Chapter Twenty-Four: Awakening

"Second Brother!? Where’s Mother? Where is she?" From afar, Yue Qi heard his sixth sister calling out as she ran toward him, sharing the good news. His heart surged with excitement. Since he had come down from the mountain, he hadn't truly had the chance to see his mother awake. She remained in a coma, and though Yue Qi knew some spells, he was no healer and could do nothing to rouse her.

He tossed his sword to his sixth sister and began shouting for his second brother, knowing Mother was always with him.

Reaching a broad, flat meadow, Yue Qi found nearly everyone gathered there. But their gazes were strange, unsettling. He felt as though something about him was off.

"What’s going on? Why are you all looking at me like that? Could it be zombie blood I forgot to wipe off...?" he muttered, frowning as he checked his robe, the familiar garb of the Azure River Sword Sect. Apart from a bit of dust, there was nothing amiss. He trusted that, had anything been wrong with his back, Yun Sheng would have said so on the way here.

"Stare all you want..." Yue Qi grumbled under his breath. At his age, his pride was sharp. But with the good news of his mother’s awakening, he had little mind for anything else and continued searching for his second brother.

"Qi, I’m over here!" Not far off, Second Brother waved at him and jogged over.

"Second Brother! Where’s Mother? Isn’t she awake? Where is she?!" Yue Qi fired off his questions in a single breath, desperate to see his mother.

"Mother... uh..." Second Brother scratched his head, casting that same odd look at Yue Qi.

"What’s with you all today? Is there something on my face? Why all these strange looks?" Yue Qi's impatience grew. It was odd—normally, after battles, everyone bore wounds and blood, but no one ever looked like this.

"You've grown bold, daring to raise your voice at your brother!" Second Brother chided, ruffling Yue Qi’s hair. Despite being a cultivator, Yue Qi was still shorter by half a head.

"Sorry, Brother!" Yue Qi replied sheepishly. Yet, despite his words, his heart felt a tender warmth—how many years had it been since Second Brother had shown such affection? In childhood, whenever Yue Qi disobeyed their parents, Second Brother would tap his head just so. Back then, Yue Qi had been somewhat afraid of him, but eldest sister would always step in to defend him, often scolding Second Brother in turn—a perfect balance. But now, with eldest sister gone... Yue Qi sighed, sorrow tugging at his heart.

"Mother’s right over there. Go see for yourself..." Second Brother said, glancing at him with a sigh.

"Standing? Alright, I’ll go now..." Yue Qi knew his mother’s leg was broken and it would be hard for her to move, but for now, he could only plan to find suitable branches later to make her a crutch.

He took a few steps and soon saw, not far off, Fourth Sister and Mother standing together. Fourth Sister spoke incessantly, while Mother stood with a vacant gaze, leaning against a tree, lost in thought.

"Fourth Sister..." Their mother had her back to Yue Qi, but Fourth Sister saw him approach. He mouthed a greeting, keeping his voice low, wanting to surprise his mother.

"Mother!" He softly called as he came up behind her, but she didn’t react, continuing to stare distantly.

"Mother?" He tried again, but she only tilted her head, puzzled, and remained silent.

"Mother, what’s wrong?" Now panic set in. He grasped her arm, urgently seeking her attention. The moment his hand touched her, she seemed to suffer a tremendous shock—she collapsed at the base of the tree, muttering incoherently, almost mad:

"No! No, go away! Don’t hurt my daughter...!" After her outburst, she buried her head in her knees, still murmuring.

"Qi, let it be," Fourth Sister finally said. "Mother has been like this since waking. Whoever touches her, she reacts the same. She won’t listen to anything we say, just stares off, lost..."

"How could this be?" Yue Qi pressed, desperate to help.

"I don’t know..." Fourth Sister shook her head. "I've sent Third Brother to find your uncle. He’s knowledgeable and knows some medicine. Maybe he can help..."

At that moment, Third Brother arrived with Bai Lian. They both paused in surprise at seeing Yue Qi—he, too, noticed Bai Lian hadn't been around earlier.

"You’re back. Are you alright?" Bai Lian asked casually, though her concern was clear.

"I’m fine. Come, please look at Mother! What’s wrong with her?!" Yue Qi pleaded. Third and Fourth Brother exchanged glances; the relationship between master and disciple seemed... unusual.

"Alright..." Bai Lian fixed a sharp gaze on Yue Qi, ensuring he was unharmed before turning her attention to his mother.

After a while, she raised her head, perplexed. "I'm not entirely sure, but it seems she’s suffered a brain injury..."

"A brain injury? What should we do?" Fourth Sister asked, seeing Bai Lian could offer no cure.

"I can’t be certain," Bai Lian replied, "so I dare not prescribe anything. Medicine, after all, can harm as well as heal. But that’s my best guess."

"Mother can’t go on like this forever... Bai Lian, do you know a prescription for such injuries? Once everyone’s settled, I’ll go to Azure River Town for medicine!" Yue Qi said urgently. To see his mother in this state—frightened by a mere touch—pained him deeply.

"Don’t worry, when everyone’s safe, I’ll go with you..." Bai Lian said suddenly, surprising Yue Qi. He’d thought to go alone, never expecting her to offer.

"Um... Bai Lian, there’s no need to trouble you. I can manage on my own..." Even as he protested, he felt a bit embarrassed.

"What are you thinking? You think I’m worried about you? Hardly. I just don’t want you to mess up and buy the wrong medicine, making things worse for your mother..." Bai Lian shot him a disdainful glance.

Yue Qi rubbed his head, at a loss for words. After all, he was a disciple of the Azure River Sword Sect, required to study herbs upon entry. Though most were rare, he’d read the books and knew enough about medicinal plants—surely he wouldn't mix them up. Still, Bai Lian’s sharp tongue always left him speechless.

"Isn't this..."

"It sounds like a husband and wife quarrel..." Third and Fourth Brother exchanged a knowing look and whispered to each other. Yue Qi and Bai Lian, still bickering, didn’t hear them. The earlier tension among the group began to drift away.

Before long, they arrived at Yang Village, encountering a few stray zombies on the way. As always, Yue Qi dispatched them all.

By now, night had fallen. Everyone crowded into a single house, making the small space seem even more cramped. Unnecessary items were cleared away, leaving just enough room for all.

According to Yun Sheng, the house belonged to Yuqi’s family, and the place where Yuqi’s brother had died was nearby. Within the house was a woodshed, and beneath a pile of firewood, Yue Qi found a cellar. The stores of food inside far exceeded his expectations—he couldn't guess why Yuqi’s family had hoarded so much, but it was a windfall for them now.

The cellar key had been found by Yun Sheng—how, Yue Qi didn’t ask, but he assumed it had been taken from Yuqi’s belongings. Knowing this, Yue Qi teased Yun Sheng endlessly about being a lecher, though Yun Sheng couldn't be bothered to explain and let him amuse himself.

Outside, the night was tranquil.

Inside, the lamps burned brightly. There were no zombies in sight, so the group felt secure. Yue Qi volunteered to keep watch; whether inside or out, he could meditate and restore his energy, and he’d be the first to spot any zombies.

A door creaked open. Yue Qi opened his eyes to see Bai Lian emerge, sitting cross-legged beside him to gaze in silence at the star-studded sky.

Tonight, the heavens were especially bright, the stars twinkling as if playing hide and seek.

"When will we go to the town?" Bai Lian suddenly asked.

"Ah? In a couple of days, once everyone’s settled and safe. But Mother can’t remain like this for long..." Yue Qi’s worry was clear.

"Don’t worry..." Bai Lian rose suddenly, patted Yue Qi on the shoulder, and turned to flash him a smile.

That smile—so enchanting, so full of charm!

ps: Why do my collections keep dropping!? This is so painful! I'm working so hard as a new author—please recommend and add this to your collections! I'm about to cry!