"Ugh…"
Just as Nan Feihuang was deep in conversation with Red Hare, a faint groan of pain echoed behind him.
He turned around to see Qian Renxue stirring weakly, her injuries severe enough to keep her unconscious until now.
"She's waking up. Red Hare, don't you think you went a bit overboard?" Nan Feihuang remarked, his tone light but his words pointed.
Red Hare lowered its massive head apologetically. "Forgive me, Master. I didn't know she was someone important to you. As a horse-type soul beast, ever since I became the ruler of all horse-type soul beasts in the Star Dou Forest, I've taken it as my duty to protect them. When I saw her hunting one of my subjects, I lost control and attacked her."
Nan Feihuang waved dismissively. "No need to apologize. She's not particularly important to me—just someone I'm using for my plans. Killing her would have disrupted things a bit, but nothing I can't fix. Plans can always be remade. I wouldn't blame one of my own for doing their duty to protect their kind."
For Nan Feihuang, loyalty to his allies far outweighed any grievances from outsiders. In this case, Red Hare's actions were entirely justifiable—it had acted as a leader protecting its followers.
"That said," Nan Feihuang added, his tone sharpening, "I do have a question. When you were chasing them, how did they flee? Did they run in a straight line, or were they weaving? And if they were weaving, did they only do so in dense areas of the forest, or even in open spaces?"
Red Hare tilted its head in thought before replying, "They were definitely weaving as they ran, not just in dense areas but even in open spaces."
Nan Feihuang's lips curled into a knowing smile. "I see. That explains it. Very interesting… Red Hare, leave for now. She's waking up, and I don't want her to know about our connection."
"Yes, Master. But before I go, take this."
A flash of crimson light emanated from Red Hare's body, and a single strand of fiery red mane floated into Nan Feihuang's hand.
"This contains a portion of my power," Red Hare explained. "As long as you remain within the Star Dou Forest, you can use this to summon me. I will arrive instantly to protect you."
"Understood. Thank you, Red Hare," Nan Feihuang said, tucking the strand away safely.
With a nod, Red Hare transformed into a streak of red light, vanishing from the cave.
Nan Feihuang immediately turned his attention to Qian Renxue. He walked over and gently lifted her, channeling his soul power into her weakened body.
The ominous black aura that had clung to her brow—the death omen—had largely dissipated, a sign that she had survived her death tribulation.
As Nan Feihuang infused his energy, Qian Renxue slowly opened her bleary eyes, her gaze unfocused at first.
Propping her against a smooth stone, Nan Feihuang asked, "Miss Qian Renxue, are you alright?"
"Feihuang… Where am I?" she murmured, her voice faint and weak.
Her mind was still muddled, and in her confusion, she reverted to speaking as though she were Xue Qinghe, forgetting the façade she usually maintained around him.
Nan Feihuang's eyes narrowed briefly, but his expression remained calm. He couldn't afford to expose her mistake.
"You don't remember?" he said, feigning concern. "You were fighting a red soul beast with your guards. You fell from the sky, and I caught you. Unfortunately, that soul beast turned its sights on us. It overwhelmed my mother and your guards before dragging us to this place. It seems it didn't consider us worth finishing off. After it left, I carried you here to rest."
Hearing this, Qian Renxue's muddled memories started to clear.
The events of the battle came rushing back, and she realized that Nan Feihuang had been dragged into this ordeal because of her.
They had deliberately led the red soul beast toward his group, hoping to use Xuan Bing Douluo's power to fend it off. Nan Feihuang's involvement was, in every sense, a misfortune he hadn't asked for.
Yet, despite this, he had saved her life. She owed him—deeply.
Qian Renxue tried to push herself upright but faltered halfway, her body too weak to support her weight. She collapsed back into Nan Feihuang's arms.
"Damn it… My leg feels broken, and my soul power won't respond. This is the worst! I didn't even get the soul ring, and now I'm stuck with injuries that'll take at least half a year to heal."
Her frustration was palpable. It wasn't just her physical condition that troubled her—she was keenly aware of the larger implications.
As the Crown Prince of the Heaven Dou Empire, her absence would be noticed. While the current New Year period provided an excuse for her retreat into seclusion, she had only ten days before court resumed. If she didn't return in time, it would give her political rivals, like Prince Xue Xing and the supporters of Xue Beng, a perfect opportunity to undermine her position.
"Feihuang… Your Highness," she corrected herself mid-sentence, her composure returning. "May I ask how long I've been unconscious? What day is it now?"
"Not long," Nan Feihuang replied. "Roughly half a day. Today is the fifth day of the new year."
Relief washed over her face. "That's good. I still have time."
She began planning her next steps. If she could make it back to Spirit Hall within the next ten days, her grandfather could use his Angelic Divine Power to accelerate her recovery. Even if full recovery was impossible, regaining enough strength to maintain her façade as Xue Qinghe would suffice.
"Your Highness, I'm gravely injured. Please, I beg you—escort me out of the Star Dou Forest. If you help me, I swear on the honor of the Angelic lineage that I will repay this debt tenfold in the future."
Nan Feihuang chuckled. "Don't worry, Miss Qian Renxue. I would never abandon you here. But rushing out recklessly would be foolish. We're deep in the Star Dou Forest. There are ten-thousand-year soul beasts roaming everywhere."
"What? The forest's depths?!"
Her face paled. Even at her peak, she wouldn't dare venture here alone. In her current state, she was utterly defenseless.
Her panic caused her to shift her position, inadvertently pulling at the severe burns on her back. A sharp cry of pain escaped her lips.
"Miss, please stay still," Nan Feihuang said gently. "Your back is badly burned. I spotted some medicinal herbs nearby that can help. Allow me to fetch them for you."
After ensuring she was as comfortable as possible, he left the cave and returned shortly with a handful of fresh herbs.
"Miss, I'll apply the medicine now. Bear with me—it may sting a little."
"Thank you," Qian Renxue said softly. But as she watched Nan Feihuang chew the herbs, she frowned in confusion.
"Wait… Why are you eating my medicine?!"
Nan Feihuang couldn't help but laugh at her innocence. "This is Artemisia annua, also known as sweet wormwood. Chewing it releases its properties. It's far more effective when applied this way."
Blushing slightly at her misunderstanding, Qian Renxue nodded, letting him proceed.
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