Mo Xiaoyao said, "The master didn't mention how to contact him, but Da Jiu is a Tracking Tiger and should be able to find him."
Chu Dingjiang looked at the foolish-looking tiger and hesitated. He knew that Da Jiu and Xiao Yue were Tracking Tigers raised by Mo Sigui, but Da Jiu was specifically trained to track An Jiu. Whether it could locate Mo Sigui was uncertain. Perhaps there was some connection between it and Xiao Yue, but no one knew how strong that connection was.
"Go ahead," Chu Dingjiang said.
Mo Xiaoyao glanced at Da Jiu, and seeing that it had no intention of leaving, he went out alone.
Sui Yunzhu guessed Chu Dingjiang's concerns. "Sir, you stay with Shi Si. I'll take Da Jiu to find the Miracle Doctor."
Chu Dingjiang nodded. "That works. Can you control this tiger?"
"As long as there's food, it's easy to handle." Sui Yunzhu chuckled as he stepped forward and rubbed Da Jiu's head, then waved a Poison Pill under its nose.
The contemplative Da Jiu, enticed by the scent, followed him out with a blissful expression.
Chu Dingjiang massaged his temples, his expression complicated.
He wondered if this tiger's gluttony was also inherited from An Jiu.
The sun set in the west, and the moon rose in the east.
Chu Dingjiang remained motionless, gazing at An Jiu as if he were an unshakable mountain standing for millennia.
When Zhu Pianxian and Sheng Changying entered, they were met with this frozen scene.
"Dingjiang," Sheng Changying called.
The hem of Chu Dingjiang's robe stirred slightly as he turned his head to reveal his profile. "You're here."
The two approached the bed and looked at An Jiu lying there. Sheng Changying remarked, "Her complexion looks good. She should be fine."
Chu Dingjiang smiled faintly at his words. "No need to comfort me. I can handle whatever comes, good or bad. If she really doesn't wake up, I’ll have to be even stronger—only then can I take care of her properly."
He was a man of icy composure, almost detached, but as he spoke these words, his entire body trembled imperceptibly. No one noticed—only he knew that this was the true comfort he gave himself.
Sheng Changying, who understood Chu Dingjiang to some extent, gave him a deep look and said, "It's good that you think this way."
Zhu Pianxian suddenly asked, "Was it Elder Zhi's doing?"
Chu Dingjiang gave a faint hum of acknowledgment.
Though Elder Zhi valued talent, he was also deeply selfish when it came to Archery. Others reaching the pinnacle of Archery was never as satisfying as ascending it himself. The so-called pinnacle that many could achieve through effort wasn’t the true summit. The real peak was but an Inch of Land, capable of holding only one person. Thus, those standing just a step away from it were lonely. In his quest to reach the top, he also sought to eliminate any rivals who posed a threat—especially those like Elder Zhi, who seemed forever stranded one step below the summit.
When An Jiu first displayed her talent in Archery, Elder Zhi had decided to nurture her carefully. At that time, the gap between their abilities was as vast as heaven and earth. Yet, this seemingly insignificant existence had fired the Startling String before him! In that instant, Elder Zhi’s long-held tranquility shattered.
Now, facing her again, he realized that the ant he once looked down upon had, in such a short time, climbed above his head. At this moment, his emotions were so tangled that even he couldn’t discern whether it was envy, joy, shock, or resentment.
In truth, had An Jiu not been there, Elder Zhi might have reconsidered his stance and not acted so recklessly.The Crown Prince is excessively ruthless, stopping at nothing to achieve his goals. If he were to ascend the throne, the Mei Shi clan's situation would only worsen. Although the Second Prince, who has long schemed to usurp the throne, cannot be called honorable either, he is still far better in comparison. With Elder Zhi's wisdom, he ought to know which side to choose.
Yet, if not for that perilous arrow strike, there would have been no need to expose An Jiu, and she wouldn’t have caught Elder Zhi’s attention.
"An enemy fated by destiny," Zhu Pianxian sighed. "A calamity preordained, impossible to evade."
She wanted to say that the wicked live a thousand years—Mei Shisi wouldn’t perish so soon—but seeing Chu Dingjiang’s expression, she pressed her lips together, mustering her courage yet still not daring to voice it.
"You’ve witnessed countless tales of the martial world. Have there been precedents of someone falling into a coma after exhausting their mental strength?" Chu Dingjiang turned to Sheng Changying.
Sheng Changying hesitated. "You must understand that those who can drain their mental strength to the last drop are individuals of extraordinary mental fortitude and willpower. Such cases are rare. I’ve only heard of one instance, and that was fifty years ago."
"What was that person’s outcome?" Chu Dingjiang knew Sheng Changying’s lengthy preface was meant to soften the blow of a tragic ending. Though mentally prepared, he still needed to hear it—any additional insight would be valuable.
Sheng Changying replied, "That person was an Inner Cultivation Transformation Realm Expert. He remained in a coma for a year before... passing away."
To live in this world, one needs not only the vitality of the flesh but also the sustenance of the spirit. Ordinary people possess mental strength too, though it is too feeble, barely enough to sustain life.
If mental strength collapses, no matter how robust the body’s vitality, one becomes little more than a living corpse.
The silence weighed heavily in the air.
Chu Dingjiang appeared too resolute, as though he needed neither comfort nor companionship, rendering the presence of others superfluous. After sitting with him for a while, the two took their leave.
"Ah!" Once they had gone, Chu Dingjiang couldn’t help but release a deep sigh. His rough fingers traced An Jiu’s face with gentle strokes, outlining the delicate contours of her features. (To be continued…)
PS: Recommendation for Yun Ni’s new novel, The Lady of the House , book number: 3207576.
Synopsis: Her mother was divorced, and she was framed by her stepmother...
This time, she decides against the path of sorrow and endurance. After battling for so long, even in domestic strife, isn’t it time for a change? Can’t we just refuse to be oppressed?
A psychologist in ancient times, employing various psychological techniques—plenty of thrills, guaranteed to be a great read.
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