried meat in their hands.
Several times, Yao Qing's gaze drifted toward the bowl on the table, but ultimately, she didn't act on her impulse.
After a while, the owner of the cabin spoke.
"So... why do you seek this so-called Immortal Witch? Revenge? A favour?"
Jiu Xian and Yao Qing answered at the same time.
"We want to seek immortality"
The person tilted their head.
"You mean cultivation?"
"Yes."
Jiu Xian explained what little he knew — spiritual energy, body strengthening, and his difficulties with entering the initiation stage. His confidence faltered as he spoke.
"Hm…"
"That, at least, is something I may be able help you with."
"But," they paused, voice turning measured, "my help is not given freely. First, you must pass my test. Only then will we speak of conditions."
Jiu Xian's brows drew together. "A test?"
A faint smile appeared beneath the hood.
"Rest first. Your spirit must be in the best state before you take my test."
The hooded figure led them to a guest room.
"There is only one bed, so you will have to make do with it. It's not often that I receive visitors."
The robed person left. Jiu Xian and Yao Qing, now alone in the guest room stared at the ground in silence.
"You take the bed. I can manage on the ground." Jiu Xian pointed at the carpet laying next to the bed.
"NO! You have it. After all I was the one who insisted on following you. I will sleep on the floor."
"No, if you hadn't come along then I would have to give up due to the tiger. Moreover, I can't let a lady sleep on the floor."
"…"
"…"
They each crossed their arms, staring at the other.
The silent tug-of-war lasted for a while, but it was Yao Qing who surrendered first.
"Then let's share it." She mustered her courage and whispered quietly. She would not be able to sleep knowing he would be the one originally occupying the bed had she not tagged along.
"H—huh, Sh—share the bed?" Jiu Xian's eyes opened wide.
"Y—yes, we c—can place the pillows in between."
Watching her cheeks turn red, he wanted to tease her but stopped after considering the courage it must have taken a maiden to speak those words.
"Let's do it, then. Let's share the bed."
They placed a wall of pillows and their pouch on the bed, dividing it into two and laid down. The soft moonlight scattered in the room through the window, and the chirping of crickets outside reached their ears as they closed their eyes in the quiet of the night.
'I might finally have taken a step closer to entering the world of cultivators. Mei'ren wait for me. I will fulfil the promise and marry you.'
"Are you asleep yet?"
As he was starting to envision the day, he would marry Bing Mei'ren, Yao Qing's soft voice pulled him from his reverie.
"No. What is it?"
"Hmm… I was wondering. What's so special about this immortality? Ao Tian left me for it. You are also wandering place to place for it."
"Tell me, why do you chase Immortality?"
Jiu Xian stared at the ceiling. Doubts creeped up in his mind. He didn't want to become an immortal, but he was forced to chase its ghost. All for his love.
'What happens after I reach the golden core? Will Mei'ren stop cultivating and live a normal life with me?'
'Is that the life I really want?'
"Is it a topic you'd rather not answer?"
"…No. I will. I don't want immortality. My goal is to reach the golden core realm and try to fulfil my promise."
He then continued to tell her his story. The marriage, the fairy, the jade, the rumours and about the ghost he had been chasing.
From start to end she listened with great attention. Her curiosity was finally satiated. But a feeling of jealousy took its place.
"I envy her."
"Hm?"
"She is lucky to have someone like you in her life. Ao Tian left me for the very ghost you are now chasing for her."
In the darkness of the night, Jiu Xian heard light sniffles.
"I asked him if he would wait for me… but he left regardless."
The light sniffles had now turned into loud cries. Jiu Xian was flustered. Outside of his interaction with Bing Mei'ren he didn't have any female friends. He wanted to comfort her but didn't know how.
"Can you show me your hand?"
"…" Yao Qing didn't answer but he felt a hand graze his.
He tightly grasped her hand. It felt soft and warm. He knew that hugging her would be too much, so he took the next best action he could.
"It will be alright. I won't say I truly understand your situation, but I can see your wounds. Everything will turn out okay."
"R—Really?"
"Yes." He tightened his grip on her hand.
"Jiu Xian?"
"Hmm."
"I want to see what this ghost of immortality is. Will you allow me to join you in your chase?"
Jiu Xian thought, despite having known her for over a day, he felt like she would be a good friend. And she deserved to follow her dreams.
'If a friend needs you, you never decline.'
"Yes."