The chaotic battlefield behind could no longer disturb Chu Dingjiang in the slightest. His eyes, ears, and heart were wholly consumed by An Jiu.
Struggling to regain a shred of composure from his shock and anguish, he found three medicinal pills and fed them to her before swiftly carrying her away from the palace, rushing back to Cloud Brake Residence in Plum Blossom Village.
The lake in Plum Blossom Village was as ever shrouded in mist, but the lingering scent of blood from the recent battle still tainted the air.
The two boarded a boat to the island.
The small boat cut through the water like a dart, and Chu Dingjiang occasionally glanced down to check An Jiu’s condition.
Injuries caused by mental strength were no trivial matter—mild cases could take months to heal, while severe ones could lead to permanent impairment or death. Chu Dingjiang could confirm that An Jiu had fallen unconscious due to the sudden depletion of her mental strength. If the damage wasn’t severe, she would wake naturally. But if she had suffered grave harm, the only healer in the world capable of treating her was Mo Sigui.
Regardless, he needed to find a quiet place nearby, and Plum Blossom Village was the best choice.
"My lord!"
As soon as the boat reached shore, Sui Yunzhu hurried forward.
Without a word, Chu Dingjiang tossed the oar aside and carried An Jiu back to her own quarters.
Before Sui Yunzhu could even ask what had happened, only a fleeting shadow remained before him. Seeing the injuries on the two, he surmised that the battle in Bianjing must be nearing its end—otherwise, he couldn’t imagine who could have wounded two Transformation Realm experts so severely.
Sunlight pierced through the clouds, casting golden rays across the land.
Beams of light streamed through the latticed windows, dust motes dancing within them. Chu Dingjiang had already laid An Jiu on the bed and was bending over, fingers pressed to her pulse.
He was skilled in treating external injuries, but internal wounds were beyond his expertise, let alone something as elusive as mental strength. After frowning over her pulse for a long while, he finally relaxed slightly upon confirming it was normal.
"My lord, you should tend to your wounds first," Sui Yunzhu said, entering with a medicine chest.
Chu Dingjiang remained silent for a long moment before turning. "Watch over her for a while."
"Yes," Sui Yunzhu replied.
Chu Dingjiang strode out with the medicine chest.
Sui Yunzhu was filled with confusion. An Jiu lay on the bed without a single external injury, her expression even carrying a faint smile. Were it not for the oppressive aura radiating from Chu Dingjiang, he might have believed she was merely asleep.
Chu Dingjiang did not stay away for long.
After only the time it took to drink a cup of tea, he returned, freshly cleaned and dressed in loose robes, his dark hair unbound.
Chu Dingjiang’s usual attire was mysterious and restrained—most often a proper close-fitting outfit concealed beneath a mantle that left no inch exposed. This was the first time Sui Yunzhu had seen him in such casual attire, and the man before him now exuded an ancient aura, as if he had stepped out of a distant past.
Chu Dingjiang sat motionless on the embroidered stool by the bed, his robes pooling around him, his posture upright and powerful—a perfect blend of refinement and ruggedness.
Gazing at this still scene, Sui Yunzhu felt the unconscious pressure emanating from Chu Dingjiang. After a brief internal struggle, he finally mustered the courage to ask, "My lord, what happened to Shi Si?"
Chu Dingjiang stirred slightly before answering after a long pause, "Her mental strength is depleted. Go fetch Mo Xiaoyao."
Mo Xiaoyao—that was Mo Sigui’s apothecary's apprentice.Sui Yunzhu thought to himself that Mo Xiaoyao wasn't even half-skilled—how could he possibly have the ability to treat An Jiu? Despite his doubts, Chu Dingjiang's words always carried such unquestionable authority that he didn't ask further and immediately went to fetch Mo Xiaoyao.
A short while later.
Sui Yunzhu returned with a person and a tiger in tow.
Da Jiu caught An Jiu's scent and happily bounded to the bedside, patting her arm with its chubby paw.
When no response came after a long moment, it tilted its tiger head, struggling to process the situation with its not-so-bright mind.
"Do you know how to find Mo Sigui?" Chu Dingjiang turned and asked Mo Xiaoyao. (To be continued...)
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