Chapter 554: Chapter 326: Rift Between Master and Disciple, Jingchun’s Illness, Emotions Stirred, Li Xian Captivates the Heart

Zhao Chunxia looked at her disciple, seeing Ji Hui avoid her gaze and retreat to the depths of the cave. She sighed softly, "If it weren’t for my naive trust in He Wentian, how could we be in this situation today? Hui’Er, so young, trapped here... naturally... naturally she blames me."

In the following days, Ji Hui avoided her and Zhao Chunxia felt even more guilty, her emotional sickness unresolved, her physical illness worsened, coughing frequently, feeling numb and hazy, entirely ignoring external affairs. She didn’t even know when the duty of changing meals was shifted to another servant. This day, as she ate, she suddenly saw a note hidden among the grains of rice. She, weak and powerless, unfolded the note to take a look.

The script inside was bold, likely written by a youthful hand. Having not seen anything external for long, she was curious, though the brief words shocked her, it read: "I am hidden among the scoundrels, waiting for an opportunity to act."

Zhao Chunxia’s eyes flickered with delight for a moment, then she frowned: "I may know Martial Arts, having cultivated quietly for years, but easily trusted others, leading to this predicament. I should have learned my lesson by now, this note... surely another trick they’re playing on me!"

She did not fully believe, but her heart vaguely hoped. Constantly observing the handwriting, it was somewhat shallow, yet there was a distinctive flavor within the ink and characters. She couldn’t help but think: "The writer is young, which family’s youth writes such sharp characters, maybe a disciple of my Sword Sect? Seeing the writing is like seeing the person, whether real or false, I can know by observing the script."

Her mood was slightly different. At dusk, when the servant brought meals again, she ate calmly but watched closely for another note. This time, only disappointment followed, leading to a self-mocking smile.

At dawn the next day, once again a note was found among the meals. Her heart was slightly joyous as she opened it, the first words were: "Eat first."

In her surprise, Zhao Chunxia hid the note, quietly ate, deceived the patrols, then unfolded the note for further reading: "Healing is the priority, health above all, temporarily cast aside other thoughts."

Zhao Chunxia was bewildered, feeling inexplicably moved. The words surprisingly conveyed concern and care, as if a warm current flowed through her. She murmured, "When have I Zhao Chunxia ever been cared for by others, and now a mysterious youth expresses concern. It’s a truly strange feeling; well, well... health above all. Protecting oneself is what’s important to find opportunities."

Zhao Chunxia endured lockdown not from weak resolve, but due to loneliness, self-blame, and emotions unvented, leading to deeply disturbed spirits. At times like these, words of others become crucial.

Zhao Chunxia, in a state of idleness, scrutinized the script again. Each character began plainly but ended with sharpness. Suddenly she thought, "Who is this youth, judging solely by the writing, he seems rather composed. His script is faint, but young in age, showing uncommon cultivation. His characters reveal traces of Great Yu’s ’Liu Yuzhi’ style, certainly practiced in copying templates regularly, yet retains personal style."

"In the past, at Jing Chun Mountain, I used to give sages’ templates, letting Wang Long and Ji Hui copy them; Wang Long slightly composed but lacking interest in the Dao, Ji Hui too playful and mischievous..."

Zhao Chunxia couldn’t help but appreciate further. Her understanding of ’calligraphy’ was quite unique, curiosity propelled her, even alleviating her illness. She patiently awaited noon, when the meal was brought. Again she saw a note, joy unexpectedly forming on her face.

The note read: "Inside hides Healing Pill, rest to nurture body. Found hair strand among food, plant the hair and speak softly to it, I can hear you. Communicate further via notes."

Indeed, Zhao Chunxia found a hair strand among the meals. She picked it up, tucked it into her sleeve smoothly, ate calmly, and returned the bowl and chopsticks to the servant. Occasionally cries echoed among the mountain walls, a fiercely spirited woman striking the iron bars stubbornly, never silent.

Zhao Chunxia walked to the bed and took two steps inward, suddenly feeling her shoulder and ankle pulled. Pain surged, she knelt and planted the hair in the ground, witnessing it miraculously take root.

Noon has passed, the sun slanted. The cave was dim and somber, Zhao Chunxia both curious and startled, murmuring softly: "Who... who are you?" She intended to ask more but seeing the rooted hair was sightless, soundless... transmission seemed absurd. yet wondered if she hallucinated.

Without further thought, she lay quietly in bed, taking out the note to contemplate. Her emotions fluctuating, difficult to articulate, when the evening meal arrived, Zhao Chunxia both happy and anxious, found a note, unfolded it to see: "Eat first."

Zhao Chunxia’s eyes betrayed a strangeness, inwardly remarking: "How strange, how strange. During past glory days, no one cared. Fallen into such plight, someone offers concern."

She honestly finished the meal, then opened the note.

Inside it said: "My name is Li Xian, I’m here to rescue you. Your disciple Wang Long is safe and living peacefully. If you have concerns, feel free to speak to the hair strand, no need for shyness."

Zhao Chunxia was stunned, seeing "Wang Long is safe", her mood slightly eased, rejoicing unknowingly, as she saw the words "My name is Li Xian", her eyes flashed strangely, murmuring: "Li Xian? Is there such a talented youth in my Sword Sect? What kind of appearance, what kind of demeanor... Have I seen him? here to rescue me... was it Wang Long calling for help?" Various questions arising, recalling the note’s content, she spoke to the hair strand. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

Jing Chun Daoist usually spoke little, naturally tranquil. Yet this time asked many things, his thoughts active. The usual despair slightly diminished. Zhao Chunxia, late into the night, blushing suddenly after realizing excessive speech, returned to bed quietly, feeling this night extraordinarily long.

The next day, the servant climbed down the rope and delivered the meal. Zhao Chunxia opened the note, immediately seeing: "Eat first, calm your mind, don’t rush." Zhao Chunxia’s face reddened remembering last night’s indiscreet talk, whispered many matters. If the hair truly transmits, then surely "Li Xian" heard it. Hence the note’s foreword, specially wrote "calm your mind, don’t rush" as advice.