chapter 12

Marshal Ouyang gently placed Shen Lingzu on the pristine white hospital bed. He gazed at the frail, pale figure lying motionless on the sheets. Her skin was even paler than the sterile bed itself. For the first time in years, the cold-hearted marshal felt a pang of guilt and regret. He was the reason this delicate girl now lay unconscious. If only he hadn't frightened her, she wouldn't have forced herself to use her powers, especially so soon after depleting them to heal Lieutenant Ouyang.

As he continued to watch her intently, Bernard entered the room hastily, accompanied by a group of men. Hua Rou, the young girl's aunt, also rushed in behind him.

Marshal Ouyang had foreseen Hua Rou's likely involvement. Knowing her connection to the girl, he had ordered his men to intercept her, should she attempt to intervene. True to his prediction, the moment Hua Rou stepped out of her quarters, she was apprehended and escorted back under guard. However, when Bernard was summoned by the marshal, Hua Rou learned of Shen Lingzu's condition and hurried to the scene in desperation.

In the sterile treatment room, its gleaming white walls reflecting the harsh lighting, Marshal Ouyang Jian stood by the bedside. His sharp gaze remained fixed on the unconscious Lingzu, her face pale and damp with cold sweat. Hua Rou, her expression etched with deep concern, rushed to her niece's side without hesitation.

Hua Rou's steps faltered slightly as she approached the girl, eventually sitting by her side and gently brushing back her hair with trembling hands. Her worried gaze then shifted toward the marshal, darkening with fury. Her voice rose, trembling with suppressed anger as she spat through clenched teeth, "Marshal, what on earth do you think you're doing? This girl is not part of your army! She's not your subordinate! Who gave you the right to interrogate her like this?"

Marshal Ouyang remained silent, his guilt palpable. He knew she was right. His actions had crossed the line. Even if the girl harbored secrets, he should have approached the matter with greater caution. But it was too late for regrets now. All he could do was let Hua Rou vent her anger.

His expression betrayed no emotion, but a faint hint of awkwardness lingered in the air. His naturally imposing demeanor was evident in his sharp, intimidating gaze, which remained unyielding despite his silence. Even in her anger, Hua Rou found herself cowed by the marshal's presence. Despite wanting to continue berating him, she faltered, her words dying on her lips.

Before the tension could escalate further, Bernard interjected with a calming tone, "Alright, that's enough. Let's focus on the girl's condition first. We need to examine her and provide treatment."

Without further delay, Bernard began his examination. Utilizing an array of advanced equipment, he performed quick scans and diagnostic tests, with each device capturing detailed health data in mere seconds.

Had Shen Lingzu been awake, she might have marveled at the technological advancements of this world. Then again, perhaps not—her current predicament might have been too overwhelming for her to focus on such things.

After thoroughly reviewing the gathered data, Bernard finally spoke, "There's no immediate danger. She's merely exhausted—both mentally and physically. She pushed herself too hard, drawing on multiple powers simultaneously. With proper nutrients and rest, she'll recover and regain consciousness within two hours."

Hua Rou's sharp eyes caught the fleeting glint of avarice in Bernard's gaze as he uttered the words "multiple powers." Clearly, these people were interested in Lingzu's abilities. Though she hadn't seen the full extent of their intentions, the marshal's unusual interest, coupled with Bernard's obsessive curiosity, was enough to confirm her suspicions.

Relief washed over them upon learning that the girl was out of danger. Hua Rou resumed her vigil at Lingzu's side, clutching the girl's small hand tightly. Her heart ached for this poor child, who had known nothing but scorn and rejection from her family her whole life. Now, the powers she possessed would only draw more unwanted attention. Hua Rou couldn't decide whether this power was a blessing or a curse for the fragile girl. All she could do was pray that the future would bring Lingzu the happiness she deserved.

Marshal Ouyang sat in a corner of the room, far from the hospital bed, observing the scene quietly. No one could guess what thoughts occupied his mind.

The room remained silent for an hour, save for the rhythmic beeping of the medical devices. Eventually, Bernard moved toward the bed with purpose. From one of the nearby drawers, he retrieved a small, sleek syringe.

He intended to draw a blood sample from Lingzu. Naturally, this was to study her powers and uncover any insights they might provide. Bernard couldn't wait any longer—what if Hua Rou whisked the girl away the moment she woke up? He couldn't afford to miss this opportunity.

As he approached the unconscious girl, Hua Rou intercepted him, gripping his wrist firmly. Her voice was laced with suspicion. "What are you doing?"

"There's no need to be so wary. I'm not going to harm your niece," Bernard replied smoothly. "I just need a small blood sample."

"You said she's fine and will wake up soon. Why do you need her blood? Do you take me for a fool, Dr. Bernard?" Her tone turned icy and sharp, filled with mistrust. Hua Rou was well aware of Bernard's reputation as a research-obsessed scientist, and she wasn't about to believe his excuses.

Meeting her unwavering resistance, Bernard glanced toward the marshal, silently seeking his support. However, Marshal Ouyang's cold gaze mirrored Hua Rou's suspicion.

Bernard felt a wave of frustration and disbelief wash over him. What is this? Sure, Hua Rou is her biological aunt and protective by nature, but why does the marshal look like a parent guarding his child from a predator?

Shaking off the absurd thought, Bernard decided to appeal to Hua Rou's maternal instincts. "Madam, this is for the girl's own good. I'm not lying. Her body is clearly struggling to handle the immense power within her. I need to analyze her blood to identify the cause and possibly find a solution."

Though still wary, Hua Rou hesitated. She feared for her niece's health and didn't want to overlook any potential risks. Moreover, she trusted Marshal Ouyang to some extent, knowing him to be a principled and disciplined man despite his fearsome reputation.

After a moment of silence, Hua Rou reluctantly stepped aside, casting a glance at the marshal for reassurance. Seeing no objection from him, she allowed Bernard to proceed.

Eagerly, Bernard prepared the syringe—a state-of-the-art device designed to painlessly extract and store blood. Its needle was so fine that the patient wouldn't feel more than a slight breeze against their skin.

Ouyang Jian watched Bernard, who was eagerly preparing to draw blood from the girl. After hearing that this was for her benefit, the Marshal refrained from stopping him or voicing any objections. Despite Bernard being a brilliant, albeit eccentric, scientist and doctor, he wasn't a bad person. Moreover, his reasoning was valid. The power within the girl's body was extraordinarily complex. She possessed a rare dual power of fire and a mythical spiritual beast. However, it was apparent that using her abilities excessively drained her, weakening her fragile body. It was likely that her power was far greater than her small frame could handle. Conducting some tests and research to understand her condition—and perhaps finding a way to help her—seemed like a prudent course of action.

Still, it seemed the great Marshal hadn't learned his lesson from the first time. Shen Lingzu remained deeply suspicious of them. He should have acted more carefully, at the very least waiting for her to wake up and asking for her consent before attempting to take her blood or any other actions. But, unfortunately, the Marshal always thought he was doing the right thing—whether the first time or now.

Bernard gently took hold of Shen Lingzu's hand and prepared to insert the needle into her arm.

The moment the needle's tip grazed her skin, Shen Lingzu's eyes snapped open. A deadly glare filled her face, like a predator instantly alert to its surroundings. In one swift, instinctive motion, without a moment of hesitation, she moved. Her body turned fluidly, flipping Bernard onto the bed beneath her. She pinned him down, gripping his neck with her left hand. A sharp chill crackled against Bernard's exposed neck as Shen Lingzu summoned her ice power, forming a lethal, glistening ice spear.

The tip of the spear shimmered under the light, poised to end Bernard's life in an instant.

Sweat poured down Bernard's face. If the Marshal weren't present, he would undoubtedly be dead by now. These were Bernard's thoughts as he stared into the eyes of the "fragile, weak" girl before him. Eyes he had only ever seen on the faces of soldiers who had walked the battlefield, witnessed death countless times, and whose hearts had hardened, void of regard for human life.

A thin red line trailed down Bernard's neck, staining the collar of his pristine white shirt with a vivid crimson hue. He was mere moments from death before the marshal intervened.

Yes, the marshal, who had been seated in the corner just seconds ago, now gripped Shen Lingzu's arm—the one holding the ice spear. Ouyang Jian was a powerful, dark-class sentinel of rank 3S. It was this strength that enabled him to be the first in the room to sense Shen Lingzu's awakening, her unusual movement, and the killing intent radiating from her.

Ouyang Jian shared the same thought as his old friend: Shen Lingzu would have killed Bernard if he had been even a second too late.

Thankfully, he had followed his instincts, using his speed to reach the girl in the blink of an eye and grabbing her hand just before she drove the ice spear into Bernard's neck.

Ouyang Jian looked at his hand, now gripping the girl's arm tightly.

Ice was creeping along his fingers.

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Author Rinarina has

something to say:

Ouyang Jian: …I'd rather not

comment on anything right

now.

Hua Rou: Huh? What? What

happened? What's going on?

Author Renarina: Shen

Lingzu, congratulations. Now

all your secrets are out in the

open... Well done. (mocking

tone)

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I am so sorry, dear angels. I promised you 02 chapters yesterday, but I broke my promise..