Chapter 521: Take Care, Madam

Chapter 521: Take Care, My Lady

Within Puyang City, Zhao Changhe sat by the bedside, his hand resting on Cui Wenjing’s pulse, eyes closed as he channeled the Revitalization Art, slowly mending his father-in-law’s injuries.

The old man was truly grievously wounded this time; his blood vessels surged chaotically, flowing outside their normal paths. Only his Heavenly Ranking foundation kept him alive—any ordinary martial artist would have perished from such a blow alone.

Add to that the moment he had pinched the Sea-Calming Sword, the sword qi had pierced through, shattering his dantian. Then, in his weakened state, a fist’s force had shaken his internal organs, plunging him into unconsciousness. Combining these factors, any other physician here would have declared, “I’ve done all I can,” and still he would have succumbed.

Fortunately, Zhao Changhe was by his side.

Zhao Changhe was highly skilled in matters of blood vessels; at least he could help restore order to the chaotic flow, using the Revitalization Art to heal the veins. The remaining internal injuries and the damage from the sword qi could be treated by other doctors, and the Cui family had many fine medicines for slow recuperation.

Such injuries did not involve the soul; if treated properly, they should heal without lasting consequences, though it was impossible to estimate how long that would take.

Wang Daoning on the other side was likely in a similar state—in the short term, he certainly couldn’t stir up trouble, unless the Sea Clan had some miraculous method to heal him directly? That seemed unlikely.

The Cui siblings stood nervously to one side; Cui Yuanyang wanted to ask but dared not interrupt, her small face flushed red.

She had never imagined that when chaos erupted across the land, the first to fall would be her father, a man among the world’s strongest. This made the rich young lady, who had grown up under her father’s wing, feel as if the sky were collapsing—both in reality and in her worldview.

Even during the most tense moments of fleeing with Zhao Changhe years ago, Cui Yuanyang had never tasted the flavor of “anxiety.” Yet in a single night, gloom had spread everywhere.

Could Brother Zhao heal him…?

Zhao Changhe withdrew his hand from the pulse.

The siblings spoke in unison: “Brother Zhao / Brother Zhao…”

Zhao Changhe waved a hand: “Quiet, don’t disturb Father-in-law’s rest. Let’s talk outside.”

Still able to disturb rest… That meant at least he wouldn’t die. Both siblings showed joy and obediently followed Zhao Changhe out the door.

“Father-in-law’s life is saved, but the rest requires slowly extracting the sword qi, nurturing the organs, and repairing the dantian. This won’t heal quickly—no such immortal art exists. Fortunately, the martial world has much experience with such injuries; no matter how strong the Sea-Calming sword qi, the Cui family should be able to handle it.”

Cui Yuanyong was overjoyed: “We can handle that!”

Cui Yuanyang, who had been holding her breath, finally exhaled, her small shoulders slumping: “How long will it take for Father to recover?”

Zhao Changhe pulled her into his arms and gently comforted her: “I can’t predict how long the treatment will take, but with proper care, he should wake within three days at least. Don’t worry too much.”

Cui Yuanyong hesitated, as if to speak.

He had wanted to ask about the damaged dantian—based on experience, even after healing, there was a high chance of losing cultivation. He wanted Zhao Changhe’s opinion. But it seemed untimely; saving life came first, and asking about that now seemed opportunistic, so he swallowed his words.

Zhao Changhe seemed to read his thoughts and said: “There was a war trophy called the Transformation Lotus from the Kuaiji battle; it wasn’t all used. I don’t know how it was distributed later. If the Cui family has it, use it directly—it will greatly aid Father-in-law’s recovery. If not, go find Wanzhuang.”

Cui Yuanyong’s expression darkened: “Father never mentioned it. I don’t know if we have it. I’ll send someone back to Qinghe to check the treasury records.”

“Yes, you do that. Whether or not you find it, I’ll be heading to the capital soon and can ask Wanzhuang for some.”

“Then many thanks. I’ll go give the orders.” Cui Yuanyong hurried away.

Cui Yuanyang remained quietly nestled in Zhao Changhe’s arms until her brother had been gone for a while, then she sobbed softly: “Brother Zhao…”

Zhao Changhe understood this kind of crying from a young girl—it was inner panic and fear, the feeling of the sky falling. He gently wiped the tears from Cui Yuanyang’s face and said softly: “Isn’t it fine now? Ah, just an injury—your Brother Zhao gets beaten like a dead dog every day.”

Cui Yuanyang pouted and whispered: “My father is so old…”

“…Your father’s age isn’t even enough for reemployment, let alone his constitution. I suspect if he breaks through another level, he could achieve immortality. What’s so old about forty-something?”

Cui Yuanyang was stunned: “Immortality?”

“Those gods and demons lingering in various secret realms, barely alive—from what I’ve seen, several are only one level above your father, and look how long they’ve lived. I reckon that with a formed yin spirit and suitable treasures for sustenance, one could last a long time. If one goes even higher, perhaps it’s true eternal life…”

Cui Yuanyang leaned back slightly, her eyes blinking as if lost in thought.

Zhao Changhe asked curiously: “What are you doing? Wanting immortality?”

Cui Yuanyang scratched her head and mumbled something inaudible.

Zhao Changhe could never guess what the little girl was thinking: that she had once worried about growing up and getting old, losing her cuteness, and Brother Zhao not liking her anymore… In a few months, she’d be seventeen, and Xia Chichi, that old woman, had been about the same age when she first met Brother Zhao… Feeling herself becoming like those old women, Cui Yuanyang had a sense of urgency that her advantage was slipping away.

Now it seemed—immortality or not—maybe she could try to delay growing up…

But the atmosphere was wrong; the stray thought only flashed through Cui Yuanyang’s mind, and her thoughts were still occupied by her father’s injury: “I never thought Wang Daoning could actually hurt Father this badly…”

Zhao Changhe was silent.

He hadn’t seen the earlier battle, but from the scene and outcome, he could roughly gauge seven or eight parts.

For instance, the chaotic state of Cui Wenjing’s blood vessels was definitely not from the Wang family’s techniques. Wang Daoning alone, even with the complete Sea-Calming Sword, would be about evenly matched with Cui Wenjing wielding the Remnant Blood Qinghe Sword. Cui Wenjing had fallen victim to a Sea Clan secret technique.

But even so, Cui Wenjing had still managed to severely wound Wang Daoning. If Zhao Changhe had arrived in time, the old Cui wouldn’t have been hurt this badly.

Xia Longyuan’s punch was the last straw that broke the camel’s back—both in worsening the injury and in psychological blow.

That punch had clearly been long awaited. Combined with previous and subsequent actions, it was basically clear that he had allowed the Wang family’s rebellion to draw out the Sea Clan behind them; otherwise, there was no explanation for keeping the Empress Wang around.

He only cared about the Sea Clan—neither saving Cui Wenjing nor Zhao Changhe.

Just like the Blind One, who only acted for the Heavenly Book.

How many times had Zhao Changhe been in dire straits? When had Xia Longyuan or the Blind One ever come to save him? Not to mention this time, he hadn’t even engaged the Sea Clan yet, hadn’t even made a move; the danger wasn’t prominent. Zhao Changhe knew clearly that Xia Longyuan’s punch had nothing to do with him—if he hadn’t dodged, he would have been blasted to death there.

He himself was full of vigor and could dodge, so that was fine. But Old Cui? If Zhao Changhe hadn’t shielded him, Old Cui would have been turned into mincemeat.

No matter how much of Cui Wenjing’s stubborn resistance came from his own considerations, objectively he was defending the Great Xia’s territory. Yet Xia Longyuan only cared about “drawing out the gods and demons,” and for the fleeting chance to catch the Sea Clan god, he didn’t care if he killed by mistake.

At that moment, wasn’t Cui Wenjing’s heart frozen cold…

Truly inhuman… No wonder no one in the world spoke well of Xia Longyuan. Perhaps the only one who had ever said a few good words about him was Zhao Changhe himself, but this time even that goodwill was squandered.

Better than the Blind One—the Blind One, for all his coldness, had never struck at his own people.

Of course, there was no need to tell Yuanyang this; making her resent Xia Longyuan served no purpose. Zhao Changhe pondered for a long time, then said: “Take good care of your father. I’m going to the capital and will be back soon.”

Cui Yuanyang thought he was only going to ask Tang Wanzhuang about the Transformation Lotus, so she couldn’t help tugging at his sleeve: “Can’t we send someone to ask Chief Tang? I… I’m afraid you won’t be here…”

Zhao Changhe shook his head and said in a low voice: “I have many things to discuss with Wanzhuang, and some questions to ask others…”

He paused, then added: “Yesterday, due to the sudden rainstorm, Wang Zhaoling halted the siege, so our Blood God Sect’s surprise attack didn’t have much effect. Wang Zhaoling only retreated temporarily, not defeated. Once the Wang family digests the news of Father-in-law and Wang Daoning both being severely wounded, they will surely launch another attack. To protect the nearly undefended Qinghe, the Puyang line must not be lost.”

Cui Yuanyang looked at him uncomprehendingly.

Zhao Changhe said slowly: “Yuanyang, not everyone in the Cui family is of one mind. Many may not understand Father-in-law’s persistence this time. Once he falls, hearts may diverge. On the contrary, the Wang family will be united. And your brother, in the short term, the most trustworthy helper may only be you… His burden is heavy.”

Cui Yuanyang stared at him blankly, then after a long while, she suddenly smiled: “Brother Zhao, rest assured. Yuanyang is no longer the Yuanyang of that year. I’m already at the Eightfold Mystic Gate!”

Zhao Changhe looked at her smile, a hint of daze in his eyes.

Cultivation aside… but that little girl in the bunny suit, sitting in the corner hugging her knees, was finally gone forever with the coming of chaos.

If not for the Wang family’s rebellion, this time when he came to Qinghe, he was supposed to discuss marriage with her… But now, no one’s heart was in it anymore.

“I know my Yuanyang is a martial genius. If the Wang family’s move is called ‘raging seas stirring wild waves,’ perhaps the one to turn the tide will be my Yuanyang.”

Cui Yuanyang: “…”

But the wild waves rose not only from the Wang family.

If this was turning the tide, then who could prop up the collapsing mansion?

Zhao Changhe said no more. He gently embraced Cui Yuanyang, kissed her rosy lips softly, and whispered: “Take care, my lady.”

Then he strode out the door, mounted the Dark Steed, and galloped away.

Cui Yuanyang gazed blankly after his retreating figure, lost in thought.