Wu Huan's speed was swift, and in a flash, he lunged at Xiao Man again.
Xiao Man commanded herself to calm down. Wu Huan was merely agitated and had lost his reason. As long as she could make him regain his senses, she could survive!
However, the moment Wu Huan neared her, he was flung away by an invisible force, just like Cang Feng. Cang Feng watched Wu Huan being repelled and then looked at Xiao Man, who was cowering in the corner with a bewildered expression. For a moment, he didn't know whether to advance or retreat.
Xiao Man flicked a stream of finger wind at Wu Huan. The finger wind carried a faint fragrance that induced a sense of timidity. Wu Huan's movements faltered for a moment, but after a brief pause, he charged at Xiao Man again. Fear gnawed at Xiao Man's heart, yet her face remained composed. She watched Wu Huan charge forward repeatedly only to be repelled each time, feeling both relieved and fearful. What if the protective barrier, the Ling Shi Bu Ling, suddenly failed? Wouldn't she be doomed? Su Dan Novel Network
"Just a little longer, just a little longer, the effects of the medicine will kick in," Xiao Man calmly reminded herself. There was no need to rush or panic. Wu Huan's cultivation was likely already in the Deification stage, yet the Four Great Sects were completely unaware. They believed the Cang Xuan Continent had only one Deification stage expert, living in a well and staring at the sky. Worse still, they were consumed by internal strife. They wouldn't even realize what had happened when the Demon Race overran them.
After several unsuccessful attacks, Wu Huan became even more frenzied. His eyes turned crimson, as if they would bleed. A vast and potent power surged from his body, churning the surrounding space until it sounded like it was cracking. Xiao Man swallowed hard. My life is forfeit!
Wu Huan charged at Xiao Man with destructive force. A sense of despair welled up within Xiao Man. So this was the power of a Deification stage expert. In the face of such power, she was as insignificant as an ant!
"Wu Huan!"
Wu Huan's hand stopped just above Xiao Man's head. The prison was instantly leveled, reduced to ruins. Xiao Man, overwhelmed by the immense power, lost consciousness. Wu Huan's blood-red eyes gradually returned to normal.
Cang Feng crawled out from the rubble to see Wu Huan carrying Xiao Man. "Your subordinate greets His Majesty."
Wu Huan said nothing. He picked up Xiao Man and walked past Cang Feng. Cang Feng, oppressed by the terrifying power emanating from Wu Huan, knelt on the ground, unable to move.
"It seems you have not taken my words to heart at all," Wu Huan's voice was cold and merciless. "Go to the Black Water Prison to receive your punishment."
Upon hearing the words "Black Water Prison," Cang Feng trembled uncontrollably, unable to utter a single plea for mercy. He only collapsed limply onto the ground after Wu Huan and his entourage had vanished.
The commander of the Ghost Guards arrived with his men to assess the situation. Seeing the prison reduced to ruins, with inmates dead or injured, and Cang Feng slumped on the ground, his clothes drenched in sweat.
"General Cang, please."
"Miao Shao, it's you." Cang Feng swayed as he stood up. Miao Shao reached out to help him.
Miao Shao's face was grim. He ordered his men to rescue the injured and transfer the survivors to other prisons. "Has His Majesty returned to the palace?"
"You know His Majesty was at the prison?" Cang Feng asked in surprise.
"I do."
"Knowing this, why didn't you inform me?"
Miao Shao glanced at Cang Feng. "General Cang, how can others inquire about His Majesty's whereabouts and reveal them at will? Moreover, His Majesty acts according to his whims; he could appear anywhere in the Ghost Domain. General Cang, it is always wise to abide by the rules."
"Miao Shao, can you help me check on Xiao Qin?"
"General, you should go to the Black Water Prison first. As for Xiao Qin, His Majesty will handle it." Miao Shao had Cang Feng escorted to the Black Water Prison while he instructed his men to clear the ruins and rebuild the prison as quickly as possible.
When Xiao Man awoke, her vision was filled with splendor, but it was not a scene she recognized. After a moment, she closed her eyes again.
"If you're awake, stop sleeping and drink your medicine."
Xiao Man turned her head to look at the person sitting beside her. He was handsome, clad in a black brocade robe embroidered with彼岸花 (Bǐ'àn Huā - Lycoris radiata), and his eyes held a hint of familiarity. "Wu Huan?"
"It is I." Wu Huan helped Xiao Man sit up, letting her lean against his shoulder. He picked up a bowl of medicine and began to feed her.
"I remember..."
"You were injured by me," Wu Huan finished her sentence, speaking calmly. "I apologize for losing control and hurting you."
Xiao Man moved her limbs. The pain was unbearable. To have survived such immense power, she could consider herself fortunate. She obediently drank the medicine.
"Your Majesty." The door was pushed open, and a beautiful woman entered. Her gaze fell on Wu Huan, a flicker of surprise in her eyes. "Your Majesty, I heard that General Cang was sent to the Black Water Prison by you?"
"Do not plead for him," Wu Huan's tone remained indifferent, devoid of any discernible emotion, as he meticulously cooled the medicine with his breath and fed it to Xiao Man's lips.
"Give me the bowl, and I'll drink it all at once. Drinking it spoonful by spoonful is too torturous," Xiao Man protested.
"Afraid of the bitterness?" Wu Huan then picked up a piece of candied fruit and placed it in Xiao Man's mouth. "One spoonful of medicine, one piece of candied fruit, how about that?"
"I don't want it!"
Seeing her swift refusal, Wu Huan did not press further. He tasted the medicine to ensure it was not too hot and then brought it to Xiao Man's lips.
Xiao Man took the bowl with both hands and drank it down in one gulp, her brows furrowed in discomfort. Wu Huan placed a piece of candied fruit in her mouth. "After drinking the medicine, you should get some more sleep."
"I'm hungry!" Xiao Man grabbed Wu Huan's sleeve. "I want to eat meat!"
A hint of warmth bloomed in the corners of Wu Huan's eyes. "Someone, bring the food."
Wu Huan had a small table placed on the bed and a cushion placed behind Xiao Man. He poured a cup of tea for her. "Rinse your mouth with this. It will help get rid of the bitterness, so nothing tastes bitter."
The woman watched Wu Huan attend to Xiao Man with meticulous care, her astonishment unable to be concealed. It was as if she was seeing him for the first time. In all these years, she had never witnessed such gentleness and thoughtfulness from Wu Huan. What she had seen most was his coldness and heartlessness!
"Your Majesty, this young lord is..."
"Send for a seamstress to make her some well-fitting clothes," Wu Huan instructed. "Also, have Miao Shao come to protect her."
"Your Majesty, Commander Miao is..."
"There are no 'buts.' This is my command," Wu Huan said, his lips parting slightly. He sat by the bed, watching Xiao Man unceremoniously shovel food into her mouth, and began to serve her. "This cook was hired from the best restaurant in the city. He excels at making authentic dishes. Are you getting used to it?"
"The taste is good, thank you."
A faint smile curved Wu Huan's lips. He poured her a cup of water. "This is juice from ghost lotus fruit. It's sweet and refreshing, aids digestion, and cuts through richness. Try it."
Xiao Man nodded as she ate, not being polite at all, as if she had already made herself at home. After she had eaten her fill and was satisfied, patting her bulging stomach, she finally looked at Wu Huan.
"Speak. What do you want me to do?"