Journey Through Realms: Fulfilling Last Wishes

Chapter 5 The Innocent Little Lotus of the Demon Sect

After watching Qin Yuan leave, Anran dismissed the maids. Once alone, she opened the ‘Unparalleled Martial Arts’ technique she had chosen, hoping it would instantly grant her immense internal energy and the ability to defeat anyone with a single move. However, she soon realized that mastering these martial arts required a vast amount of internal energy as a foundation. Every technique demanded this deep internal energy to even perform. Anran, frustrated, had black lines appearing on her forehead.

Fuming, she called out, “225, come out right now! You better explain this! If I had that much internal energy, I wouldn’t need Unparalleled Martial Arts—I’d already be a martial arts master!”

After a moment, 225 responded lazily, “Hello, this is 225 at your service. The Unparalleled Martial Arts was selected by you, and once chosen, it cannot be returned.”

Anran, now even angrier, shouted, “How can you be so irresponsible? You need to give me a solution, or I’ll quit. I won’t do this anymore!”

“Please, calm down, my dear user. We can work something out. While returning the selection is impossible, I can offer you a friendly gift—a pill that will increase your internal energy by ten years. It’ll allow you to perform at least one life-saving move. How does that sound?”

“Hmm, ten years, huh? That’s a bit stingy. How about twenty?” Anran grinned mischievously.

225, annoyed by her greed, responded, “No way. The most I can offer is ten years. Take it or leave it. If you can’t even complete such an easy task, I’ll just find a new host early.”

“Wait, wait! I was just joking! Ten years is fine! Please, just give it to me,” Anran said with a pleading tone, quickly switching to a more agreeable attitude.

A panel lit up in front of her, showing a small box. With a click, a pill appeared on the table in front of her. Without hesitation, Anran picked it up and swallowed it. Almost immediately, she felt her body heat up and a wave of pain washed over her.

“Quick! Start channeling the energy into your meridians or your body will explode!” 225 exclaimed urgently.

Hearing this, Anran frantically followed the path outlined in her Unparalleled Martial Arts manual, guiding the internal energy through her body’s meridians. Gradually, the pain subsided, replaced by a warm, soothing sensation. Hours passed as Anran absorbed the newfound energy, finally mastering its flow as night fell.

By the time she finished, it was already dark outside, and just then, she heard a knock at the door.

“Gentleman, it’s been a whole day. Are you feeling unwell? If something’s wrong, I can fetch the doctor,” Qiu Yue’s voice called from the other side of the door.

Anran, having just finished her practice, returned to reality and responded, “Come in. I just feel a bit dizzy.”

She rubbed her legs, which had gone numb from sitting cross-legged for so long.

Qiu Yue entered, concerned to see Anran massaging her legs. “Miss, are your legs all right? Should I call the doctor?”

Another doctor’s suggestion? Why does everyone here love calling the doctor so much? Anran thought, shaking her head. “No need, Qiu Yue. I just slept on my legs wrong. No reason to bother the doctor for that.”

Qiu Yue didn’t push the matter and quietly began massaging Anran’s legs to help her regain circulation. As she enjoyed the massage, Anran asked, “How long have I been asleep? Did I miss dinner?”

Qiu Yue, surprised that Anran’s first concern was food, replied, “Miss, you’ve only slept for about four hours. It’s just now dinnertime. Would you like to eat?”

Relieved that she hadn’t missed dinner, Anran smiled. If I had missed it, I’d be in real trouble. They don’t cook late at night here, and I can’t starve until morning! She said eagerly, “Yes, please. Let’s have dinner.”

Qiu Yue nodded and quickly left to arrange the meal. Meanwhile, Anran began taking in the room’s décor in detail.

Ancient houses are really beautiful—look at the intricate carvings and solid wood furnishings. The layout is so well-designed, with areas for reading, eating, and sleeping all in perfect harmony. And these ornaments—each one must be priceless in modern times! Too bad I can’t take any of this back with me.

While she was wandering around the room, Qiu Yue returned, followed by another maid carrying a food box similar to the one from earlier. They quickly set the table with dinner.

As soon as the food was set, Anran sat down and began eating, though not as ravenously as she had that morning. Now that she wasn’t as hungry, she could savor the dishes more slowly.

Qiu Yue, watching Anran eat more calmly, couldn’t help but feel a bit puzzled. She had expected the same wolf-like hunger from the morning.

After a while, Anran looked up and asked, “Can I go for a walk after dinner?”

Qiu Yue hesitated for a moment.

“Miss, you want to take a walk?”

Anran nodded.

“You know the saying, ‘A hundred steps after a meal, live to ninety-nine.'”

Qiu Yue thought for a moment.

“There’s a garden near the manor, not far from here. If you’d like, you can walk there.”

“Perfect! Let’s go right now,” Anran said, immediately standing up and ready to leave.

Qiu Yue quickly added, “Miss, no need to rush. We’ll get there soon enough.”

Still, Anran, excited, grabbed Qiu Yue and led the way out the door.

As they walked, Anran thought to herself, I need to familiarize myself with this place. If my childhood friend comes to rescue me, it’ll be harder to escape if I don’t know the layout. Better get a head start.

They arrived at the garden in about five minutes. It wasn’t large, but it had all the classic elements—rock formations, a pavilion, and a fish pond. The plants and trees were clearly well-cared for.

For a martial arts family, they sure put effort into aesthetics. Look at these pavilions, the carefully cultivated trees, and those fat carp in the pond! Anran thought, admiring the scene as she walked.

After a while, Anran stopped in front of a wall.

“Qiu Yue, what’s on the other side of this wall? It sounds pretty lively over there.”

Qiu Yue was quietly thinking to herself, What a country bumpkin—she’s walking through the garden like it’s a sightseeing tour, and I definitely saw her drooling over those carp in the pond!

She snapped out of her thoughts when Anran asked the question and replied, “Miss, on the other side is a theater troupe.”

“A theater troupe?” Anran asked, confused. “You have a theater troupe here?”

“Yes, in two days, the manor will celebrate the Old Madam’s seventieth birthday. The master invited the troupe to perform for her,” Qiu Yue explained.

Anran nodded, pretending to understand. “Ah, the Old Madam’s birthday. Got it. I’m feeling a bit tired now. Let’s go back.”

As they turned to head back, Anran mused, So my childhood friend must know about the Old Madam’s birthday. He probably plans to rescue me during the celebration, when there are more people around and things are more chaotic.

Back in her room, Anran took a bath with Qiu Yue’s help and prepared for bed. As Qiu Yue prepared to leave, Anran said, “Qiu Yue, don’t wake me too early tomorrow. I’d like to sleep in.”

Qiu Yue nodded.

“Yes, Miss,” and quietly left, thinking, All she does is eat and sleep. What kind of person has the Young Master brought back?

As Qiu Yue stepped outside, she was immediately stopped by Dong Zhu, Qin Yuan’s personal servant.

“Qiu Yue, the Young Master wants to see you. Come with me,” Dong Zhu whispered, leading her towards the inner courtyard.

Perplexed but obedient, Qiu Yue followed. When they reached the study, Dong Zhu knocked on the door and called out, “Young Master, she’s here.”

“Bring her in,” came Qin Yuan’s voice from inside.

Dong Zhu opened the door, and both he and Qiu Yue entered the room, bowing as they greeted Qin Yuan, “Greetings, Young Master.”

Qin Yuan looked at Qiu Yue and asked, “You served the girl today. What did she do?”

Although unsure why he was asking, Qiu Yue responded, “Miss woke up, washed up, and had breakfast. After that, you visited her. She asked us to leave, and she rested until evening. Then she ate dinner, took a walk in the garden, and returned to rest. She also mentioned not waking her too early tomorrow.”

Qin Yuan nodded thoughtfully.

“Did she ask you anything unusual?”

Qiu Yue thought carefully before answering, “She asked where she was, who rescued her, and when mealtime was. While we were walking in the garden, she also asked why it was so noisy on the other side of the wall.”

Qin Yuan smirked slightly.

“Interesting. All right, you may leave.”

Qiu Yue bowed and left the room, relieved.

Alone, Qin.