In the place where the Sword of the Verdant Shadow camped, a young man is lying down on the ground. That man is trying to sit down, but he can't.
Deng Jianhua feels his body is lacking energy. Not only that, but he also had a slight discomfort coming from his chest.
In the end, he can't clear his name from the accusation. The sword that was used to stab Cao Guanting can only be his. That was what the group leader ended up with.
Deng Jianhua can still see the expression of shock and disbelief from Cao Guanting. In the end, she cried when she saw Deng Jianhua get his cultivation base destroyed.
"Damn! Where did things go wrong!? Who? Who was the one that framed me?" said Deng Jianhua.
Even until this second, he still didn't know who was the one that stabbed Cao Guanting and framed him.
At the start, he expected that Zhang Luoyang was behind it. But there is nothing that can link the accident to that man.
Deng Jianhua guessed that Zhang Luoyang had developed some feelings toward Cao Guanting. But as Cao Guanting herself didn't show any responses, Deng Jianhua assumed that it was an unrequited love.
Who knows that when Deng Jianhua talked with Cao Guanting, he felt some connection with her. The same can also be said for Cao Guanting.
From there, the two become closer and closer. Leaving Zhang Luoyang alone.
And that is the reason why Deng Jianhua suspected him.
…
Besides Zhang Luoyang, Deng Jianhua didn't know anyone else who want to frame him. He didn't remember having any feuds with other disciples.
*cough cough*
Deng Jianhua coughed. He can't feel any energy coming from his body. He tried to pull energy from the acupoint but to no avail. There is no Spiritual Energy or Qi left in his body.
"I need to go…."
This is a forest where magical beasts roam freely. Deng Jianhua knows he will die if he didn't move down in this place.
Once again, using his remaining strength, he tried to change his position from lying down to sitting.
"You okay?"
Deng Jianhua heard a voice from behind.
"Who are you?" asked Deng Jianhua when he sees a shadow of a young man walking toward him.
"Me? I will introduce myself later. I think it is better to treat yourself first."
The one that approached Deng Jianhua was Xue Yang.
Xue Yang noticed that the big group from the Sword of the Verdant Shadow have left this place. As he felt that the threat level has gone down tremendously, he decided to take a look at Deng Jianhua.
"Hey, can I use Spiritual Energy to check your body?" asked Xue Yang.
Checking other people's bodies using Spiritual Energy is not normal, especially to some stranger's body.
Deng Jianhua hesitated a little before nodding. Since he is immobile right now, anything can be done to him, and he can't prevent it. So he decided to trust whoever that young man is.
After getting the approval, Xue Yang does the body check like the one he usually does for the children.
"Man… This is bad. Your acupoints are all ruptured. Well, luckily, your heart acupoint is still intact," said Xue Yang. "Also there are some injuries around your chest area."
Xue Yang picks one medicinal pill from the pocket of his clothes. He shoved the pill inside the mouth of Deng Jianhua.
Xue Yang then pulls out a leather container. Inside this container is the Spiritual Water that he brings. Xue Yang dropped a small amount of the Spiritual Water into Deng Jianhua's mouth.
"Swallow the pill and try to absorb the energy from this Spiritual Water."
Deng Jianhua decided to do what was instructed. He swallowed the pill with much difficulty. The pill is too bitter and too big to be downed whole without external help. But after trying for some time, he can do it.
Deng Jianhua then tried to sense the Spiritual Energy inside the drop of Spiritual Water. He can only feel a faint response, but it is there.
"I can sense the Spiritual Energy," said Deng Jianhua. He tried to absorb it and was successful in doing it.
With the little amount of energy he had, he tried to sit down again. This time he can sit down before looking at his savior.
"Fellow cultivator, thanks for saving me," said Deng Jianhua.
Xue Yang waves his hand, "Don't worry. Anyway, we should go from this place."
Xue Yang feels that something will happen if they stay in this place. He also noticed that the quest to save Deng Jianhua was still active, making Xue Yang more suspicious.
"Can you wal— Forget it, I will carry you."
Xue Yang wanted to ask Deng Jianhua if he was able to walk. But after a brief look, he knows it is impossible for Deng Jianhua.
Xue Yang picks the sitting Deng Jianhua and puts him on his back.
He then walks briskly between the trees, away from the temporary base.
***
Xue Yang only heard the system sound after he moved a little farther.
*ping*
[Quest Completed]
[Penalty has been lifted]
[Mandatory Quest (Active Quest)
Objective: Save Deng Jianhua from his death
Time limit: 3 hours
Reward: -
Punishment: You get teleported in front of the group from the Sword of the Verdant Shadow]
Xue Yang put Deng Jianhua down behind the shade of a tree. He gives the leather pouch filled with Spiritual Water to Deng Jianhua.
"This is a Spiritual Water. Drink it little by little," said Xue Yang.
Xue Yang has finished the quest, but Xue Yang still feels it is wrong to leave the man. So, Xue Yang decided to wait until at least Deng Jianhua can walk again.
'The quest only finished after I move him to this place. As expected, something will happen in that place. And it will take Deng Jianhua's life.'
Xue Yang doesn't know what will happen. And he will not risk his life for that.