Section 4: A Kiss Between Men?

At first glance, it appeared to be a girl, but a closer look revealed an Adam's apple and a flat chest. It was a boy.

He had the appearance of a youth, around thirteen years of age. He was simply too delicate; his flawless features possessed a refined, exquisite quality, carrying a sculptural beauty.

His skin was smooth and fair, surpassing even snow in its radiance. It was slightly superior even to Chu Yun, who had been transformed by the spiritual energy of a Heavenly Fox. However, a wisp of dark, greenish aura coiled between his brows.

"He has been poisoned. This is the signature Daoist technique of a Great Demon-level Sea-Sleeping Jellyfish—the Green Mold Nightmare." The White-Browed Alchemist approached, identifying the nature of the injury with a single glance.

By now, a group of students, both male and female, had gathered around.

Hearing the White-Browed Alchemist's words, someone in the crowd whispered, "To escape the clutches of a Great Demon-level Sea-Sleeping Jellyfish at such a young age... this boy must have incredible skill."

"However, once struck by a poison-type technique like the Green Mold Nightmare, he is not far from death. Unless treated with a top-tier medicinal pill, but such pills are worth a thousand gold and are impossible to find on the market. This boy is doomed to die." Someone who considered themselves knowledgeable began to show off their insight.

"Hm? This is!" The White-Browed Alchemist, who had been frowning, suddenly let out an exclamation of shock upon seeing the jade slip clutched tightly in the boy's hand.

Chu Yun looked over in surprise; he had never seen the White-Browed Alchemist so moved before.

The White-Browed Alchemist picked up the golden jade slip and sank his consciousness into it, clearly examining its contents.

"It truly is the princess of the Dunhuang Kingdom!" The White-Browed Alchemist felt a shock that could not be surpassed. "The Dunhuang Kingdom suffered a catastrophe, and the King had previously notified the Academy Head. He said he would secretly send the princess here to be cultivated in seclusion, hoping the Heavenly Song Academy would take care of her. He intended to mold her into an Empress to succeed him on the throne. To think I would meet her here!"

"It seems she traveled alone and encountered a wild Great Demon Sea-Sleeping Jellyfish at sea, leading to this peril. Before losing consciousness, she used the Gem Dolphin to save herself. I must save her, no matter the cost."

With a grave expression, the White-Browed Alchemist put away the jade slip. He then retrieved a pill bottle from his robes and poured out a pill. After a moment of thought, he handed it to Chu Yun.

"Quickly chew this pill and feed it to her mouth-to-mouth; it will save her life," the White-Browed Alchemist urged anxiously.

He knew the youth was a princess and naturally could not do it himself. Seeing this Dunhuang princess disguised as a boy to hide her identity, he could not expose her. Therefore, he could not ask the surrounding girls to perform the feeding.

Setting aside whether the female students would be willing to perform mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on an unknown youth, he could not issue such a strange order without drawing unwanted attention.

Thus, he had no choice but to ask a male student.

Among the male students, he held the most favorable view of Chu Yun. If the princess were to hold anyone accountable later, he could claim that since it was Chu Yun who had fished up the Gem Dolphin, their merits and faults would cancel each other out, sparing him from punishment.

In just a few short moments, the White-Browed Alchemist's mind had turned several corners. Having weighed his options, he immediately forced the pill into Chu Yun's hand.

Chu Yun felt helpless. What kind of situation was this? He looked at the White-Browed Alchemist with a hint of resentment. If you want to save her, why don't you do it yourself?

However, her life was hanging by a thread, and this was no time for excuses.

Chu Yun crushed the pill between his teeth, chewing it thoroughly. Mixing it with his saliva, he lowered his head.

Mouth-to-mouth, he pried open her chin and fed the thoroughly chewed medicine into her.

Jin Bihan was trapped in a nightmare. Once struck by the Green Mold Nightmare, one would fall into a deep, inescapable dream. Eventually, the victim would succumb to overwhelming terror, causing their life force to freeze and trapping them in a permanent slumber.

In her dream, she had returned to the palace where she had spent her days.

Her older brother's ghost drifted before her: "Little sister, my death was murder, a cold-blooded murder! Some ministers in the court were bought off, and among the princes, there were those who did not want to see me ascend the throne. You must avenge me! Avenge this grievance!"

"Brother, who did this? Who?" she cried out, her palms icy and her face streaming with tears.

Her brother's ghost dissipated into nothingness. The scene shifted instantly; she stood by a bed where her father, the King, lay deathly ill.

"My daughter, the throne of the Dunhuang Kingdom must never fall into the hands of those ambitious princes. As the only successor of the royal line, you must shoulder the responsibility of guarding the throne! Become the Crown Princess..."

Her father was old and frail, his clouded eyes fixed on his only flesh and blood as he struggled to give his final instructions.

"Father, I will surely avenge my brother, I will surely protect the throne!" Jin Bihan knelt, weeping, and made her vow before all.

Fate is volatile, forever impossible to fathom.

One moment, Jin Bihan was a girl waiting to be wed, studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, destined to be a candidate for political marriage. The next, she had to shoulder the heavy burden of a nation, become the Crown Princess, and guard the throne!

But being the Crown Princess was no easy task. The civil officials who controlled the court, the arrogant generals, and the ambitious princes would certainly stand in her way.

Especially since she was a woman.

"My daughter, your talent as a Spirit Beast Master is even greater than your brother's. But for these years, to honor your brother's glory, you have deliberately suppressed yourself. I have seen it all. Hide your identity and go to the Heavenly Song Academy. The Academy Head is my close friend, and it is all arranged. Take this jade slip and the Golden Cicada Garment to disguise yourself as a boy. Go, temper yourself and study in seclusion. Improve your abilities and gather useful talent. Two years—you must return in two years. My body can only hold on for two more years..."

And so, the former princess removed her beloved jewelry and shed her favorite dresses. She donned the Golden Cicada Garment, dressed in armor, and departed in secret.

She had deceived everyone, but she had not been able to deceive the wild beasts of the sea.

The ship she boarded was unfortunately attacked by a Sea-Sleeping Jellyfish and capsized. In her moment of peril, Jin Bihan used the Gem Dolphin to save herself.

The Gem Dolphin swam aimlessly through the sea; it did not know the direction to the Heavenly Song Academy. Furthermore, wounded as it was, it grew weaker and slower.

But suddenly, it smelled a fragrant scent. It was the White-Browed Alchemist's Fragrance-Attracting Pill, which was particularly alluring to Gem Dolphins.

The dolphin mustered its remaining strength and caught up to the treasure ship where Chu Yun was. However, the first thing it encountered was a different fishing line.

And so, it was fished up by a certain youth.

A cool, slightly bitter taste began to spread through her mouth. As it entered her throat, it quickly transformed into a warm current. Wherever it flowed, the toxins melted and dissipated like snow meeting boiling water.

Gradually, her numb body regained sensation. As if finding a glimmer of light in the darkness, Jin Bihan's exquisite, jade-like fingers twitched, and she slowly opened her eyes.

Chu Yun was still in the middle of the mouth-to-mouth feeding, occasionally using his tongue to help push the medicine down. After all, she was completely unconscious, and the pill in her mouth needed a little "nudge" from his tongue.

Jin Bihan's beautiful, moon-like eyes suddenly widened!