The next day, they tread cautiously through the forest. Merin moves slowly, every motion deliberate, his face pale and drawn. With his inner energy fractured, he possesses no real fighting strength. Each step is an exertion, yet he offers no complaint. Asuna walks silently beside him, her eyes alert, one hand near her sword.
Merin struggles with each step. Last night's ordeal left him severely injured, making him weaker than an ordinary person. They didn't linger in the valley to heal, as Merin insisted that the herbs and medical ingredients needed for quick recovery were best found in Mugenkai.
Mugenkai is a fortress city, a vital block between the Yao domain and the Seven Human Kingdoms. Merin believes he can find everything necessary for his rapid healing there. As he walks, he feels the extent of his injury, particularly the concerning tears in his energy veins. Without healing them, he won't be able to practice again. Fortunately, the tears are minor and can be repaired. Serious tears would have derailed his entire cultivation path.
By mid-morning, they arrive at a shallow but wide stream winding through the trees. From its bank, they spot a dirt path leading east, clearly exiting the forest. Merin and Asuna exchange a look.
Asuna observes his pale face and suggests, " Let's go see where the path leads and spend a few days there."
Merin considers it. "For my injury, it would be better if we get to Mugenkai."
She glances at the sky. "At this pace, we might not reach Mugenkai before sundown. With your injury, if we don't find a hidden spot, it would be dangerous."
Merin, impatient for healing, pushes, "Then if I speed up, we might be able to reach Mugenkai by sundown."
Asuna studies him carefully. "What do you know about Mugenkai?"
Merin's first thought is if there's a problem with Mugenkai, or if Asuna is simply trying to stir suspicion. He can't think of anything, and in this situation, he misses the internet, which would have allowed him to understand the city before even entering it. "A fortress city and one of the three cities guarding the passage to the Yao domain. Is there anything else I should know about Mugenkai?"
Asuna clarifies, "Mugenkai is the strongest city in our kingdom, boasting the largest number of Samurai for defence or Yao domain exploration. Consequently, even multiple Great Samurai can be found there, many from other countries."
Merin grasps her meaning. "So, Mugenkai's public security is worse than even Susa City's."
Asuna nods. "Yes, so even if we make it into the city before sundown, we could face danger. And you mustn't forget people are still searching for us. They might conclude Mugenkai is a likely escape route."
Merin remembers their flight from Susa City. "Why didn't you mention this when we were in the valley?"
She explains, "You told me you needed medical supplies. My plan is to find a village near Mugenkai, then I'll try to send villagers to Mugenkai to retrieve what you require."
Merin nods. "Then, let's stick to your plan."
They follow the path with Asuna leading. Merin walks behind, gritting his teeth. He sighs. Asuna's decision is sound, as the pain intensifies with each step. He knows even if he pushed harder, they might not reach Mugenkai by sundown, and his injury would only worsen.
Eventually, the trees thin, and the air feels expansive. They emerge from the forest onto empty farmland, dry furrows stretching in every direction. The land lies dormant, abandoned as winter approaches in days. Frost clings faintly to the dead stalks.
In the distance, beyond the quiet fields, a cluster of wooden rooftops peeks through the low fog. A small, but intact, village.
Asuna slows her steps and walks beside Merin. Merin slighly glance at her but didn't care then she says," Give me your right hand."
Merin is confused, not understanding the reason. The entire forest path, she didn't lend a hand, and now we are reaching a village and smooth path. Now she wants to help him." Why?"
Asuna puts her veil to cover her face." For our background story. The villagers may not let us stay if they think we bring danger to their village."
Merin adjusts the pelts he is carrying on his back, tied by vines like a bag. He then gives her his right hand. Which she puts over her shoulder as she is supporting him." Say that we are hunters from Mugenkai, and I am injured while hunting."
Asuna scoffs." Did you forget your injuries are internal? And do we know anything about Mugenkai? Like street names and shops where we sell our goods."
Then, a wooden wall came into their view, encircling the village. Two guards stand by the closed gate with spears in there hand. Asuna says," From now on, let me do the talking."
One guard steps forward, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. "State your identity," he demands, his voice firm.
Before Merin can speak, Asuna intervenes calmly. "We're husband and wife. My husband is injured—we need a place to rest for a few days."
The guards exchange glances, and one nods. "Follow me. The village chief will decide."
They are led past the gates and through tidy, quiet streets. Merin walks slowly, supporting himself, his brows furrowed—not from pain, but confusion.
He glances sideways at Asuna, a question in his eyes: Why did she claim they were married? Does she like me? If she does, what am I supposed to do?
She is beautiful, determined, and strong—any man would find himself drawn to her. But Merin is aware he has a fiancée whom he has never met, and his own grand ambition to stand at the world's peak.
Or it is simply an excuse to hide their identity.
He shifts his gaze to the village itself. The houses are sturdy, the air smells clean, and the villagers appear healthy—this place is clearly prosperous.
They are brought to the chief's house, a broad building marked by a stone lantern on its porch. Inside the main room, a broad-shouldered man awaits them by a brazier.
"I am Yamada Akira, chief of Clan Yamada Village," he states with a respectful nod. "Who are you?"
Asuna introduces them both, repeating the marriage story without a flicker of hesitation. She claims to be a noble's daughter and Merin a healer—his wounds, she implies, resulted from their escape from her disapproving family.
Merin, hearing the complete story, understands the reason behind her. She is telling the village chief that she is from a powerful family and the villagers shouldn't act against them. And if her imaginary family finds them, the family wouldn't do anything to the villagers, only capture her and him.
And the most important reason is that she is telling the villagers not to ask about their identity, as they are afraid of their full identity being revealed, and one of the villagers says this to people outside the village.
So, the village chief would understand why they are not sharing information about them.
"We only require to stay until he recovers," she adds with a graceful bow. "He's also willing to examine villagers if you lack a healer."
But the chief shakes his head. "We have a healer. You may rest here while your injuries heal."
Merin opens his pack and produces pelts, offering them forward. "Consider this payment for your kindness."
Yamada's eyes widen at the sight of the striped fur. "You killed a tiger? What are your ranks?"
"We are both middle-rank samurai," Asuna answers before Merin can interject.
The chief bows more deeply this time. "Then it is an honour to have you. Come—I'll show you to a guest house."
He leads them to an empty house near his own, its walls clean and roof recently thatched. After ushering them inside, he departs quietly.
However, instead of returning home, Chief Yamada walks to the village's edge and slips out through a narrow, hidden path in the woods. The trail meanders for some time before opening into a valley encircled by trees and teeming with herb gardens.
Two dogs lounge near the beds, alertly watching for birds. In the centre stands a small wooden hut, smoke curling gently from its chimney.
Outside the hut, a young girl with emerald hair, eyes, and pointed ears attends to a steaming pot. She looks up at his approach, blinking once.
"You're early," she observes. "The body-refining potion won't be ready for two more days."
"I didn't come for that," the chief replies. "We have guests—middle-rank samurai. The man is injured."
She frowns, arms folding. "If they're middle-rank and his wounds were caused by her family, her background must be formidable. Taking them in is a risk."
"I know," Yamada says, his eyes steady. "But it's a risk worth taking."
He explains that three villagers had achieved middle rank years ago but couldn't advance. "Without a suitable technique, they've stagnated. If these two can share even one middle-rank exercise, our whole village could be transformed."
The girl considers it, then asks, "Then why did you come to me?"
"I was hoping you might have a healing potion that could alleviate his condition."
She nods and vanishes into the hut. When she returns, she carries a veiled pouch containing various vials.
As they prepare to leave, the most astonishing change unfolds—her hair darkens to black, her emerald eyes shift to brown, and her pointed ears round into human shape. She now appears as an ordinary village girl.
Together, they walk back to the village. Under the rising sun, they arrive at the guest house and knock.
After a few moments, the door opens.
Asuna stands in the doorway, her tattered clothes loosely draped around her frame, amber hair cascading down one side of her chest. Her eyes widen slightly as she sees the unfamiliar girl standing beside the village chief.
Yamada Akira pauses, momentarily caught off guard. When they entered the village, Asuna wore a veil, revealing only her eyes, beautiful, yet not enough to leave a lasting impression. Now, faced with her full beauty, even he, a composed village chief, finds himself momentarily stunned.
The effect is brief. His gaze shifts to Xialing, standing silently beside him with her black hair and human eyes. The transformation is so complete, it's hard to reconcile this girl with the dryad who spoke with him earlier in the valley.
"If the village chief needs something," Asuna says calmly, her tone neutral.
"I've brought our village's healer," Akira replies, gesturing to the girl beside him. "Her name is Xialing. She brought some potions to see if any can help your husband."
Asuna steps aside and gestures for them to enter. The village house is simple—three rooms. The largest functions as both sleeping quarters and a guest room. The second is the kitchen, and the third, a small bathroom.
In the main room, Merin sits on the edge of the bed, eyes closed, legs crossed. As the group enters, he opens his eyes and looks at them without standing.
Asuna briefly explains the reason for their visit. Xialing steps forward, introducing herself with a polite bow, then opens the veil, revealing several vials filled with colourful liquids.
Merin glances once at the potions, then shakes his head. "These won't help."
Xialing frowns but steps closer. "Let me check your injuries—"
"No need," Merin interrupts her calmly. "If you can gather these herbs—" He lists a handful of common plants found in temperate forests, "—I can use them to brew something that will provide slight relief."
As he speaks, Xialing's expression changes. She recognises the symptoms, and the herbs confirm her suspicion. This is not a normal injury—it's internal backlash. A wound caused by reckless energy circulation.
Her gaze sharpens. "This wasn't inflicted by another person."
Merin meets her eyes and shrugs slightly. "I used a technique," he states. The implication is clear—it was a forbidden or unstable one, likely employed during their escape.
Xialing nods, adding nothing further. "I'll prepare what I can and bring it back."
She leaves the house. The village chief is about to follow when Asuna asks, "Could we also have some water, daily necessities, and a few vegetables or fruits for cooking?"
"I can send cooked food instead," the chief offers.
Asuna shakes her head. "That'll inconvenience your village. We'll cook."
In truth, she's already decided Kanoru will do the cooking. They still have leftover fried tiger meat from the day before.
Yamada nods in understanding and steps out.
Asuna shuts the door gently behind him and sits down on a wooden stool, letting out a quiet breath. Merin closes his eyes again and returns to meditation.
Not long after, a few villagers arrive, delivering water, firewood, vegetables, and other basic items. Merin doesn't stir, and Asuna thanks them politely.
When they leave, she turns toward the bed. "I'm hungry."
Merin sighs and gets off the bed without a word. He heads into the kitchen and begins preparing a meal, mixing the village's fresh vegetables with the tiger meat and some forest herbs he'd gathered earlier to enhance the flavour.
They sit cross-legged across from each other on woven mats, eating quietly. The food is simple but warm and richly scented.
While chewing, Merin glances at her. "Why did you say we were husband and wife?"
She looks up, calm as ever. "What else should I have said?"
He waits for more, but she simply continues eating.
"It was the easiest way," she finally adds. "If I said we were sect disciples, hunters, or travellers, they'd ask too many questions. But a runaway noblewoman with her wounded husband? They fill in the rest themselves."
Merin leans back, her answer matches what he had already guessed.
With her story, the chief assumed everything—she didn't need to explain anything.
He finishes his food, setting the bowl aside, when there's a knock at the door.
He stands and opens it.
Outside stands Xialing, a cloth bundle in her arms.