Soxia had never counted how long he had lain concealed there.
Precisely because of that, his camouflage was flawless. His presence and his body blended completely into the treetop, merging with its shadows. Throughout his wait, not even a tiny insect had detected him. He was like a branch of the tree itself, unseen and indistinguishable, utterly still.
Yet his eyes were wide open like an owl's in the dead of night, gleaming like the morning light. Everything within a hundred meters beneath the tree lay before his gaze; not even an insect's movement escaped him.
When the battered remnants of the army approached, their banners gone and their armor discarded, he still betrayed no trace of his presence. Only his eyes brightened as he watched the carriage in the middle draw closer, slowly, ever so slowly.
Inside the carriage, Han Ling looked at him with complicated feelings. There was no doubt that Qin Zihui had been gravely wounded. Although Zeng Mu's sword had missed his vital organs, it had still pierced his flank, damaging his small intestine and kidney meridian. Yetos's ferocious, reckless attacks had also left hidden injuries on his body that he had ignored at the time. Only now, lying on the couch, could he clearly feel the pain that riddled him.
As though sensing his concerns, Qin Zihui suddenly softened his heavy breathing. With his eyes closed, he said, "Don't worry. These injuries are nothing serious. Once we return to Xuan City, an Elemental Healer will have me fully recovered after a few days of treatment."
Han Ling nodded repeatedly in agreement, then asked, "But General, even with the best Elemental Healer there treating you, it would be hard for you to recover completely in less than ten days or a fortnight..." His voice grew quieter