Journey [2]

"Hu Tao?!" I exclaimed loudly, the name escaping my lips involuntarily.

I remember her. She is an eccentric girl who is also the 77th director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlour. She is a Pyro vision holder, just like Xiangling, and her disheveled appearance contrasted sharply with her usual lively demeanor.

Momentarily shocked, I reminded myself not to get distracted. Focusing on her condition, I observed that her body appeared malnourished as if she could get blown away by a mere gust of wind. She had numerous bruises all over her body. There were also several scratches and claw marks from where small amounts of blood were constantly seeping out.

The revelation of Hu Tao's presence in such a state raised countless questions. But first, I had to get her to safety. Determining that there wasn't any life-threatening injury, I leaned down and carefully lifted her, cradling her in my arms. I carried her back to the campsite with a gentle and cautious demeanor.

Qing's surprise at her identity was palpable as I brought her back.

"Wait, what?! What is the director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor doing here?" He asked me with concern etched on his face after seeing the condition she was in.

The crackling fire provided a warm and comforting glow as I laid Hu Tao down near its flickering light.

"Now is not the time for questions, Qing. First, help me dress her wounds," I told him without turning my head.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Qing nodded and joined me in providing immediate care to Hu Tao

As I examined her injuries more closely, I did my best to clean and dress the wounds. Once the immediate care was administered, I covered her with a spare blanket to shield her from the cool night air.

A few minutes later, as we both were discussing what to do going forward, she opened her eyes slowly. "F-Food~~" she mumbled, her voice weak.

The urgency of the situation momentarily gave way to a small, shared moment of relief at the sign of her consciousness. Qing let out a soft exhale, the tension evident in his previously rigid shoulders momentarily relaxing

Responding quickly, he fetched a leftover portion of the meal we had prepared earlier. He carefully helped Hu Tao into a sitting position, supporting her as she feebly reached for the food.

Qing and I stole glances at each other as she took hesitant bites. Once she had eaten enough to regain a semblance of strength, she leaned back against the makeshift pillow of her spare blanket. Her eyes, still weak but now tinged with gratitude, glanced between Qing and me.

Finally, she cleared her throat, her voice raspier than before. "Thank you," she croaked, her gaze meeting mine. "Both of you."

"Don't be silly," I replied, offering a reassuring smile. "We wouldn't leave a girl like you alone injured at night. Now, tell us what happened. Did you stumble upon some trouble on your way?"

She opened her mouth to speak, but exhaustion claimed her before she could utter a single word, and her eyes fluttered close as she went to sleep.

I exchanged glances with Qing, both of us mirroring the other's relief and worry. A sigh escaped my lips, "Guess questions will have to wait till tomorrow," I murmured, my voice barely a whisper. "You should get some sleep too."

He weakly nodded and then responded. "You can take the first watch, Aerin. I'll get some shut-eye, and we'll switch later." I nodded back in agreement. As he went to sleep, I also shifted Hu Tao to the carriage to avoid getting her cold.

The night unfolded with an eerie silence, interrupted only by the occasional chirping of crickets and the gentle lapping of water at the pond's edge. As the hours passed, I remained vigilant for any signs of trouble.

Slowly, the night turned into a day. Thankfully, we didn't encounter any bandits or monsters as the night went peacefully and silently.

***

I slowly opened my eyes as I woke up from my slumber due to the constant shaking of the carriage as it rolled on the uneven ground. I looked around and saw that the day had already taken over. Sunlight streamed through the rear, painting the interior with golden hues.

Groaning, I got up in a sitting posture and saw Hu Tao still nestled beside me, a soft snore escaping her lips as she dreamed of… who knows what macabre delights.

Qing, however, was already sitting up front, the reins held loosely in his calloused hands. His brows were furrowed in concentration, but a grin split his face as he caught sight of me stirring awake.

"Morning, sleepyhead," he chuckled, turning over. "Seems like we made it through the night just fine."

I nodded, glancing at Hu Tao, who remained curled in the back, still deeply asleep. Unlike me, who got up due to constant shaking, she slept with the stillness of the dead, unaffected by the rattling that had kept me on edge.

"She sleeps like the dead," Qing remarked, his gaze following yours.

"She must've learned to sleep through anything while digging up ghosts," I teased, a grin tugging at my lips.

Qing laughed a warm sound that echoed through the cramped space. "Haha, maybe you're about that. That girl sleeps like a log! Unlike you, she didn't even budge a little on this bumpy ride."

His teasing elicited a groan from Hu Tao, her eyes fluttering open. She stared at him blearily for a moment, then a playful glint sparked in her eyes.

"Oh, I assure you," she mumbled, her voice husky with sleep, "I heard everything. Including your snoring too. It matches the howling of a cursed banshee, you know."

Qing feigned offense, clutching his chest dramatically. "My snoring? A banshee? Stop joking. Aerin! Surely, you'd agree my melodious tones are more comparable to angels singing."

I snickered, amusement bubbling up inside me. 'Seems like she got back to her usual energetic mode.'

"Angels with laryngitis1, maybe," I conceded, earning another playful glare from Qing.

Hu Tao, now fully awake, sat up and stretched, her joints popping like firecrackers. "Enough bickering," she declared, her voice gaining its usual mischievous lilt. "I'm hungry. Where's breakfast? Is there bacon? Don't tell me I woke up to a carriage ride without bacon!"

I playfully remarked, "Whoa, her Majesty the Queen wants some breakfast. Qing, as her royal advisor, bring her some delicious bacon from somewhere."

She pouted while Qing was trying his best to stop his laughter, "Pffttt..." He did manage to choke back his laughter, hiding it behind a cough. "Bacon for breakfast, your majesty?" he teased, bowing playfully. "But surely someone of your esteemed reputation deserves something more...majestic. Forget posh snacks, you need a monster meal! Perhaps some thick, plump and wiggly worms sprinkled with bone dust, all washed down with a brew older than your grandma's ghost!"

Hu Tao's pout deepened, but a cunning glint flickered in her eyes. "Now, Qing, you know I prefer my snacks with a bit more... spice. Worms are for amateurs like you. How about some pickled skulls with some extra-tangy ghoul tears? Now that's a breakfast fit for a queen!"

I rolled my eyes, suppressing a smile. These two never failed to amuse me with their morbid banter. And as for these dishes, they should really discuss this with Xiangling, who knows, she might give them her approval.

"Enough of the frightening menu, you two."

Qing chuckled, "Alright, alright, I'll stop. As for bacon, we could have it along with a nice breakfast in just a short time. A few short kilometers ahead, there is a small restaurant in a small village whose bacon is really renowned for travelers. They say you must taste it at least once whenever you're traveling through there."

The mention of bacon instantly wiped Hu Tao's macabre menu from her mind. Her eyes shone like polished onyx, fixated on Qing. "Renowned bacon, you say? Well, in that case, onward to breakfast!"

"Enough about bacon, for now," I interjected, my voice gaining a softer edge. "Hu Tao, I think it's time we heard your story. We were hoping you could tell us what happened. Why were you alone in the wilderness?"

***

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