Yu Che followed them back to the Xuanmen, and immediately began to prepare for the matter.
Knowing his eccentric temper, Feng Yinwan dared not disturb him. It was not until dusk that she saw him again, carrying a bamboo basket.
"Is it done?"
A low hum came from his nose, which was a reluctant affirmation.
He stepped forward and said to Ye Tinglan, "Although this method can save your life, it will be extremely arduous. If you feel you cannot bear it, tell me promptly, lest you blame me later."
The words were unpleasant but truthful.
It was a matter of defying fate and forcibly extending one's lifespan, naturally it would not be easy.
Ye Tinglan glanced at the person beside him and nodded, "Let's begin."
Yu Che was not polite. Upon hearing this, he grabbed Ye Tinglan's forearm and brought down a knife.
The crescent-shaped short dagger was thin and sharp, and where it fell, a bloodstain immediately appeared.
Yu Che continued to move it, and in a moment, Ye Tinglan's arm was covered with vibrant and peculiar bloodstains.
Feng Yinwan had not expected him to be more decisive than she, a physician, and his expression was indifferent, clearly without any reservations.
Her gaze shifted to Ye Tinglan's pale face and his tightly clenched brows, and her lips involuntarily tightened.
Yu Che was right. Without any anesthetic, to make such fine and intricate cuts all over the body would be unbearably painful. Given Ye Tinglan's current physical condition, she wondered if he could withstand it.
She mused silently, but Yu Che seemed to have read her thoughts, and slowly paused his hand holding the dagger.
"What, you feel heartache?"
Knowing that he was deliberately mocking her, Feng Yinwan could not retort. She merely pursed her lips and slightly averted her gaze.
A warm touch on the back of her hand made Feng Yinwan look up. She saw Ye Tinglan looking at her, and as if to comfort her, he gently shook his head.
However, in an instant, his expression froze with Yu Che's movements.
Yu Che glanced at the two of them, his hand continuing its work without pause.
It was not until close to the second watch that everything was finally over.
Yu Che rubbed his wrist and stood up, picking up his bamboo basket and heading out.
Feng Yinwan chased after him, seeing that he had already mounted his horse, giving the impression he was about to leave immediately.
Her eyes dimmed, and she quickly stopped him, "You're leaving just like this?"
Ye Tinglan had not woken up, and it was unknown how he was faring. What if he had any adverse reactions upon waking?
Yu Che glanced down at her from above, showing no intention of staying.
"What else do you expect me to do? I only said I would repay a debt, not become his servant."
"But you can't just abandon him like this."
She knew nothing about Gu arts. If Yu Che were not here, it would be difficult to resolve.
This man seemed to have seen through her thoughts. He snorted coldly and said, "Wait until he can endure for ten days. If he dies, then you won't have to bother me anymore."
With that, he bent his knees and urged his horse forward, heading down the mountain without looking back.
Helpless, Feng Yinwan could only return to the room.
Yu Che had left cleanly, leaving a mess for her to clean up. Feng Yinwan went forward to tidy the aftermath and brought a basin of hot water to wipe away the bloodstains on Ye Tinglan's body that had begun to dry.
There were too many wounds on his body, and a slight mistake could touch them. Feng Yinwan held the soft, wet cloth, her movements careful and meticulous.
Gradually, she discovered that beneath those wounds were many old injuries of various kinds.
Cuts from swords and sabers, burns from flames, abrasions from armor... Layer upon layer of wounds intertwined, and coupled with those fine, dense bloodstains, it was all deeply shocking.
Her eyes welled up with emotion, and her fingertips trembled slightly.
Until a drop of warm tear fell, her hand was gently held, and only then did she realize that Ye Tinglan had woken up at some unknown time.