"Don't rush. Take your time," Cao De said, wiping the tears from the corners of Shui Yue'er's eyes.
Shui Yue'er began to explain.
After Shui Bing'er had been imprisoned, Yang Pang had decided she was indirectly responsible for Yang Fang's death and planned to force her to marry his dead son.
As Cao De listened, killing intent flickered in his eyes. "I'll go rescue your sister right now."
Just then, the door opened. Huo Wu stormed in and grabbed Shui Yue'er by the collar. "I told you not to come up here and disturb Master!"
"It's all right, Huo Wu. You two stay here. I'll go take a look at Skywater Academy."
"Master, you only just woke up. You haven't recovered yet." Huo Wu wanted to say more, but fell silent when she saw his expression.
"Master, I want to stay by your side!" Shuo Wu said resolutely.
"All right. Once we're there, watch out for your own safety."
The three headed for Skywater Academy. With Shui Yue'er leading the way, they quickly reached the room where Shui Bing'er was being held.
The room where Shui Bing'er was imprisoned was now festively decorated, with red lanterns hanging overhead and exquisite paper cutouts pasted on the windows.
"You two wait outside!" Cao De told them sternly.
"All right." Both nodded.
Cao De slowly approached Shui Bing'er's room, gently pried the door open, then swiftly pushed his way inside.
Upon entering, Cao De saw Yang Pang sitting in a chair, drinking tea.
"I knew Shui Bing'er was in league with you." Yang Pang's gaze was icy as he slammed his teacup down.
Seeing this setup, Cao De understood. Yang Pang had deliberately let Shui Yue'er escape to lure him here.
"Today, you'll join my son-" Before Yang Pang could finish, a streak of purple rapidly grew larger before his eyes.
Yang Pang retreated repeatedly, summoning his Martial Soul to block it.
Cao De felt helpless. He had unleashed his first Soul Skill, Draw Cut, while his opponent was still speaking, but his unhealed injuries had slowed him considerably, allowing Yang Pang to block the attack.
"Die!" Yang Pang roared as five Soul Rings swiftly appeared around him.
"Fifth Soul Skill, Spear Lock!"
As his words fell, Yang Pang hurled the spear in his hand straight at Cao De's head.
Cao De swiftly dodged using Reverse Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, but the spear turned in midair on its own and continued toward his head.
"Third Soul Skill, Demon Sword's Protection!" A purple barrier of shards enveloped Cao De.
Bang!
The spear struck the purple barrier and came to an abrupt halt. The impact drove Cao De several steps backward. A metallic sweetness rose in his throat, and traces of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
"Hahaha! And here I thought you were strong! Go down there and beg my son for forgiveness!"
Yang Pang beckoned, and the spear returned to his hand. He swung it through the air, sending out a series of piercing whistles!
"Third Soul Skill, Armor Break!"
"Fourth Soul Skill, Piercing!"
Cao De gave a low shout. The Thousand-Blade Demon Sword separated shard by shard, forming an elongated demon sword that slashed toward Yang Pang.
Yang Pang swung his spear to block, stopping the Demon Blade Shards that met it.
But the remaining shards continued slashing toward him.
Yang Pang's eyes widened as he darted backward, but the demon sword in midair swiftly scattered into countless shards that surged toward him.
Before Yang Pang could react at all, the Demon Blade Shards pierced through his body.
His pupils shrank to pinpoints, and Yang Pang fell into eternal sleep on the spot!
The demon sword slowly returned to its hilt, and Cao De wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
A smile appeared on his face as he looked at the Thousand-Blade Demon Sword in his hand.
When he had used his Soul Skills just now, he had felt his connection to the demon sword deepen slightly.
Following that feeling, he had unleashed his third and Fourth Soul Skills, and they had actually worked together!
This delighted Cao De beyond measure.
It was all thanks to Blood Qi. It seemed he would have to visit the Nuomi Church someday!
Having made up his mind, Cao De began searching the room for Shui Bing'er.
A thorough search revealed no one. Cao De frowned and examined everything carefully, finally discovering a secret passage beneath the bed.
Cao De smashed open the entrance and headed down.
After descending a dozen or so meters, the space suddenly opened up before him.
Red lanterns hung on all four walls, which were decorated with characters proclaiming wedding joy. A large red bed stood in the center.
Cao De strode forward and lifted the red bed curtains with his sword tip. Shui Bing'er lay there with her hands and feet bound and tape over her mouth, making muffled sounds. Beside her lay Yang Fang, dressed entirely in red.
When Shui Bing'er saw that it was Cao De, great tears fell from her eyes like pearls from a broken string.
Cao De quickly stepped forward, cut the ropes binding her hands and feet, and gently peeled the tape from her mouth.
Shui Bing'er began sobbing aloud. Cao De gently gathered her into his arms and stroked her back.
"It's all right now. It's all right."
The taut defenses around Shui Bing'er's heart instantly collapsed, and her suppressed emotions burst free of her control.
At Cao De's soothing words, Shui Bing'er leaned into his embrace and cried even louder.
Cao De said nothing more, simply continuing to stroke her back.
Only after a long while did Shui Bing'er's sobs slowly subside. Her tears had already soaked the front of Cao De's clothes.
"All cried out?" Cao De teased.
Shui Bing'er's face flushed, but she said nothing.
"Can you walk on your own?" Cao De asked.
"They gave me Soft Bone Powder. My whole body is limp," Shui Bing'er said quietly.
Understanding what she meant, Cao De gently propped her against the edge of the bed.
He crouched, picked up her aqua-blue high heels, and slowly slipped them onto her delicate feet.
Under the effects of Soft Bone Powder, Shui Bing'er could hardly feel his touch, yet watching him made her face inexplicably burn.
"All done." Cao De stood, scooped Shui Bing'er into his arms, and headed outside.
Shui Bing'er rested against Cao De's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, her heart filled with a sense of safety.
Huo Wu stood guard at the doorway. Seeing Cao De emerge with Shui Bing'er in his arms, she said with concern, "Master, you haven't recovered yet. Let me carry her."
"I'm fine. Let's hurry and leave," Cao De said.
"Sister, your face is so red. Are you all right?" Shui Yue'er asked anxiously.
"I'm fine, I'm fine. Let's hurry. People from Skywater Academy will be here soon," Shui Bing'er urged.
Shui Yue'er was puzzled, but did not dwell on it. She quickly led Cao De out of Skywater Academy.
They returned to the hotel where Huo Wu was staying, and Cao De laid Shui Bing'er on the bed.
"Get some rest. I've already sent Huo Wu to find a doctor and buy an antidote for the Soft Bone Powder." Cao De brushed the loose strands of hair away from Shui Bing'er's eyes.
"Thank you," Shui Bing'er murmured.
After Cao De left, Shui Yue'er felt Shui Bing'er's forehead. Sure enough, it was very hot. "Sister, you have a fever."
"It's nothing. It's just a little Soft Bone Powder. I'll be fine in a while." Shui Bing'er stared in the direction Cao De had gone.
Shui Yue'er could not quite understand why her sister's face quickly reddened whenever she looked at Cao De.
Before long, Huo Wu pushed the door open and entered with the medicine.
Shui Yue'er hurriedly took it and went to boil some water.
Huo Wu sat beside the bed and scrutinized Shui Yue'er, nodding from time to time. She looked again, then nodded emphatically.
Her scrutiny made Shui Bing'er uneasy. "What's wrong?" she asked softly.
With a serious expression, Huo Wu asked, "Where will you go from here? Will you stay with Master, or go somewhere else on your own?"
Caught off guard by the question, Shui Bing'er frowned in thought. She truly did not know where to go from here.
Huo Wu continued, "Master rescued your sister from human traffickers.
"Your teacher planned to sell you, and Master saved you. He was badly injured because of it.
"This time, Skywater Academy imprisoned you. Master had only just woken after being unconscious for two days, yet he immediately went to rescue you.
"Don't you owe my master a great deal?"
Shui Bing'er froze at Huo Wu's words, then nodded earnestly. "I do owe Cao De a great debt of gratitude. I'll find a way to repay him."
Huo Wu smiled. "Good, as long as you want to repay him. My master still needs two maidservants."
Shui Bing'er was stunned once again by Huo Wu's words.
Huo Wu resumed speaking solemnly...
As it turned out, a natural airhead could be truly terrifying once she got serious.
Tonight, Shui Bing'er was successfully given a lesson~
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