THUMP!

A muffled sound came from the courtyard.

Su Xuan, who noticed the strange noise immediately, crept to the window and peered outside. His expression changed. He saw a frail figure clutching their chest, staggering toward his room.

Even though it was deep into the night and the courtyard lights had been extinguished by Butler Liu, Su Xuan's astonishing vision allowed him to recognize the shadow. It was Qi Li, who had left just a few days ago.

"Su Xuan, open…"

Qi Li reached Su Xuan's door and was about to call out when it swung open.

"Qi Li, what happened?" Su Xuan reached out, supporting her slender wrist and pulling her into the room while his wary gaze quickly swept the courtyard.

"I can't go back!"

Once inside, Qi Li's entire body went limp, and she leaned against Su Xuan, saying weakly, "On my way back, I ran into some people of unknown origin… As soon as they saw me, they tried to… kill me!"

"I understand." Su Xuan helped Qi Li to his bed, noticing blood seeping through her clothes.

"I'm sorry." Qi Li's beautiful eyes were half-closed as she apologized with deep remorse. "I've troubled you again, and now I've stained your bed…"

"It doesn't matter," Su Xuan said earnestly. "Just remember to wash the sheets for me once you've recovered."

As he spoke, he walked toward the bathroom.

Qi Li turned her head slightly to watch his retreating figure and replied just as earnestly, "I will."

Su Xuan returned to the bedside with a wet towel. "I'll help you wipe away the blood and check your injury… but I'm afraid a trip to the hospital might be unavoidable."

"There's no need to go through the trouble of a hospital," Qi Li said, shaking her head. "They're just flesh wounds. My organs aren't damaged. I already took a healing pill, otherwise I never would have made it to your house."

Then, she allowed Su Xuan to slip the damp towel beneath her clothing and gently wipe the area, biting her lip slightly.

Su Xuan pushed aside the blood-soaked fabric to inspect her wound. He saw that it had started to heal, but it seemed the long run had torn it open again, causing it to bleed steadily. Her injury wasn't new. He had no idea how she had endured the pain and run all the way to his house.

"One more pill and I'll be… fine." Qi Li raised her arm slightly, pressing a brocade pouch into Su Xuan's hand.

Following her instructions, Su Xuan found a crimson pill inside and fed it to her.

PHEW!

After swallowing the pill, Qi Li let out a long breath and closed her beautiful eyes completely. Although she was now in the safety of Su Xuan's home, her delicate body still trembled faintly, as if she were still trapped in the terror of her ordeal.

"If you don't mind…" Su Xuan considered for a moment, "I can help you change out of those bloody clothes."

"Mhm." Qi Li nodded slightly. "I'll be troubling you, then," she said, her cheeks turning red.

Su Xuan did nothing improper. He covered her with the blanket, reached underneath, and after a moment of rustling, he pulled out the bloodstained clothes and tossed them into the bathroom.

"Su Xuan…" Qi Li forced herself to stay awake and began her story. "I had reached the boundary between the mountain and the foothills, thinking my journey was going smoothly. I thought that once I brought the news back to the Floating Cloud Sect, we could avoid a bloodbath. I never, ever expected to be ambushed!"

"Mhm," Su Xuan murmured, encouraging her to continue.

"They… they…" Qi Li's hand moved, grasping Su Xuan's. "There were six of them, and they were all quite skilled. I didn't dare fight, so I ran. They gave chase. At first, I tried to flee toward the sect, but I discovered more people lying in wait up ahead, so I turned around and ran toward you…"

"You did an amazing job," Su Xuan said, patting the back of her hand. "Anyone else probably wouldn't have escaped."

Having understood the general situation, Su Xuan didn't press for more details. He didn't ask exactly how she was injured, not wanting to force her to relive the brutal memory.

"As long as you're alive, that's what matters," Su Xuan said gently. "I will find out who they are, and I will make them settle this score."

"Yes, we have to make them pay," Qi Li nodded, her grip on his hand tightening.

With her eyes still closed, she murmured, "Actually, on my way back, I was planning to speak with my father and have him come thank you personally. Or at least, once things stabilize, invite you to stay at our sect for a few days. The scenery there is beautiful—clear mountains, pristine waters, and the air filled with the scent of flowers and the songs of birds. You would love it there. Oh, and our disciples would definitely like you, too. They all admire the strong. By the way, Su Xuan, how is my senior brother? He absolutely must not go back yet; it's impossible to return safely…"

Qi Li seemed to want to say everything at once, but her voice grew fainter and fainter as she spoke. The arduous journey had made her eyelids incredibly heavy.

"Your senior brother is recovering very well," Su Xuan said softly. "We even agreed to head to your sect together tomorrow. I'm going because I have a problem of my own and need to seek out medicine there…"

Su Xuan trailed off, realizing that Qi Li had fallen asleep.

Fortunately, her breathing was steady; otherwise, he would have taken her to a hospital immediately. Of course, it also helped that he had developed some faith in the pills from the world on the mountain. He believed that with a little rest, Qi Li would make a full recovery.

While sleeping, Qi Li still clutched Su Xuan's hand, as if searching for a sense of security.

After more than twenty minutes, Su Xuan gently pried his hand from her grasp and walked to the door, having heard footsteps again. The footsteps outside were very light, a clear sign that someone was tiptoeing toward his room.

Yet Su Xuan felt no anxiety. A warm smile even appeared on his face as he reached out and opened the door.

"Su Xuan, I'm here!" A stunningly beautiful face appeared in the doorway, making a funny face at him.

"Shouldn't you be with your father instead of running over here?" Su Xuan pulled Alice into the room and closed the door again.

"My dad said I was chattering too much and kicked me out," Alice said, clinging to Su Xuan's arm with the air of a dependent little bird. "Besides, Susanna and the others are watching him, so I'm not too worried. I wanted to see you… Huh?"

As she spoke, Alice let go of his arm and stared, unblinking, at the bed.

She saw a cascade of Green Silk fanned out at the head of Su Xuan's bed.

A delicate hand peeked out from under the blanket.

There were also spots of blood on the blanket…

This scene could easily lead one to wild speculation. Did Su Xuan bring home an innocent young woman and… have his way with her?! Hadn't he had enough fun in the airplane restroom? Where does he get all this energy?

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