Chen Qing endured the churning of his Qi and Blood and the jolts in his organs as he charged madly into the depths of the Reed Marsh. Then he staggered along the rocky riverbank for a full half hour.
Only when he was utterly exhausted did he collapse onto a relatively dry stretch of shore, gasping for breath.
After a long while, he struggled into a seated position and examined his injuries.
His internal organs had suffered some shocks, and his right arm was numb from being brushed by a palm gust. Fortunately, no bones were broken. They were merely blunt injuries and excessive depletion of true qi; there was no mortal danger.
After resting for quite some time, he heard faint, suppressed groans from afar.
Hmm!?
Chen Qing clenched his fists warily and silently made his way toward the sound.
Within a patch of flattened reeds, he saw the bedraggled Ye Rong'er.
She was in a miserable state. One arm had been severed, her clothing was torn in several places, revealing bloodstained skin. Her face was pale as paper, and blood still stained the corner of her lips.
Several weapons lay beside her, though he did not know who had left them there.
When she saw Chen Qing appear, fear and resentment flashed through her eyes.
"Chen... Junior Brother Chen? You're alive! That's wonderful..."
Ye Rong'er panted. "Thank you for drawing away that powerful enemy just now... Otherwise, I... cough, cough..."
That damned dog! He actually dared abandon me and flee for his life alone!
Once I return to the Gengjin Institute, I'll settle this debt with him properly!
Chen Qing quickly stepped forward.
"Y-you... what are you doing?!"
Seeing this, Ye Rong'er's voice began to tremble uncontrollably.
With her Meridians damaged as they were, any ordinary strongman could