Chapter 178: Stay

The next day, dawn was just breaking.

Ling Zhaixing slowly opened her eyes, wiggled her fingers, and found that some of her strength had returned.

The ward was small and sparsely furnished.

A faint scent of medicine drifted in the air, fresh and soothing.

Where is this?

A hint of bewilderment flashed in Ling Zhaixing's eyes; she remembered being rescued from the Water Prison by Jiang Feng, after which she lost consciousness.

Just then, the ward door was gently pushed open, and a little girl in a pink dress stepped inside.

Seeing Ling Zhaixing awake, the girl's eyes instantly lit up.

"Big sister, you're awake! That's great! Brother Jiang Feng said your injuries were severe and you might have to sleep for a long time!"

A trace of caution flickered in Ling Zhaixing's gaze, and her body tensed slightly.

"Who are you? Where is this?"

"My name is Hua Yingying!"

The little girl set down the tray and sat on the chair beside the bed.

"This is Ji Shi Tang! Brother Jiang Feng is the owner of this Medical Hall, my grandfather is the Resident Doctor Hua Jing here, and yesterday Brother Jiang Feng carried you back and asked me to take good care of you!"

"How do you feel now? Is anything uncomfortable?"

Hearing Jiang Feng's name, Ling Zhaixing's tense body relaxed a little.

She surveyed Hua Yingying; the little girl's eyes were clear, her smile innocent, with no hint of malice, not looking like a bad person.

"I'm fine, thank you."

Ling Zhaixing said in a flat tone, but in her mind she was recalling last night's events.

Remembering Jiang Feng treating her wounds and removing her clothes, her cheeks involuntarily flushed slightly.

"By the way, where is Jiang Feng?"

"Brother Jiang Feng is consulting patients up front!"

Hua Yingying answered eagerly.

"Every morning Ji Shi Tang has many patients lining up, many coming by reputation. If you want to see him, after you finish your porridge, shall I take you to him?"

Ling Zhaixing nodded, said nothing, and lowered her head to sip the porridge slowly.

Soon, the bowl of porridge was finished, and Ling Zhaixing felt considerably more comfortable.

She lifted the thin blanket and tried to get out of bed; although some soreness remained, she could now walk normally.

"Wow! Big sister, you recovered so fast!"

Hua Yingying said in surprise, "Brother Jiang Feng is indeed impressive!"

Ling Zhaixing smiled, said nothing, and followed Hua Yingying out of the ward.

The front hall of Ji Shi Tang was spacious, with several tables and chairs arranged; it was now full of patients, and many more were queuing.

Jiang Feng, dressed in a white medical robe, sat behind the innermost table, taking the pulse of an elderly man.

Ling Zhaixing stood at the doorway, quietly watching him, her gaze carrying a hint of complex emotion.

At that moment, Jiang Feng seemed to notice her stare, lifted his head, and met her eyes.

A faint smile curled at his mouth; he nodded at her, indicating for her to wait.

Ling Zhaixing's cheeks reddened slightly, and she quickly averted her gaze.

After about a dozen minutes, Jiang Feng finally finished with the last patient, rose, and walked toward Ling Zhaixing.

"How do you feel?"

Jiang Feng stepped in front of her.

"Does the wound still hurt?"

"Much better, thank you."

Ling Zhaixing lifted her head, looked at him, her eyes showing a hint of gratitude.

Her cheeks still flushed a bit; recalling last night's scene, her heartbeat quickened a few beats.

Jiang Feng smiled.

"You recovered faster than I imagined; that Healing Pill seems effective, and your constitution is quite good."

He paused, then changed the subject.

"By the way, let me tell you something. Since last night, the Dragon Group has teamed up with Jiangcheng's garrison to search the whole city for your whereabouts."

Ling Zhaixing's complexion changed instantly.

"Dragon Group... they're still looking for me?"

"Yes. The Southern Frontier Tiger Talisman incident caused a big stir; both the Dragon Group and the military take it seriously."

Ling Zhaixing was silent for a moment, then looked up at Jiang Feng.

"I should leave then; I don't want to cause you trouble because of me."

Jiang Feng looked at her and immediately asked, "Where do you plan to run to?"

Those words were like a bucket of water, waking Ling Zhaixing.

She froze, the resolve in her eyes fading, replaced by bewilderment and helplessness.

Where to run to?

【7】 She had been an orphan since childhood, with no family.

She has been an orphan since childhood, with no relatives.

It was Master who took her in, raised her, and taught her martial arts and the Disguise Technique.

The Feixing Gang was her home; its members were her relatives.

Later, senior brother Mu Laoyue betrayed the Feixing Gang for profit, causing the gang to be wiped out overnight.

Now, even if she leaves Ji Shi Tang, there is no Place she can go to.

The world is vast, and yet there is no Place for her to find refuge.

Ling Zhaixing lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands, her nails almost digging into her flesh.

"I… I don't know."

Seeing her lonely and helpless expression, Jiang Feng felt a slight stir in his heart.

He was silent for a moment, then said, "Actually, you can stay Here."

Jiang Feng smiled.

"Ji Shi Tang is bustling every day; even if the Dragon Group searches Here, they might not think you are hidden Here. Moreover, don't you know the Disguise Technique? Just alter your appearance a bit, pose as a Ji Shi Tang assistant, and the Dragon Group won't be able to find you in a short time."

"You stay Here, you can help manage the Medical Hall, fetch Medicine, carry water, which is also giving you something to do, so you don't have to keep fleeing. When the uproar passes, or when you have thought clearly about what to do later, you can make plans then."

Staying in Ji Shi Tang means you no longer have to wander, no longer have to live in fear, and you can even slowly look for a chance at revenge.

But would this be too much of a burden on Jiang Feng?

As if seeing through her thoughts, Jiang Feng smiled.

"You don't need to feel like a burden; Ji Shi Tang indeed needs an assistant, and your arrival is just right."

Hua Yingying also chimed in from beside.

"Yes, sis, just stay! This place is so fun, lots of people come every day, I'm pretty bored alone, so stay and keep me company! Besides, Brother Jiang Feng's medical skills are amazing, your Injury can be Slow Nourishing Spirit!"

Seeing Jiang Feng's sincere gaze, Ling Zhaixing's hesitation Gradually vanished.

She nodded.

"Alright… thank you, Jiang Feng."

"You're welcome."

Jiang Feng smiled, "From now on, Here will be your temporary residence; I've already had Yingying tidy up the room, which is right next door. Rest well first, and after your body fully Recovery, you can help with whatever you can manage."

Yingying hurriedly grabbed Ling Zhaixing's hand, exclaiming excitedly, "Sister, I'll take you to see your room!"

Ling Zhaixing, being pulled by Yingying, walked toward the room next door.

Perhaps staying is a good choice.

Ling Zhaixing thought silently in her heart.

…….

At this moment, the Dragon Group's Jiangcheng office.

Long Qianyan is currently seated at the main seat, eyes closed, practicing Nourishing Spirit.

"Dragon Garrison Commander, we have already coordinated with the Jiangcheng garrison to conduct a carpet‑style search of the entire city, yet we still haven't found Ling Zhaixing's whereabouts."

After a night of busy work, Lu Xiao said gravely.

"Ling Zhaixing has vanished as if evaporated from the world, leaving no trace."

Wei Wuji also nodded.

"Those three mysterious Grandmasters also showed no movement, as if they disappeared into thin air. They act too cautiously, leaving no trace at all."

Long Qianyan slowly opened his eyes.

"Ling Zhaixing's Injury is severe; she couldn't have gone far. She is definitely still in Jiangcheng, and likely was rescued by someone. Continue the investigation, focusing on all Medical Halls, clinics, and private hospitals in Jiangcheng. As for those three mysterious Grandmasters, they can be set aside for now; the top priority is to first locate the Tiger Talisman."

"Medical Hall?"

Lu Xiao's eyes flickered slightly.