Watching Yang Houcheng being chased by Xie Shengxiao with his head in his hands, Qiao Zhao smiled gracefully and turned to Shao Mingyuan: “To make Miss Xie so angry, Yang Dage is quite capable.”

Shao Mingyuan listened carefully and chuckled: “Chongshan seems about to be caught by Miss Xie.”

Sure enough, as soon as he finished speaking, Xie Shengxiao grabbed Yang Houcheng’s arm with one hand, forcefully threw him to the ground, and began pummeling him with fists falling like rain.

Shao Mingyuan raised his eyebrows: “Miss Xie strikes quite hard.”

“Should I go persuade them?”

“No need, Chongshan has thick skin.”

Qiao Zhao looked at Shao Mingyuan with a smile: “Since you say so, then I won’t interfere.”

Shao Mingyuan took the opportunity to grasp Qiao Zhao’s hand, leaning close to her ear and murmuring: “I also have thick skin. If I ever make you angry in the future, you can beat me up as you please.”

The man’s eyes were pure as cold stars, and the smile at the corner of his mouth was an unfathomable tenderness.

Qiao Zhao let him hold her hand, sighing softly: “Tingquan, you should stay behind too.”

She found it somewhat difficult to continue persuading him.

When had someone like Shao Mingyuan ever been in such a predicament? Her urging him to hide behind others must certainly make him feel terrible.

But she still couldn’t help worrying, preferring him to feel bad rather than wanting him to be safe.

Shao Mingyuan tightened his grip on Qiao Zhao’s hand and asked in a low voice: “Zhaozhao is worried about me?”

Qiao Zhao pressed her lips together and remained silent.

“Don’t worry, even though I’m blind, I’m still no worse than others when it comes to leading troops in battle.”

The man spoke with confidence, so Qiao Zhao smiled: “Good, then I’ll wait for you to annihilate the Japanese pirates.”

Personal guards jumped one by one onto the Japanese pirate ship pursuing Xie Shengxiao and the others, while Qiao Zhao and the others stood on deck to see them off.

“Shixi, I’m entrusting the care of those staying behind to you.” Shao Mingyuan faced Chi Can’s direction.

Chi Can waved his hand: “Stop being so long-winded. Go early and return early—you might even make it back for dinner.”

Shao Mingyuan cupped his fists toward Chi Can: “You’re right, then we’re setting off.”

Ye Luo walked beside Shao Mingyuan. Under everyone’s gaze, the young general in black robes showed no abnormality whatsoever, stepping lightly as he leaped onto another ship.

Yang Houcheng, with bruises around his eyes, waved to Qiao Zhao and the others, shouting excitedly: “Wait for us to return!”

Xie Shengxiao touched the long blade at her waist and glanced at Yang Houcheng.

This fool—they were going to kill Japanese pirates, and he thought they were going on a spring outing?

“General, may we set sail?” Chen Guang came over to request instructions.

“Chen Guang, come closer.”

“What are the General’s orders?” Chen Guang asked, lowering his voice.

“Get off the ship now.”

Chen Guang was stunned: “General?”

Shao Mingyuan’s tone was calm: “Take care of Miss Li for me. Keep watch for signals from the island at all times. If a retreat signal appears, immediately take Miss Li and the others away.”

“General—” Chen Guang found this somewhat difficult to accept.

Why should he stay behind instead of fighting alongside the General?

“Chen Guang, you’re quick-witted. I’ll feel more at ease with you staying behind. You must understand that your mission is more important. Only with the rear secure can I fight without distraction.”

“This subordinate understands. Please rest assured, General.” Chen Guang gritted his teeth and jumped back to the original ship.

Shao Mingyuan raised his hand: “Set sail.”

The two ships quickly drew apart. Watching the tall, jade-like figure in black robes grow more and more distant, Qiao Zhao clenched her fists tightly and couldn’t help but shout: “Shao Dage, take care!”

The young general waved his hand in the direction where the young lady stood.

“Alright, Tingquan has experienced all kinds of situations. Don’t worry needlessly.” Chi Can glanced sideways at Qiao Zhao.

Qiao Zhao said frankly, “Though I know worrying is useless, I still can’t help but worry.”

Chi Can felt stifled hearing this and twitched the corner of his mouth to ask: “Want to play chess?”

“Alright.”

Chi Can was stunned for a moment.

He had just asked casually, not expecting Li San to agree.

“Then let’s go.”

The two didn’t return to their rooms but set up a chessboard outside and began playing.

Chi Can was famously slow at chess. With Qiao Zhao’s mind occupied with concern for Shao Mingyuan and the others, she was happy to pass the time this way and played unhurriedly with him.

Time passed slowly, and before they knew it, the sky was full of stars.

A’Zhu hurried over: “Miss, that young lady is making a terrible commotion!”

Qiao Zhao stood up: “Let’s go see.”

When they arrived, all the women were hiding far away, craning their necks to look, each showing terror on their faces as they listened to the woman’s howling from inside the room.

Qiao Zhao stood at the door and listened.

“Third Miss, should I go in and knock her unconscious again?”

“No rush to knock her out. A’Zhu, go get the medicine and feed her another dose.”

Chen Guang was puzzled: “Didn’t you say that young lady was beyond saving?”

Qiao Zhao glanced at him and smiled: “It’s good if we can reduce her suffering even a little.”

Soon, A’Zhu came with a medicine bowl, and Chen Guang directly took it: “Third Miss, let me feed her.”

“That’s fine, be careful.”

“It seems quiet inside the room now.” Chen Guang said while pushing the door open.

After the door opened, the woman lay on the ground, completely still.

Chen Guang bent down to check: “Third Miss, she’s fainted.”

Qiao Zhao’s expression changed slightly upon hearing this: “So quickly?”

“Third Miss, did she knock herself unconscious?”

“Carry her to the bed, I’ll examine her.”

After the examination, Qiao Zhao’s expression became even more grave, murmuring: “Her disease progression is far too rapid. In less than a day, she’s entered the coma stage.”

Looking at Chen Guang’s confused face, Qiao Zhao sighed: “No need to give her medicine anymore. She probably won’t last much longer.”

“So quickly?” Chen Guang was dumbfounded.

Mad dog bites were too terrifying!

Qiao Zhao felt inexplicably heavy-hearted.

Abnormal situations often meant unknown dangers or troubles.

Could it be that the environment on Mingfeng Island was special, or that sea islands were inherently very different from the places they usually lived, making many infectious diseases more serious than she knew?

If that were the case, wouldn’t Shao Mingyuan and the others face additional unknown dangers besides those Japanese pirates?

Qiao Zhao suppressed her uneasiness and walked out, saying to the women who were craning their necks: “That young lady has fallen into a coma and won’t hurt anyone anymore. If you want to say goodbye to her, come over.”

The several women looked at each other, but none dared move a step.

Qiao Zhao didn’t force them and walked out with an indifferent expression.

Under the starry sky with waves lapping, Qiao Zhao let the cool sea breeze blow through her hair and skirt hem, gazing absently toward Mingfeng Island.

“You’re worried?” Chi Can approached and stopped beside her.

“That young lady probably won’t make it through the night.”

“That’s her bad luck. She’s not your friend or relative—surely you’re not going to shed tears?” Chi Can thought of those few women and couldn’t help but sneer. “Don’t forget, those women who shared hardships with her don’t even dare to look at her one last time.”

Qiao Zhao smiled: “I wouldn’t say I’m sad, but Tingquan will land on the island at night, and I’m somewhat worried.”