After accompanying Kai back to his room, Jie Yan tended to his injuries with a gentle yet practiced hand. The flickering candlelight cast soft shadows on their faces as she meticulously cleaned his cuts and bruises, her brow furrowed in concentration as she carefully applied medicinal salves.
As she worked, the silence settled between them like a comforting blanket, but it was Kai who eventually broke it, his voice steady yet tinged with contemplation.
"Jie Yan," he began, glancing at her as she finished wrapping a bandage around his head, "can you help me pack for the cultivation school? It's happening in a month."
Jie Yan paused, her hands stilling over the last bandage she had secured. She looked up at him, concern flickering across her features.
"Of course, but are you sure you're ready? You've just recovered."
Kai waved off her worries, determination shining in his eyes.
"I'll be fine. I've improved a lot already. The official letters will be sent to the Thor clan any day now, and I need to be prepared for when they arrive. Can I count on you to keep an eye out for it?"
With a hesitant nod, Jie Yan replied, "Alright, I'll make sure to inform you as soon as it arrives."
Days turned to nights, and at last, the day Kai had been anticipating arrived. His heart raced when Jie Yan presented the elegantly penned scroll, its seal bearing the emblem of the Emperor. With trembling fingers, he opened it, poring over the contents with fervor.
The official letter confirmed everything he had hoped for: each household in the province was to send a son to the prestigious cultivation school, and since Kai had already received permission from Lord Thor, he was cleared for departure. A swell of excitement filled him as he absorbed the details. "The cultivation school is located in Feijing Capital and starts in two weeks."
"How long will it take to travel from Yi Province to Feijing?" Kai asked, his voice filled with eagerness.
"About a week, my lord," Jie Yan replied, her expression shifting from concern to curiosity.
Kai's mind raced with possibilities. If he left early, he would have the chance to explore the world beyond the confines of home—something he had yearned for during his recovery. He envisioned himself wandering through bustling markets, marveling at picturesque landscapes, and immersing himself in the vibrant energy of aspiring cultivators. With a resolute glance toward Jie Yan, he made his decision.
"I'll leave immediately," he declared, resolution etched deep into his features.
"What?" Jie Yan exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "My lord, you can't just rush off! There are preparations to be made. You should at least take a moment to plan—"
"I have to go," Kai insisted, urgency punctuating his words.
"I need to experience this new world before my studies begin. I've been confined for too long. I'll gather my things tonight and head out at first light."
Though Jie Yan hesitated, concern still clouding her expression, she ultimately nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"If that's what you truly want, I can't stop you. It's a long journey, and traveling alone can be dangerous."
"I know my way around the roads," he reassured her, a confident smile breaking through his excitement.
As the first light of dawn filtered through the windows, bathing the room in a warm golden hue, Kai felt a surge of exhilaration wash over him. He stepped out to greet Lord Thor and bid farewell to the house that had often felt more like a prison than a home.
"I don't plan on returning to this house of torture," he thought as he crossed the threshold, determination coursing through his veins.
"I won't endure what you went through, Xing Li."
And with that, he set forth on his journey, ready to embrace the unknown and forge a new destiny for himself.