"By the way, what's your name? And why are you so severely injured?" Wen Yaxian asked, her face filled with curiosity as she looked at Xiao Fan. His demeanor and knowledge of rare poisons like the Black Armor Mystic Snake clearly indicated that he was not an ordinary person.
"Xiao Fan," he replied, then fell silent.
Seeing that he didn't want to talk, Wen Yaxian didn't press further. "My name is Wen Yaxian. If you need anything, just call me. I won't disturb your rest."
With that, Wen Yaxian left Xiao Fan's room.
"Sigh~" Outside the room, Wen Yaxian sighed softly.
It was clear that Xiao Fan came from a different world than hers. Once he recovered, he would surely leave. What was she even imagining?
Wen Yaxian patted her head, trying to clear her thoughts.
Inside the room, Xiao Fan stared blankly at the ceiling.
He had been ready to die, but now he was alive. He didn't know how much longer he could survive, nor what his future held.
Two days passed quickly. Wen Yaxian brought meals to Xiao Fan's room daily.
During this time, she also asked Xiao Fan about various herbs and medicinal knowledge.
Xiao Fan, having learned a lot about poisonous insects, plants, and various herbs while following Elder Zhao in Qingyun Sect, had a vast knowledge reserve. He could even refine second-tier pills like the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Though he initially had no intention of surviving, Wen Yaxian had saved his life. Therefore, he was very forthcoming with her, sharing his knowledge freely, which delighted the eager learner.
One day, Wen Yaxian couldn't help but say, "Xiao Fan, why don't you become my master?"
"Master!" Xiao Fan was taken aback and then looked a bit forlorn, as memories of Leng Ruoxue flashed in his mind.
I wonder how Xue'er is doing now...
Outside the Haotian Mirror.
Seeing Xiao Fan's sudden recollection, the Northern Nether Empress, Leng Ruoxue, burst into tears. Despite her betrayal, her master still thought of her.
Her heart shattered with guilt, and she cried uncontrollably.
Meanwhile, the Taiyin Empress, Wen Yaxian, watched the scene with a dark expression.
She had thought Xiao Fan's initial acceptance of her as a disciple was genuine, but now it seemed he had seen her as a replacement for Leng Ruoxue.
Fury welled up inside her. She had given her heart in vain.
Inside the Haotian Mirror.
Wen Yaxian, seeing Xiao Fan's prolonged silence, assumed he was unwilling. The thought that he would leave once he recovered left her feeling dejected.
Besides truly wanting to learn more medical knowledge from him, she also had a selfish desire for him to stay.
But it seemed that was only a dream.
Just as Wen Yaxian was about to resume learning from Xiao Fan, a bandit barged in.
"Miss, our Chief wants to see you!"
"Alright, I'll be there shortly," Wen Yaxian replied.
After the bandit left, she furrowed her brow, pondering the leader's intentions.
Today was the day the bandits were supposed to leave. Was the leader wanting to see his savior before departing?
With this thought, Wen Yaxian quickly smeared more soot on her face.
Xiao Fan watched and smiled wryly. These past two days, he hadn't seen Wen Yaxian's face clean even once.
But it was understandable.
Though he hadn't seen her true appearance, her features suggested she was quite beautiful.
The bandits were ruthless criminals, and it was only sensible to take precautions against them having any evil thoughts.
After Wen Yaxian left, Xiao Fan stood at the window to watch the situation outside, ready to intervene if needed.
Wen Yaxian stepped out to find the bandits already waiting in the yard, with the burly second-in-command and the bandit leader at the forefront.
The leader, who had been gravely ill just two days ago, now looked completely normal.
Many villagers watched nervously, fearing the bandits might go back on their word.
Wen Yaxian's parents stood in the yard, anxiously observing the bandits, worried for their daughter's safety.
As Wen Yaxian approached, the second-in-command pointed to her and said to the leader, "Brother, this is the doctor who saved you."
"Oh?" The leader narrowed his eyes, stroking his goatee as he scrutinized Wen Yaxian.
The second-in-command had told him that a brave and skilled girl had saved him, which he had found hard to believe.
But here she was, and her figure...
"Tsk, tsk, tsk..." The leader's eyes gleamed with a lecherous light.
Having learned his lesson from this near-death experience, he planned to take the doctor who saved him back to their stronghold to avoid future mishaps.
And seeing that this doctor was a young woman with an enticing figure...
He decided she would make an excellent wife.
However, seeing the soot on her face, the leader frowned slightly.
"Bring some water to wash her face," he ordered.
"No!" Wen Yaxian's mother thought, her heart filling with dread.
Wen Yaxian's father was equally anxious. He knew how beautiful his daughter was.
If the bandit leader saw her true face, he would surely have evil intentions!
But with dozens of bandits around, they could do nothing but worry.
As the basin of water was brought forward, Wen Yaxian knew she couldn't avoid this.
With no other choice, she washed the soot from her face.
When she revealed her clean face, everyone was stunned.
Her natural beauty was unmatched even in this remote village.
Even the usually stoic second-in-command was captivated.
The leader, however, was outright smitten, his eyes filled with greed.
This snake bite was worth it!
"Miss, to repay you for saving my life, I'd like to take you back to our stronghold as my wife. What do you think?" the leader asked, his eyes nearly disappearing into slits as he smiled.
"No! I refuse!"