CHAPTER 42: RETURN, EVERYONE’S REACTION

Back at Xian Tiandi’s camp, chaos had erupted.

Zhou Kang was the first to notice Xian Tiandi returning. He’d been standing guard at the camp’s perimeter when he saw his companion carrying an unconscious woman toward them.

"Xian Tiandi!" Zhou Kang called out, immediately alerting the others.

Xian Long came running out of his tent. Ying Yue emerged as well, with Xiao Ming peeking out from behind her.

Elder Feng and Elder Qiu materialized from their hidden positions, their expressions sharp with concern.

Everyone stared at the unconscious woman in Xian Tiandi’s arms. Even in her injured state, her beauty was obvious. Her features were delicate and refined, marking her as nobility. Her torn robes bore royal colors.

"Young Master, who is that?" Ying Yue asked. Her voice sounded strange, though she tried to keep it neutral.

"I found her unconscious in the forest," Xian Tiandi replied calmly. "She was injured. I’m bringing her back for treatment."

It was a lie, of course. But it was simpler than explaining the truth. The fewer people who knew about the assassination attempt, the better.

Elder Feng stepped forward, his eyes scanning the woman’s condition with his spiritual sense. His expression became grave.

"This woman is not simple," he said quietly. "Her cultivation is Golden Core Realm. And these injuries... she was in a serious fight. Young Master, where exactly did you find her?"

"About half a mile upstream," Xian Tiandi replied. He met Elder Feng’s eyes steadily. "I was practicing cultivation techniques when I sensed spiritual energy fluctuations. I investigated and found her collapsed by the river. No one else was around."

It wasn’t entirely false. He just omitted the parts about the assassination and his own involvement in the fight.

Elder Feng studied him for a long moment, clearly skeptical. But finally, he nodded. "Very well. We should treat her injuries immediately. She’s in critical condition."

"We’re leaving," Xian Tiandi announced suddenly. "Pack up the camp. We move out within the hour. This area isn’t safe."

Everyone looked surprised, but no one questioned the order. If Xian Tiandi thought they needed to leave urgently, there was probably a good reason.

The camp erupted into organized chaos as everyone rushed to pack their belongings. Servants took down tents. Guards readied the horses. Supplies were loaded onto carriages.

"Put her in my personal carriage," Xian Tiandi instructed. "I’ll ride with her to monitor her condition."

Ying Yue’s hands, which had been folding a blanket, paused slightly at those words. She resumed her task a moment later, but her movements were stiffer.

"Yes, Young Master," she said quietly.

Xian Tiandi carried the unconscious princess to his carriage and laid her down carefully on the padded seating. He arranged a pillow under her head and covered her with a clean blanket.

Then he sat across from her and began a more thorough examination of her injuries.

His spiritual sense swept through her body, checking every meridian and organ. The poison had been sophisticated, designed specifically to shut down a cultivator’s ability to use spiritual energy. It had nearly succeeded.

But the antidote pill he’d given her was working. The poison was being neutralized slowly but surely. Her spiritual energy was beginning to flow again, albeit weakly.

She had several external injuries as well. Cuts and bruises from her desperate flight through the forest.

A deeper wound on her shoulder that had bled significantly. Nothing immediately life-threatening now that the poison was handled.

’She’ll recover,’ Xian Tiandi concluded. ’She just needs rest and time for her body to heal naturally. Her Golden Core cultivation will handle most of it once her spiritual energy fully restores.’

He pulled out some bandages and medicinal ointment from his storage ring. With practiced efficiency, he cleaned and dressed her visible wounds.

His movements were clinical and professional, treating her like any patient rather than a beautiful young woman.

The carriage door opened. Ying Yue climbed in, her expression neutral but her eyes taking in every detail of the scene.

"Young Master, I brought some additional medical supplies," she said, holding up a box. "In case they’re needed."

"Thank you, Ying Yue. Set them down there," Xian Tiandi replied without looking up from his work.

Ying Yue did as instructed, then hesitated. "Should I stay and help?"

"No need. I’ve treated the serious injuries. She just needs rest now. You should ride in one of the other carriages."

Ying Yue’s jaw tightened slightly. "Are you sure, Young Master? It might not be very appropriate for you to be alone with an unconscious young woman."

Xian Tiandi finally looked at her. He could see the worry in her eyes, though she was trying to hide it behind concern for propriety.

"Ying Yue," he said gently. "I’m an alchemist, a medicine expert who is treating a patient. Nothing more. And someone needs to monitor her condition closely until we’re sure she’s stable. You trust me, don’t you?"

Ying Yue’s expression softened slightly. "Of course I trust you, Young Master. I just..." She trailed off, unable to articulate exactly what she was feeling.

"I know," Xian Tiandi said. "But this woman’s life may still be in danger. Professional treatment takes priority over social conventions right now."

Ying Yue nodded reluctantly. "I understand. I’ll be in the carriage with Xiao Ming and Xian Long if you need anything."

She climbed back out, closing the door behind her. Through the window, Xian Tiandi could see her walking toward the other carriage, her posture slightly stiff.

He sighed internally. He wasn’t blind to Ying Yue’s feelings, even if she hadn’t expressed them directly.

But he couldn’t afford to address that complication right now. There were more urgent matters to handle.

The carriage lurched into motion. The convoy was departing.

Xian Tiandi settled into his seat and began meditating to recover his own energy.

The fight with the assassins and the use of the Spirit Burst Pill had drained him significantly. He needed to restore his Qi in case there were more threats ahead.

Princess Yue Lianhua remained unconscious across from him, her breathing steady and her color slowly returning to normal.

Hours passed. The convoy traveled through the night, putting distance between themselves and the battle site.

Elder Feng and Elder Qiu maintained vigilant watch, their spiritual senses extended to the maximum range.

At dawn, the fourth Princess woke up.