Chapter 574

Qingsi Office.

Hall.

You Sisi watched the heavy rain pouring outside, gripping her Thousand Threads Sword tightly.

She had tried to rush out several times to check on Fang Yue's battlefield, but forced herself to hold back.

It's fine… Night Rain, he must… he must be alright!

You Sisi could only comfort herself this way, yet her unease refused to fade.

At that moment, Yu Baiyi burst out from the room behind.

"Lord You! Lord You! Lord Tian has awakened!"

You Sisi's eyes lit up, her heart surging with emotion.

She stayed at Qingsi Office for two reasons: first, trapped by Night Rain; second, Tian Erjun had not yet awakened, and the entire Qingsi Office—no, the whole of Qingsi County—had placed all its burdens on her alone.

Amid the endless Night Rain and the terrifying anomalies, this crushing weight nearly suffocated her.

But You Sisi could not flee, could not leave Qingsi Office!

As the only awake Qingyi in Qingsi County now, she had to hold this ground, defend the last fortress of Qingsi County… if Fang Yue failed.

But now, things were different.

Tian Erjun had awakened. Though his injuries remained grave, as long as he was conscious, he could command the entire front and hold Qingsi Office.

And she, You Sisi, could now… do something for her own private desire!

"I'll go see Tian Erjun. If he's stable, I'll immediately head back to support Night Rain!"

She followed Yu Baiyi quickly into the room.

"You Sisi…" Tian Erjun opened his eyes weakly; his arms were gone forever, having overextended his power during battle with the Pulling-Coffin Anomaly.

To keep pace with the three Human-Level experts, he had pushed himself two hundred percent, exhausting his spirit so severely that he still suffered from headaches.

Yet the three Human-Level experts had been killed by the Pulling-Coffin Anomaly—only he had been rescued, barely clinging to life.

This had dealt a severe blow to Tian Erjun, both mentally and physically.

Yet he still mustered a faint smile: "How is the frontline? Night Baiyi… has he… returned?"

Tian Erjun had already been briefed on the situation—he knew Night Baiyi was fighting the Pulling-Coffin Anomaly alone, and his heart ached.

At the moment Night Baiyi needed his comrades most, he had lost all combat capability and could no longer aid Night Baiyi.

Now that he was conscious, he feared—truly feared—that You Sisi would tell him Night Baiyi was dead, or worse, that Night Baiyi's severed head would roll into the room…

It was not impossible. If the Pulling-Coffin Anomaly killed Night Baiyi, its next target would be him at Qingsi Office.

You Sisi fell silent for a moment, then shook her head slightly: "No news yet, but I want to go help him!"

"Help him?" Tian Erjun blinked. "How?"

"Ride a Qingsi Horse, ride there—it won't take long. Before the Night Rain kills the Qingsi Horse, I'll arrive."

"No! If the Qingsi Horse dies in the Night Rain, how long can you last? What good would you do Night Baiyi? If you hadn't told me Night Baiyi can move freely in the rain, I'd have given up hope for his survival. But you lack his abilities—don't act recklessly!"

Tian Erjun struggled upright on the bed, agitated.

He could hold Qingsi Office alone, but if You Sisi went, it would be suicide—not even death at the Pulling-Coffin Anomaly's hands, but death in the Night Rain, meaningless and pointless!

"I know I'm useless… but! But—"

Tears welled in You Sisi's eyes, her eyelids reddened, fists clenched tight.

This sight left Tian Erjun stunned.

He had never seen the outwardly fierce You Sisi show such an expression before.

After a pause, Tian Erjun said: "If you insist on going, take Lord Han with you—and only if Lord Han has recovered his strength and agrees to go. Also… in the underground treasury, there's a Stone Umbrella. Its effect is limited, but better than no shelter at all. If Lord Han agrees, take the Stone Umbrella and go support Night Baiyi."

"Qingsi Office… I'll guard it."

"Tian Erjun…"

You Sisi looked up at Tian Erjun; he nodded to her: "Go. First check on Lord Han's condition, then report back to me."

"Yes!"

You Sisi sprinted down the corridor toward the room where Chen was, vanishing quickly—clearly using her Martial Technique, her anxiety and dread for Fang Yue so intense she longed to be at his side right now.

Watching You Sisi's reaction, even amid such dire circumstances, Tian Erjun couldn't help a small, warm smile.

He had watched You Sisi grow from the beginning.

From her arrival in Qingsi County as a Qingyi—reckless, fiery, full of spirit—to her causing a great disaster, admitting fault, changing, to now becoming more perceptive and courageous than he was.

You Sisi was, without doubt, the pillar he recognized as Qingsi County's future.

As for You Sisi and Night Baiyi's relationship—that was for the young to figure out themselves; outsiders had no business meddling in matters of the heart.

"Help me up."

He ordered Yu Baiyi, who supported him as he rose; Tian Erjun felt a wave of dizziness.

His injuries had penetrated his five viscera and six bowels—severe internal damage.

Even if he survived today, he would carry permanent injuries, his strength permanently diminished, unlikely to ever regain his Peak—just like Lord Han's Yuhan zhi shi.

Such injuries, as cultivation years increase, are inevitable for some; some suffer lighter wounds and recover with the help of a Divine Doctor through long, quiet rest—but even then, it takes many, many years. Others are left with permanent damage, chronic ailments, suffering for life.

Like Lord Han, who has been resting in Gu Yue Cun—his injury is extraordinary, beyond recovery, merely prolonging his final days.

Compared to Lord Han's Yuhan zhi shi, his own condition was merely permanent damage to his foundation—relatively mild.

The Night Rain still fell; You Sisi's mind was elsewhere, and Tian Erjun still had to assign personnel, manage Qingsi Office duties, notify refugees, and adjust the overall situation.

Most importantly, if the Night Rain continued and escalated into Heavy Rain, the consequences would be catastrophic!

Though cruel, Tian Erjun had to begin planning: if Night Baiyi fell, and You Sisi and Lord Han failed in their aid, and Qingsi County was lost—how to select the most promising survivors to escape through the only safe passage—the Underground Stronghold—and preserve the spark of hope.

But before Tian Erjun could finish his plan, a sudden explosion erupted outside.

He had just raised his head…

Bang!!

The door burst open, wood splinters flying everywhere. A long-haired girl with iron chains wrapped around her body held Yu Baiyi's head in one hand while sniffing in confusion.

"The smells... there are more of them..."

(End of chapter)