Across the Spring Lake, Xuan Tian descended like a god. On his back, he carried Bai Xunli, and on his left side, he held a woman clad in black. His foot touched the water—just slightly. But it was enough. He continued crossing the lake like a water strider, his feet tapping the surface with rhythmic precision. The weight of two others meant nothing to him. The moon hung above, illuminating his path. It was a captivating sight.
Lin Qian stepped out onto the porch, gazing at the scene. It looks like he's hugging the other person. Who is she?
Jing Xue's eyes widened. General Xuan Tian is hugging a woman? I smell gossip!
Xuan Tian landed right in front of the house. He immediately looked at Lin Qian. "Doctor, please."
He failed to notice the woman beside him tensing. Her eyes widened at the sight of Lin Qian. She whipped her head toward Xuan Tian.
Xuan Tian let her go and bowed slightly to her. Luo Heng and Yan Zhen jumped from the porch and rushed toward them, their eyes widening in horror at her condition.
Luo Heng's eyes welled up. He whispered, "Captain."
Xuan Tian proceeded to carry Bai Xunli into the house. He didn't forget to turn to the woman and said, "Please follow me."
The woman was still stunned. She blinked and followed Xuan Tian.
Xuan Tian didn't stop when passing Han Zhaofeng and Wu Zhenhai. He knew they were anxious—but they could wait. Bai Xunli couldn't.
With Yan Zhen's help, Xuan Tian settled Bai Xunli on a bed. Lin Qian immediately checked Bai Xunli's pulse.
Xuan Tian, who knew how she worked, asked, "Do you need us to leave?"
Lin Qian, without looking at him, said, "That would be best, General."
Xuan Tian turned to leave, then turned back to face her again. "Ah, Doctor, this lady is also injured. She helped me rescue Captain Bai. Please look at her as well."
Lin Qian lifted her head to look at the woman and nodded.
Xuan Tian bowed slightly again to the woman, who was still staring at Lin Qian.
Xuan Tian found it strange but quickly dismissed it. Maybe she's anxious about Bai Xunli.
He exited the bedroom with Yan Zhen and Luo Heng, who were reluctant to leave.
The three of them returned to the front room, where Han Zhaofeng and Wu Zhenhai were waiting.
Xuan Tian removed his mask, and without delay, quickly briefed them on what had happened.
He didn't elaborate on Bai Xunli's injuries, but the ICEB Enforcers could read between the lines.
Han Zhaofeng fell silent. He tried not to think about Bai Xunli's condition. He trusted Xuan Tian and Lin Qian.
He forced himself to focus on the Crown Prince. When he heard Xuan Tian describe the underground prison, alarm bells rang in his mind.
But before Han Zhaofeng could say anything, Xuan Tian's head suddenly snapped toward the direction across the lake.
He had detected several presences approaching. Fast. At least Mid Immortal 1. And one of them is High Immortal 5.
Jing Xue also sensed them. He stood up, facing the direction, ready.
A few beats later, Han Zhaofeng detected them too. "Lingxu? How did they find this place so quickly?"
"I don't know. But I'll handle them," Xuan Tian replied. He stepped out of the house slowly, menacingly.
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Inside the room, Lin Qian was busy with Bai Xunli. The ICEB Captain's wounds were a lot. Small insignificant cuts, deep cuts, burn marks, all ten nails were gone, and many more.
Lin Qian had never seen anything like this before. Her vision suddenly went blurry—tears she hadn't realized were falling. Her hands trembled, not just with fury, but with a deep, aching sorrow. No one deserved to be tortured like this. Lingxu! You are all animals! And what did you do to her cultivation?!
Suddenly, she was hugged from behind. Lin Qian's first thought that she was being attacked. She whipped facing the attacker, with one hand ready to attack.
And her hand stopped mid-air. She stare disbelieving. Tears quickly filled her eyes.
"Lin Jie," the woman whispered, barely audible.
"Ling Yu!"
Lin Qian hugged Ling Yu tightly, saying her name over and over again. Both women were now crying openly.
A few beats later, Lin Qian broke the hug first. "I need to treat Captain Bai's wounds."
Ling Yu, sniffling, "Can I help?"
Lin Qian nodded and showed her what to do.
The two chatted while working.
"I thought you were injured?"
"I was. I am. But I'm fine. I was wearing protection talisman. I'll be fine."
Lin Qian nodded. "How are you, Ling Yu? I am sorry I stopped replying to your letters."
Ling Yu smiled, "It's okay, Lin Jie. I kind of understood why you stop. You were afraid I'd get dragged into danger, weren't you?"
Lin Qian looked at Ling Yu, nodded slowly and exhaled, "I'm so relieved to hear that. I was so occupied with revenge. I… I couldn't think of anything else."
Ling Yu patted Lin Qian's shoulder. "And now?"
Lin Qian smiled slightly, "And now, I still want that revenge, but I'm not consumed by it. Also now, I have the General helping me. I'm sure Lingxu will soon meet their end."
Ling Yu stopped what she was doing. "That was him, wasn't it? Iron Wall, I mean. The black clad man with his face covered?"
"Well, yes."
Lin Qian widened her eyes, "Don't tell me you didn't know? And he also didn't recognize you?"
Ling Yu shook her head. "I didn't recognize him. He didn't have any aura. It was like he was a regular person."
"That's right. He does that when doing infiltration mission."
Suddenly Lin Qian's focus shifted. "Cultivators are coming this way. One of them has a cultivation higher than me."
Ling Yu focused her senses. Her face lit up. "Shizun! And Shixiongs! They are here!"
Lin Qian looked at her, "Shizun? You mean Gu Tianzhu?"
Ling Yu nodded happily, "Yes. They were waiting for me outside the Imperial Palace. I didn't…"
Ling Yu didn't finish her sentence, because a very strong aura burst out.
The women were looking at each other and said at the same time.
"General."
"Iron Wall."
Ling Yu bolted out the door. Rushed to the front. She had to stop Xuan Tian from attacking his Shizun.
She came out of the house, shouting, "Iron Wall! Stop!"