Looking out for a Friend

After drinking the makeshift potion, Ma Zhi Wu's brows that had been locked in a tight frown eased slightly. It seemed that at the very least, he wasn't in as much pain anymore. As for whether he was starting to heal … That was hard to say. His skin was still just as damp and cold to the touch and even though the Grandelder had bandaged and partly treated his wounds, there was still blood seeping out. If they really wanted to save him, it seemed that they would need to make some more effort.

Not far from them, Xiang Yong tightly furrowed his brows. This person did indeed seem to be human or maybe he was of mixed parentage. If the latter was true, then his chances at survival might be slightly better but with the skill these humans had, it might still be difficult.

Normally, he wouldn't care about the problems in the mortal realm. They had nothing to do with him, their king, or the dragon race as a whole. It might be sad but it was something they should stay out of. Everything else would only make trouble.

But in this case, he just couldn't help but feel that it wouldn't be the right thing to do. This person had been so gravely injured because he tried to save one of their people. Thus, they owed him.

Just bringing him back here if they had the ability to do more for him would be dishonest. And he was pretty sure that there was more they could do. In fact, just calling An Bai and having him come over here might already solve the problem. He would probably have some idea of what could be done. After all, while he was a scholar in general, he also had a bit of attainment in regard to refinement. He might have some pill or potion that could be used in this situation that would allow this person to make a full recovery.

Unfortunately, An Bai had only just gotten back from the demon realm. He was exhausted and honestly, Xiang Yong wouldn't like to have him deal with anything right now. After all, only a few minutes had gone by in the dragon realm. That definitely wasn't enough to get over everything. If it had been at least a few days … But that wasn't the case. And nothing could be changed about that. Still, he had to do something.

Xiang Yong finally stepped out of the room and took out a transmission stone. He did not contact An Bai but instead went for their king. Normally, he wouldn't bother with this but this person was also related to the task that His Majesty had given him. Thus, he might as well ask for his opinion. Furthermore, His Majesty had gotten to know a few people in the mortal realm. Those might know a bit more about humans and thus have a better chance at saving this person as well. It was worth a try.

Qiu Ling who had run back to the Hei Dian Sect just a short while ago and was finally able to hold his beloved in his arms again, gushing to him about how much he loved and had missed him and how happy he was that they were finally reunited, naturally wasn't happy at all when his transmission stone suddenly lit up. If he could, he would just ignore it. Unfortunately, it might be important.

With a deep sigh, he took the stone out and answered it, his expression showing exactly what he thought of this interruption. "What is it?"

Xiang Yong still kept up with manners and at least slightly bowed his head. "My king, I wanted to report that we finished our mission. Xiao Dong has been freed from the dungeon. In fact, we have let all the people imprisoned by the Chun Feng Sect go. Unfortunately, those demon hunters weren't quite willing to accept the loss. Some of their prisoners were killed before we could reach them and one of the people was gravely injured. This person also happens to be somebody of the Yun Zou Sect."

Before Qiu Ling could say something, Jing Yi hung over his shoulder, staring at Xiang Yong with worry in his eyes. "Somebody of the Yun Zou Sect? Who?" Other than Xiao Dong, there had still been Shao Hai and Nian Hong Fang's lover been in there and those were only the people they knew of! Maybe there were even more.

Xiang Yong glanced to the side before he looked back at Jing Yi. Even though this person was just a mortal, he was still the person his king was currently in love with and also the reincarnation of the Son of Heaven. Thus, he wouldn't slight him. "I believe that person is called Ma Zhi Wu, Your Highness. Currently, he's being treated by the Grandelder of the Yun Zou Sect and his disciples. Unfortunately, it is unclear whether he will be able to survive. In my opinion, it doesn't seem that way."

Jing Yi's expression sank. While he had known that it was likely either Shao Hai or Ma Zhi Wu, he had still hoped that it would turn out to be a misunderstanding. Even now that he heard it, he just couldn't believe that this person that senior martial brother Nian had waited for, for so long had just returned but might not even be able to stay with him.

He gulped, almost unable to form a coherent thought. He hadn't even noticed that Xiang Yong had addressed him like he would Jing He. "That … Does senior martial brother Nian know about that?"

Xiang Yong lightly raised his brows. "Would you be talking about a person called Nian Hong Fang? The disciple of the Grandelder?"

Jing Yi nodded. "Yes, does he know?"

Xiang Yong nodded. "He does. In fact, he is currently with him. I'm afraid that the truth hasn't really hit him just yet. He will need some more time to come to terms with this." Xiang Yong once again glanced at Qiu Ling, waiting for him to make a judgment.

"What about An Bai? Could he help them?"

Xiang Yong lowered his gaze, keeping silent for a short moment before he looked up again. "That might be possible, Your Majesty. But I'd like to remind you that An Bai just returned from the demon realm. Back in the dragon realm, not even an hour has passed since that time. I believe that he would need some rest.

"Furthermore, it is not a certainty that he will be able to heal him. Having him go there, entrusting this mission to him, and then maybe making him fail because he is neither aware of all the restrictions concerning the humans nor in a good position himself might put a lot of stress on him. Thus, I do not recommend using him for this. I was rather wondering if maybe Your Majesty knew somebody in the mortal realm who might be better equipped to handle this."

Qiu Ling lightly furrowed his brows. A person in the mortal realm that was better equipped to handle this? He didn't even need to think for a moment to realize who that might be. There was indeed a person that wouldn't have any trouble dealing with this. But … It wasn't that easy. "Then that Ma Zhi Wu, can he be transferred to another place?"

Xiang Yong once again glanced into the room behind him. Judging from the way that Nian Hong Fang was clinging to Ma Zhi Wu's hand, his lips faintly trembling, it sure didn't look as if the treatment was working. "I'm afraid that might worsen his condition."

Qiu Ling frowned but finally sighed deeply. "I understand. Well, give me a bit of time. I will try to find a way."

Xiang Yong nodded just before the connection was cut. He wasn't quite sure what his king had thought of but judging from his expression, it didn't seem as if this was something he would like to do. He really wondered if he had done the right thing insisting that An Bai was not a good choice in this case. But then again, he also wanted to look out for his friend.