Stalemate

"Clang!" Zhang Ruofeng arrived just in time as Xin Mu was about to be attacked again. His left arm bracer collided violently with the Earth Bee's forelimb, producing a loud ringing sound. Zhang Ruofeng was forced back a step, using the movement to dissipate the force of the impact.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Ruofeng shielded Xin Mu behind him, but he had no spare moment to turn around and check her injuries. Having already killed one Guard Bee, he wasn't sure if he had the stamina to take down a second. Furthermore, his own wounds were in a constant state of recovery; the sensation of them knitting together only to be torn open again by his strenuous movements left him both mentally exhausted and increasingly irritable.

"I'm fine." Zhang Ruofeng heard Xin Mu gasp—a technique for enduring pain. However, he dared not shift his gaze, for the Guard Bee was already charging at him. Xin Mu's condition was likely dire, and his own speed couldn't match the flying Guard Bee. With a roar, Zhang Ruofeng coiled his body like a spring, unleashing all his strength in a single, explosive punch toward the creature.

--- Xin Mu's Perspective ---

Xin Mu looked at her shoulder, where blood was streaming down. A wound roughly ten centimeters long had nearly sliced through her shoulder from back to front. Her right arm was completely limp, and cold sweat rolled down her forehead. Having never been injured before, her entire body trembled from the excruciating pain, making it impossible for her to even retrieve the diluted Dragon Blood from her pocket.

Is this the kind of pain he endures? Xin Mu wondered how Zhang Ruofeng could joke around even after suffering wounds far worse than her current one. Yet, beyond a shaky reply to reassure him, she lacked the strength to speak.

No, this is a reaction to blood loss. Feeling a chill creeping over her, she watched Zhang Ruofeng engage in close-quarters combat with the Guard Bee. She knew she could no longer rely on him; after his initial explosive punch, his speed and power had waned, and he was beginning to lose the upper hand.

"Haa, haa, haa." Xin Mu panted heavily, managing to open the vial of diluted Dragon Blood in her pocket and splash it onto her right shoulder. A faint warmth spread through the area, and as her body finally relaxed, she slowly applied the remaining liquid to the wounds on her arm and leg.

"This shirt is ruined." She glanced at her white T-shirt—her favorite. She had only worn it because she planned to grab a meal with Zhang Ruofeng after his training. Who would have thought they would end up here? She had washed this shirt so many times, only for it to be shredded now.

Realizing her focus was drifting, Xin Mu forced herself to concentrate on Zhang Ruofeng. Their battle had reached a life-or-death struggle. The Guard Bee's body was dented in several places from Zhang Ruofeng's heavy blows, but he was covered in blood, with wisps of steam rising from his wounds, making him look both miraculous and savage.

Zhang Ruofeng grabbed the wing that Xin Mu had previously gashed with her dagger. His metal bracer clattered against the creature's frame; after all, the wings were the Guard Bee's fastest and most powerful weapon. Pressing his right hand against his abdomen, he pulled hard with his left, tearing a large chunk of the wing clean off.

"So strong!" As Xin Mu marveled at his murderous gaze, a chill ran through her heart. This was the first time she had seen Zhang Ruofeng fight with everything he had. Despite his severe injuries, his expression was filled with a manic, irritable intensity. He looked like an enraged lion, the space between him and the Guard Bee thick with danger. Although the creature had lost half a wing, it didn't immediately charge again, seemingly stunned by the ferocity of the attack.

Watching Zhang Ruofeng shift his stance to keep her firmly behind him, Xin Mu felt an indescribable sense of security. She finally understood why, in times of danger, romantic or platonic bonds could intensify so rapidly. Seeing his shoulders heave with every breath, she knew her reliance on him had reached a level she hadn't thought possible.

"Bzzzz." Zhang Ruofeng, gasping for air while searching for an opening, might not have heard it, but Xin Mu heard it clearly. A buzzing sound emanated from the food storage area. She remembered the mysterious adventurer mentioning that there were four of these elite Guard Bees. If she hadn't been intercepted by Zhang Ruofeng, she would have been killed by them. Were the other two coming out now? Her face turned pale at the thought. There was no way they could defeat three Guard Bees at once. "Ruofeng, run!"

--- Zhang Ruofeng's Perspective ---

Hearing Xin Mu's cry, a bitter smile touched the corner of Zhang Ruofeng's mouth. He had managed to gain a slight advantage over this low-intelligence creature, and he would have fled if he could. But his stamina was depleted, and a wound on his abdomen had reached his internal organs—something he kept hidden from Xin Mu. While he suspected his recovery rate would prevent the organ damage from being fatal, he knew he couldn't outrun two fresh Guard Bees.

"Haa, haa, haa." Zhang Ruofeng took three deep breaths, suppressing the pain, and said with his back to her, "Go! Find other adventurers to save me! Tell them there are ten Star Fruits here, worth ten thousand Faris—someone will be tempted, and then I'll be saved."

Xin Mu felt tears welling up. Zhang Ruofeng couldn't even kill one bee quickly; if three attacked, he would be torn to pieces in no time. She couldn't accept that. She bit her lower lip and shook her head violently.

"Sigh." Zhang Ruofeng let out a heavy, silent sigh. His plan was the most logical; Xin Mu was useless in a fight, and staying here only put them both at risk. If he drew all the attention, she might have a chance to survive. But asking a young lady like her to make such a choice was truly cruel.

"Do or die." Taking advantage of the crippled Guard Bee's hesitation, he forced himself to charge, catching a glimpse of a figure rushing toward them from the corridor.