Chapter 156: Healing—Are You Awake Now?

Bian Changxi had no idea that her own troubles had already become a source of worry for those around her. Thinking about it made her feel a bit ashamed, so she decided to express her apology in her usual simple and direct way. After everyone had eaten their fill and rested for a while, she went to the living room, patted Wu Dalang’s chair, and asked, “Are your legs still hurting today?”

She had already treated Wu Dalang and Shadow’s bodies as usual that morning before heading out, so asking again within the same day was more of a formality—everyone immediately understood what she meant.

Wu Dalang replied, “Same as always, better every day. Now it only hurts if I really stretch it.”

“Hmm.” Bian Changxi glanced at his leg, silently calculating something in her mind. Then she raised her hand, and a green vine instantly wrapped around his old wound.

Everyone’s eyes lit up. The air seemed to fill with the fresh, mellow scent of trees, mixed with a crisp, icy clarity. The living room, already cooler than outside thanks to its unique design, dropped another three degrees, making everyone feel an indescribable sense of comfort.

Even Aunt Zhao came out to see what was happening, and Gu Xu stepped up next to Bian Changxi. Everyone watched as she summoned her power.

It was a vine, but unlike before. Previously, it had just been a bare stem, but now it had sprouted leaves—lush, broad, and deep green, dotted along the stem and swaying gracefully. Both stem and leaves were covered in a layer of frosty white, giving the vibrant green a cool, striking beauty. In the center of the vine, a faint red thread seemed to pulse, adding a hint of wildness.

Of course, everyone was used to Bian Changxi’s unique wood ability, so this wasn’t too surprising. What was new was how, as soon as the leaves touched the wound, they melted away, transforming into a mist of red, green, and white that seeped into the injury, as if filling it from within. The vine wrapped itself around his leg, tightening with each loop, like a green bandage.

Wu Dalang felt a cooling, tingling sensation at the site of his old wound, as a deep, resilient force flowed in. Gradually, his once-weak calf filled with strength, and even his whole body felt as if, after losing blood, he’d just been given two bags of it back—his energy soared.

Bian Changxi was just as excited. She could sense her energy urging Wu Dalang’s long-misaligned leg bone to knit together, closing the gap that had always remained. She finally breathed a sigh of relief.

The reason Wu Dalang hadn’t been able to stand was because of his bone. Though it looked healed, there was always a tiny gap that refused to close, no matter what they tried—like two bones that had quarreled and refused to reconcile.

If the bone wasn’t right, no amount of muscle or nerve healing would help. But once the bone issue was fixed, the already-recovered connective tissue and nerves immediately caught up. Within seconds, Wu Dalang’s leg was as good as new.

Bian Changxi let go, leaving the vine wrapped around his leg to act as a brace and provide ongoing nourishment. She stepped back and said, “Try standing up.”

A’nan was stunned. “He’s healed already?”

Bian Changxi just smiled.

Gu Xu and A’nan supported Wu Dalang as he stood, even taking a step. He was a bit unsteady, his movements delayed by muscle memory.

Bian Changxi explained that this was just the nerves recovering—after so many days of inactivity, his muscles were stiff. With a few days of practice, he’d be walking normally.

Wu Dalang was so overwhelmed he didn’t know what to say.

Bian Changxi then turned to Shadow.

Shadow’s situation was more complicated—he was poisoned. Recently, he’d been soaking in water infused with Five-Color Grass, then using fresh grass poultices, and now drinking decoctions. After several days, much of the toxin had been expelled, and his color and energy were improving. He was awake for longer periods and could eat and do simple things, but still couldn’t stand.

Detoxification? Bian Changxi flexed her fingers—how hard could it be?

She prepared everything, had Shadow moved to an open space, began a transfusion and IV, then had Gu Xu help him sit up straight. Standing behind him, she cut open the oldest, deepest scar on his back, pressed her palm to it, and channeled her energy.

Black shadows flickered across Shadow’s skin.

The toxins had grown strong and dense inside him, almost intelligent, like the last time Liang Ziyin had triggered them. As soon as they sensed a threat, they gathered to attack Bian Changxi’s wood energy, even trying to fight back.

But Bian Changxi wasn’t Liang Ziyin. Calm and bold, now at Tier 3, she was more than a match for these toxins from a Tier 1 or 2 mutant snake. She feigned weakness, luring the toxins out, retreating step by step. On the surface, everyone saw a battle between a mass of black shadow and a beam of green light. Just as the green light seemed about to be pushed back, it suddenly flared, enveloping the blackness.

Bian Changxi clenched her hand, yanking out a black ball and tossing it into a thick alloy bucket she’d prepared. The ball was a terrifyingly black sludge, corroding the bucket with a violent hiss, and even burning her hand.

Expressionless, she shook her hand lightly and pressed her other palm over Shadow’s wound, which was gushing black-red blood. Aunt Zhao fed him the Five-Color Grass decoction, and the blood flowing out turned even blacker.

After repeating this three times, the blood finally looked normal. Bian Changxi healed the wound. Shadow had lost so much blood that, without the transfusion, he’d have been a dried husk. The process took a toll on his body—what little strength he’d regained was gone. He couldn’t say a word, and the others cleaned him up and let him sleep with a nutrient drip.

By the time everything was done, it was past five. The sunset cast a warm, golden glow through the villa. Bian Changxi had showered again and was sitting on the sofa with a mug of barley tea, zoning out. When Gu Xu and the others came out of Shadow’s room, their faces were tired but happy. She asked, “He’s asleep?”

“He is. Sleeping soundly.”

“That’s good,” Bian Changxi said. “The poison’s about eighty or ninety percent cleared. Keep giving him Five-Color Grass decoction and boost his nutrition. He should recover within a week. Once he’s back on his feet, the remaining poison won’t be a problem.”

Aunt Zhao beamed. “That’s wonderful! Leave the nutrition to me. What should I make—ribs? Fish? And fresh vegetables… Oh, it’s dinner time already.” Muttering to herself, she hurried back to the kitchen.

Wu Dalang was full of gratitude, but seeing the situation, he wisely said, “A’nan, help me back to my room. Let’s try walking a few steps.”

Bian Changxi quickly reminded him, “Don’t rush it. Just practice a bit—don’t overdo it, or it’ll hurt the wound.”

She turned and met Gu Xu’s smiling eyes, then looked down and sipped her tea. “No need to thank me. This is what I should do. Besides, you helped me a lot today too.”

She thought to herself, He said he just wanted to relax after finishing work, but who was he kidding? And I actually believed him. Both of us are oddballs.

Yet inside, she felt a ripple of unease, like the tea swirling in her cup.

Was he taking care of her a little too much? To the point of being excessive?

Could it mean what she thought it meant? No way, right?

She squinted at the reflection of the chandelier in her tea—the colorful glass lights made her dizzy, her mind a jumble.

Gu Xu, of course, had no idea about her confusion. He didn’t bother with polite refusals, just took the cup from her hands. “Don’t drink so much water. Go get some sleep—you’re exhausted.”

She hadn’t realized she’d already finished most of the pot.

Rubbing her forehead, she admitted she was tired. She’d used so much energy and ability during the day, and the healing just now hadn’t been easy. Even with her wood powers, she felt drained. “What about the trees…”

“No rush. I’ll take some samples for them to study. Leave the rest with you for now. The others should be back soon—I’ll go check on things. Tonight’s routine meeting will probably bring this up.”

It was the weekend, so there’d be a regular meeting—Gu Xu’s fourth time attending. They’d retreated earlier, using Bian Changxi’s exhaustion as an excuse after defeating the black dog pack. Who knew what Colonel Lin and the others had encountered afterward? Gu Xu never went in unprepared, so he’d definitely be questioned tonight—he needed to get the facts first.

He went upstairs with Bian Changxi, then suddenly asked, “Where’s Milk?”

“Milk…” Bian Changxi thought for a moment. “I think he’s in my room. He followed me in when I got back… Oh no, he got on the bed before I could bathe him!”

She rushed into her room, and soon came out, face dark, carrying a soundly sleeping little beast. She dumped him on the floor. “How many times have I told you—not to get on the bed unless you’re clean! You’re driving me crazy!”

Milk blinked sleepily, not understanding what was happening. He tried to crawl back into the room, but a big hand pressed him down and lifted him by the scruff. Gu Xu smiled, “I’ll give him a bath. He helped me a lot today.” So a bath was his reward.

Bian Changxi hesitated—she was exhausted, and annoyed that Milk had dirtied her freshly made bed. She’d changed the sheets so many times for this little troublemaker! With a wave of her hand, she said, “Fine, take him. You’re his real owner anyway, so it’s only right.”

Bian Changxi turned back to her room. Once the door closed, Gu Xu’s smile faded, his gaze turning cold and sharp. He loosened his grip, letting Milk drop straight to the floor. “Are you awake now?”

ps:

Thanks to “3大笑” for a pink ticket!

Thanks to “小小赫源” for a pink ticket!

My eyelids are fighting to stay open. There’s supposed to be another update, but I don’t know if I can manage it. I want to cry~~oo~~

"**Rebirth of the Apocalypse Farm**