Xuán Wěi raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You don't look fine. That wound isn't sothing you just walk off." His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried a weight of authority, like he was used to assessing people on the battlefield.
"I'll manage," she bit out, trying to stand straighter despite the pain. "I don't need help."
He took a small step closer, his expression softening just slightly. "How did you get hurt?" His voice was still steady, but there was a genuine curiosity there, as though he wasn't just asking out of concern but because he was piecing things together.
JJ hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn't exactly tell him the truth, not fully. "I was... out doing research," she finally said, her voice tight. "Sothing personal. Didn't expect to run into trouble."
"Research?" Xuán Wěi's eyes narrowed slightly, though not with suspicion—more with a quiet understanding. "Whatever it was, it led you into sothing dangerous."
JJ clenched her jaw, frustrated with herself for letting the conversation go this far. She glanced down the path, toward the distant lights of the town, wishing she could just leave without dealing with any more questions.
"You're part of the rebels, aren't you?" she asked, her voice low. "You know I work for the kingdom, right?"
Xuán Wěi let out a small chuckle, though it wasn't mocking. "I do." He paused, letting the weight of her words settle between them. "And I'm still offering to help you. Whether you're with the kingdom or not, you're bleeding out here." Your journey continues with My Virtual Library Empire
JJ stiffened at his words, her defenses rising instinctively. "And why would a rebel help soone from the kingdom?"
Xuán Wěi's gaze was steady, unflinching. "Because you're injured, and it's dangerous for anyone—kingdom or rebel—to be out here alone at night. Besides, a lady walking alone, bleeding like that? You won't make it to the town without collapsing, and who knows what else lurks in the dark."
JJ huffed in frustration, but his words hit ho. She wasn't sure how much longer she could stay upright, let alone make it to the town. And as much as she hated to admit it, his logic was sound.
"You expect to trust you?" she asked, her voice quieter now, but still sharp.
"I expect you to weigh your options," he replied calmly. "You don't have to trust . But right now, I'm the only one offering to make sure you get to safety."
Her mind raced. The thought of accepting help from a rebel felt wrong, like betraying everything she stood for. But as her vision blurred slightly and the pounding in her shoulder intensified, the reality of her situation beca harder to ignore.
Xuán Wěi seed to sense her hesitation. "I'll walk you to the town. That's all. No strings attached," he added, a faint smile on his lips as he noticed her glance at his spectral chains.
JJ grimaced but finally nodded, the fight leaving her. "Fine. But don't think for a second that this makes us allies."
"I wouldn't dream of it," he replied smoothly, stepping forward and pulling a small vial from his pouch. "First, let take care of that wound. You won't make it far if we don't stop the bleeding."
She eyed him warily but didn't resist as he knelt beside her and uncorked the vial. The faint scent of herbs filled the air as he applied the salve to her shoulder, the cool liquid soothing the burning pain almost imdiately. He worked efficiently, wrapping the bandages with practiced ease, his hands steady despite the tension in the air.
"You've done this before," JJ muttered, half a question, half an observation.
Xuán Wěi glanced up briefly, his expression unreadable. "More tis than I'd like."
She fell silent after that, watching him finish up before he stood and offered her a hand. She hesitated, then reluctantly accepted it, his grip firm but not forceful as he helped her to her feet.
"Ready?" he asked, his tone casual as though they weren't enemies by nature.
JJ gave a short nod, still wary but resigned. "Lead the way."
Xuán Wěi fell into step beside her, his pace slow and asured to match her weakened gait. The town lights glowed softly in the distance, and as they walked, the quiet of the night enveloped them. JJ stayed silent, her thoughts swirling in a chaotic mix of pain and exhaustion. But there was sothing else—curiosity.
As they neared the town, JJ felt her eyes scanning the streets ahead. It seed normal enough, nothing particularly remarkable. But the mont they stepped closer to the edge of town, sothing unexpected happened.
"Xuán Wěi!" A voice called out from the darkness, cheerful and familiar.
JJ blinked, confused. A man stood on a porch, tipping his hat toward Xuán Wěi with a warm smile. "Good to see you back! All safe, I hope?"
Xuán Wěi nodded back, his calm deanor unchanged. "Safe as can be, thank you."
JJ's stomach twisted. Another woman walking by waved, her handkerchief fluttering in the breeze. "Good evening, Xuán Wěi!" she called softly, her eyes filled with kindness.
JJ's mind raced. What the—? These people knew him? And they greeted him like a friend? She felt a rising tension in her chest, her confusion bubbling to the surface. Do they know he's a rebel?
Her eyes darted toward him, but his expression remained neutral, even peaceful.
Sensing her confusion, Xuán Wěi spoke without turning his head. "You can just call Xuán Wěi," he said smoothly, his voice carrying a subtle warmth. "Being with the Black Bulls is more than just being a rebel. For a lot of people, we do great things."
JJ's brow furrowed. "Great things?" she echoed, disbelief creeping into her tone.
Xuán Wěi sighed, a small, almost imperceptible smile playing at his lips. "I don't expect you to fully understand what we're doing. But not everything is black and white." He glanced at her, his eyes steady. "You're not a bad person, and you haven't tried to harm or those I care for. So what reason would I have to hurt you?"
JJ didn't respond imdiately, her thoughts a tangled ss. She had expected cruelty, deceit, maybe even betrayal. But this? Being greeted by friendly faces? It didn't fit with anything she knew about the Black Bulls.
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