Today really weighs on me. Back in the day, weather like this would’ve been perfect—gentle rain drizzling, a cool breeze brushing my face. But now? It’s just a bitter wind.

After tucking that poor kid into bed and covering him up, I found my umbrella gone. So I slipped on a conical straw hat, slung a medicine pouch over my shoulder, and headed out.

I really hate today’s wind.

The mountain was slick with mud everywhere. Gullies overflowed with water, streaming in rivulets. After crossing the valley, I made straight for the Death Mire.

The diary continued, and the audience gasped aloud.

“He actually went! The Death Mire is dangerous even for martial artists! How could he just walk in like that?”

“Exactly! It’s not just swampy mud—it’s crawling with venomous bugs and scorpions. Even a martial artist might lose half their life if bitten! And he just went through it!?”

Everyone was stunned by the diary entries before them.

“An ordinary person risking everything for a little girl he’s never met… I have to admit, I’m impressed,” a few martial arts geniuses in the special guest seats couldn’t help but say.

Beside them, Liu Xiyun’s eyes flickered. The shyness that had just lingered there shifted into worry.

*He should be fine, right?*

Liu Xiyun recalled waking earlier to find Qin Ling standing beside her, clean and dry. She knew nothing of him rescuing her or gathering herbs.

“Turn the page!” the host on stage called to the staff.

The diary flipped to a new page.

Liu Xiyun’s gaze snapped to the public screen at the hall’s center. Her urgent movement puzzled the girl beside her.

*What’s wrong? Why does Liu Xiyun seem so strange all of a sudden?*

【Finally at the Death Mire. The air’s even damper here, making my whole body itch. But to save that poor kid, I have to push through.】

【Maybe it’s the rain today—usually, venomous bugs swarm everywhere, but they’re all hiding. Saves me a lot of trouble.】

【I waded through the water. Not a single sound around me.】

“Phew…” Liu Xiyun sighed in relief from the guest seats after reading those lines.

The girl beside her noticed and leaned in curiously. “Xiyun, what’s up? You’re really focused on this diary, huh?”

“Do you admire its owner too? He’s way too kind-hearted. But in this world, being a pushover won’t let you survive long.”

“What did you say?” Liu Xiyun’s eyes sharpened, startling the girl.

“Uh… Xiyun, why so worked up? I’m just stating facts. Isn’t that true?”

“…” Liu Xiyun fell silent, her beautiful eyes flickering with unspoken thoughts.

The talented girl beside her grinned playfully. “Xiyun, you can’t be crushing on the diary’s owner? With his martial arts sealed, he still seems capable. And so kind! But… does he even look good enough for our Goddess Xiyun? Hehe~”

“Uh… you’re talking nonsense…” Liu Xiyun’s gaze darted away, just slightly evasive. The girl’s eyes widened in disbelief.

*No way! Could Liu Xiyun really like him? They’ve never even met! Unless…*

“!” The girl suddenly froze, suspicion flashing as she glanced at the diary on-screen, then back at Liu Xiyun’s intense stare.

*Oh no… Our Goddess Xiyun isn’t perfect anymore…*

“Xiyun… that little girl in the diary?” the girl asked tentatively.

Liu Xiyun frowned, her eyes turning dangerous. “What are you implying?”

“Uh…” The girl blinked rapidly, shaking her head hard. “N-nothing! I haven’t guessed anything…”

“…” Liu Xiyun said nothing. She fixed her gaze back on the screen, forcing her expression calm to hide any tells.

【Sure enough, healing herbs grew here in the Death Mire. I plucked them easily. Luck was unreal today!】

*As long as he’s safe…* Liu Xiyun nodded inwardly.

But the host’s voice on stage pulled her attention back.

“Haha, this diary owner’s hilarious. ‘Lucky’? Just wait—he’ll probably find something ‘even luckier’ next.”

“Everyone, see? Earlier he called himself lucky, then got stuck playing hero in the rain, risking his neck to gather herbs. Is that really luck?”

“Oh, and remember when he carried that little girl back? Covered in mud, soaked to the bone, wading through swamps. Even without venomous bugs or quicksand—is that lucky?”

A guest nodded. “Yeah… that kind of luck’s rough on an ordinary guy.”

The audience murmured in agreement, quietly admiring Qin Ling’s spirit.

The diary continued.

【My luck’s too good… so good I’m wasting a diary page just to give that last line a blank-space thumbs-up…】

【Damn it! Is the heavens picking a fight with me!? Do they think I run a nursing home? A daycare!? I just finished gathering herbs—haven’t even turned around—and I’ve found another person!?】