The result of free rein was indeed varied, with attacks coming and going unexpectedly, catching opponents off guard.
However, I still wanted to exclaim "dog blood!" The mundane version of Werewolf was elevated to a new level by them.
I couldn't help but sigh in admiration at the excellent show they put on, and involuntarily stood up, clapping and shouting, "Wonderful, wonderful!"
Immediately, enthusiastic applause erupted from all around.
"It seems Ten Years is still one step ahead," I praised.
Liu Shi Nian smiled shyly and waved his hand, saying, "It's everyone playing well that makes it fun. I'm happy, even though this is my first time playing this game."
"I think everyone is tired, let's eat something," I suggested.
Everyone then took out what they had brought to eat. Those who hadn't brought anything good could only wait for others to share their delicious food.
At this moment, Lin Er said to Yu Gu.
"Xiao Gu, go and get our things from the carriage. Can someone help him? I think that thing might be a bit heavy."
Liu Shi Nian and Ye Chang Feng volunteered to help. As soon as they entered the carriage, they were stunned. They saw a large package filling half the space of the carriage.
The three of them were very puzzled, not knowing when Lin Er had put it there. Then, Liu Shi Nian and Ye Chang Feng worked together to drag the package out, and the three of them carried it onto the grass.
Everyone was curious about what was inside and started discussing it.
"Could such a big package also be clothes?" "I guess it's vegetables." "I think it's knives."
Amidst everyone's anticipation, Lin Er walked towards the large package and pulled open the cloth strips, immediately releasing a burst of colorful light.
Upon closer inspection, everyone realized that the package contained fruits, desserts, and flatbreads, piled high enough to feed everyone present to their hearts' content.
"I knew you all wouldn't bring these things, so I prepared them in advance. Take whatever you want to eat."
"Wow, Elder, you're so thoughtful. We won't be polite then."
With that, everyone swarmed forward to grab their favorite items. Lin Er reached out, picked up an apple, and handed it to me.
"Demon King, please try this. It's an authentic Xizi Kingdom red apple."
"Thank you, Elder."
I took the apple but then noticed Yu Gu standing aside, looking lost. So, I casually picked up an apple and tossed it to him.
He fumbled and caught it, looking surprised. I raised the apple to signal him, and he understood, nodding repeatedly.
At this moment, Fu Zi Mo also picked up two pieces of pomelo pastry from the pile of desserts and, without hesitation, handed one to Yu Gu.
"Try this, it smells so good."
Yu Gu took it with a hint of surprise and said gratefully, "Thank you."
Fu Zi Mo smiled foolishly and pulled him aside to chat. "My name is Fu Zi Mo, and I'm a villain."
"A villain?" Yu Gu frowned, very confused.
"I used to be, and I guess I'm still half a villain now," Fu Zi Mo explained casually.
"I was born in Xizi Kingdom. My parents were both horse drivers for others, but I was fortunate enough to be chosen to drive horses for people in the palace."
"That's not bad. You can try something else in the future, like becoming a general."
"A general?"
He had never thought of becoming a general. His sole focus was on driving horses well.
If Black Mountain hadn't conquered Xizi Kingdom, he would never have known such an interesting and warm group of people, nor would anyone have listened to his thoughts.
However, being cared for and valued felt wonderful. He suddenly felt incredibly fortunate to have met such a group of people.
So, he took a bite of the apple, suppressing the slight tremor in his eyes.
After playing and eating fruits and desserts for a long time, when they looked up, the sun was setting, casting long shadows.
I stood up, looked at the sun, then at everyone else. We all felt that we had played enough for the day, so I said.
"Let's stop here for today. We should head back."
"Ah? So soon." Everyone showed expressions of reluctance.
"We'll have more opportunities to play together in the future. Let's go back today."
"Alright."
So, Lin Er and I started packing up the remaining large cloth, while others began tidying their own large packages.
Afterward, Lin Er, Yu Gu, and I got into the carriage. Before leaving, I shouted to them, "You guys need to catch up quickly."
"Understood." Everyone looked dejected, still not satisfied. I laughed and said to Yu Gu, "Let's go."
"Yes." He then turned the horses and drove away.
Everyone also got up, walked to the river, and led their horses, which were grazing there, back to Xizi Kingdom.
On the way back, I suddenly remembered the Four Great Protectors of the Mermaid Tribe. I hadn't seen them for several days and was quite puzzled, so I asked Lin Er.
"Elder, where have those four protectors gone?"
Lin Er then remembered that he had forgotten to tell me.
"Oh, I was supposed to tell the Demon King earlier, but I was having too much fun and forgot. The four of them volunteered to go back to South Sea City to pick up Bi Yao and some elders while the Demon King was seriously injured. I agreed."
"I see. In that case, they should be back by now."
"If nothing unexpected happens, they should arrive tomorrow."
"Good. It's been a while, and the elders miss them very much."
"Hahaha, I'm afraid the Demon King will have more worries then."
"It's nothing, it's nothing."
After returning to Xizi Kingdom, we each went back to our respective residences. I entered my sleeping quarters and walked alone to the brocade boxes where the Dragon Roar Sword and the Scarlet Blood Sword were kept.
I slowly opened it and saw that both swords were entwined with dark energy, as if they had a thousand words to say. I reached out to take the Scarlet Blood Sword. The moment I touched the hilt, a surge of dark energy invaded and wrapped around my hand.
The Myriad Ghost King suddenly flew out and appeared by my hand, absorbing the dark energy.
I asked him in confusion, "You can absorb this dark energy?"
"I myself was formed from this resentment, so I can absorb them. How is your injury?" he suddenly asked.
I reached out to touch the wound and felt no significant pain. "It should be much better, it doesn't hurt much. Did you heal this wound for me?"
He hovered around me, exhaling dark energy, which permeated through my clothes and licked the wound, allowing it to heal faster.
After a long while, he said, "Your injury cannot be healed by ordinary herbs. Only by slowly licking away the resentment in the wound with my dark energy can you heal quickly."
"Thank you, Myriad Ghost King," I said sincerely.
He laughed heartily and joked, "It's rare for you to say thank you. It seems you approve of me now."
"Perhaps."
"Alright, it's getting late. Go to sleep quickly." With that, he flew back into my body.
I smiled faintly. Those I once disliked have now become friends, and those I thought were sincere have become mortal enemies. Time truly flies, and the world changes.
What I expected and what I didn't expect have all happened. I wonder what dangers lie ahead.
I lay on the bed, thinking about these things, feeling that I worried too much. I smiled indifferently and fell asleep.
The next morning, I heard someone knocking on the door and calling out, "Demon King, Demon King, the elders have arrived."
Hearing the voice, I quickly got up and opened the door. The guard reported.
"Demon King, the elders have arrived in Xizi Kingdom and are now in the main hall. Elder Lin Er sent me to inform you."
"Good, hurry and take me there."
"Yes."
Then, he led me through the garden corridors to the main hall.
As soon as I entered, I saw several familiar faces: the four elders, Bi Yao, Liu Mei, and Qiu Yu. Why was Qiu Yu here too?
"Demon King, you're here!" Tian Long exclaimed excitedly.
"Demon King!"
"Mu Ye!"
Yue Yao, Liu Mei, and He Lian called out simultaneously. Qiu Yu, disregarding her dignity, flew over and threw herself into my arms. For a moment, my mind went blank.
Just then, Liu Shi Nian and Xue Gu Cheng entered from outside. Seeing this scene, they were confused. "What, what are you doing?"
At that moment, a voice called out, "Brother Liu!" and I heard a pounce as Yue Yao hugged him. He looked down and saw it was Yue Yao.
"Hey, you, you, Bi Yao, you're here."
Yue Yao looked up at him, her eyes brimming with tears as she spoke of her longing for him.
"Brother Liu, do you know? I didn't know what to do during the time you were away. Whenever I think of the happy times we spent together, I can't help but cry."
Liu Shi Nian calmed down and patted her back to comfort her.
"Don't worry so much. I'm happy to see you well."
Suddenly, a male voice came from outside the hall, "Liu Mei!"
Then, Yue Jiu Cong rushed in from outside the hall, hugged Liu Mei, and said aggrievedly, "This is the first time we've been apart for so long. Did you miss me?"
Liu Mei laughed and pulled him away. "There are so many people here, it's embarrassing."
Yue Jiu Cong pointed at Liu Shi Nian and said, "Look at him, he's not shy either."
"Then I'll hug you."
Saying that, she stepped forward and hugged Yue Jiu Cong. Yue Jiu Cong suddenly felt a wave of shyness, and his entire face turned red. Was he embarrassed?
"He Lian, you..." Before I could finish speaking, I felt a sudden surge of agitation in my heart, and I abruptly turned sideways and vomited a mouthful of blood.
"Demon King! Demon King!" Qiu Yu, seeing the pool of blood, panicked and cried out in terror.
"Demon King!" "Mu Ye!"
"What's wrong?" Everyone exclaimed and crowded around.
Liu Shi Nian picked me up and carried me back to my sleeping quarters. The others followed him to the sleeping quarters. In an instant, the news of the Demon King vomiting blood spread throughout the palace, causing panic, and everyone rushed to the outside of the sleeping quarters to see.
Elder Wan Gu personally took my pulse. He frowned and asked, "When was the Demon King injured?"
"It's been a while. If I recall correctly, it was on the way to Xizi Kingdom," Lin Er replied.
"I detect that her meridians are chaotic and her body is internally cold and weak. It should be due to residual poisonous gas from an external force, but it's not serious. With plenty of rest, she will be fine."
Hearing his words, everyone finally relaxed. I also regained consciousness and looked at the crowd in the room, smiling.
"Why are so many people here? Are you here to see if I'm still alive?"
"Demon King, I didn't expect you to be so seriously injured. I shouldn't have left you alone. I should have come sooner."
Qiu Yu looked at my pale face, couldn't help but blame herself, and turned her head to shed tears.
I quickly comforted her, "It's alright. This was bound to happen. It would have happened whether you came or not, so don't blame yourself."
Liu Shi Nian leaned closer and asked me, "Mu Ye, how are you feeling now?"
"Much better. I guess I vomited some poisonous blood."
Everyone laughed at my words, chuckling.
Elder Wan Gu ordered someone to fetch paper and pen, wrote down a prescription, and handed it to Lin Er.
"This prescription can invigorate blood, dissolve stasis, clear the mind, and detoxify. Boil it three times a day with these medicinal ingredients. After taking it a few more times, you'll be fine."
Lin Er took the prescription and looked at it closely. It read:
"Angelica sinensis two liang, wolfberry one liang, Qian Ming grass half a liang. Take once in the morning, noon, and evening."
Lin Er smiled slightly and called He Lian over.
"He Lian, can you handle this?"
He then handed her the prescription. She looked at it and nodded. "Yes, I can do this."
"Then we'll entrust the Demon King to you."
"Okay, I will take good care of the Demon King."
"Can I help?" Yue Yao interjected.
"If the Princess is willing, she can also help," Lin Er replied.
"Then I'll help too," Liu Mei added.
Yan Wu Shuang looked at the three of them and teased, "I think you're going to cook three different kinds of medicine from one prescription."
"No, we won't."
"It's hard to say, hahaha."
The worried hearts gradually calmed down amidst their half-joking, half-serious laughter, which eased my uneasy heart.
I looked at the elders, who seemed tired, and said.
"The four elders have traveled a long way to Xizi Kingdom. You must be tired from the journey, so please go and rest. Xizi Kingdom has many delicacies, and I'll have someone send some to you to try later."
The elders also felt it was reasonable and agreed. "Then we will take our leave first and come to check the Demon King's pulse tomorrow."
"Alright, go ahead."
"I'll take the elders to their accommodations," Lin Er offered to lead the way.
"Thank you, Elder."
After they left, I looked at the Four Great Protectors again. "Tian Long, you four have also been traveling for several days. Go and rest."
Tian Long replied, "Okay, then we will take our leave."
At this moment, Qing Yu suddenly took out a small box from her embrace and said to me.
"Demon King, this is the Tranquility Pearl from our Mermaid Tribe. As long as you put it in water, it will release a clear and elegant fragrance, which can reduce impatience and anxiety."
"Thank you, Protector."
"Just call me Qing Yu."
"Thank you, Qing Yu."
He Lian stepped forward and took the precious pearl. Qing Yu said.
"Then, Demon King, please rest assured and recuperate. We will take our leave now."
"Alright, go ahead."
At this time, a crowd of people were still gathered outside, chattering noisily. Liu Shi Nian, finding it a bit irritating, walked out of the sleeping quarters to disperse them.
"Everyone, go back. The Demon King is fine."
Only then did everyone reluctantly retreat.
I looked at the three of them and asked, "Do you three want to go and rest?"
Qiu Yu shook her head and walked to the bedside. "I want to stay here and accompany the Demon King."
"Then we'll go and get the medicine," Bi Yao said.
Yan Wu Shuang volunteered, "I guess you don't know where to find the medicine. I'll take you there."
"Thank you, Sister Wu Shuang."
Xue Gu Cheng also said, "I'll go with you."
After everyone left, only He Lian inside the door and Liu Shi Nian outside remained in the room. For some reason, Liu Shi Nian leaned by the doorway without entering.
As He Lian got up to fetch water, she happened to see Liu Shi Nian by the door.
"Sir, please come in. It's not good to stand here."
Liu Shi Nian shook his head and then left.