13 Chapter 13

Cai Shengwei, Xin Lumei, and Xiang Hai were enjoying a wonderful grilled steak when a soldier ran into the dining hall with a frantic expression. He was in such a hurry that he had forgotten to kneel. "Your Majesties, t-the Dragon Lord...H-he's come back!"

All of them revealed excited expressions. "Well, where is he?" Xin Lumei asked.

"Injured! Just crashed in the courtyard, Your Majesties." Their faces dropped. Xin Lumei held her mouth open in shock. Cai Chengwei spits the delicious steak out of his mouth and Xiang Hai slammed his fists onto the table. Each action made the soldier tremble.

"Bring us to him immediately! Inform the guard that we need the best medics in the country here now!" Xiang Hai and Cai Shengwei ordered at the same time. They would have jinxed each other if it weren't for the severity of the problem at hand. The soldier practically ran to the said place, allowing the rulers of this country to see their friend's draconic form.

Arrows were lodged in his scales, making him look like a porcupine. His wings had tears, claw marks to be specific, as well did his limbs and main body. There were even some high degree burn marks covering nearly every scale on him. His breaths, from what they could hear, were laborious and shallow.

Tears filled everyone's eyes as they stared at Nalan Pong's injuries, unsure of what to do. When they saw the doctors come, they felt a bit relieved. They watched as many more doctors came and studied the injuries. They whispered amongst themselves until they finally came to a conclusion. A brave, female medic stepped up to them. "Your Majesties, the Dragon Lord's injuries are very severe. After a long discussion, we have come to an agreement that your friend will live no longer than a week, even if we treat all of his wounds. He has lost too much blood, and he has an unknown poison in his system which we cannot find the antidote within the short amount of time we have. Even if he were to miraculously survive this event, he would be a cripple..." Her voice trailed off.

Cai Shengwei wiped the tears away from his eyes. "Create an antidote as soon as possible. We don't know if the enemy would use it again, so it is best to be prepared. As for Nalan Pong..." His voice cracked. "Treat him and ensure that he really does survive for a week. If he dies beforehand, his blood will be on all of your hands." After saying that, he took one last look at his friend before taking his leave.

Xiang Hai had his teeth and palms clenched in anger and regret. He might have been able to help him if he was on the battlefield with him. Instead, he took refuge and comfort inside of the castle, training new recruits and having laughs with his other friends while one was risking his life. He was so selfish! "The last stand will be at this castle. We must be ready." He departed, leaving Xin Lumei with all the doctors.

Being a ruler has made her heart turn cold, she realized. Although tears were streaming down her eyes, her heart was tranquil and frozen. Despite her good friend laying on death's table, she felt nothing. Xin Lumei walked closer to the dragon and gently touched his bloodied snout. A faint pain prickled at her heartstrings, so far away that she could barely notice it. Why had she become this way? The passage of time has brought much change to all of them. Considering this, four years is a very long time despite it flying away like a plane.

"I will find a way..." She whispered before taking her leave as well.

As the doctors busied themselves with finding an antidote and preserving Nalan Pong's life, the other three were just a busy.

Cai Shengwei locked himself up in the lab and did a variety of experiments. He wanted to recreate a bomb from his previous lifestyle. The life he had five years ago where he was worry free, aside from homework and bullies. When he thought he was successful, he would go out to a field and test it, but none of them would explode. Even if they did, the combustion wasn't large enough to kill over a thousand people at the same time. However, each experiment would be more successful than the last.

Xiang Hai readied the troops and prepared the castle for an all-out attack. He placed as many cannons as he could along the walls and towers. He had men go set traps up in the forest surrounding them. He made sure the production of weapons and rations were increased significantly. He forged a massive battle plan and set up scouts to watch for the enemy's coming. He also made it to where no soul could enter the castle without his personal consent.

Xin Lumei had many scholars bring her all the books which had so much as a mention of a phoenix. She researched everything she could and forced herself to stay awake until she passed out due to exhaustion.

On the fifth day, the battle for survival began. The enemy troops fell for most of the traps, leading to their decrease in population by a third. The canons helped fend the swarm off until they retreated with the sun. That night, Cai Shengwei was finally successful in creating his bomb, so he sent the formula to some producers and had them to make them as soon as possible. Xin Lumei, despite her efforts, had found nothing useful aside from one phrase being constantly repeated.