Chapter 106 The Doctor Is In 2 (1/2)

By the time Hua Tuo arrive with Clowis, Zero was looking rather green. Zenobia had a wide grin on her face and Hua Tuo pitied Zero. He didn't have to eat what Zenobia was serving him and could've absorbed it to save the suffering but Hua Tuo didn't have the heart to make the boy feel any worse by telling him so. After all, many have been victims of Zenobia's 'bridal culinary training' products.

Despite her tough appearance and personality, the lady was a romantic at heart who wanted to be able to serve her future husband at home. Unfortunately, the half-elf wasn't all that talented in the kitchen as she was on the battlefield. Hua Tuo took note that she'd once again created some exotic looking desserts. Zero wasn't joking when she said bug cake. The cake baked with tree bark and caterpillar worms emitted a strange purple glow but Hua Tuo was sure that was simply a product of his imagination. The image projected certain death and the doctor thanked heavens that Zero was immortal. Besides the caterpillar cake, Hua Tuo watched how Zenobia kept urging Zero to try her freshly baked cookies decorated with mushroom caps and butterfly wings. How the lady thought it would be a great idea to create such sweets, Hua Tuo didn't know. What he did know was how Zenobia made the best dandelion tea - the only successful product of her culinary training.

”Greetings, Lady Zenobia. I see that you've taken a liking to Zero.”

The chieftess paused and turned around to greet Hua Tuo.

”Greetings, doctor. We're happy to have you again. Your apprentice is most delightful! Could I offer you some snacks?”

Behind him, Clowis quickly intervened. ”Chieftess, I think that is unwise. We will hold the feast soon and snacking now might tarnish our esteemed guests' appetites.”

Zenobia pouted a little but agreed anyway. Then, she looked at Clowis and brightened up. ”Clowis, how about you show Zero around the village? I'm sure the young apprentice would love to see the sky bridge.”

Clowis smiled and agreed, quickly ushering them out before the female warrior could get other less desirable bright ideas to entertain their guests. Hua Tuo was thankful for Clowis' quick thinking.

Once they were in the clear, Zero immediately clutched his stomach. Hua Tuo got to examining his apprentice. Luckily, Zero had gained a certain resistance to poison from his pill-making training. The doctor didn't know how to face the Great Gods should anything happen to Zero under his watch.

”What did she make you eat?”

Zero grimaced. His stomach churned painfully at the memory. ”Some of that weird bug cake and the flower tea. You came in just in time to save me from eating those cookies. I saw them! One of them had the poisonous red-hat mushroom you warned me about... She was trying to kill me!”

Clowis flinched. Surely Zenobia didn't mean to do so. She probably wasn't aware that the mushroom was poisonous. Then again, she didn't know that her culinary skill was on an unspeakable level. He couldn't fault Zero for thinking that way but didn't want him to have a bad impression of their respected leader. Zenobia was many things but a child murderer, she was not.

”Sorry, Zero. The Chieftess can be rather dense at times. Cooking is not her strongest suit but she constantly tries to improve. Those red-hat mushrooms... she probably didn't know that they were poisonous. I'm sure she didn't intend to kill you or intentionally feed you inedible creations. She meant well and was definitely fond of you even if it didn't seem like it. After all, she spent the whole of last night preparing them for your arrival today.”

The brunet was glum. Clowis wasn't lying but it felt bitter not to have an outlet for the resentment he felt. Zenobia wasn't at fault but it didn't change the fact that Zero had suffered in her hands. Now he understood the meaning of 'the way to hell is paved with good intentions'. Zero didn't think that there could be too much of a good thing but now, he didn't doubt that it existed. Zenobia was a cool warrior and Zero respected that. However, if she offered cakes and cookies... Zero knew better than to accept them again, impolite or not!

”I think it would be better to let Zero rest for a bit. The village tour can happen when he is feeling better.”

Clowis agreed. ”I shall inform the others. Will he be well enough for the dinner feast?”

Hua Tuo looked at his apprentice. Zero, despite his discomfort, nodded.

”I need to meditate it away for a few hours. I should be able to join... just no more bug cakes and poisonous cookies please...”

At that, both men laughed. ”No, Zero. We'll be sure not to include them. See you at the feast then. I have last minute preparations to attend to and cannot escort you to your rooms. I could send for someone else to show you to your rooms.”

Hua Tuo waved his hand. ”Do not trouble yourself, Zero and I will be fine.”

Clowis bowed once more and gave Zero one more apologetic look before leaving. The doctor then turned to his apprentice who was less green than before.

”Is there anything I can do to help?”

Zero shook his head. ”It's tricky to absorb something that's already inside of me but I think I can manage it. Mii is taking care of it but she says that there might be some side effects.”

Hua Tuo nodded and held his hand out for Zero to take before leading them to their room.

Zero didn't have much time to marvel at the scenery on the way back. All he remembered was collapsing on a soft feather stuffed bed and falling asleep.

***

”Zero, the feast is about to start. Are you well enough to attend?”

The brunet was groggy at first. He was startled to find himself in an unfamiliar room until he recalled where they were. Hua Tuo was now dressed in a white robe and Zero raised a brow. Normally, the physician would wear some old and thread-worn robes with dull colours. What's with the sudden change?

”These are ceremonial clothes for the welcome feast. You have one too. It's easy to slip it over your tracksuit if you're not comfortable wearing it alone.”

Zero nodded and started changing. After sleeping, he felt a lot better. Mii was a great help and Zero thanked the strawcherry summon. She assisted Zero in absorbing the 'foreign entities' in his body in less than a minute. However, the process took a lot of energy so Zero had to sleep it off.

Now that it was over, Zero felt the excitement running through his veins. The sleepiness was wearing off and Zero could already hear the faint commotion coming from where the feast was supposed to be. It didn't help that Zero smelled many delicious things in the air. It made his stomach rumble.

Hua Tuo didn't keep the boy waiting for too long. The moment Zero was done changing into the ceremonial robes, he led them to the feast. Fully awake now, Zero let his jaw fall at the magical sight. The tree apartment had a great view. Although it was slightly obscured from the outside by leaves and vines, Zero could see everything that went on outside from the window. The trapdoor that led them to the underground passageway was also something that Zero found interesting.

Footholds were carved into the tree trunk's hollowed section like steps. It was narrow for Hua Tuo but Zero had space to move around in it. The physician explained that this was just one way to get up. For some of the older villagers, a pulley system is used. They would stand on a platform and untie the rope at the bottom. The platform would carry them up and once up, they will tie the rope to a hook to prevent the platform from falling back down. Zero thought it was a very smart invention. He couldn't wait to check it out and Hua Tuo promised that they would have time to do so tomorrow.

For now, Zero noticed how there were different light emitting crystals. Hua Tuo explained that they used different light crystals to indicate a different path or location. For example, they followed a light blue crystal path to reach their tree apartment. Zero also found out that they were not the only occupants in that tree. Apparently, there were several other apartments in the same tree on different levels. That made Zero extremely interested. For now, they followed a red crystal light path to a cave where the feast would take place.