Meanwhile, back in Jie’s residence within the Crimson Academy.

  Ming inhaled deeply and evenly as he drew in oceans of Essence and exhaled wheezing, billowing breaths that rippled through the room. He shifted slowly, his long serpentine coils sliding against one another as he slowly drifted out of his healing meditation.

  He fought the sickness that plagued him day in and day out, but it was insidious and difficult to banish. Despite his best efforts, he felt weaker by the day.

  The pain had grown. He stirred more and his bones protested as though his cartilage were rusty. His spine clicked and cracked, and he growled softly. Anger at the weakness he felt coursed through him, but he kept himself from lashing out.

  He blinked in an attempt to banish the grogginess that plagued his mind as he took in more of the room with his electric blue, slitted, reptilian eyes.

  The large windows were open, stirring the curtains with a soft breeze and fresh air. The place was impeccably tidy and clean. A far cry from the mess Jie tended to leave it in. He blinked again.

  When had Jie put paintings here? And potted plants… with feeble healing auras. Green smoke curled and danced like fire on the ends of incense sticks, filling the room with the scent of cinnamon and healing energies.

  Ah… Jie has increased her efforts… he thought as he took in another deep, wheezing breath. The power of all the items was weak, but he had to admit… it felt as though it helped. Whether it was their paltry energies or just the thought of how she tried to make him more comfortable… to help him through this… he was unsure.

  An itch pulsed through his chest, and he coughed wetly into his hand. The cough spawned more of its kind as his chest stung and itched from the hacking fit and his blood splattered onto his hand. He suppressed another growl as he gritted his teeth. For one such as he to be reduced to this sorry state burned his soul.

  He saw more healing pills in a bowl beside him and poured all of them into his gaping maw once again. Even combined, their energies were weak. But as they melted on his tongue, he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh. If nothing else, they helped to soothe some of the pain.

  He was about to return once more to his healing meditation when he noticed a slim white envelope sealed with Jie’s qi. He sniffed the air again and noted that there was the scent of another having been here very recently. He saw no sign of Jie or anyone else though.

  He broke the seal and read the letter:

  My dearest Ming,

  I don’t know if you’ll ever read this. Maybe the strain of fighting your injuries, your sickness, is too much to spare the time to read this letter. But if you find yourself with a moment and notice me gone… know that I haven’t forgotten you. That I haven’t forgotten my promise. And, that I never will. No matter what happens, I will fulfill our pact.

  Before I met you, every day was a struggle. Working toward things I knew would never happen. You gave me more than I ever dared dream of. More than revenge. More than hope. You sacrificed everything for me. I know that I’m not what you wanted. Not a strong, brave, powerful savior of the universe. I know that you even coming to Earth at all was a mistake.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  But I’m so proud to be your disciple and to call you my friend and master. I hope that one day, I’ll make you proud too. That even though you only picked me because everything went so horribly wrong, you’ll feel that it was the best choice you ever made.

  Every moment of every day I work as hard as I can to grow stronger. I’ve reached the Elementalist rank, but I know that I have so much further to go. I will never stop working. The dragon advances. Just like you said.

  But while I understand my duty… I’ve seen you growing sicker and I cannot ignore it. I fear that without help, you might not make it. I’ve lost so much… I refuse to lose you too.

  You healed me when I was broken. Now, I go to find someone who can heal you. I’ve located one that seems to have the power of a god. I will get him to help you. And, if he can’t, then I will find someone who can. I will find a way to save you. No matter what it takes.

  So, don’t you dare give up, old snake. Because I will never give up on you.

  Don’t stop fighting. Hold onto life by the tips of your claws if you must. I might not be right by your side but know that you’re not alone.

  I’ve set it up so people will bring you healing pills and a maid will clean and bring you food. I don’t know her, but supposedly she’s trustworthy. If she steals your healing pills, feel free to eat her. She’s been warned. Nobody knows that you’re there, but they suspect powerful guards of mine watch over the place.

  Until we meet again.

  Love

  Jie

  PS: I hope you like fox women, old snake. Because though the one helping me knows nothing about you… I think she likes you somehow.

  Ming’s lips curled into an affectionate smile as he read the letter. He doubted there was anyone on Xiannu who had the power to heal him when even he struggled to do so.

  He needed a healer of considerable power, but he couldn’t hope to make it to one in his current state.

  His only hope was to somehow heal himself.

  But her concern warmed his heart and the dangers of traveling would no doubt help to hone Jie into the cultivator she needed to become.

  He stored the letter in one of his storage rings and closed his eyes as he adjusted his aching body into a more comfortable position.

  I’m already proud of you, kiddo. He thought as he slipped into his healing meditation once more…

  ***

  Within the Chen family’s audience chamber, Lord Chen Liang lightly tapped the armrest of his throne with his finger as the elders argued among themselves. One of them was missing and he frowned.

  What was so important that Elder Chen Xing couldn’t make this meeting?

  “—we must raise the bounty! She’s left the academy alone! How many more opportunities will we get?” roared Elder Chen Yong as he shook a fist in the air. The tattoos on his shaven head writhed to the beat of his anger.

  Elder Chen Gang glared back at him with steely gray eyes despite his otherwise tightly controlled demeanor.

  “Our resources would be better spent dealing with the damage this debacle has caused us,” Elder Chen Gang said.

  Elder Chen Yong scoffed derisively.

  Elder Chen Gang’s hand moved almost imperceptibly closer to the sword sheathed at his hip.

  “The Crimson Academy is just one of a whole host of new enemies Elder Kanev’s failure has caused,” Elder Chen Gang continued, “We have too much at stake. And, what happens if the assassins succeed? Her bodyguards will surely wipe us out! We should pull back and stabilize our position, so we can bring this land to heel when the time is right. Not go tangling with that girl again!”

  “You would have us cower and hide with our tail between our legs? The Chen family will never—” said Elder Chen Yong.

  “Enough,” Lord Chen Liang said. He spoke evenly but his word instantly silenced the room, “I grow tired of your bickering. We—”

  The large doors to the chamber burst open and a guard marched inside. His shining armor clattered all too loudly with every step in the quiet space as all eyes turned to him.

  Lord Chen Liang’s lips curved downward slightly and his killing intent washed over the room, making everyone within shudder as cold sweat beaded their skin.

  When the guard reached the center of the room, he kowtowed on the floor, his forehead pressed against the polished black tiles.

  “Forgiveness for the interruption, honored elders. But… there’s something you should see,” said the guard.

  https://www.royalroad.com/amazon/B0DM1R7ZNZ

  https://www.patreon.com/c/darengillingham

  https://www.subscribestar.com/daren-gillingham