From the height of the blazing sun all the way to the setting of the day, those inside the tent had not ceased their work, and those standing guard outside grew more anxious with every passing moment.

The physicians went inside when they were needed, then were promptly sent back out. The actual situation inside was unknown.

The other soldiers knew even less about what was happening within.

At last, when one of their own brothers reappeared from inside before the rest of them, everyone looked at him, their expressions deeply strained.

“What is it? How is he?” one of the physicians asked quietly.

He had gone inside earlier himself, and had witnessed the scene within — one that made a person’s blood run cold.

Miss Jiu’er had taken a blade to the patient’s very heart. Blood-soaked cloth was scattered everywhere. Basin after basin of crimson water had been changed out. To say it was not frightening would have been a lie.

“Prepare the bath water. Bring it in.” The soldier’s face had gone rather pale, and even his voice had lost its usual resonance.

Whether it was fright or weakness that caused it, no one could say.

“Understood — we’ll go prepare it at once.” The physician gave a firm nod and dared not ask further.

Now, nothing took precedence over bringing those inside back to safety.

The soldier said nothing more, turned back, and went inside, returning to his chair.

Not far off, Huo Baixue — who could no longer be of help at this stage — was also seated to one side.

The bed had been moved to the center of the tent. Feng Jiu’er’s slight figure continued to move about it, still in the midst of her work.

Except for occasionally lifting her sleeve to wipe away a bead of sweat, she had been busy without pause for the past two or three hours.

There were no proper conditions for sterilization here, which made the risks of the surgery considerably greater.

Feng Jiu’er could only have the physicians prepare a medicinal solution for Jian Yi to soak in — both to serve as disinfection and to encourage the healing of his wounds.

Roughly a quarter of an hour later, a physician’s voice carried in from outside.

“General Huo, Miss Jiu’er — the bath water has been prepared. Shall we bring it in now?”

“Have them bring it in. Only one brother needs to stay and help,” Feng Jiu’er’s voice called out.

The surgery could be called a success — but only the first phase had been completed. There was still a great deal of follow-up treatment to be done.

“Very well.” Huo Baixue stood up and walked toward the entrance.

During the surgery, she had insisted on donating her blood once again.

At this moment, Huo Baixue’s complexion was visibly paler than it had been before.

The soldier also stood, ready and waiting to be called upon.

The brothers who had brought in the bathing tub soon departed, leaving behind only a physician who had entered along with them.

With the help of the physician and the remaining soldier, Jian Yi was finally settled into the bathing tub.

Feng Jiu’er checked his pulse — finding no signs of distress — and only then truly allowed herself to breathe.

“You have all worked so hard. Go and have a meal. There is no need for help here at the moment.”

“Very well.” The physician gave a nod.

“Oh — and one more thing.” Feng Jiu’er looked up at the physician. “Please prepare some herbs for replenishing qi and blood for this brother and for Baixue — made into a stewed hen broth.”

“Yes, Miss Jiu’er.” The physician bowed his head once more.

The physician and the soldier turned and left.

The tent flap fell closed. Inside the tent, only two remained — Jian Yi sitting in the bathing tub, and Feng Jiu’er keeping watch beside him.

Carefully releasing the great hero Jian Yi’s head, Feng Jiu’er went and fetched a chair, brought it back, and sat down.

Jian Yi leaned back within the bathing tub, still deep in unconscious slumber.

Sitting to one side, Feng Jiu’er rested her elbow on the rim of the tub and propped her fair, delicate face in her hand, gazing without blinking at the sleeping figure.

They had made it through after all — their great hero Jian Yi would certainly be all right.

Having weathered this crisis, with his condition now stable for the time being, tonight was the critical night.

Feng Jiu’er went on watching Jian Yi just like that. She did not know how much time passed before she drifted off, slumped over the edge of the tub in sleep.

When Huo Baixue entered, Feng Jiu’er was still slumped there, fast asleep.

And then Huo Baixue noticed something unexpected: this man, whose eyes she had never once seen open, was at this very moment gazing open-eyed at the woman beside him.

Sensing that someone had entered, Jian Yi lifted his gaze and looked at the newcomer for a brief moment. Just one glance — and then his eyes returned to Feng Jiu’er.

Huo Baixue did not dare disturb them. She quietly set down the meal she had brought and took a seat in the chair by the table, saying not a word.

Yet even so small and gentle a movement was enough to rouse the sleeping woman.

Feng Jiu’er slowly opened her eyes. Though she was aware someone had entered, her first instinct was still to check on Jian Yi.

When she saw that Jian Yi was looking at her, Feng Jiu’er thought for a moment she must be dreaming, and gave her own cheek a firm pinch.

It hurt.

“Jian Yi.” Feng Jiu’er leaned in close, and nearly wrapped her arms around Jian Yi’s head to give him a firm kiss.

“You’re awake. When did you wake? How do you feel right now? Is anything wrong?”

Looking at Jian Yi, Feng Jiu’er’s joy spread through the tent and touched both of the others within it.

“Nothing feels wrong anymore.” Jian Yi’s lips curved slightly, his voice rough and low.

Meeting his gaze, Feng Jiu’er drew in a quiet breath and dropped her eyes for a moment.

“Hold out your hand — let me take a look.”

Jian Yi drew his arm up from within the tub and rested it along the rim.

Afraid he might not have the strength, Feng Jiu’er immediately reached out and took hold of his arm.

She pressed her slender fingers to his pulse for a moment, and when she looked up at Jian Yi again, the smile on her face had grown even warmer.

“Jian Yi, you are incredible! Your body is even stronger than I had imagined. I was worried you might sleep and sleep without waking — and yet here you are…”

She turned and peeked through the gap in the tent flap to look outside, and confirmed that she had not been asleep for very long.

Seeing that it was Huo Baixue who had come in, she offered her a gentle smile, then turned back to Jian Yi.

The feeling of something lost and found again — Feng Jiu’er did not quite know how to describe it. But whatever the words, her Jian Yi had truly come back.

“I never thought you’d wake up so quickly, Jian Yi. I told you — you are unlike anyone else.”

The moment the words left her lips, Feng Jiu’er stood up.

Just as she was about to turn away, Jian Yi reached out and clasped her small hand.

“Jiu’er.” He called her name softly.

Feng Jiu’er looked back at him and stretched out her other hand, giving his head an affectionate tousle.

“Waking up is all that matters. Once you’re back on your feet, we’ll fight our way back together — the brothers are all still waiting for us.”

Jian Yi met her gaze and nodded.

“Good. We’ll fight back together.”

Feng Jiu’er smoothed out the hair she had hastily tied up for him, and said with a smile, “I’m sorry! I’m afraid I made quite a mess of it.”

“Though it doesn’t matter — after you’ve had a good soak for two hours, I’ll comb it out properly for you. Really, you’re so handsome that it barely makes a difference. Don’t worry about it!”

Jian Yi paid none of that any mind — it was only Feng Jiu’er herself who, having spotted how poorly the hairstyle suited his face, felt just the faintest twinge of guilt.

Before Jian Yi could say anything, Feng Jiu’er turned her head and looked at Huo Baixue.

“Jian Yi, let me introduce you.”

As Feng Jiu’er spoke, Huo Baixue rose and stepped a few paces closer to them.

“Her name is Baixue. Her father is Huo Yinping, city lord of Desert City. The one who led the reinforcements for us this time was Baixue.”

“By the way, Jian Yi — Baixue is also your life-saving benefactor.”

She glanced back at Jian Yi with a somewhat mischievous smile.

“She gave you blood twice today. You had better find a proper way to repay her in the future — do you understand?”