Entering his room, Ling Ye paused for a moment before stepping fully inside. His eyes moved carefully across the space as he began to inspect it.
Slowly, he walked around the room, checking every corner, windows, walls, and floor, looking for any signs of damage or hidden issues. Broken wood, loose panels, anything that might pose a problem, but in the end, he found nothing.
Ling Yes room is a simple one, a very simple and Minimalistic, even.
There was only a bed, a single chair, and a small table meant for eating. Beside the bed stood a smaller table, upon which rested a modest oil lamp. Against the wall, there is a lone wardrobe, nothing more.
No decoration were there, no kinds of luxury, there is just the bare necessities in Ling Yes opinion.
As for the so-called "toilet room", It is nothing more than a simple hole, as for bathing? Ling Ye could only assume that if one wished to wash properly, they would have to use a nearby river outside the village.
Taking it all in, Ling Ye gave the room one last glance before his gaze shifted downward, to his own daopao robe. It is still worn and stained by blood.
Showing of what had happening they had just endured the last two days, letting out a deep sigh, he reached into his robe, he began to remove his belongings one by one.
First, his sheathed dagger, carefully placed on the bed. Then, the small hidden notebook, which he set beside it. Next came his water pouch, followed by his money pouch and the remaining food rations and finally, he unfastened the old sword hanging at his waist and leaned it against the wall near the bed.
With everything laid outm Ling Ye stood there quietly, with the weight of the journey slowly settling off his shoulders.
Laid out, Ling Ye began to undress and piece by piece, he removed his worn Daopao until he was left only in his undergarments, his bare skin exposed to the air. The few cutting marks of his journey were visible, faint traces of dirt, dry blood, and fatigue lingering on his body.
Without hesitation, he reached toward the Daopao robe hanging inside the wardrobe. Taking it down, he immediately began to put it on.
The fabric is rough, inferior, especially when compared to the quality he had once been used to, but Ling Ye accepted it. The Daopao is a simple dark green, plain and somewhat cheap in appearance. It didn't match his usual taste at all. Yet he knew this is what most mortals wore, nothing more than practical clothing.
In truth, he had only been fortunate in the past, as the robes he once wore had come from his clan.
Letting out another quiet sigh, Ling Ye adjusted the Daopao robe around his shoulders. Though it didn't suit his preferences, there is no point dwelling on it anylonger, so ge finished dressing up.
Now clad in the green Daopao robe, Ling Ye stood still for a moment. Despite his dislike for the Robe, he felt very refreshed.
The heavy stench of blood that had clung to him for so long had mostly faded. Only a faint, lingering odor remained, remembering him that he still needed a proper bath, but compared to before, this is already a vast improvement.
Enjoying the refreshing feeling of finally wearing clean clothes, Ling Ye let out a quiet breath.
He picked up his old, blood stained Daopao robe and placed it inside the wardrobe, closing it without another glance. He would deal with it later.
For now, he had something far more important, rest.
Gathering the items from his bed, he moved them carefully onto the small table beside him. Once everything was set aside, there is nothing left to do.
Ling Ye let himself fall onto the bed and the moment his body sank into it, a soft warmth embraced him and for a brief second, he simply froze.
Then, slowly, a smile spread across his face, It is very comfortable, really comfortable.
Ling Ye almost laughed at himself. He knew very well that this bed was nothing special. In the past, he had slept on far better ones, beds far softer, far more luxurious and yet, right now, this felt like the best bed he had ever laid on.
Because for months, he had known nothing but hardship, sleeping in a cramped carriage, resting in a dark, suffocating cave and taking short, restless naps while keeping watch in the middle of the night.
Comfort had become something unimportant, something that only existed in dreams in that time, but now, he is finally here and lying in a real warm bed at a safe peaceful place.
Ling Ye did nothing more, He didn't even think or moved. He simply lay there, letting his body and mind slowly unwind, the exhaustion seeping out of him with every passing moment.
Until, he fell asleep.
"Knock. Knock." A sound broke the silence and Ling Ye's eyes slowly opened and for a moment, he remained still, caught between sleep and wakefulness. Then he let out a quiet yawn, his voice still heavy with drowsiness as he called out:
"…Yes?" As he spoke, though still half asleep, Ling Ye's hand instinctively moved toward his dagger.
His fingers wrapped firmly around the handle, his body reacting before his mind had fully awakened.
For a brief moment, he remained like that, alerted amd ready, but soon, his tension eased as he recognized the voice from outside, it is the old man.
"The food for lunch is ready," came the voice from behind the door. "Shall I bring it in now, or would Sir prefer to eat later?"
Ling Ye didn't hesitate to answer the old man, "I'll eat now."
With that, he released his grip on the dagger and placed it back on the table beside him. Rising from the bed, he stretched slightly, feeling the lingering comfort of his rest.
His body felt lighter and looser, very refreshed even.
"Sleeping on a bed really does wonders… hehe," he muttered to himself with a faint chuckle. Shaking his head, he gathered himself and glanced toward the window.
The sun stood high in the sky, meaning that he had slept through the entire morning and yet, Ling Ye showed no regret. The rest had done him more good than anything else.
Just as he finished that thought, "Knock. Knock."
The sound came again, pulling him back to the present. Turning toward the door, Ling Ye spoke calmly, "Come in."
The door opened slowly, the old man stepped inside, pushing a small rolling table laden with freshly prepared food.
Smiling politely, the old man greeted him, "Greetings, sir. I hope the room is to your satisfaction."
Ling Ye simply nodded and remained silent, seeing that Ling Ye had no intention of engaging in conversation, the old man quickly understood. Without pressing further, he acted professionally, carefully placing the dishes onto the table.
Once everything is set, he stepped back.
"Bon appétit, sir," he said with a slight bow and then, without lingering, he quietly left the room.
As the door closed, Ling Ye turned his attention to the warm fresh food.
A faint aroma rose from the dishes, simple yet inviting and after so long of eating nothing but cold, dry rations, this alone is enough to lift his mood.
He sat down and began to eat with each bite felt more satisfying and comforting.
Even though the meal itself is simple, mostly vegetables, with only a small portion of meat, Ling Ye found himself enjoying it far more than he expected.
In fact at this moment, it felt like the best meal he had ever had and not because of its quality, but because of everything he had endured before it.
When he finished, Ling Ye leaned back slightly and let out a quiet satisfied sigh.
Leaning back lightly in his chair, Ling Ye stretched his neck, easing the last traces of stiffness from his body. His gaze drifted toward the window, his expression turning thoughtful as he stared outside and time passed quietly.
Nearly ten minutes went by, with Ling Ye simply watching the world beyond the window, lost in his thoughts.
Then, he sighed. Pushing himself up from the chair, Ling Ye walked over to the table where he had placed his belongings. His eyes searched briefly before landing on the small notebook.
Picking it up and returned to his seat.
Sitting down comfortably once more, he reached for his water pouch and poured some into the glass the old man had left with the meal. The soft sound of water filling the glass broke the silence.
Lifting it, Ling Ye took a slow sip and then, at last, he opened the small notebook.