Chapter 440: It

Xibei Daying.

The army doctors examined pulses one by one, repeatedly exclaiming, "Miss, the water you brought truly has miraculous effect! Such a severe epidemic was cured like this?"

Xiao Yuanhang removed the face cloth he had worn for days, looked around and said, "I just walked a circuit; eight or nine out of ten have already recovered."

The senior army doctor nodded repeatedly, "Indeed, indeed! Miss, your merit is boundless!"

After two days of unconsciousness, Xiao Ningxun opened his eyes. Though still weak, his high fever had subsided, his cough and wheeze were easing, and he could now take a little rice porridge.

Cheng Ru'an kept vigil at his bedside day after day, feeding medicine and soup, personally caring for him for several days; seeing their son much improved, they finally went to rest.

Tuan Tuan cradled a small jar of ice‑sugar pear water brewed by Grandma Liu and tiptoed into Third Brother's tent.

Xiao Ningxun was leaning on his pillow, eyes closed to rest, when he heard a sound. He opened his eyes and saw his little sister on tiptoes, looking like a thief, a pale smile spreading on her face: "Tuan Tuan, you're here?"

"Third Brother!" Tuan Tuan's eyes lit up, she ran over with a "thump‑thump‑thump," placed the jar on the small table by the cot, skillfully climbed onto the cot edge, and sat beside him, "Grandma said this nourishes the lungs, drink it quickly!"

Xiao Ningxun took the porcelain spoon she handed him, scooped a spoonful and put it in his mouth; it was warm, mellow, sweet, and soothed his lungs.

Tuan Tuan perched beside him, supporting her cheek as she watched him drink, chattering nonstop with her little mouth.

"Third Brother, did you know the sun in the desert is huge!"

"Those little bugs are especially clever; they can lead the way and even dig for water!"

She spoke animatedly, her small hands gesturing, as if the scorching sea of sand and the swarming scorpions were all fascinating things.

Xiao Ningxun listened quietly, but his heart felt as if it were being pricked repeatedly by fine needles.

He had already heard from Xiao Er and Lu Qi how treacherous the journey had been.

Yet when it reached his sister's mouth, it turned entirely into "fun" matters.

The happier she spoke, the more his heart ached.

Tuan Tuan, his little sister, ventured into that deadly land only to save him.

"Tuan Tuan," he set down the spoon, gently brushed her small cheek, "I've troubled you."

Tuan Tuan shook her head vigorously, "Not troubled! Not troubled! Now that Third Brother isn't sick, I'm not troubled at all!"

She nudged closer to her brother, resting her little head in his arm, "Third Brother, when you're well, we'll chase the villains away and go home together, okay?"

"I also need to bring more food for Snowy and Little White; they've both become skinny."

Xiao Ningxun's throat tightened slightly, and he answered low, "Alright."

That evening, the Emperor set a simple family banquet in the main tent.

Xiao Ran slipped to Tuan Tuan's side early, sat down, and eagerly passed her dishes, "Little one, you're truly a lucky star!"

"If it weren't for you, I'd still be locked in my own tent; Father Emperor wouldn't let me step outside! It truly suffocated me!"

Tuan Tuan lifted her head at his words, her little mouth curling, "Ninth Brother isn't sick, so Imperial Uncle can finally relax!"

Xiao Ran chuckled.

With the epidemic gone, Xiao Jieyun beamed, "This time, it's Tuan Tuan again who achieved a great feat! Yuanhang, I don't even know what reward to give her!"

Xiao Yuanhang and his son looked at Tuan Tuan, their faces full of indulgent pride.

Cheng Ru'an and Consort Yun occasionally added dishes for the children; everyone's long‑missing smiles returned.

Xiao Ran recalled the ancient sword Xiao Er had mentioned, feeling a itch inside, "Xiao Er, the sword you brought back from the Great Desert—bring it out so I can see it?"

Xiao Er took the sword out and handed it to him.

Xiao Ran took it, "Why does this sword still have seven indentations? Interesting."

"Huh? Three of them are shining?"

Everyone turned to look, and indeed, the seven indentations arranged like the Big Dipper, three of them emitting a faint white glow.

Lu Qi and Xiao Er exchanged a glance; they remembered clearly that when they unearthed it from the sand, all seven indentations were dull gray, without any luster.

Xiao Er whispered, "Why did only three become bright?"

Lu Qi was equally puzzled, "Yes, why aren't the remaining four shining?"

Xiao Yuanhang slightly furrowed his brows but didn't want this to affect the rare reunion meal, "The sword has an extraordinary origin; perhaps one day all the points will shine. No need to worry, let's eat first."

The next day, Xie Guzhou, dust‑covered, hurried to the Main Camp, bringing not only supplies but also startling news.

"Prince, we were ambushed when we went to Luoying Gorge."

The few who heard were startled; the treasure of Luoying Gorge is now the army's sole reliance!

Xiao Yuanhang's expression hardened, "Brother Xie, please elaborate."

Xie Guzhou said, "I led men to retrieve items from the treasure, purchased a batch of supplies. As soon as we entered Luoying Gorge, we encountered seven men in black."

"Their martial techniques are bizarre, unlike Zhongyuan sects, and every move is ruthless."

"During the fight Daoba was inadvertently captured alive; I chased them for a day and rescued him at a cliff's edge."

"According to him, the opponents kept demanding two things: the location of the treasure, and where the others are."

Xiao Er asked, "How is Daoba's injury? What did he answer?"

Xie Guzhou laughed, "Daoba is an old river‑wanderer; he kept playing dumb, saying he's just a local hunter who doesn't understand their words."

"But they obviously didn't believe him. If we hadn't relied on our familiarity with the terrain, Daoba's life would have been forfeit."

He frowned, "That area of Luoying Gorge is so desolate and easy to get lost; locals rarely go there. Why did such experts appear suddenly?"

"Tuan Tuan obtained that Treasure Map by chance in a secret passage of my horse gang's headquarters."

"We have lived here for ages without knowing, so where did those people learn it?"

Xiao Yuanhang remained silent for a long while, "Brother Xie, you've worked hard. Next time we go, we must bring more manpower; no more brothers should get injured."

Xie Guzhou clasped his hands and said, "Prince, rest assured. If those people still linger and refuse to leave, the next time I encounter them I'll capture a few and question them thoroughly!"

Lu Qi stood, "Brother Xie, I'll see you off."

Xie Guzhou took his leave.

A few days later, Xiao Ningxun's spirit improved, and he leaned on a soft pillow, took out the volume "Mountain River Mineral Marrow Atlas," spread it on his knees, and examined it closely.

Tuan Tuan leaned against him, stuffed a piece of sesame candy into his mouth: "Third Brother, is it tasty?"

Xiao Ningxun smiled and nodded.

Since he woke up, his sister has been constantly sending all the tasty food and drink here, afraid he would eat even a bit less.

Tuan Tuan stared at him as he swallowed the candy: "Third Brother, are you thirsty?"

Xiao Ningxun went along with her wish: "I'm thirsty, how did Tuan Tuan know? Could you bring brother some water?"

"Yes!" Tuan Tuan happily jumped off the bed, brought him a cup of tea: "Third Brother, here you go!"

Xiao Ningxun took it, Tuan Tuan climbed onto the bed, but accidentally bumped his elbow holding the tea cup.

Oh dear!

The tea cup tilted halfway, spilled out, and just happened to pour onto the edge of the opened picture book.

"Be careful!" Xiao Ningxun hastily pulled her back, worried the hot tea would scald his sister.

"I'm fine! Oh, this spot is wet."

Only then did Xiao Ningxun lower his head to look, seeing the tea quickly spread, a patch of the picture book's edge soaked through.

Suddenly, his hand stopped.

That soaked spot actually revealed a hidden layer!

He gently pinched the wet paper corner, carefully lifted the surface layer, and pulled out another sheet inside as thin as a cicada's wing.