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"Qianqian," he called softly again, holding me tightly with both arms, his head bowed, his face gently rubbing against my hair.

"Big brother, let me go see Xilan." I nestled in his arms and spoke in a muffled voice, very softly, but I knew he could hear me clearly.

"Qianqian will eventually have to let him go." His voice came from above, warm yet somewhat helpless.

“But not now, not now, brother, Xilan is now…” I shook my head in his arms as I spoke, but he held me in his hands. He leaned down, and the words I was about to say disappeared from his lips.

Fox finally agreed to let me see Xilan, but he didn't agree to me bringing any more people from the Yun family. Besides Yefeng, he sent some others to protect me secretly. Before I left, he still looked hesitant. I repeatedly assured him that as soon as Xilan was out of danger, I would rush back. Once this war was over, I would completely let go of Xilan. Whether he was good or bad after returning to Tianqing would no longer be my concern, or rather, it wouldn't be irrelevant to me, but it shouldn't affect my life anymore.

I was worried about Xi Lan and couldn't wait a moment longer. It was a pity that Ruo Chen was currently treating Yun Feng's poison and couldn't go with me. Although King Tian Qing should have received news of Xi Lan's serious injuries and would surely send his best doctor to treat her, I still begged Fox to send someone with excellent medical skills and martial arts knowledge to accompany me. I also prepared a lot of precious medicinal herbs, which put my mind at ease.

We traveled day and night towards Wangzhou. To speed things up, I didn't take a carriage, but rode a horse like Ye Feng. Sometimes, when I was too tired to continue, I would jump onto Ye Feng's horse, lean against him, close my eyes, and rest for a while, letting him carry me on the journey. The doctor, of course, followed us the whole way. They were both martial artists, and several times when we opened our eyes, it was already dark, yet they were still on their way. In this way, we arrived in Wangzhou several days later. Although I was the most relaxed, my complexion was the most tired and worst.

Despite receiving numerous reports, Xi Lan remained unconscious. The army continued its siege, nearing the palace, while Xi Lan was left outside Wangzhou City in a secluded and quiet place heavily guarded by soldiers.

I dismounted and ran straight in. The guards included not only Tianqing soldiers but also Qinglin's personal guards. They all seemed to know who I was, and instead of stopping me, they made way for me. I ran all the way to the heavily guarded hut, panting and clutching my chest. I stood by the door but hesitated to push it open.

"Young master, please go inside." Night Wind's voice came from behind.

I bit my lip, unconsciously held my breath, and with trembling hands, gently pushed open the door. Ignoring the surprised expressions on Wuyin and the others' faces when they saw me, ignoring the military doctors kneeling before them, all I could see was that white figure lying straight on the bed, half-covered by the blanket.

"Xi Lan..." Her vision blurred rapidly, and her voice trembled uncontrollably. She wanted to get closer to that figure, but her feet felt as heavy as if they weighed a ton, and she couldn't take a step.

The surroundings were eerily quiet. I don't know when, but now only I and the motionless white figure lying on the bed were left in the room.

“Xi Lan…” Tears streamed down his face, and his voice choked with emotion. There was no gentle smile, no clear voice. His bright eyes were slightly closed, not looking at me with a smile, and he didn’t even move. I couldn’t even feel his chest rising and falling.

My heart felt like it was being ripped and torn apart; the pain was so intense it was frightening, so intense it filled me with despair.

Clouds Drunk, Moon Slightly Sleeping (Revised Edition) Volume Three: If Life Were Only Like Our First Meeting, Life Hangs by a Thread (Part Three)

Chapter word count: 4300 Update time: 08-12-23 14:40

Life Hangs by a Thread (Part 3)

"Xi Lan!" I finally couldn't help but rush towards the figure, kneeling in front of the bed to take his hand, but I pulled back as if burned. Tears streamed down my face as I reached out to touch his face. His face was flushed with an unusual redness, and it was also incredibly hot. It was the dead of winter, and his clothes weren't thick. He was only covered by half a blanket, but he was like a furnace.

"Someone come here." I pulled the blanket that only covered Xi Lan up to her waist a little higher, wiped away her tears, and called out to the outside.

“Princess.” Wuyin appeared before her immediately, bowing and asking.

"Tell me about Xilan's current condition." I took his hand and pressed it against my face, hoping that my face, which was frozen by the wind from rushing to get here, could cool him down.

"He is seriously injured and unconscious, with all his internal organs damaged. He can only lie still and cannot move, let alone be subjected to the jolting of a vehicle. Moreover, the doctor said that if his high fever does not subside soon, I am afraid his chances of survival are slim." Wu Yin bowed and replied.

I thought Wuyin would resent me when he saw me again, but apart from the momentary surprise he felt when he first saw me, his expression now only showed anxiety.

"Wuyin, call all the doctors in." I lowered my head and then cupped Xilan's hand in mine. His hand was burning hot, but my heart was cold. Xilan, you absolutely cannot be hurt.

Wuyin stepped back, and soon the military doctors, along with the physician who had come with me, stood in front of me.

"You guys take their pulses again, and discuss it together. If we need medicine, I've brought plenty of herbs. If we need more training, there are many experts here. Just tell me what else you need. Don't just stand there anxiously, unless you want us all to die together."

As soon as I finished speaking, those few hurriedly knelt down, then got up and came over one by one to take my pulse, their faces all grave. I ignored them, blaming myself for never having studied medicine and being unable to help at all at this moment. But one thing was certain: if anything happened to Xi Lan, these few would definitely be captured by the Azure King and buried with him, and as for me, even without the Azure King's intervention, I myself would never forgive myself.

I watched as the group of people, their faces grim and heads bowed, whispered amongst themselves and shook their heads as they left. I then instructed Wuyin to fetch several large basins of clean water and some clean cotton cloths. After dismissing everyone, I closed the door and placed the cloths in the basins. The water was cold, but I knew it would be comfortable for Xilan. I wrung out most of the water, folded the cloths into small rectangles, and gently placed them on Xilan's forehead. Fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead and nose, his brows furrowed slightly, as if in great pain, yet he showed no sign of struggle or movement. His palms were also sweaty. I took another cloth, dampened it, and gently wiped his face and hands.

I removed the cloth from his forehead, re-wetted and wrung it out, then placed it back on his forehead. A faint groan escaped his lips, as if he felt the comfort brought by the cold temperature. I wiped away my tears, rinsed the cloth in the water again, wrung it out, and looked at the person before me who was clearly enduring unspeakable pain yet remained unconscious and silent. I hesitated for a second, then finally reached out to loosen the belt around his waist. At this moment, I couldn't care less about the difference between men and women. As long as Xi Lan could get better, I was willing to do anything. My only common sense was that a person with a fever should have their body cooled down, preferably by wiping them with cold water; this would be beneficial for them.

As I undressed him piece by piece, I was shocked to see a bright red handprint on his chest. Was it the handprint I received when he saved me that day? I never expected it to be so powerful. The handprint left on Xi Lan's body through his clothes looked as if it had been branded with a hot iron, a truly horrifying sight.

Seeing the palm print, my heart ached terribly, and my whole body trembled. I covered my mouth tightly with my hand to hide my sobs, but tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. Xi Lan, Xi Lan, even my life cannot repay the debt I owe you. Xi Lan, why were you so foolish? You knew my heart belonged to someone else, why did you do this? How much have you endured for me? Xi Lan, if you leave like this, how can I live in peace?

"Water..." came a barely audible groan.

I quickly wiped away my tears with the back of my hand, and looked at Xi Lan with a sob in my eyes. His mouth moved slightly, and his lips were already cracked from the high fever.

"Water! Xi Lan wants water!" I quickly got up, poured a glass of water at the table, sat on the bed, put one hand under Xi Lan's neck, half-lifted his head, and brought the teacup to his lips. His lips were tightly closed; the water only moistened his lips before dribbling down from the corner of his mouth. He didn't drink a single drop of the tea. I gently put him down, got up again, poured another glass of water, and looking at his chapped lips, without hesitation, took half a mouthful of water and gently pressed it to his lips.

I fed him water, then looked at his peeling lips with heartache. How did those rough people outside take care of people? I kept moistening his lips with a damp cloth, and reached out to cover his half-open chest with my clothes. But then I saw the bright red handprint, and my heart sank. I quickly shouted outside, "Night Wind, Wu Yin, come quick!"

Upon hearing my call, the two men immediately pushed open the door and entered. I gestured for them to come forward, then pointed to the palm print on Xi Lan's chest and asked, "What kind of kung fu is this?"

Both of their expressions changed; Wu Yin, who was already anxious, became even more serious.

"Speak quickly, Wuyin, didn't you guys notice this palm print before?" What's going on? Didn't they take off Xilan's clothes to check her when she was injured? Are those quack doctors really only capable of taking a pulse and then rolling their eyes around the patient's face?

"Young Master, this is the Blazing Palm technique of the Xuanming Palace," Ye Feng said, clearing up my doubts first.

Flaming Palm? I have the Mystic Ice Palm! But is it the Xuanming Palace? That sounds familiar. Oh right, I heard that name when the fox was attacked last time.

"Wuyin, go out and discuss things with the doctors." Seeing that Yefeng seemed to have something to say, I sent Wuyin out.

"Night Wind, do you want to talk to me about the Xuanming Palace?" I asked softly as I watched Wuyin close the door.

He nodded, but for the first time, hesitation appeared on his face.

"Xiao Ye, what are you still hesitating about at this point? Tell me quickly!" I urged impatiently.

"Only those who have practiced the Xuanbing Palm in the Xuanming Palace can undo the effects of the Xuanming Palm technique."

Not only do they have the Blazing Palm, but they also have the Mystic Ice Palm. Are the Xuanming Elders there? And according to Ye Feng, where are we going to find someone from the Xuanming Palace who has practiced the Mystic Ice Palm in such a short time? If we find them, they're unlikely to help us. We're all from the same faction; who would undermine their own people?

"Is there any other way?" I grabbed Ye Feng's hand and asked urgently.

He shook his head, glanced at Xi Lan on the bed, and then said, "It's a miracle that he's lasted this long."