CHAPTER 43: LYING THROUGH HIS TEETH, REVISED PLAN!

As dawn approached, the princess finally stirred.

Her eyelids fluttered. A soft groan escaped her lips. Her hand moved weakly, reaching up to touch her forehead.

Xian Tiandi opened his eyes and observed her carefully, ready to intervene if she panicked.

Princess Yue Lianhua’s eyes opened slowly. They were unfocused at first, confused. Then awareness returned, and with it, memory.

She sat up abruptly, immediately regretting the sudden movement as pain shot through her body. She gasped and clutched her injured shoulder.

"Don’t move too quickly," Xian Tiandi advised calmly. "Your injuries need time to heal."

The princess’s head snapped toward him. Recognition dawned in her eyes. "You. You’re the one who saved me."

"I’m Xian Tiandi," he introduced himself with a slight nod. "You’re currently in my carriage, traveling with my group. You’ve been unconscious for several hours."

"Where are we?" she asked, her voice still weak but gaining strength. "Where are the assassins?"

"Far behind us by now. We left the area immediately after I brought you back to my camp. You’re safe for the moment."

The princess looked around the carriage interior, taking in her surroundings.

Then she looked down at herself, noticing her wounds had been treated and she’d been covered with a blanket.

"You treated my injuries," she said. It wasn’t a question.

"You were dying from poison," Xian Tiandi replied simply. "I gave you an antidote and treated your external wounds. The poison has been neutralized, but you’re still weak. You should rest."

"I..." She paused, emotions warring on her face. Relief, gratitude, confusion, and lingering fear all mixed together. "Thank you. You saved my life. I don’t know how to repay such a debt."

"We can discuss that later," Xian Tiandi said. "For now, you need to focus on recovering. Can you tell me your name? I should know who I’m protecting."

The princess hesitated. Revealing her identity could bring complications. But this young man had already risked his life to save her. He deserved the truth.

"My name is Yue Lianhua," she said quietly. "I’m the Fourth Princess of the Redleaf Kingdom."

Xian Tiandi showed appropriate surprise, though he’d already known her identity. "A princess? That explains why Golden Core assassins were hunting you."

"You fought them," Lianhua said, studying him intently. "I remember seeing you defeat two of them easily, and you drove off the leader. How did you do that? You’re only Qi Condensation Realm."

"I have some trump cards, a treasure that now has been destroyed after being used once," Xian Tiandi replied vaguely. "And I was fortunate. They underestimated me."

Lianhua didn’t look convinced, but she didn’t press the issue.

"Such a treasure must be very valuable. I’ll make sure to cover for it with the best of my ability."

Xian Tiandi waved off her promise, "You don’t have to, Princess. It’s fine. Besides, I’m curious about their identities."

Yue Lianhua paused for a moment before replying with honesty, "Those assassins were from the Dark Blade Sect. Someone powerful hired them to kill me."

"Do you know who?" Xian Tiandi asked in curiosity.

"I have suspicions," she said, her expression darkening. "But no proof. There are factions within the royal family who would benefit from my death. And I was betrayed by someone I trusted, someone who poisoned me before the attack."

"The traitor," Xian Tiandi said. "You mentioned them during the fight."

"Chen Hu, one of my sect brothers," Lianhua said bitterly. "He volunteered to accompany me on this training journey. I never suspected he’d been bought. The poison he used was subtle. By the time I realized what was happening, my spiritual energy was already weakening."

She clenched her fists. "If I ever see him again, I’ll make him regret his betrayal."

"Focus on recovering first," Xian Tiandi advised. "Revenge can wait until you’re strong enough to claim it."

Lianhua nodded, though anger still burned in her eyes. She leaned back against the carriage wall, suddenly exhausted again despite having just woken up.

"Where are you traveling to?" she asked.

"Crimson Lotus City," Xian Tiandi replied. "We’re heading to the Four Symbols Sect’s disciple selection. It’s still about three days away."

"Crimson Lotus City," Lianhua repeated thoughtfully. "That’s near the capital. I need to get back to the palace eventually. But..." She frowned. "If I return now, whoever sent those assassins will just try again. And next time they might succeed."

"Then don’t return immediately," Xian Tiandi suggested. "You can stay with our group until we reach Crimson Lotus City. Once there, you can contact your family and arrange for proper protection before heading to the capital."

Yue Lianhua considered this. "You would let me travel with you? Even though having a princess in your group will draw attention and possibly danger?"

"I’ve already saved your life once," Xian Tiandi pointed out. "Protecting you for a few more days won’t make much difference."

"Why?" Lianhua asked suddenly. "Why did you save me? You don’t know me. You had nothing to gain by interfering, and everything to risk. Most people would have hidden and let the assassination happen."

Xian Tiandi met her eyes steadily. "Because I couldn’t stand by and watch someone be murdered when I had the power to prevent it. Simple as that."

It was a good answer, and partially true. But there were other reasons he didn’t mention. The political connection.

The opportunity to gain favor with the royal family. The chance to change a significant event from his past life’s timeline.

Yue Lianhua studied him for a long moment, trying to read his true intentions. But his expression remained calm and honest. Finally, she nodded.

"Then I’ll accept your protection for now," she said. "And when I’m able, I’ll repay this debt properly. A princess doesn’t forget those who save her life."

"That’s alright," Xian Tiandi replied with a slight smile.

Yue Lianhua returned the smile weakly. Then exhaustion overtook her again. "I’m sorry. I’m still very tired. The poison took a lot out of me."

"Sleep," Xian Tiandi said. "You’re safe here. I’ll keep watch."

"Thank you," Lianhua murmured. Her eyes were already closing.

Within moments, she was asleep again. Her breathing was deeper and more regular than before, a sign that her body was truly beginning to heal.

Xian Tiandi settled back into his meditation posture, but he kept part of his awareness focused on his surroundings.

The assassins might try again. The Dark Blade Sect had been paid for a job, and they had a reputation to maintain.

The next few days might be dangerous, if the assassins return. But they would also be an opportunity to solidify his connection with Princess Yue Lianhua and, through her, with the royal family.

Everything was proceeding according to plan. Or at least, according to his revised plan now that he’d chosen to save her.

’I was a bit hasty with this one, and couldn’t hide my identity before acting. This will likely implicate even those important to me.’

’But I had no choice. That item is just too valuable to me. It is one of the things I need to rise beyond the mortal world in the shortest amount of time.’

’Since that is the case. I won’t hold back as much as I originally planned to. I will show more and get the strongest backing from the Four Symbols Sect. This will ensure the safety and even rise of my clan.’

’I must become that person’s disciple!’