Those poisoned needles had been aimed at his head and face, so how did they end up hitting his waist? The man was shocked but had no time to think as he reached for the antidote.
The poison was so potent that even he couldn’t withstand it.
Just then, a tremendous force suddenly crashed into him from behind. Caught off guard, he was knocked forward two zhang, and the antidote flew from his hand, only to be caught by Feng Miao Jun, who immediately passed it to Chen Da Chang: “Swallow it.”
It turned out that the snow bear had suddenly gone berserk for some unknown reason, attacking anyone in sight. With its massive build, it charged like a bulldozer, sending anyone in its path flying.
His companions cursed loudly, not understanding what had driven them mad. Some clever ones remembered Feng Miao Jun’s earlier contact with it and immediately pointed at her: “She’s behind this!”
At that moment, a woman’s voice suddenly rang out:
“Stop, all of you. I am here.”
Hu Tian and the others looked toward the voice, all overjoyed: “State Preceptor!”
A woman approached leisurely, her face covered with a thin veil. Though she didn’t walk quickly, each step was steady.
The snow bear’s eyes were bloodshot as if it had lost all reason. It turned its head and charged straight toward her.
Everyone cried out in alarm, knowing that Yu Hai Zhen had been severely wounded on the battlefield and likely had not yet recovered. They rushed forward to block the bear.
Chen Da Chang said to Feng Miao Jun: “She has nothing to do with this.”
This meant that the Xi people’s attack on Chen Da Chang was not on Yu Hai Zhen’s orders. That made things simpler. Feng Miao Jun’s lips curved upward as she raised her finger and snapped it.
“Click.”
The charging bear suddenly stopped, like a wind-up toy that had run out of power. It stood frozen for a long while, then slowly looked around, its eyes filled with confusion.
Just then, two crane demons also arrived, landing behind Feng Miao Jun, one on the left and one on the right.
Amid this chaos, Chen Da Chang asked Yu Hai Zhen: “Has the poison been completely purged from your body?”
“Thanks to you,” she casually removed her veil, revealing a pale face, as if recovering from a serious injury. However, her beauty remained undiminished; beyond her elegant and otherworldly appearance, she now had an added touch of delicate vulnerability. Chen Da Chang had seen her when the corpse poison had spread throughout her body, and now that her appearance had recovered, it meant the poison had been mostly eliminated.
He felt relieved.
He had managed to save her life and complete Her Majesty the Queen’s mission.
Yu Hai Zhen’s gaze swept over him, then lingered on Feng Miao Jun beside him, understanding that the bear’s sudden madness was her doing. The giant bear was powerful but simple-minded, and she wondered how Feng Miao Jun had bewitched it. This must be the companion Chen Da Chang had been so concerned about, and she hadn’t expected her to be such a stunning beauty.
This woman’s beauty was like a poppy field stretching to the horizon—intense and splendid, enough to make one lose their senses.
Feng Miao Jun was also carefully examining her. As their eyes met, both women were making their calculations.
Yu Hai Zhen then turned to look at the man holding the little monkey: “State Preceptor Yun, what brings you here to trouble my subordinates?”
With her arrival, the Xi cultivators and beasts found their leader, though they silently thought “that was close.” Several of them recognized the graceful man as Wei State Preceptor Yun Ya. His methods were unpredictably mysterious, and he could kill without drawing blood. If they had followed Hu Tian’s orders to attack, who knows how many of them would have died.
“I heard that the Xi people have integrity and refuse to surrender to Yan, so I came to assist,” Yun Ya stepped down from mid-air one step at a time. “Yet upon arriving, I find you all ganging up on a few.”
His words were sharp, making the Xi cultivators’ expressions turn uncomfortable. Hu Tian pointed at Chen Da Chang angrily: “The State Preceptor was severely injured and was taken by him!” What wrong had it done in bringing reinforcements?
Yu Hai Zhen shook her head: “It’s all a misunderstanding. If not for him helping me neutralize the poison, I would have died three days ago.” She turned to Yun Ya, “Could you return Hu Tian to me?”
Yun Ya glanced at Feng Miao Jun, noting her slightly pursed red lips that indicated her displeasure, and weighed the monkey in his hand: “You should ask the aggrieved party if they’re willing to let it go.”
Yu Hai Zhen observed the tacit understanding between these two, and her mind stirred: “Why does Yun Ya seem so concerned about this woman?” Weren’t all State Preceptors naturally proud? Yet Yun Ya was considering someone else’s feelings.
Feng Miao Jun raised an eyebrow: “This monkey repaid kindness with enmity and injured an official of my court. This debt must be properly settled.”
Yu Hai Zhen turned to Feng Miao Jun, taking a deep breath before smiling: “During the Battle of Lu Qiao, thank you for your help against Yan.” Feng Miao Jun had assisted her against the Yan King the Female Drought Demon and other cultivators. Yu Hai Zhen certainly recognized her, but she had fallen from the cliff too early to hear her name. Despite her unknown identity, Feng Miao Jun’s demonstrated cultivation level was enough to earn anyone’s respect.
“The monkey was mischievous, and I apologize on its behalf. There will certainly be compensation. May I ask your esteemed name?”
Yu Hai Zhen was naturally proud—how could she normally be so accommodating? But times had changed. The Xi Kingdom was gone, the State Preceptor no longer existed, and she was just recovering from serious injuries. Facing two powerful individuals, including Yun Ya, her dozen or so people might not fare well.
Chen Da Chang made a timely introduction: “This is the ruler of New Xia, Queen Chang Le.”
At these words, the Xi people widened their eyes and looked at each other in astonishment.
This woman with divine beauty was the ruler of a country?
Yu Hai Zhen was equally surprised, her gaze now containing more curiosity. Feng Miao Jun had received countless admiring looks before and ignored them as usual, only looking toward Chen Da Chang: “What do you think?”
He was the victim after all.
Chen Da Chang looked at Yu Hai Zhen and said solemnly: “I defer to Your Majesty’s judgment.”
He knew that Feng Miao Jun had traveled a great distance to find Yu Hai Zhen with a purpose in mind, and naturally wanted to use this opportunity to help the Queen achieve her wishes.
The Queen’s attitude was his attitude.
Feng Miao Jun was indeed greatly satisfied, her red lips curving upward as she said, “Good.”
Yu Hai Zhen gave him a deep look before saying: “The night is cold and damp here. Let’s go to the cave to talk.”
Since there was a willingness to negotiate, Yun Ya tossed Hu Tian back to Yu Hai Zhen. In this world, every creature has its master. Not even the Wei State Preceptor could subdue its arrogance, but as soon as the little monkey was in Yu Hai Zhen’s hands, it shrank into a ball, its soft fur drooping, only daring to steal glances at its master’s expression.
It knew it had made major mistakes over the past few days, one after another.
But when it perched on Yu Hai Zhen’s shoulder and saw Feng Miao Jun and Chen Da Chang walking behind them, it couldn’t help but bare its teeth and make faces at them.
If it weren’t for these two, how would it have made mistakes and been punished?
Yu Hai Zhen extended a finger and flicked its head, saying sternly: “Behave yourself!”
The cold aura that once belonged to the State Preceptor finally spread out, and the little monkey immediately lowered its head and became obedient.
After everyone entered the cave and sat down, with the rest standing guard at the entrance, Yu Hai Zhen pointed at Chen Da Chang and said to Hu Tian: “You injured him, now go and treat his wounds!”
The little monkey chirped twice, its face full of reluctance, but when Yu Hai Zhen’s expression darkened, it picked up the medicine and shuffled over with great reluctance.