Chapter 453: Never a Step Away

The crowd, upon hearing that, felt the corners of their mouths twitch sharply.

Even Ying Wuji couldn't hold it in.

"How could you curse our young master so!" the young woman said with a sullen expression.

"That's how it is!"

Cang Li put on an innocent expression.

The young woman choked.

At that moment, Xiao Lingwei and Ying Wuji also walked over.

Ying Wuji spoke: "Given the situation, we must send Young Master Xiahou back to the Third Continent."

Third Elder Xiahou, upon hearing this, gave the three physicians a glance.

The three physicians each began to speak.

"The young master now needs quiet convalescence; with his condition, he cannot endure the jostling of travel."

"Indeed. The young friend just now must have misdiagnosed; our young master does not have only three days left. He is merely physically weak and has pent‑up grief attacking his heart, which caused his fainting."

"Let us first send the young master back to the Island Lord's Manor to recuperate."

Third Elder Xiahou, after hearing this, showed an anxious expression and began directing the Xiahou clan members to lift their own young master, then headed toward the direction of the Island Lord's Manor.

Xiao Lingwei, Cang Li, and Ying Wuji exchanged glances, then stepped forward to follow.

Third Elder Xiahou furrowed his brows, halted, walked around to the rear of the group, and said to Miss Xiao and the others: "Miss Xiao, we will take care of the young master. Aren't you still supposed to take part in the Sea Hunt Event?"

"Who said we were going to participate?" Cang Li crossed her arms, "We have no intention of joining."

Xiao Lingwei said evenly, "Since Young Master Xiahou's health is ailing, as one of the hosts of Fusang Island I naturally must give him extra care. I shall escort Young Master Xiahou safely back to the Island Lord's Manor and request the renowned physicians of Fusang Island to treat him."

Third Elder Xiahou forced a smile, "Then thank you, Miss Xiao."

Xiao Lingwei, Cang Li, and Ying Wuji escorted him all the way until they returned to the Island Lord's Manor.

After arriving at the Island Lord's Manor, Xiao Lingwei loudly dispatched people to summon physicians.

Cang Li and Ying Wuji stayed by Xiahou Rui's bedside, not moving a step away.

Third Elder Xiahou hurried them several times, but each time Cang Li rebuffed him and sent him back.

Cang Li clasped both hands, sighed, "Our hearts are tied to Young Master Xiahou's condition, so we cannot set our minds at ease. Only by staying close to him and watching over him can we be at peace."

"Rest assured, we won't disturb Young Master Xiahou."

Third Elder Xiahou turned pale green, about to lose his temper, when Ying Wuji suddenly drew the Heaven's Destiny Sword, a flash of cold light flashing by, sending a chill down everyone's spine.

Ying Wuji tilted his head slightly, casting a sidelong glance at Third Elder Xiahou; his cinnabar phoenix eyes bore an unmistakable, fierce murderous intent, exuding great intimidation.

Third Elder Xiahou was startled; he was truly shaken by a seventeen‑year‑old youth.

Cang Li crossed her legs, raised an eyebrow, and said, "We have made the matter clear, yet you still refuse to admit it. Then let us stay here and prove the Xiahou family's innocence."

Third Elder Xiahou lowered his face and said coldly, "Your current actions treat the Xiahou family as criminals! Since you cannot produce evidence, you may not treat us as criminals! Moreover, based solely on your baseless speculation, you intend to subject our young master to such humiliation. Does the Island Lord of Fusang know about this?!"

Cang Li laughed, "You could go tell him."

Third Elder Xiahou choked slightly.

"Do you think I wouldn't dare?"

Cang Li let out a light sigh, "Of course not; a guilty conscience wouldn't dare make accusations. We see that Third Elder Xiahou doesn't seem guilty either, so feel free to make a complaint! And while you're at it, accuse us youngsters of acting lawlessly, of having to stay by Young Master Xiahou's side at all times."

Third Elder Xiahou's expression grew gloomy, and just as he was about to speak, an intermittent cough came from the bedside.

Following the sound, they saw Xiahou Rui propping himself up, leaning against the bedside; his handsome face was pallid to the extreme, looking as if his breath were a thread.

Third Elder Xiahou's complexion shifted slightly, and he hurried to the bedside, "Young master."

Xiahou Rui slowly lifted his eyes, his gaze indifferent.

His voice was very soft, "Cang fellow, I have already heard what you just said. Since you doubt me, then keep watch over me; this way we can still prove my innocence and the Xiahou family's innocence."

Third Elder Xiahou, with his back to Ying Wuji and Cang Li, heard his own young master speak those words, and his complexion changed slightly.

He wanted to speak but held back.

Xiahou Rui simply gave Third Elder Xiahou a faint glance.

Third Elder Xiahou instantly understood that his young master intended to abandon the venture and forgo entering the Demon Realm.

His mood suddenly sank a few notches.

The family head, in order to save the young master's life, spared no expense hiring so many assassins, had been scheming long in advance, and endured revulsion repeatedly dealing with that fool Xiao Ming…

Yet they were just one step short of entering the Demon Realm and obtaining the Demon Sky Herb for the young master!

All because of Xiao Lingwei and her companions!

How on earth did they learn of their plan?

Ying Wuji slowly began, "Young Master Xiahou, do you know what opening the Gate to the Demon Realm entails? It means the Cultivation Realm and the Demon Realm will lose their balance. The Demon Clan, greedy and brutal, will then pass through the Gate to the Demon Realm beneath Fusang Island into the sea, and during the Sea Hunt Event, begin slaughtering countless participants. Afterwards, the islanders of Fusang Island will bleed rivers…"

He paused, his gaze sharp as he stared at Xiahou Rui, "Have you considered these consequences?"

Xiahou Rui, still expressionless, replied calmly, "Comrade Ying, I am not clear on what you are saying."

Third Elder Xiahou, upon hearing this, was slightly startled.

He lightly furrowed his brows, thinking to himself: They only wish to enter the Demon Realm, not to keep the Gate to the Demon Realm open forever. They never intended to let the Demon Clan into the Cultivation Realm…

But on second thought, if something unexpected were to occur during the opening of the Gate to the Demon Realm, what then?

Ying Wuji let out a light snort.

After Xiao Lingwei summoned a physician for Xiahou Rui, she also kept watch over him together with her junior brothers.

For three consecutive days.

Xiahou Rui watched as Xiao Lingwei started a gambling game in his own room, skillfully shaking dice with a beaming smile.

She then asked him, "Do you want to give it a try?"

Xiahou Rui: "…No, thanks."

He never expected Xiao Lingwei to actually like gambling.

Xiahou Rui had only investigated Xiao Lingwei's deeds before, and roughly knew her personality, but after three days of continuous interaction, he found she differed somewhat from the rumors.

She was carefree and unrestrained, calm and decisive, true to her word, domineering and overbearing, cool yet passionate, fond of gambling...

Xiahou Rui gazed at her, somewhat lost in thought.

But in the end, he curled the corner of his mouth with a faint, almost imperceptible mockery.

Probably mocking his own short life.

He rose from the bed, with the servant's greedy support, went around the screen, came to the outer chamber, only to see the girl wearing a forehead band shaking dice, Xiahou Third Elder and others all gathered around the table.

Their expressions were tense.

They muttered, "Big, big, big!"