"I hope I'm overthinking it," Xiang Jian said slowly, his furrowed brow uncreased. "I hope nothing bad happens."
Xi Wen patted his shoulder. "Don't worry. From my perspective, the boss will be fine. As for Zefang, I don't know his background, but his affection for the boss is genuine. I doubt he would harm him."
"Xi Wen, you don't understand. I'm not worried about Zefang harming the boss, but rather that Zefang's presence will bring danger to the boss."
Xiang Jian debated whether to tell Xi Wen what he knew, but he didn't want to reveal his identity too soon. Xiao Man's enemies were powerful, and his own were no weaker. If he exposed himself prematurely, his enemies might come for him before he even had a chance to confront them! He couldn't reveal his whereabouts until he was sure they could protect themselves!
Xiao Man and Zefang wandered through the Roland Mountains, frequenting places seldom visited by people.
"Xiao Qin, what are you looking for?"
"Herbs," Xiao Man replied softly. "My advantage is that I recognize many rare and precious treasures and know how to use them. Xiang Jian said only an alchemist can bring out the full potency of these spiritual herbs, but unfortunately, I don't know alchemy."
"Do you want to learn alchemy?" Zefang asked curiously. When it came to alchemy, the Guiyuan Sect was the most renowned, possessing the greatest alchemist on the Cangxuan Continent, the Pill Saint.
"Yes," Xiao Man said, spotting a plant called Wan Liguang. A hint of joy flashed in her eyes. "Today was truly worthwhile. I actually found Wan Liguang."
"Can this thing be eaten?"
"Wan Liguang is a potent medicine for healing the body." Xiao Man carefully dug it up, roots and all. She intended to transplant it into the Tongtian Pagoda, so she had to avoid damaging its roots.
"Are you injured?"
"Not me, it's Xiang Jian," Xiao Man said, carefully collecting the dug-up Wan Liguang. "His body suffered a severe injury in the past. Although his external wounds have healed, there are still many internal issues. If he wants to go further in martial arts, he must repair these lingering internal injuries."
"You're so good to him," Zefang said with envy. "If I were injured, would you be this good to me too?"
Xiao Man flicked Zefang's forehead with her finger. "What nonsense are you talking about? Why would you want to get injured when you're fine?"
"I'm asking hypothetically. If one day I were gravely injured and on the brink of death, would you save me?" Zefang looked at Xiao Man seriously, wanting to know if he was special in her heart.
Xiao Man smiled. "Then I'd have to study alchemy even harder, so I wouldn't be unable to save you if you were badly hurt one day."
Zefang looked serious, but he was smiling inside. "Xiao Qin, if I disappear one day, will you look for me?"
Xiao Man thought to herself, this child must have rarely been treated kindly, thus he is extremely insecure and always seeks reassurance from her.
Xiao Man turned around and stood facing Zefang. She suddenly realized Zefang was slightly shorter than her. She reached out and pinched his high nose bridge. "We are friends. When friends are in trouble, I will naturally help. If you get hurt, I will definitely treat you. If you are captured by villains, I will go rescue you. If someone bullies you, I will beat them up. From now on, I'll protect you."
Upon hearing this, Zefang broke into a wide grin. "Xiao Qin, from now on, if anyone dares to hurt you, I'll take their life. If anyone dares to bully you, I'll smash their heads in. If anyone dares to have ill intentions towards you, I'll throw them into the Black Marsh to suffer a fate worse than death."
Xiao Man burst into laughter, pinching Zefang's nose. "Then little Zefang, you must grow up quickly, become strong quickly, and then protect me."
"I will," Zefang declared solemnly. "I will protect you in the future."
Xiao Man was very happy with Zefang's words. This Zefang reminded her of Murong Shengrui when he was young. Back then, Murong Shengrui, without his mother's protection, was a helpless child in the palace, bullied by everyone. He was sensitive, fragile, and suspicious. She pitied him. Her initial motive for entering the palace wasn't just to protect Murong Shengrui; she had her own plans. She and Murong Shengrui were mutually beneficial. She needed Murong Shengrui as a facade, as a tool in her hands. Murong Shengrui, on the other hand, needed her protection. However, through their daily interactions, she came to regard him as family, while he remained cold-hearted throughout, determined from the start to eliminate her and the Dugu family once his objective was achieved. Nangong Yu was right in saying she was too soft-hearted; she truly was.
Zefang clearly sensed Xiao Man's mood change. "Xiao Qin, are you unhappy?"
"No, I just suddenly thought of my family."
"Where is your family?"
"They are in the Pure Land," Xiao Man said softly, then forced a smile. "Let's go. I still need a few more medicinal herbs. I must find them as soon as possible."
Zefang nodded and followed Xiao Man, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Her family was dead. Did they die naturally or were they murdered?
While Xiao Man and Zefang searched for spiritual herbs in the Roland Mountains, Wu Yan led his men to search everywhere for Zefang's whereabouts. He even invited people from the Seven Great Sects to help. Everyone was looking for Zefang, but he seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.
"Martial Uncle, why are we helping them find someone? Who exactly are they?"
"They are people we cannot afford to offend," Fang He said grimly. Those who travel with a Golden Core stage cultivator must come from either the Five Great Families or the Four Great Sects. And that young man looks very young, with a cultivation of only Qi Condensation stage seven. For someone with such a weak cultivation to wander alone in the Roland Mountains, it's likely..."
"Martial Uncle Fang He."
"Ah, Liu Hong. Have you encountered that young boy named Zefang in the ruins last time?" Fang He inquired.
"No," Liu Hong asked, confused. "Why are you looking for him, Martial Uncle?"
"He's lost. His family is very worried and has asked us to help find him," Fang He explained. "If you see him, send a signal."
"Is this person that important?" Liu Hong asked, somewhat surprised. The signal flares of the Seven Great Sects were for emergency communication. Now, they were using them to search for one person.
"This person is indeed very important," Fang He said calmly. "I can't explain the specifics. If you find him, remember to notify us. The reward offered by the other party is very generous."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."