Yang Qianhuan arrived

Late at night!

Inside the barbican atop the city wall, charcoal fires burned quietly, dispelling the chill of the autumn night.

The copper kettle bubbled with boiling water. Li Miaozhen soaked her blood-stained handkerchief in the warm water and gently rinsed it. The copper basin instantly turned crimson.

"What, what's going on? He's still bleeding like this, he won't make it through the night!"

Zhang Kaitai paced anxiously back and forth in the hall.

The other generals sat, stood, or scratched their heads, looking anxious and distressed, but they were at a loss for what to do.

After Zhang Kaitai brought Xu Qi back to the city wall, he was already unconscious and barely breathing. He tore off his clothes to check his wounds, and everyone was shocked to find that his entire body was covered in cracks and lacerations.

Blood kept seeping from those cracked, porcelain-like wounds.

The gruesome wound on his waist, which nearly severed him, sent chills down Zhang Kaitai's spine. Even for them, such a serious injury would likely have killed them within an hour without timely treatment.

A fourth-rank martial artist does not possess the immortal body of a third-rank martial artist, nor does he have the blood spirit technique of a wizard, which can activate Qi and Blood and heal injuries.

As a disciple of the Daoist School sect, Li Miaozhen had some knowledge of medicine, since one needed to be proficient in pharmacology to refine elixirs. She also carried some elixirs for treating external injuries with her.

However, these pills had no effect on Xu Qi'an's injuries.

Swallowing it ingested had no effect.

Grinding it into powder and applying it to the wound had no effect whatsoever.

"This can't go on. We have to take him back to the capital. Only the Bureau of Astronomy can save him," Li Miaozhen sighed.

She didn't know how she got that near-fatal wound on her waist.

However, Li Miaozhen estimated that the phenomenon of her body being cracked like porcelain was related to the Confucian School Law Follows Speech law, and originated from the backlash of Law Technique.

Just like the day he defied his own will and defeated Chu Yuanzhen, only to have his soul scattered.

Li Miaozhen recalled that Xu Qi'an had used Confucian School Law Technique to enhance his Primordial Spirit, which caused a Primordial Spirit. This time, his body was cracked and bleeding profusely, which should be due to the enhancement of his vital energy.

"Thank you for your help, Master Li."

Zhang Kaitai perked up and stared at her intently.

Li Miaozhen slowly shook her head, her expression somber. "My Golden Core is inside him. Golden Core stabilized his injuries to some extent; otherwise, he might already be..."

How can she fly on her sword if she doesn't retrieve her Golden Core?

Having received the Golden Core, the man may have passed away before even reaching the capital.

Zhang Kaitai and other generals wore expressions of deep despair.

Her gentle fingers lightly brushed Xu Qi'an's cheek, a clear sorrow welling up in her heart. You saved Yuyang Pass, you saved these 14,000 soldiers, but what can I use to save you?

She was saddened for a moment, then suddenly had an idea. Reaching into her robes, she retrieved a fragment of the Earth Book and walked towards the outside of the barbican, saying:

"Please look after him, I'll be right back."

Li Miaozhen opened the gate of the barbican and suddenly froze. All she could see were dark, shadowy figures.

On the bridle path, the crowds spread out to both sides from the gate of the barbican, all the way into the darkness beyond sight.

The entire venue was completely silent. Thousands upon thousands of people were present, not a sound was made, as if they were afraid of disturbing the people sleeping inside.

"You can save Xu Yinluo, you can save Xu Yinluo, right?"

From the crowd, a soldier pleaded.

They heard the entire conversation inside.

When Li Miaozhen looked at them again, she noticed that these men, who had risked their lives for blood, all had tears in their eyes.

At that moment, Li Miaozhen deeply understood what it meant to feel as if she had been struck in the chest.

"I will," she nodded gently, then retreated back into the barbican.

She closed the door, not turning around, but with her back to Zhang Kaitai and the others, took out a fragment of the Earth Book and sent a message:

[Gentlemen, Xu Qi'an and I are at Yuyang Pass on the border of Xiangzhou. He is critically wounded and on the verge of death.]

Li Miaozhen succinctly recounted Xu Qi'an's situation in three parts.

Finally, the letter asked, "[What should we do now?]"

[Six: Lord Xu, is your condition really that bad?! Amitabha! This humble monk now wishes to go to the Northeast to perform a ritual to deliver these barbarians from suffering.]

Even through the fragments of the Earth Book, one could sense Master Hengyuan's anxiety, worry, and impotent rage.

[One: Your Golden Core is inside him, temporarily keeping him alive?]

It seemed that Huaiqing became very enthusiastic whenever Xu Qi'an was involved, a stark contrast to his usual taciturn nature. Li Miaozhen frowned secretly and sent a reply:

Yes, without the Golden Core, I can no longer fly on my sword. If I lose the Golden Core, Xu Qi'an won't make it back to the capital. I... I can't risk his life.

What do you mean by not risking his life? According to your character, Flying Swallow Heroine, shouldn't it be three parts destiny and seven parts hard work? I'm taking you back to the capital now, whether you live or die depends on your fate, little brother. Is that how it is? Chu Yuanzhen couldn't help but complain in his heart.

[1: How long can it be suspended?]

[Second: There will be no danger to his life before noon tomorrow, but if the Golden Core is removed, he may only have one hour to live at most, or even less.]

Before Huaiqing could reply, Chu Yuanzhen spoke first, sending a message:

[That makes things easier. If you can't go back, send someone from the Bureau of Astronomy over. Yang Qianhuan's teleportation array is faster than flying on a sword; he has enough time to travel from the capital and should be able to return before noon tomorrow.]

Li Miaozhen's eyes lit up.

The idea was so simple, yet she hadn't thought of it; it seems concern clouded her judgment.

Chu Yuanzhen continued sending a message: [There's a curfew now, so Lina and Hengyuan can't move around the inner city. Number One, this matter can only be entrusted to you.]

The number one official holds a high position of power in the government, so it's unlikely that a curfew could restrain him.

[One: Okay.]

Lina breathed a sigh of relief and sent a message: [If you have any difficulties, just let me know. We can work together to solve them. That's great.]

"You seem to have done nothing at all," some of the members of the Heaven and Earth Society thought, as if they were important participants.

[I: Number 4, how is the war in the North?]

[Part 4: The Jingguo cavalry has withdrawn. It was thought that the fighting would continue for several more months, but unexpectedly, Duke Wei has managed to reach the headquarters of the Witch God Cult in just ten days.]

After sending this message, he suddenly stopped talking.

After a few seconds, Number One Huaiqing changed the subject: [Li Miaozhen, can you tell me the specifics now?]

Chu Yuanzhen sighed inwardly, then actively participated in the new topic, saying:

[Now can you tell us the details? Was he injured by Nurhega? I remember the Yan Kingdom's ruler was a peak fourth-rank dual-system expert, roughly the strongest tier below third rank.]

Li Miaozhen only mentioned that 80,000 troops from the Yan and Kang kingdoms attacked the city, without having the time or inclination to describe the details. Chu Yuanzhen felt that with Xu Qi'an's golden body and combat strength, an ordinary fourth-rank soldier wouldn't be able to bring him to the brink of death.

Relieved, Li Miaozhen was no longer in such a hurry. She sent a message saying, "[Xu Qi'an was injured while carving out the formation alone.]"

After sending that message, just as she was about to continue writing, Chu Yuanzhen sent a concise message: [Nonsense!]

[One: How could you be so ridiculous?]

Huaiqing frowned, feeling annoyed. This was indeed something Xu Qi'an would do. But this didn't contradict Huaiqing's annoyance stemming from worry.

[Six: Lord Xu was far too impulsive; this is tantamount to suicide!]

It was indeed suicide. Considering Xu Qi'an's current situation, if it weren't for Li Miaozhen's Golden Core protection, he would already be dead.

Lina clutched the fragments of the Earth Book, her delicate brows furrowing. She regretted not going with him to Yuyang Pass that day; she would have crushed his entire army, no matter what.

Honestly, let others finish speaking. Li Miaozhen pursed her lips and calmly sent a message:

He single-handedly broke through the enemy lines, almost blocking all of the enemy's elite troops, and twice caused the enemy's morale to collapse, forcing them to flee in panic. After the battle, the defending troops cleaned up the corpses and roughly estimated that he had killed at least nine thousand people in this battle.

[Yesterday, while defending the city, he killed Sugudu Red Bear. Today, after breaching the enemy lines, he single-handedly killed Yan Jun Nurhega, frightening away the remaining 50,000 enemy troops.]

The Earth Book chat group was silent.

The members of the Heaven and Earth Society were left with only a series of question marks in their minds.

One person, slaying nine thousand enemies, killing two peak fourth-rank cultivators, one of whom was said to be the strongest below the third rank? This must be fake, this must be fake. A scholar should be calm and composed. Chu Yuanzhen is also a knight-errant who has traveled the Nine Provinces for many years and has enough knowledge and experience. But right now, he just wants to grab Li Miaozhen by the collar and tell her not to joke around.

Lina didn't believe it either. Although she wasn't very smart, she got really into fighting and cultivation.

Hengyuan couldn't believe Li Miaozhen's words; such a record could probably only be achieved by a third-rank official.

She remembered that Xu Qi'an was a fifth-grade Transformation Realm cultivator. With a fifth-grade cultivation level, he would be exhausted after killing two thousand enemies, let alone nine thousand.

Li Miaozhen wouldn't lie, especially not about something meaningless. Huaiqing's heart stirred, and he sent a message: "[What trump card does he have?]"

[Two: He rose to the fourth rank overnight.]

It was a pity that they were separated by the fragments of the Earth Book; otherwise, Li Miaozhen would have heard Hengyuan, Chu Yuanzhen, and the others exhale with a sigh.

Chu Yuanzhen felt both moved and sympathetic. He remembered that before the expedition, Xu Qi'an had been stuck on the "intention" barrier and could not break through it. He himself was not in a particular hurry and cultivated step by step, with the attitude that it would be good if he could have an epiphany, and if he could not, he would take it slowly.

To put it nicely, it's a good attitude; to put it bluntly, it's laziness.

Unexpectedly, after Wei Yuan's death, he was promoted to the fourth rank overnight.

That man's death must have been a huge blow to him.

At this moment, tears seemed to glisten in Huaiqing's eyes. He had single-handedly carved out the formation, disregarding his own life and death; was this not also a kind of heart-wrenching pain?

Suddenly, the group chat for the Earth Books fell silent.

Li Miaozhen waited for a long time, but seeing that no one spoke, she knew that they were immersed in their own emotions and did not want to continue passing the letter.

She carefully put away the fragments of the Earth Book, turned around, and walked back to the simple bed, saying:

"Yang Qianhuan from the Bureau of Astronomy will arrive before dawn."

Zhang Kaitai let out a long breath, feeling somewhat weary after experiencing such extreme joy and sorrow.

The soldiers smiled from the bottom of their hearts. Xu Yinluo's death here would be a shadow that would haunt them for the rest of their lives, and they would live with self-blame and guilt for the rest of their lives.

Zhang Kaitai forced a smile onto his usually stern face.

"Alright, go tell the brothers to disperse quickly. Those who need to rest should rest, and those who need to get bandaged up should get bandaged up. Don't just stand there; everyone's exhausted after a day of fighting."

The soldiers refused to leave; they were all stubborn and headstrong men who wouldn't leave until they saw Xu Yinluo's condition improve.

A few tough guys even stubbornly argued back with Zhang Kaitai.

So we just let them be.

In the wilderness a hundred miles away from Yuyang Pass, a white-clad figure flashed repeatedly, with clear light array patterns lighting up beneath his feet. He flashed so frequently that the clear light array patterns were densely connected, like raindrops hitting the surface of water.

Before long, the outline of this formidable border city began to appear and disappear in the darkness.

"The aura of blood is palpable; a fierce battle has just taken place here."

The figure in white spoke in a low voice, like a compassionate and sage-like hermit.

After another flash of teleportation, he arrived at the city wall. Turning around, he was surprised to find that there were very few soldiers patrolling the horse path.

When he looked towards the barbican, he finally understood why: the soldiers had all gathered near the barbican.

The figure in white was inevitably puzzled. Why weren't these rough, uncouth soldiers resting or guarding the city in the middle of the night?

"There were quite a lot of people, but luckily I was prepared!"

The figure in white chuckled softly, exuding confidence and composure as if everything was under control.

Li Miaozhen, who was dozing off at the table, felt a sudden chill and woke up with a start. She looked up and saw a person dressed in white standing in the room.

He wore a veiled hat, beneath which was a mask, and beneath the mask, there seemed to be a cloth covering him.

"Yang Qianhuan?"

Li Miaozhen probed.

"I never imagined that even with such a low-key disguise, I still couldn't conceal my innate radiance. Master Li, it seems I've left an indelible impression on you."

Yang Qianhuan said happily.

Li Miaozhen was also delighted that it was I who had invited you. Although Yang Qianhuan had an eccentric personality, he was very reliable and never missed a day or was late.

"Why are you dressed like this?" she asked, puzzled.

"There are too many people here. No matter where I stand, someone will see my face. This doesn't fit my image as a reclusive sage, nor the loneliness of facing the world with my back to humanity," Yang Qianhuan said in a low voice.

Li Miaozhen exclaimed that he was an expert; the supervisor's third disciple had an unimaginable obsession with the back of his head being visible to others.

Without wasting words, she quickly said, "Quickly check on Xu Qi'an, how is he?"

Yang Qianhuan sat on the edge of the bed, scrutinizing Xu Qi'an. She grabbed his wrist to take his pulse, and after a long while, she sighed regretfully and shook her head.

Li Miaozhen's heart sank suddenly; the joy that had just arisen was like a flame extinguished by cold water.

"He... he's beyond saving?"

"Oh no, he can still be saved."

Li Miaozhen stared at him blankly. "Then why were you shaking your head and sighing just now?"

Yang Qianhuan replied seriously, "It doesn't mean anything special. It just shows how important I am, doesn't it? In crucial moments, I'm the one who has to step in."

Li Miaozhen wanted to kill someone.

"How did he get injured like this?" Yang Qianhuan asked.

Li Miaozhen squinted and said quietly, "You don't know?"

Yang Qianhuan snorted, "Why should I know? Do you, like Junior Sister Caiwei, think I'm imitating him?"

Li Miaozhen smiled.

P. S.: I need to go to bed early tonight, so I can't stay up late to work on the draft for tomorrow morning's 9 AM update. Therefore, the 9 AM update will be postponed to the afternoon or evening. Of course, there will still be two updates tomorrow.