Array Fragment
Seeing her brother safe and sound, Zhang Ru'an finally felt a huge weight lifted from her heart.
She coughed softly, "Brother, did you and Dad run into anything while you were out? Why do we suddenly have guests?"
The news of their rescue hadn't spread widely yet, so Zhang Ru'an was unaware of what had happened to his father and brother.
Zhang Ping'an didn't want to say much, only saying, "Don't worry, we came back safely this time, but we didn't get anything. On the way back, we ran into those benefactors, and we followed their big ship smoothly all the way."
It's okay if we didn't hit anything, as long as everyone is alright.
Zhang Ru'an said with relief, "Since they are our benefactors, then you should go and entertain them. I'm just glad to know you're all safe and sound."
Seeing this, Zhang Ping'an said, "Why don't you go out and meet them? There are only two of them, and the fairy among them is very kind and gentle. You'll definitely like her when you meet her."
Zhang Ru'an immediately shook her head. Since falling ill, she had no desire to go out and see anyone. Firstly, she was too weak to even move around on her own. Secondly, Zhang Ru'an had a strong sense of pride and didn't want others to see her in such a vulnerable and pitiful state.
Seeing his sister's resistance, Zhang Ping'an had no choice but to offer her a few words of comfort before leaving the room, which was filled with a somber atmosphere.
He didn't see Zhang Ru'an's hand tightly gripping the thin blanket, nor did he see his sister's eyes dim instantly after he turned away.
Outside the room, the sharp-eared Sang Ying and Jiang Zhuoxue overheard the siblings' conversation, but showed no reaction on their faces.
Since her illness, her younger sister has gradually become withdrawn, and Zhang Ping'an doesn't want to force her to come out and meet guests.
While his son was away, Mr. Zhang briefly recounted his experience to Mrs. Zhang.
Upon hearing that their only boat had been destroyed and that the father and son had almost been drowned by the giant waves, Zhang's mother turned pale with fright.
After hearing this, Zhang's mother immediately got up and was about to kneel down and kowtow to Sang Ying and Jiang Zhuoxue, but the two of them had to persuade her to stop.
After chatting for a while, Sang Ying finally spoke up and explained her purpose, "We've heard that Zhang Ping'an's sister is suffering from a strange illness. We consider ourselves to have decent cultivation and some knowledge. How about we take a look?"
Mr. and Mrs. Zhang exchanged a glance, unsure of what to do. "How can we trouble you two benefactors? To be honest, we've consulted many doctors, but none have been able to diagnose our daughter's illness. We're just trying our best to prolong her life."
On the one hand, the couple felt that they shouldn't trouble Sang Ying and the others with this matter; on the other hand, they also felt that their daughter's illness was so strange that Sang Ying and the others probably wouldn't be able to do anything about it.
But Zhang Ping'an didn't think so. Almost as soon as Sang Ying spoke, his eyes lit up.
Zhang Ping'an didn't say much in front of his parents. He only left after Sang Ying and her companion took their leave, making an excuse to see his benefactors off.
Once the three of them had left the Zhang Household's courtyard, Zhang Ping'an knelt directly before them. "Please, my two benefactors, take a look at my sister Ru'an!"
"Your parents just rejected our proposal. Are you now going against their wishes?" Jiang Zhuoxue teased, looking at the sincerity on Zhang Ping'an's face.
Zhang Ping'an said earnestly, "I know my parents' concerns, but after spending these past few days with my benefactors, I know you're not the kind of people who would joke about something like this. My sister is only a teenager. Although she only has four Spirit Root, she can still live for a hundred years if she cultivates properly. But if she continues to weaken, I'm worried she won't live past twenty."
It was actually quite cruel to say this, but Zhang Ping'an just wanted to be honest with them.
"But you must understand, we are merely cultivators, not immortals. Perhaps you have shown us your sister, but we still cannot find a way to save her," Sang Ying stated bluntly.
Zhang Ping'an's expression remained unchanged. "I dared to come to my benefactor for this matter because I was already prepared for this outcome. If my benefactor can save my sister, then naturally I will be even more grateful, and my whole family is willing to do anything for my benefactor. If my benefactor cannot help my sister, then it is fate's cruel joke, and has nothing to do with my benefactor. But we will always remember the help you all have given to my father and me."
"I'm here simply to ask for a chance for my sister."
At this moment, Zhang Ping'an was willing to try anything to save his sister, even if there was only a sliver of hope.
Sang Ying and Jiang Zhuoxue exchanged a glance, and finally she gave Zhang Ping'an an answer, "I will come to the Zhang Household at midnight tonight to treat your sister's illness. I hope that by then you will have persuaded the people who need to be persuaded."
Zhang Ping'an knew that Sang Ying was referring to his parents and sister, so he didn't refuse and immediately nodded in agreement.
Sang Ying didn't care what Zhang Ping'an said to his family at the end. She simply waited until the appointed time and then arrived at the Zhang Household's door with Sang Ying Jiang Zhuoxue on time.
"How is it?" Sang Ying asked Zhang Ping'an had come to open the door.
The eyes of everyone in the room were red, and Zhang's mother looked particularly haggard. However, as the protagonist of the night, Zhang Ru'an showed no sign of dejection. On the contrary, he was radiant and seemed to have made up his mind.
"I've already explained everything to my family, so please don't worry, Fairy," Zhang Ping'an said as he ushered her into the house.
As per Sang Ying's request, Zhang Ru'an was quickly taken back to his own room, while his parents were kept outside and stayed with Zhang Ping'an.
As Zhang Ping'an was leaving with his parents, Zhang Ru'an couldn't help but call out to him.
Zhang Ping'an turned to look at his sister. "You remember what I told you, right? You have to trust our two benefactors."
The young woman nodded, fighting back tears. "I know, I must believe in my benefactor."
One by one, the family members left the house, leaving Zhang Ru'an facing the two strangers. She looked at Sang Ying's slightly cold expression, but was surprisingly comforted.
"Can you really save me?" Zhang Ru'an suddenly asked.
Sang Ying was taken aback. "I thought your brother had already told you. I can't guarantee that."
"He did tell me, but I can tell he has a lot of confidence in you." Zhang Ru'an paused for a moment, "Actually, I'm a little tired, I can't keep going any further."
Sensing the self-loathing in the girl's words, Sang Ying sighed softly and said, "Close your eyes. When you wake up, everything will be clear."
Zhang Ru'an obediently closed her eyes, Sang Ying raised her hand and cast a sleeping Method Formula over her. The girl in front of her finally fell into a deep and sweet dream.
Her hand slid down from the girl's head, the gentle Spiritual Qi exploring every inch of Zhang Ru'an's body, finally stopping at her Dantian.
Sang Ying opened her eyes and slowly exhaled. "That Duan Hanyi guy was right again. What I'm looking for really is on Zhang Ru'an. There's a fragment of an array stuck in her Dantian!"