NOVEL WEB Chapter 88: Chapter 88: Ambiguity and Healing
"Chewing it? Wait, in that case, just give it to me. I'll do it myself," Qian Renxue said hurriedly. As the saintess of the angelic lineage, pure and noble, how could she allow her back to be tainted by a man's saliva?
Nan Feihuang didn't insist. Handing the herb to her, he said, "Alright, but be warned—it's extremely bitter."
"Bitter is nothing!" Qian Renxue replied firmly, taking the herb and placing it into her mouth.
As she chewed, she noticed a hand stretched out beneath her chin. Confused, she raised her gaze to meet Nan Feihuang's calm expression.
"Spit it into my hand," he said casually. "Your burns are on your back, so you won't be able to apply it yourself."
Qian Renxue froze. He was right—there was no way she could apply the paste to her own back.
Her face flushed instantly. Sure, she wouldn't have to deal with his saliva anymore, but now her own saliva would end up on his hand. Somehow, that felt even more... intimate.
But she had no other choice. Gritting her teeth, Qian Renxue brushed aside her golden hair and gently spat the chewed herb into his hand.
Nan Feihuang didn't hesitate. With careful precision, he began applying the herb paste to the burns on her back. A cooling sensation spread across her skin, alleviating much of the pain.
Glancing back at him, she noticed his expression—serious, focused, entirely devoid of any improper thoughts.
Qian Renxue felt a strange mix of emotions. She was annoyed, embarrassed even. So, I've been overthinking this whole time? He's touching my back, applying paste mixed with my saliva, and he doesn't feel anything? Isn't this face and figure of mine exactly his type? How can he be so indifferent?!
One herb wasn't enough. Nan Feihuang handed her another, and the process repeated. This time, neither of them said a word, the awkwardness replaced by a quiet understanding.
Before long, her back was fully treated.
Nan Feihuang pulled a spare outer robe from his storage tool and draped it over her shoulders. Her original clothing had been scorched by the flames.
"Thank you," Qian Renxue said softly, adjusting the robe.
"Miss Qian Renxue," Nan Feihuang said, stepping back to give her space. "Rest and recover for now. As soon as you're a little better, we'll find a way out. Along the way, we can leave markings to guide the others. I'm confident that whether it's your two protectors or my mother, they won't abandon us."
Qian Renxue nodded. "You're right. That red soul beast's strength is beyond extraordinary—it must reside in the Star Dou Forest's core. My guards won't ignore that fact; they'll come searching. As long as we move cautiously and leave clear signals, they'll find us."
As they had guessed, outside the forest, Blue Snow's injuries had only just stabilized, but she was already pressing forward.
Nothing would stop her from finding her son.
Meanwhile, Nan Tianchen ignored the protests of Nan Feiling and Dian Wei, ordering Xu Rong to take the two back to safety. The two children's power was too weak to contribute and would only be liabilities.
Even Zhu Xu, one of Qian Renxue's protectors, had departed—not to flee, but to return to Spirit Hall for reinforcements.
The red beast's overwhelming strength left them with no choice. Even if they found Qian Renxue, without the likes of Bibi Dong or the Spirit Hall's high-ranking elders, they would still be powerless against it.
"Feihuang, you must survive," Blue Snow murmured as she pressed on, her steps relentless even as night fell. "If you don't… what's the point of me reaching the Title Douluo realm?"
Her determination left Nan Tianchen and Zhang Lao sighing quietly behind her. They knew how much Nan Feihuang meant to her—far more than anyone else in the world, even her husband.
For now, all they could do was support her. Like her, they were equally worried about Nan Feihuang.
Thanks to Zhang Lao's soul food, they could keep going without rest. His fruit-based martial soul provided not only nourishment but also healing and restoration of soul power and stamina.
Meanwhile, in the cave, the atmosphere was starkly different.
Without Spirit Hall's resources or Zhang Lao's fruits, Nan Feihuang and Qian Renxue were limited to dry rations. Concerned about attracting high-level soul beasts, they dared not light a fire, leaving the dark cave lit only by faint moonlight filtering through cracks.
But darkness posed little challenge to soul masters. Qian Renxue, a rank-60 soul master, could see perfectly well even in dim conditions.
As for Nan Feihuang, his Ghost Howl Heaven Pearl external soul bone had enhanced the vision in his left eye to an extraordinary degree, allowing him to see as clearly as if it were daylight.
It was through this enhanced sight that Nan Feihuang kept glancing at Qian Renxue's face.
His focus, however, wasn't on admiring her beauty. He was intently observing her brow, checking for any reappearance of the deathly black aura that had once loomed over her. As long as it didn't return, they were safe—for now.
"You've been staring at me for quite a while," Qian Renxue suddenly remarked. Her voice cut through the silence like a blade. "What? Did you think I wouldn't notice just because it's dark? You're not the only one who can see in the dark, you know."
Nan Feihuang blinked, caught off guard. "I wasn't—"
"Save it." She raised a hand to cut him off, smirking faintly. "I know what you're going to say. Feihuang, you're young. Too young to think about things like that. Focus on cultivating instead."
Her words were confident, almost teasing. Clearly, she had misunderstood his intent.
But in her heart, Qian Renxue's view of him subtly shifted. Earlier, during her most vulnerable moments, he hadn't shown a shred of improper intent—his focus had been entirely on treating her wounds.
Now that things had calmed down, it was only natural for his youthful curiosity to manifest. After all, wasn't she exactly the type he admired most?
Qian Renxue felt no anger, only amusement. She even considered how she might turn this situation to her advantage.
If Nan Feihuang not only respected Xue Qinghe but also developed feelings for Qian Renxue… the two identities would create an unshakable bond of loyalty.
Someday, when he discovered that the Crown Prince he revered and the woman he admired were one and the same, wouldn't that make him her most devoted supporter?
Such devotion, she thought, could prove very useful in the future.
He might just become the perfect pawn.
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