Chapter 30

Wei Lingfeng – character. Also Wuye – character. Also Qi State. Also the imperial pronoun "Zhen" is not a name. So entities: Wei Lingfeng, Wuye, Qi State.

"Idiot" is an insult, not a name. Wei Lingfeng again, Qi State. Also "Emperor" is a title, but it's a rank; should we include? According to glossary: official & sect ranks/titles are included. So "Emperor" is a title. Also "Flying Eagle" appears later.

"Oh?" Wei Lingfeng smiled leisurely, his voice hoarse yet without the slightest effect on his dignity, "Then why haven't you reminded her until now?"

"No need." Wuye still kept his head down, looking at the food in his hand, he said softly, "Even if she knew, her attitude wouldn't change in the slightest. Why would I bother doing that?"

"Qi State's third-generation 'Flying Eagle' leader" – "Flying Eagle" is an organization name; "third generation" not needed. "Flying Eagle's leader" maybe a title. Also Wei Lingfeng. Also the imperial pronoun "Zhen". Also "Flying Eagle" as an organization.

Wuye trembled all over, but he didn't lift his head; instead, he lowered it further, and after a long while he whispered, "I'm not."

"Eternal Heart Manual" – technique name. Also Flying Eagle's leader. Also Wei Lingfeng. Also maybe "internal energy" is internal energy, a generic term not a named technique. Not include.

"His Majesty" – title (Emperor). Already have.

Although there was no loyalty left in his heart, although he had long grown indifferent to the warmth and coldness of human relations, although…… he clearly knew he was merely a pawn being used, yet this person before him was, after all, the object he had sworn loyalty to for over twenty years; that reverence seemed buried deep in his heart, impossible to easily erase.

"Flying Eagle" is the most secret organization in the Qi kingdom's court, specializing in intelligence gathering, assassination, reconnaissance, and other tasks the court finds inconvenient to undertake openly but must do. Each generation of Flying Eagle's leader is personally selected and taught by the previous leader. Only on the day of succession is he allowed to have an audience and swear an oath to protect the person he is to serve loyally for life.

"Flying Eagle succession ceremony" – Flying Eagle organization, succession ceremony generic not needed.

Wuye drew a deep breath, knowing he had to answer, and lowered his head to say, "I was framed."

Wei Lingfeng gave a cold snort, not contemptuous but also without the slightest sympathy, and said coldly, "As for the past, I will no longer hold it against you; return to Qi at once, and you will still be the lord of the Flying Eagle."

Mo Jin appears: "The previous Mo Jin is already dead." That's a name: Mo Jin. Also Wuye. Also His Majesty. Also maybe "master" generic.

Wei Lingfeng's brows furrowed slightly, a hint of anger appearing on his face, as he asked, "What is that girl's identity?"

no new.

Wei Lingfeng suddenly let out a cold laugh, rose and stood before him, glanced at his face, then turned away in disgust, saying, "Could it be that you've taken a fancy to that lass, so you don't mind acting as a dog by her side?"

Hearing these extremely insulting words, Wuye was not angry but instead suddenly laughed, rose, and fixed his gaze on Wei Lingfeng, saying, "Your Majesty, I dare to ask: can you bear to look at my face?"

Wei Lingfeng stared, glanced at his trembling, almost falling eyeballs, a feeling of nausea surged in his chest, and he quickly looked away. He said coldly, "What do you mean?"

Wuye laughed even harder, calmly saying, "She once asked me why it was her, and I didn't answer then. But Your Majesty, I can tell you."

"Since I was disfigured this past year, I've traveled to many places, and not everyone avoids me as if seeing a ghost. Some want to use me, some sympathize with me, and some wish to treat me like an ordinary person."

"But no one has ever been like her, daring to look straight into my eyes. Though she says my face is terrifying and refuses to sit opposite me when eating, when speaking seriously her gaze always falls on my face."

"Therefore, Your Majesty, if I truly must choose a master in this life, I would rather follow her."

When I entered the cave again, I always felt the atmosphere was a bit strange. Although Wuye was still sitting idly to the side, Wei Lingfeng was examining his own wound.

Little Silver appears: "I hold Little Silver and sit beside Wei Lingfeng." That's likely a name of a creature or pet? "Little Silver" could be a name (little silver). It's a named entity (pet). So include Little Silver. Also Wei Lingfeng.

"What?" he blurted out in surprise.

"Take off your clothes." I said strangely, "Otherwise how can I treat your wounds?"

He gave a wry smile, shook his head, and pulled off the blood‑stained silk inner garment, revealing lash‑like wounds on his body where vines had scraped him or rocks had pierced him.

It looks like he hasn't suffered lightly either! I let out a faint sigh, gestured for him to lie flat, and then placed Xiao Yin on his chest.

He stared in shock as Xiao Yin licked his chest wound, and then the bloodstains began to disappear and scab over. I somewhat amusedly took his pulse.

Internal energy – generic internal energy, not a name.

He narrowed his eyes slightly, glanced at Wuye, then said, "That's right. How—"

Blood Gu appears: "Blood Gu is in your body." That's a named parasite/toxin? It's a named entity (blood worm). Should be included as a named thing (cultivation term?). It's a specific term, likely a named parasite. So include Blood Gu. Also internal energy generic.

Wuye, who had been dazedly off to the side, finally couldn't hold back a low chuckle. This contrasted sharply with someone's face flushing red then white. He half‑rose, glaring angrily at me, and said, "Impudent! How dare you……"

I impatiently pressed him to the ground and said coldly, "The wound on your back hasn't been treated yet……"

Suddenly my chest tightened, as if an invisible great force were tugging at my heart, forcibly pulling me over.

Losing my balance, I cried out in alarm and actually fell onto Wei Lingfeng.

I wondered what had happened, feeling a bit embarrassed as I lifted my head, only to unexpectedly see a faint flush of discomfort flicker across his eternally lofty face, which made me somewhat amused.

However, his body heat seeped through his already thin clothing, my face flushed, and I hurriedly struggled to get up.

My chest tightened again, I was yanked back down, and this happened several times in a row. Looking up, I saw Wei Lingfeng's somewhat teasing gaze, and I flew into a rage, snarling, "Can't you see I can't stand up? Won't you lend a hand?"

"Oh?" A lascivious smile spread across his handsome face as he breathed softly into my ear, "I thought you were reluctant to rise because you were lusting after my body."

"You—you're talking nonsense!" I was furious to the point of near death, yet I couldn't refute even a word—who would be inexplicably pulled like that? And he doesn't have a magnet; even if he did, I'm not made of iron!

I stared, something flashed quickly through my mind, then vanished, only to reappear.

What on him could possibly attract or pull me? We have nothing in common; if I must say there's something vaguely related, it's only——

Blood Gu again.

I jolted—only the blood worm. Could it be that blood worms sense each other?

My expression grew increasingly solemn; I stopped trying to get up and simply lay prone on Wei Lingfeng, thinking in silence. An extremely absurd, extremely uncanny idea flashed through my mind again and again, as if it had taken root and could not be shaken off.

"It seems you really don't want to get up, do you?" A warm breath brushed my ear, accompanied by a low, hoarse voice.

My thoughts stalled abruptly; I came to, my face burning red involuntarily, and I could only shout, "Wuye, come help me!"

After Wuye helped me up, I had completely forgotten the earlier embarrassment; my mind was solely turning over that utterly bizarre idea.

Modern – generic, wuxia novel – generic genre, not needed.

But now, that dull yet amusing plot from the book keeps turning over and over in my mind, and I just can't shake it.

Using poison to counter poison – phrase, not a name.

In ancient times, this is a conclusion with absolutely no scientific basis, because in this world there could be no precise instruments to detect the various components contained in a poison, let alone instruments to refine the needed ingredients.

One must know that although all things in the world have mutual generation and restriction, they cannot be arbitrarily used. This is like blood type: even if both are O type, one still must test the compatibility of other minor blood types before transfusion, otherwise the recipient would risk their life.

Two poisons, even if 99% of their toxicity cancels out, but if as little as 1% enhances each other, then it is quite possible to compound poison upon poison.

Even a dead poison behaves this way, let alone a blood worm parasitic in the human body; a slight mistake would inevitably lead to eternal ruin.

Sigh! I painfully scratched my head, wondering whether I should try it. Actually, this blood worm inside me is like a—no! a cluster of time bombs; if things go slightly awry, they could randomly explode a few, and I can only endure this inhuman pain over and over.

Qi Ran appears: "Even Qi Ran's such perverse physique." That's a name: Qi Ran. So include Qi Ran. Also Blood Gu. Also maybe "apocalypse" generic.

I frowned tightly, pacing back and forth in the cave, completely unaware of the other two people's surprised, exaggerated expressions.

If……either way we die, then I might as well……

Give it a try!

I came to a sudden halt, my face already set with the resolve of a warrior cutting off his wrist; even though Wei Lingfeng remained calm and composed, and Wu Ye wore a blank expression, upon seeing my look they couldn't help but stare.

"Wu Ye, go see if anyone's around." I furrowed my brows and spoke in a low voice, "Make sure to search thoroughly."

Wu Ye gave me a strange look, but still obediently ran out to do a carpet search.

I sat before Wei Lingfeng, cradling Xiao Yin in my arms and stroking its fur intermittently, saying nothing.

He, however, stayed patient, didn't urge me on, and simply gave a faint smile as he watched me.

Too bad, his composure didn't last more than a few seconds. I, who believes one must speak shockingly or die, said: "I've also been infected with the blood parasite."

I said it in a flat tone, as if I were saying I'd eaten today; instead, I got to see his handsome face shift, full of surprise.

"You're not the type to passively wait for the blood parasite to devour you and then surrender, are you?"

As soon as I said that, he actually returned to his normal self, his eyes full of interest lingering on me for a moment, and said: "Looks like I really underestimated you."

I frowned; although I'd resolved to give it a try, saving someone like this still left me unwilling. "I don't care what you're planning. But I have to remind you of one thing."

"The blood parasite absolutely has no cure."

A gleam flashed in his eyes as he stared at me unblinking. I returned his gaze calmly yet resolutely.

If there were a poison in this world that even Qi Ran couldn't dispel; if there were an antidote that even Bing Ling couldn't find, then I can only say it truly has no cure.

He let out a cold snort and said: "Then what do you suggest?"

I sighed, set Xiao Yin down, then took out the silver needles Qi Ran had given me from my bosom, and said lightly: "I think your status must be high; if you exhaust all methods to find the blood parasite's 'antidote', taking it monthly would still let you live like an ordinary person. So you can choose not to believe me."

He frowned, puzzled, and said: "What exactly are you trying to say?"

I lifted my gaze to meet his, suddenly gave a light smile, and dropped a bombshell: "I want to transfer the blood parasite from your body onto mine."

"What?" Two exclamations rang out, one inside the cave and one outside.

Wei Lingfeng's eyes were full of astonishment and disbelief; I gave a wry smile, thinking: He's probably wondering if I've lost my mind.

Alright! I admit my mind might really be a bit off. I rose to face the already dazed Wu Ye and apologized: "Sorry, I never told you I also have the blood parasite."

"You..." he paused, then said, "Have you decided?"

I nodded: "There's no other way; you witnessed the agony of the blood parasite's outbreak last night, and I truly lack the courage to endure it again. Might as well take a risky gamble."

"If I fail," I suddenly chuckled, quite seriously, "then I'll have to trouble you to collect my corpse."

Wu Ye's expression shifted repeatedly; though his face usually showed little emotion, now all his worry and fear were written across it, and I couldn't help but feel warm inside. He truly cares about me!

I turned to face Wei Lingfeng and said with a light, carefree smile: "How about it, have you decided?"

He seemed to be scrutinizing me seriously for the first time, a faint fire burning in his eyes; after a long while, he said in a deep voice: "Fine! You can afford the gamble, there's no reason... I can't afford it."

In the mountain cave, Wei Lingfeng sat cross-legged, quietly gathering his inner energy, then used Wu Ye's external force to drive the blood parasite's movement until the silver needles clearly showed its direction.

I bit my lower lip, raised my hand. The next second, a dagger thin as a cicada's wing added a new mark to that fair wrist.

Blood flowed like a torrent. Watching intently, Wei Lingfeng and Wu Ye both turned pale. For success or failure hinged on this single move. My whole body went numb and sore, only a chill seeping from my back into my heart and spleen.

The pain from the previous time the blood parasite entered my body seemed to wander throughout my limbs. Fear, actually lurking deep in my heart, made my hand shake as I took the needle.

Qi Ran, are you living well? If you are, I will surely make myself live on. Because I promised you, no matter what, I will strive to stay alive.

I gritted my teeth hard, pressing my bloody wrist against his scorching arm. The silver needles, trailing blood threads, shot forth; a slight, familiar tremor ran from my arm up to my heart.

Then came boundless pain and hell……

But……

I carefully rose to my feet. I shook my hand; aside from the cut, which stung a little, nothing felt odd. I patted my chest—it's fine, just as usual, still beating irregularly. I kicked my leg……

What's going on? I looked at Wei Lingfeng doubtfully: "Are you sure you're infected with the blood parasite? Could it be fake?"

I swear that at that moment I saw Wei Lingfeng's forehead faintly bulging with veins; after staring at me for a long while, he gritted his teeth and said: "Who said you were the one infected with the blood parasite?"

Wu Ye walked over with some worry and asked: "Are you really alright?"

"Strange." I looked bewildered, then realized, muttering to myself: "Right! Just take a pulse and we'll know."

I placed my middle finger on the pulse, silently feeling it over and over; the bewilderment on my face deepened. Then I went to Wei Lingfeng's side and felt his pulse repeatedly, after which I fell into a dazed state.

The pulse was calm and steady, with no abnormalities, and the heart pulse was unobstructed.

In other words……

I came to my senses in a daze, suddenly let out a strange cry, and flung my arms around Wu Ye, shouting excitedly: "The blood parasite is gone! Good heavens, the blood parasite on both of us has actually disappeared!"

This result is perhaps too unexpected; it feels like the painful choice and the happy outcome both have a bit of an anticlimactic feel.

Wu Ye pushed me away somewhat unnaturally, then gave a sincere smile and said: "That's good."

Wu Ye's face doesn't seem so ugly after all! Indeed, when one's mood is good, everything looks beautiful.

"Wei Lingfeng." I said his full name for the first time, smiling with utter sincerity and brilliance: "Thank you for believing in me."

At this moment he seemed a bit stunned, for a while not showing that mocking, arrogant expression of disdain toward me.

I couldn't help but smile even happier, thinking: Look, he's not so bad after all—saving others and oneself really is the right thing!

I used to think I didn't fear death, having endured too many things worse than it, death being a release. But now, truly stepping on the blade's edge and circling the gates of hell, I'm astonished to find myself so attached to the mortal world, so attached to this broken life.

Living might be painful, might be difficult, but at least I can still do what I want, be happy, and…… keep those most precious memories.

I let Xiao Yin lick the wound, though bloodstains still clung to my wrist; I packed my meager belongings, handed the backpack and Xiao Yin to Wu Ye, and said: "I'll go wash up at the riverside; when I return, we'll set out."

Then I faced Wei Lingfeng and said: "Those who believe in you will soon come to fetch you; let's part ways here."

Wei Lingfeng's brows furrowed as he said lightly: "You won't come with me to Qi State? Miss, you've done me a favor; as long as you follow me, you'll have no regrets."

I tilted my head, thought for a moment, and asked: "Do you want to repay me?"

Wei Lingfeng curled the corner of his mouth into a wicked smile; his already extraordinarily handsome face seemed to gain a touch of sensuality, and he gave a casual nod.

"Do you have any silver on you?"

He blinked, then shook his head.

I looked down on him in my heart, then asked, "Is there anything valuable?"

He stared at me for a long time, then suddenly looked enlightened and burst out laughing.

This was the first time I saw his normal smile; it felt different from those gloomy and contemptuous smiles, with a hint of relaxation and a touch of childishness. Ah! I suddenly realized his smile was also quite charming.

He took off the jade pendant he wore around his neck; his smile hadn't faded, but his gaze was like he was toying with prey in hand, saying, "I only have this one valuable thing on me—better give it to the miss as a thank‑you gift."

Looking at his pure white jade, I couldn't help but recall the "Gazing-Heaven Tower" gold jade still lying obediently in my backpack. At first I just joined the competition with a game‑like mindset; now thinking back, that joy already feels like a world away.

I secretly sighed in my heart, but still smiled happily, grabbed it and said, "How much is this worth?"

That left him stunned again.

"No way!" Wuye suddenly stood up, looking shocked at the jade in my hand, then at Wei Lingfeng, saying, "This... you can't take it!"

"Why?" I couldn't help but be stunned. Wuye has been strange since yesterday.

Wei Lingfeng's faint yet sharp gaze fell on Wuye, killing intent seemingly present yet absent. Wuye's brows were tightly furrowed, the lump of flesh on his face seeming to bunch together again, yet he clenched his teeth behind his lips and said nothing.

"Alright. Since you say you can't take it, then I won't." I gave him a light smile, passed the jade to Wei Lingfeng, saying, "Your payment counts as already received just now. As for this jade, though I see it as valuable, my partner doesn't like it, so I'll return it to you." Then I laughed, "Really cheap for you!"

After saying that, without waiting for him to take it, I placed the jade into his embrace, turned and walked out of the cave.

I sat in the grass, took off my socks and shoes, soaked my feet in the rushing river water, washing the blood off my hands. If it weren't too open here, fearing someone might see, I really would have taken off my clothes to wash properly.

Besides having slightly cleaned myself in the stone chamber, I haven't changed clothes; my whole body is about to get itchy and smelly.

Looking at this rushing river, I recall that the gu poison has been resolved, so I no longer need to worry whether tomorrow will be a hellish day. I can't help but feel relieved, and I can't help but loudly recite: "The great river flows east, waves wash away the sands, countless heroic figures through the ages..."

Sudden change, arising abruptly!

A tearing pain in the chest, violently sweeping from the heart throughout the body. More sudden than any previous outbreak, more painful than any previous pain.

"Ah—" an uncontrollable scream suddenly rang out in the mountains, like lightning in the night sky fiercely tearing the heavens.

My whole body burned like fire, inside out scorching every inch of skin. Heart, liver, spleen, lungs seemed no longer my own, only knowing pain gnawing, spreading...

It's... blood poison! My heart jolted: I didn't expect, still failed! Meanwhile it's cheap for Wei Lingfeng's family...

"Plop—" I let out another loud shout, diving headfirst into the water.

Heavenly water vapor surged toward me, accompanied by tremendous force pulling me east and west. The air in my lungs gradually decreased, while the pain all over my body only increased, not decreased, as if thrown into boiling water to be cooked, utterly lacking strength to seek air.

My chest felt waves of tearing, then waves of breathlessness; I involuntarily swallowed several mouthfuls of water, feeling as oxygen loss made my consciousness start to blur, while pain grew ever more intense...

Finally, a wave hit me head‑on; my mind suddenly went blank, as if my consciousness was instantly pulled away. Only an empty shell remained, drifting with the current, floating and sinking, heading toward an unknown distant place...

Fine rain drifts, clear wind sways, relying on deep affection like longing.

Vast snow falls on the murky Yellow River, leaving him to his heartless heartbreak.

(End of chapter)