The entire marketplace was in chaos. People had gathered at one spot, murmuring and stretching their necks to see what was happening ahead. Among them, a young woman named Hei Shu Yi, who had just arrived in the city, paused and asked a man standing beside her, her tone calm yet poised, “Sir, what is happening over there? Why has such a large crowd gathered?”

  The man turned to look at her. Though she appeared young, her manner of speaking carried the dignity of a mature woman. Surprised by her composed presence, he lowered his head slightly out of respect. “Honorable lady,” he replied, “a young man fell into the river. People managed to pull him out, but… it seemed he had not regained consciousness.”

  Hei Shu Yi’s eyes remained calm as she turned to look towards the crowd. After offering a quiet word of thanks, she began moving forward. Her rosy-violet robes fluttered softly, clean and elegant; her steps were unhurried, her gaze steady. Tiny silver bells tied to her waist chimed faintly with each step, announcing her presence like a whisper carried by the wind.

  As she walked, the crowd instinctively began to part. And the deeper she went, the clearer became the desperate cries of a young man... “Xiao Tang! Xiao Tang, wake up!”

  It was Qing Yu, who knelt beside his unconscious friend. How could this be? Xiao Tang, of all people! He was one of the finest swimmers Qing Yu had ever known. Yet here he lay, cold and motionless.

  Hei Shu Yi stood silently for a moment, watching the scene. Then, stepping forward, she spoke... not loudly, but with such authority that her voice cut through the chaos like a blade through water. “Step back. All of you.”

  Her tone was firm, unyielding. The crowd hesitated only for a breath before quietly scattering, returning to their stalls and shops as if compelled by an unseen force.

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  Qing Yu looked up at her. He had never seen this woman before. As a merchant of the Yingtian Clan, he recognized almost every face in the city, but this woman was a stranger.

  Hei Shu Yi approached and spoke in a clear, measured voice. “Bring your unconscious friend with me. Follow me.”

  Without hesitation, Qing Yu lifted Xiao Tang onto his back and followed her.

  ---

  A short while later…

  They arrived at the outskirts of the market, where a solitary mansion stood apart from the noise of the city.

  Carved into a stone plaque at the entrance were the words: Gufung Mansion.

  Qing Yu followed silently as Hei Shu Yi led the way inside; her demeanor was calm and unwavering.

  Soon, Xiao Tang was laid upon a clean white bed, dressed in fresh garments. Though his eyes remained closed, his breathing had steadied. Nearby, a small clay burner glowed faintly with embers, releasing the soft fragrance of herbal smoke that drifted gently toward him.

  Outside, in the quiet corridor, Qing Yu sat beside Hei Shu Yi.

  Bowing deeply, he said with heartfelt gratitude, “Honored lady, I cannot thank you enough for saving my friend.”

  Her voice, gentle yet firm, replied: “My name is Hei Shu Yi. I am a healer. You need not thank me... it is my duty, and I am glad I could help. Do not worry. Your friend will recover soon.”

  Relief washed over Qing Yu’s face, but as he turned his gaze towards the distant river visible from the corridor, the weight of his unfinished work tugged at his mind.

  Hei Shu Yi had already noticed the merchant’s jade token tied at his waist. She understood what kind of man he was before he even spoke.

  “If you must return to your business,” she said softly, “Please go. I will take care of your friend.”

  For a moment, Qing Yu hesitated... grateful, yet reluctant. But when she reassured him once more, her voice steady and confident, he finally bowed and departed.

  ---

  As soon as he was gone, Hei Shu Yi’s expression changed. Her composure faltered; her face grew pale.

  During her examination, she had felt something unusual...something that defied reason.

  Her calm eyes now trembled with disbelief. Whatever she had discovered within Xiao Tang... was far from ordinary.