Mu Xin didn't want to talk or see Yi Ling because he felt shameful. But now, he couldn't keep himself away from her anymore. He dashed out of his study and ran all the way to her chamber. He opened her door without knocking.
What welcomed him was a nightmare. The smell of blood filled the air. Yi Ling was bleeding from all her pores and her mouth. She lay unconscious in bed, soaked with blood, her body excreting impurities as part of the process of breaking the Second Seal.
Mu Xin had never sealed anyone except her, and he couldn't remove the seal himself because he was too weak right now. The rest of his powers were locked outside the Ring, part of his punishment. She had to break the seal on her own. If he helped, he feared it would hurt her more.
He had wanted to see her as soon as she returned to the Blue Rose Palace five days ago, but his body went into a state of shock. Remembering the bow's past owner was a terrifying nightmare for him.
Mu Xin went to Yi Ling's bed and cradled her in his arms. He kissed her forehead, trying to lessen the pain. That was all he could do to help her right now. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his chest, as if someone was trying to rip his soul out. It was so powerful that he almost flung Yi Ling's body away. He moved away from her, afraid of what he might do. He sat down on the chair across from her bed. The pain lasted for about an incense stick's time. When the pain gradually lessened, he realized something. The pain was also part of Yi Ling's situation. The pain he felt was because of her breaking the seal. Since he had a part in sealing her, another man would feel it too—a man he didn't want to deal with right now.
"Dammit!" He slammed his fist hard into the armchair. He knew that person all too well. If that man felt that excruciating pain, he'd be suspicious and try to find out what it was about. He couldn't afford to let him know of Yi Ling's existence. He just couldn't! His face was now angry, and his fists clenched tightly.
If only there was another way, but he knew that the other way would involve that certain man. He didn't want to risk Yi Ling's life.
When the pain finally subsided, he picked up Yi Ling and brought her into his chamber. This time, he didn't care anymore. He used his powers to magically change Yi Ling's robes, so she wasn't soaked with blood anymore. He kept her company and gave more of his own spiritual energy whenever she showed signs of discomfort.
In a different place, inside a wonderful and heavenly palace, that certain man Mu Xin was angry about gritted his teeth. His eyes were closed, but one could still feel the cold aura surrounding him.
Finally, the pain went away, he thought. Earlier, out of nowhere, he had felt an increasing pain in his chest while he was sitting on his throne, like someone was tearing his soul out.
His eyes opened. Bright purple eyes came into view, filled with rage. He stood up from his throne and tried to pinpoint the perpetrator. After an hour, he had his answer. The perpetrator wasn't in his Kingdom. That left only one possibility—Huaxia. His eyes shined, and he smirked.
"Someone actually had the audacity to aggravate and cause pain to this King. This King finds this interesting. It has been too long since I went down to Huaxia. Maybe it's time for me to roam the lands again." He rubbed his chin, growing bored of sitting on his throne. There wasn't anyone who could match his powers.
He flicked his sleeves and disappeared into thin air.