88 - Dungeon Growth Log

Xia Ge felt like she was dreaming. It was a long and gentle dream. A cool sensation spread across her forehead, as if she were being lifted from the verge of falling into a sea of lava and taken to a refreshing cloud. She vaguely heard a soft sigh by her ear. "…So worrisome." Xia Ge thought. Who's worrisome? Clearly, she was the least troublesome person around, wasn't she? = = Xia Ge woke up. Bright sunlight streamed in through the window. She opened her eyes groggily and stared dazedly for a while. "…Huh?" "Ah…" Her throat didn't hurt anymore, her head wasn't aching, and her whole body felt great. Xia Ge widened her eyes and waved her hand in front of her face, then pinched herself. "Hiss… Ouch." Releasing her hand, Xia Ge hopped off the bed and bounced a few times. "Eh? Really? Xiao Kui? Xiao Kui? What's going on?" There was no response from Xiao Kui. Xia Ge: "..." Maybe the fever caused a system failure; it wasn't the first time something like this had happened. "Eek… Did I just tough it out?" Xia Ge scratched her head. Considering how severe her condition had been the previous day, she found it hard to believe her body could recover so swiftly on its own. But right now, it seemed she was completely fine. "It seems I've… really recovered?" Xia Ge clapped her face lightly with both hands. As these thoughts ran through her mind, she turned her gaze to the window and noticed something unexpected. Bathed in warm sunlight, a small wooden puppet with intricate carvings sat on her window sill. It wore simple, elegant attire the color of autumn leaves, had eyes inlaid with beautiful black gemstones, and its soft black hair was tied with a thin green ribbon. The puppet sat there with its chin in its small hands, smiling warmly and brightly at her. Xia Ge: "..." What is this? Her first instinct was to check her door, remembering she had locked it from the inside. The door was securely fastened, showing no signs of tampering. Looking back at the cheerful wooden puppet on the window sill, Xia Ge felt a bit unnerved. "Xiao Kui, did I sleepwalk and carve this puppet?" No response from Xiao Kui. Xia Ge: "..." This bizarre, origin-unknown puppet looked quite creepy to her. Xia Ge looked around cautiously, hesitant to go near the puppet. She feared it might be like her malfunctioning marionettes, prone to exploding. Her marionettes caused internal harm when they malfunctioned, and other people's marionettes could cause external injuries when they malfunctioned. Either way, nothing good would come of it, so caution was advisable. But despite her caution, the little puppet continued to sit on the window sill, smiling brightly and harmlessly. "…Alright, let's take a closer look." Standing idly was not a solution. Xia Ge used her marionette detection technique. [Little Wooden Puppet: Made of white wood, it bears a strong resemblance to a certain someone.] Xia Ge: "..." A puppet made entirely of wood? Who had the leisure to carve such a puppet and leave it on her window sill? The puppet's bright smile was infectious. Almost unconsciously, Xia Ge found herself smiling back. Gently touching the curve of her own lips, she silently walked over, picked up the puppet, and noticed a letter tucked underneath it. On the pale green letter, delicate characters were written with fine brush strokes. "Do not disturb?" Xia Ge: "..." Who leaves a puppet and a 'do not disturb' note when she's just peacefully sleeping in her room? Who is she disturbing? …Wait. Taking a closer look, she realized her mistake. Not "Do not disturb," she had misread it. It was… "Do not worry." "Fret" worry, "anxious" worry. Recognizing the characters, Xia Ge pondered over the note. She knew these characters and also recognized the handwriting. If she thought carefully about the scrolls she had seen before… She should also know the person who wrote this message. Holding the letter and the smiling puppet, Xia Ge felt a mix of emotions. Xiang Si hung obediently on the dressing table, playing dead. Xia Ge placed the puppet and the letter on the table, then grabbed Xiang Si without expression, "Hey." Xiang Si cooperatively stretched out, trying to appear even longer, lest Xia Ge thought she hadn’t stretched enough. After pulling it nearly a meter long, Xia Ge gave up due to her short arms. Placing Xiang Si on the table, Xia Ge narrowed her eyes, "Someone came by yesterday, right?" Xiang Si began to quiver, playing dumb. Xia Ge: "If someone came, nod your tail once. If no one came, shake it." Xiang Si obediently nodded its tail. "I knew it, you're asking for trouble." Xia Ge sneered, "I'm not taking you out today." Xiang Si stiffened, then promptly coiled itself into a small loop and frantically nodded its tail. Xia Ge: "…" So someone did come, huh?! Xia Ge composed herself, "Did you open the door?" Xiang Si hesitated, then weakly nodded its tail. Xia Ge: "…Did you also lock it afterwards?" It carefully scooted towards the window, then reluctantly nodded. Xia Ge: "…" Xiang Si confessed without hesitation. No need to guess who had come. —Puppet? —Do you like it? —It’s… alright, I guess. Looking at the puppet smiling brightly at her from the table, Xia Ge was reminded of the library, her graceful senior sister, and a book she had once pulled out, titled "Woodcarving." She marveled at the delicate features of the puppet and thought, Senior Sister's carving skills are truly remarkable. Walking to the table, she picked up the pale green letter again. "Do not worry," written in neat, tender strokes, carried a gentle warmth. So… it was Senior Sister who had taken care of her yesterday? The gentle sunlight seemed to warm her from within, slowly melting the sadness from her broken marionettes, replaced by a comforting warmth. …So, someone did care for her, after all. = = "Alright, that's it for today." The formation teacher stroked his beard. "Bring me three diagrams of dispersing spirits tomorrow." "Yes, farewell, teacher." Class was over. Xia Ge lay slumped on her desk, feeling sluggish. Mao Qing, seated next to her, poked her, "Hey, why do you look so lackluster today? Don’t you love formation classes?" Before Xia Ge could respond, Mao Qing noticed something, "Why do you have a new little doll? Wow, I didn't notice earlier, but this one is really adorable." She rubbed her chin, observed for a bit, then clapped her hands, "It even looks a lot like you!" Xia Ge felt a bit guilty, "Haha, does it?" Mao Qing affirmed, "Yes, did you carve this one too?" She couldn't help but praise, "Xia Wuyin, your skills are getting better and better. This one is truly beautiful." Xia Ge smiled awkwardly, "Well, I also think it's beautiful…" Even though it wasn’t her carving. Chatting with Mao Qing, Xia Ge glanced over at Huo Bai again. Although she hadn’t paid much attention to him these past few days, Huo Bai still made her uneasy. Like a thorn. Previously, when observing from the shadows, Huo Bai had shown no reaction. This time, however, he seemed to sense something and turned to meet her gaze. His pitch-black eyes were expressionless, like a still, lifeless pool, staring at her as if she were already dead. Xia Ge almost instantly averted her eyes, a chill running up her spine from that deathly stare. Unaware, Mao Qing inquired, "What’s wrong with you? Why did you shiver all of a sudden?" Xia Ge, though still spooked, forced a cheerful grin, "Nothing, just felt a little cold… Thinking about those coconut cakes downstairs." Mao Qing stood up, "If you want some, just go buy them. There’s still plenty of time before the next class. Want me to come with you?" Xia Ge made a puzzled face, "Why do you girls always need company for everything? I can go by myself." Her words left Mao Qing momentarily speechless. She sat back quietly, "Fine, go by yourself then." Xia Ge left the courtyard. She hadn’t walked far when Mao Qing noticed Huo Bai getting up as if to follow Xia Ge. "Hey, Huo Bai, are you going with Xia Wuyin to buy coconut cakes too?" Mao Qing excitedly added, "I forgot to tell him to bring back some for me. Could you do that?" Huo Bai didn’t break stride, as if he hadn’t heard her, heading straight out. Mao Qing: "Huh?" Used to being ignored, Mao Qing wasn't particularly upset, only muttering, "What’s going on with Huo Bai lately? Why is he getting weirder and ignoring people?" She glanced at his desk, which was usually stocked with peppermint candies but now lay empty. She hadn’t seen him sneaking candies for a while, and his behavior had turned colder and more distant. What kind of experience could change a person so drastically? Frowning, Mao Qing pondered, eventually snapping her fingers, "Did I forget to return the brush I borrowed two days ago?!" With autumn deepening, Xia Ge didn’t walk far before sensing someone trailing her. She maintained her pace, heading towards more secluded areas, turning corners until the sound behind her grew closer, the danger more imminent. A flash of light from the silver ring on her finger accompanied her sharp gaze. Just as she was about to draw her scythe from the ring, she heard a sudden "Bang" and "Crash!" "Hiss—" The fragrance of wine began to drift through the air. Just as Xia Ge was ready to confront her pursuer, she was taken aback by the unexpected interruption. The scent… “Dongqingcheng Bamboo Leaf Green!” Turning around, she saw Huo Bai lying flat on the ground, unconscious, with a shattered wine jug labeled with red paper beside his head. “Tsk.” A lazy female voice followed, “You really know your wines.” Xia Ge looked up towards the source of the voice and saw Chu Yao sitting on the phoenix tree, holding a wine jug. Her blue ribbon was loosely tied, a long sword hung at her waist, and the dappled sunlight made her light brown eyes appear both beautiful and lazy. Xia Ge: “…What are you doing here?” Chu Yao: “Why shouldn’t I be here?” Xia Ge: “It’s not that, I’m just a bit surprised.” Chu Yao leaped down and casually tossed the wine to Xia Ge, who caught it seamlessly. Kicking Huo Bai’s head with disdain, she asked, “Who’s this trash?” Xia Ge hugged the wine, “...A classmate.” Chu Yao sneered, “Oh? A classmate who wants to kill you?” Xia Ge: “…” Chu Yao: “Can you be a bit more cautious with your head? Don’t end up with a wound the size of a bowl and not even know how it happened.” Xia Ge: “I’m pretty cautious.” Chu Yao: “I’ve been following you this whole time, and you keep taking the most secluded routes.” Xia Ge’s eyes darted around, “I was… hoping to catch some quails.” Chu Yao: “…” Chu Yao scrutinized Xia Ge from head to toe. Xia Ge looked at her innocently. The boy’s facial features were becoming progressively softer, his hair tied up with a red ribbon, those cat-like eyes carrying an ineffable aura, dressed in clean and neat autumn-hued clothes, with a wooden doll smiling widely at his waist. Chu Yao’s eyes lingered on the wooden doll for a couple of seconds. She then clicked her tongue and changed the subject, a hint of fierceness flickering in her light brown eyes, “Do you have enmity with him?” Xia Ge shook her head honestly, “No.” Chu Yao paused briefly, then looked at Xia Ge oddly, “Do you owe him money?” Xia Ge stiffened, “...I don’t owe him money.” Did she really look like someone who owed others money?! Chu Yao frowned, “How much do you owe him? I’ll help you pay it back.” Xia Ge: “…” Why does she insist I owe him something? Xia Ge: “Actually, it’s like this, this person… has some issues here.” She pointed to her head, looking melancholy, “Sigh, you don’t know, although this guy is exceptionally skilled in alchemy, his brain is really a bit problematic. He looks at everyone like they’re his mortal enemy, especially me.” Chu Yao stared at her, “…” Xia Ge covered her face with her hand, “Don’t look at me like that, I haven’t killed anyone.” Author's Note: Ah, I’m sorry this was posted late! I’ve been so engrossed in revising that I’ve become a bit emaciated.