Dance of the blades

Chapter 47 Wisteria Protection

In light of the battle they had fought, they took longer time than necessary to regroup thus dusk had already began when they had all met up at the center of the forest. As the view of the injured boy carried by Lan Jingyi came to Lan Sizhui's sight, the greeted each other with a silent nod, acknowledging the unsavory state both their companions were in.

Unexpectedly to their surprise, everyone in their small group had fallen into a tranquil silence. They passed through the forest following the way wince they came, he didn't know how long they had sat in the boat in silence until a small voice from the group had broken it.

"How long is it going to take us to reach there Jingyi ge?" the injured child asked, his face wincing as the boat shook, causing his wounded leg to rub against the young demon slayer's robes. 

Pitying the painful state A-hong was in, Lan Jingyi lifted his body higher to not be bothered by the erratic movement of the boat. He did this while a kind hearted Ouyang Zizhen who was sitting behind him attempted to soothe the boy by gently rubbing circles on his back.

They breath a sigh of relief when the sight of land came into their view. The loud racket of the blaring crowd of villagers gained volume as their boat approached, the distinct coloured garments of the children seizing the attention of the masses.

"My babies!" the children's mother cried out. Lan Sizhui couldn't help but note the familiarity of the scene when the children rushed to their mother albeit slower this time as one the children still needed to be carried by Lan Jingyi. 

Instead of consolation or gratitude however, the first expression on the young woman's face  was replaced with one of pure anguish as she got a proper look at her eldest child. Grasping her child from the young demon slayer's shoulders, tears fell down her ashen face uncontrollably as she sobbed, hiding her face into her son's robes.

The child at first seemed confused by his mother's behavior, struggling to breath as he was squashed between his mother's embrace. However as the boy seemingly gets accustomed to the the tight embrace of his mother, it did not take a moment longer for tears to pour from the boy as well, as he finally processed all that had occurred.

Lan Sizhui didn't know who moved first when all four of them stealthy bypassed the crying family in a hurry to get Ouyang Zizhen to the nearest doctor. Lucky for them, the farmer that accompanied them before noticed their endeavor and rushed to them to help.

The rest of the night passed with Ouyang Zizhen staying in the village's ward, while the villagers tried to soothe the distress mother and her children. His condition was treated by the village's local doctor as they rest of them waited outside. 

The village's doctor was an old man in his seventies, his robes were stained in all sorts of peculiar colours, emitting the strong scent of medical herbs. The calm facade he worn on his wrinkled face when confronted by the panicking ones of the children's mothers, paired with his calloused palms radiated his experience. 

The elderly's no nonsense attitude when berating  Ouyang Zizhen's down play the severity of his wounds, fondly reminds Lan Sizhui of another non human doctor he had the pleasure of being treated under briefly. The gentleness of the way he reassured the injured A-hong strengthens his resemblance even more.

"Sizhui gongzi could you please leave the tray on the table for now. I would appreciate it if you could take over applying  your friend's medication while I treat A-hong's" the village's doctor gently requested to Lan Sizhui who had walked into the room.

"Mn!" Lan Sizhui readily agreed, striding over to Ouyang Zizhen side to coat the smelly paste which Lan Jingyi and Jin Ling agreeingly had dupped 'the most disgusting mixture of garbage they had ever laid their eyes upon' on his friend's wound. 

After taking care of the demons, the villagers were kind enough to extend their stays and treat their wounds without charge. 

Unexpectedly they were met with steadfast refusal on the demon slayers' end. The four of them had felt guilty for A-hong's injuries and did not wish to imposed on them further.

 In the end both sides were meet at a stalemate until ultimately he and his friends had conceded, but with the added condition they at least provide assistance to the residents living here. It was soon after Ouyang Zizhen's wounds had healed to what the doctor had considered acceptable for manual labor did the boy excitedly joined his friends as well.

 Surprisingly Lan Sizhui and his friends found themselves enjoying the few extended days in the village, plucking the fields, aiding the farmers and messing around with the local children. By then, they had gained a few survival tricks from the local hunters and valuable medical knowledge from conversing with the village doctor.

Days like these passed peacefully for the young demon slayers until the fated day arrived where they had to say goodbye. 

On that day, Lan Sizhui had just finished grinding various herbs under the doctor's instruction when the familiar sound of the crow's cawing drew his attention away from the pestle he was holding.

"Urgent message! Urgent message! Report to the Westeria Estate in Wu village!" the crow let out a caw before dispearing to the skies.

When Lan Sizhui had gotten ready to meet up his friends at the village's entrance, he was surprised to find a whole crowd standing there to wave them goodbye.

"Zizhen ge is it true you all are leaving already!? Can't you stay a little longer?" A-lian cried out, devastated that her new friends were leaving her so early. Her little pitiful display was accompanied by her younger brother who encouraged it further by clinging onto Jin Ling's leg, undeterred by the young demon slayer's harsh glares.

"A-lian, A-long that's enough. The young gentlemen need to go do their jobs; you shouldn't trouble them further" the children's mother reprimanded, displeased by their behavior. In response her words were met with a dishearten pout, the two of them clearly unhappy by their mother not choosing their side.

"She is right though. The two of you shouldn't be causing trouble to your Zizhen ge and Jin Ling ge" Lan Sizhui decided to step in, hoping his refusal would sway the two gremlins stubbornly clinging to his friends.

"Sizhui!" Lan Jingyi called out after noticing his presence, he enthusiastically waved to him, glad that most likely person who could calm the children down without upsetting was here.

"Where is A-hong? I had thought he at least wish to greet us before we depart?" Lan Sizhui asked Lan Jingyi after noticing the absence of the eldest sibling of the three.

Just as he turned his gaze to the crowd before them, a small familiar voice pooped out behind him.

"I'm right here Sizhui gege"

Turning behind him, Lan Sizhui could find the said boy staring at him with big doe eyes trying to meet his gaze while being supported by his walking cane. The sight of him healthy and flushed brought a smile to Lan Sizhui's lips.

"Ah my apology young master hong. I did not see you there" Lan Sizhui said in an apologetic tone, but A-hong could see the slight teasing and mirth in his eyes. He huffed, exasperated by the demon slayer.

"Is there a reason why Sizhui ge asked for me?" the boy asked in the end, curious as to why Lan Sizhui inquired about his presence. In response to his question a bright smile appeared on Lan Sizhui's face.

Caw! Caw!  the sound of the crow flew closer to them as Lan Sizhui extended out his hand to A-hong. To A-hong's disgust though, it puked out a violet coloured pouch into the demon slayer's hand. 

Lan Sizhui barely even winced as he handed the pouch to the young child.

"I heard from Yuan Dao that due to your unique blood type demons tend to prefer hunting you than all the others. In this pouch lays a variety of talismans and incense made from wisteria. I hope this would protect from any dangers while we are gone"

With reluctance the young boy held onto the violet pouch, he watched along side his siblings as the four figures wave their goodbyes and set off into the distance.