In the bamboo forest, two figures appeared again.
No, there were actually three figures.
It's just that two people were standing, while another was being carried on someone's back.
The person's face was the color of gold paper, blood stained his mouth and nose, he seemed to be exhaling more than inhaling, looking extremely weak.
"Cui, Cui Yunqi!" Xu Wenyuan suddenly extended his hand, pointing at the person in surprise.
The scene was silent, the students of Jichuan County were all stunned, including the people from Lin County, who were equally shocked.
After a moment, someone exclaimed, "How, how did he get injured like this?"
"It's terrible, to think that breaking into the array to see Mr. Zhou has such dangers!"
"We didn't enter the array, could it be that we actually saved ourselves?"
"..."
Discussion erupted, chatter was noisy, like waves upon waves, rolling over and sounding in Cui Yunqi's ears.
Cui Yunqi frowned, feeling as if he was trapped in a deep nightmare, he clearly knew it was a nightmare, warning himself that he must wake up. Yet, he felt like he was pressed down by numerous heavy mountains, unable to wake up.
Until amidst the chaos of voices, an anxious voice said, "Chen Xu, could Brother Chen have entered the array too, and is he injured? Why hasn't he come out yet..."
Hearing the name Chen Xu, Cui Yunqi's eyes suddenly opened.
Summoning a surge of strength from who knows where, he shouted, "Go! Quickly, go, Zicheng, Peng Xuan, take me away!"
Wen Zicheng and Peng Xuan exchanged a glance, Wen Zicheng hesitated and said, "Yunqi is heavily injured, I'm afraid it's unwise to travel..."
"Go quickly!" Cui Yunqi widened his eyes in anger, blood seeping from his mouth and nose again.
Wen and Peng dared not delay anymore, Peng Xuan hurriedly mounted his horse with Cui Yunqi on his back.
The two who had previously fallen onto Lin Yuan were also pulled up by others, their faces showing surprise and bewilderment.
Seeing their companions about to leave, they couldn't concern themselves with the previous absurdity, hurriedly cupped their hands to Lin Yuan, saying, "Sorry for bumping into you earlier, we'll make it up someday."
Before the words were finished, they covered their faces with sleeves and rushed to their mounts in a few steps.
"Hyah!"
They rode off immediately, and a student from Jichuan behind them shouted, "Hey, everyone, there's still a horse here!"
It turned out to be Cui Yunqi's white steed, left alone without a rider. This was a top-notch horse, more valuable than many people's lives, how could it be abandoned lightly?
Wen Zicheng, pulling on the reins, was about to turn back to get the horse.
Coincidentally, Xu Wenyuan's surprised and delighted voice rang at the edge of the bamboo forest, "Brother Chen, Brother Chen has come out! That's great..."
Here, Cui Yunqi immediately shouted, "Go! Forget the horse, go quickly."
Thud, thud, thud, the horse's hooves hurried away.
Chen Xu still seemed somewhat dazed, he vaguely felt the mountains and rivers drifting away, and looking back, the white-haired scholar and the thin ugly monkey had vanished.
He only heard the rustle of bamboo leaves, and unknowingly found himself back at the small bamboo grove at the foot of the mountain.
The wind blew, and the sound of people was like beads rolling and bouncing.
Everything on the mountain, whether it was the moon in the cup or the withered scholar, seemed nothing more than a dream.
Like Zhuang Zhou dreaming of a butterfly.
Only the warmth and comfort continuously coming from his right leg's wound reminded Chen Xu that it was not a dream.
He shook his head and came to his senses, just in time to hear Xu Wenyuan's disappointed voice, "Brother Chen, you didn't make it through the array either?"
Chen Xu lifted his eyes, realizing that Xu Wenyuan had been asking if he passed the great array test just now.
Having just experienced a wondrous shift in time and space, Chen Xu hadn't paid attention to Xu Wenyuan's question at all.
His subconscious shaking head made Xu Wenyuan misunderstand.
Chen Xu was momentarily speechless.
Seeing his silent demeanor, Xu Wenyuan sighed and, suppressing his disappointment, comforted him instead, "Brother Chen, you need not blame yourself too much, this great array is indeed perilous, managing to come out safely is already fortunate.
It's just that Brother Mu's illness... alas, perhaps it's fate."
"No!" Behind them, supported up, Lin Yuan gritted his teeth, "I don't believe in fate! I must ask Mr. Zhou..."
He struggled forward, trying to kneel again.
Chen Xu suddenly stepped forward, striking Lin Yuan on the side of the neck with a hand chop.
This move was full of force, and Lin Yuan had no time to react, only managing to widen his eyes and utter a single word: "You..."
Thud!
The person tilted their head and fainted.
Nearby, someone immediately caught Lin Yuan and exclaimed, "Chen Xu, what are you doing?"
Chen Xu sighed, with compassion, he said, "Brother Lin Yuan has become obsessed with saving his brother, as his friends we can't just watch him continue to torment himself like this.
It's better to let him rest. Moreover..."
He hesitated to continue.
Xu Wenyuan couldn't help but ask, "Moreover, what?"
Chen Xu said, "No one knows how long Brother Mu can hold on, we're not doctors and are helpless against his illness.
The current situation, I'm afraid Brother Mu might not hold on, and Brother Lin Yuan can't accept this reality and harm himself. Knocking him out is also in hopes of giving him a buffer to accept reality."
Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but sigh.
Wang Mochuan, who always had a reputation among the scholars, said, "Still, Brother Chen has considered thoroughly, this is the right approach.
With things as they are, since we can't see Mr. Zhou, it's better to take Brother Lin Yuan home. Firstly, with us accompanying him, we can comfort his emotions, preventing him from losing control.
Secondly, our journey, perhaps, is..."
His voice became increasingly hoarse, but he still finished his sentence, "Rather than doing nothing here, it's better to see Brother Mu off for his last journey, sparing him… loneliness, alas."
With his words, everyone sighed.
Half an hour later, they appeared at Lin Mansion, carrying the unconscious Lin Yuan.
Such a large group, with Lin Yuan unconscious, nearly frightened everyone in the Lin Mansion.
Wang Mochuan stepped forward to explain, "Brother Lin Yuan worried too much about meeting Mr. Zhou and fainted, but it's not serious. No need to panic, just quickly make a bed for Brother Lin Yuan so he can rest well."
So the servants made their reports, prepared beds —
There wasn't much to do, Lin Yuan was home, how could he not have a comfortable place to stay?
Lin Yuan was sent to his room, with Wang Mochuan and several familiar scholars keeping watch over him.
Chen Xu and the others directly went to visit Lin Qi.
In Lin Qi's room, they also met Lin Qi's mother, Mrs. You.
After exchanging formalities, Mrs. You wiped her tears and offered space, saying, "Since you're all friends with Qi'Er, go and see him. If he's awake, I'm sure he'd be happy to see so many people visiting."
Chen Xu, approaching Lin Qi's bedside with everyone, was recalling the method Mr. Zhou had taught that could spell Lin Qi's end!
The person on the bed had a face like white clay, devoid of human color.
Yet his lips were dark red, exuding an indescribably strange metallic scent that made one feel inexplicably uncomfortable when near.