Yu Bin. Immortal Of Water Land

Chapter 17 - The Weight of Hidden Wounds

The sky was painted with soft hues of twilight as Bao Fang studied her two disciples. Xian Chen's face was drained of color, his breathing shallow despite the calm he tried to project. But Bao Fang knew better. The boy was in pain—and yet he said nothing.

She let out a quiet sigh, gathering Yu Bin into her arms. Without a word, they lifted into the sky, Bao Fang flying them both back to the palace. The journey was quiet, solemn. Even the wind seemed to mourn something unspoken.

At Bao Fang's residence, Yu Bin and Xian Chen bid their master farewell and made their way to the castle.

"Should we use Longwei to get back faster?" Yu Bin asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes. Please," she added, her exhaustion tugging at her every step.

Xian Chen summoned his red book and called for Longwei. But instead of the familiar majestic dragon, a small, almost comical baby dragon fluttered out, blinking in confusion.

"Master...? Why are you both so tall? Wait... something's wrong."

Yu Bin gasped. "You're tiny! Longwei, what happened to you?"

"We’re not too tall. You’re too small," she said, turning toward Xian Chen. "What’s going on?"

Xian Chen was silent.

"Master," the dragon said again, now more urgently, "you’re injured, aren’t you? This happens when your strength is weakened."

Yu Bin turned, her voice trembling. "Is that true? You're hurt, aren't you? Why won’t you just say it?"

"We need to go," Xian Chen said, evading her gaze. He drew his sword, lifted her into his arms, and flew into the sky, the tiny dragon fluttering behind.

Yu Bin struggled. "Put me down! I don’t need you to carry me!"

"Be quiet or I’ll drop you," he warned, but his voice lacked venom. He was trying to hold himself together, to keep the pain from rising to the surface.

Yu Bin quieted, staring down at the world far below. One wrong move, and it would all end.

They flew in silence until they reached the palace gardens. Xian Chen set her down gently before collapsing against a tree for a moment. He looked like he was holding onto consciousness by sheer will.

Without a word, Yu Bin grabbed his hand and dragged him toward her room. She didn’t know why—maybe it was instinct—but something inside her screamed that he shouldn't be alone.

The moment they reached the doorway, a searing pain stabbed Yu Bin in the chest.

She gasped, stumbling.

And then Xian Chen collapsed.

"Xian Chen?!" she screamed, falling to her knees beside him. "No—no, please—wake up! Wake up!"

His body was still. His face was too pale. His hand, cold in hers.

Ming Fang, hearing the commotion, rushed into the room.

"What happened?! Is he—Yu Bin, are you okay?"

Yu Bin clutched her chest. "It hurts... it hurts so much. And I don’t know why. I think—it’s his pain. I think I’m feeling it."

Ming Fang's eyes widened. "Then he's... seriously hurt? We have to help him. Let's move him to the bed."

Together, they lifted Xian Chen onto the mattress. Yu Bin’s fingers brushed his chest, and she felt the wet warmth of blood. There was no wound on her—but the agony hadn't left her.

Of course, she thought, the realization like ice in her veins. Master said it. Whatever one feels, the other will feel. How could I have missed it? He’s been hurt this whole time, and I didn’t feel it because he was hiding it. He endured it… until he couldn’t anymore.

Tears streamed down her cheeks.

I said I would listen. I said I wouldn’t judge again. But I didn’t see it. I didn’t see him.

She began undoing his outer robe, revealing the soaked bandages and deep wound.

"Yu Bin, what are you doing?!" Ming Fang asked, scandalized.

"Saving him," Yu Bin snapped. "Help me. Please."

"I—" Ming Fang hesitated. "Okay. Okay."

They cleaned the wound as carefully as they could. Ming Fang brought fresh bandages and medicine, then stepped aside.

"I think we should call Master Bao Fang," she said.

"No. I can do this. He’ll be okay. He has to be okay," Yu Bin said, trying to sound confident. But her hands were trembling.

Ming Fang nodded and left, leaving Yu Bin alone with the unconscious boy.

His breathing was shallow. His forehead glistened with sweat. She reached for the medicine. But how could she get him to swallow it in this state?

Then she remembered something—an old memory of her father giving her mother medicine when she was unconscious. A kiss to save a life.

Her heart pounded. But she didn’t hesitate.

She crushed the herbs, held his chin, and gently pressed her lips to his, transferring the liquid into his mouth.

He didn’t stir. But the medicine was delivered.

Yu Bin sat on the bed beside him, still holding his hand.

Will there ever be a day when you’ll tell me you're hurting? Will there be a day when I see you smile?

"I’m here," she whispered, brushing the hair from his eyes. "You’re not alone anymore."

Then, suddenly—

"...Mother... stay..."

His hand tightened around hers. The voice was small, fragile.

Yu Bin’s heart cracked open.

"I’m here," she said again, her voice catching. "I’ll stay, Xian Chen. I’ll stay for as long as you need."

She laid down beside him, their hands still entwined.

And eventually, as the pain dulled and the moonlight spilled across the floor, Yu Bin fell asleep.

In that quiet room, hearts ached and slowly healed, together.