Chapter Twenty-Nine: Don't Worry, I Will!

Jiang Xiaotian could not hold back; he cried out and rushed forward.

Ye Wan’er now hardly resembled a human being.

The once cold and beautiful woman was now nothing but skin and bones, her breath barely perceptible, her heartbeat so slow it seemed on the verge of stopping.

His anxiety was tempered by a slight sense of relief—at least she was still alive.

This time, Jiang Xiaotian did not hesitate; he transferred a trace of spiritual energy into her.

A wave of dizziness swept over him, leaving Jiang Xiaotian himself weak to the extreme.

Yet even so, that bit of spiritual energy sustained Ye Wan’er’s life. How long it could last, no one could say.

He dared not delay. Gathering her in his arms, he hurried to the nearest hospital.

But her condition was dire. Even in the best ward, her life was no longer sustained by spiritual energy, but by medical devices clinging to her last breath.

The doctors were powerless. This was not an external injury, nor even an internal one; she had been robbed of her martial arts by Chen Yu, drained alive.

“What exactly has this girl been through? How could she become so thin? She has no nutrition left in her body at all. The critical notice has been issued; if you’re her family, you’ll need to sign,” the attending physician sighed. He too had never encountered such a case.

Jiang Xiaotian sat with his head bowed, as if he hadn’t heard a word.

Humans are creatures of emotion; who could bear to watch a living girl reduced to this?

Chen Yu, you beast—you’re worse than an animal!

Jiang Xiaotian pounded the wall in anger, but he had no solution.

Even if he had been there in person, he doubted he could have saved her.

Through the glass, Jiang Xiaotian saw Ye Wan’er’s body covered in tubes and wires, machines monitoring her slow heartbeat and faint breaths.

Her chances of recovery were slim; if the machines were removed, she wouldn’t survive the night.

She was at death’s door, and yet her master basked in glory.

No wonder Chen Yu was despised—did the girls he harmed always end their lives in such agony? What had they done wrong?

At this thought, Jiang Xiaotian clenched his fists again.

If this is the world of martial artists, then I cannot accept it!

Since it’s so, then let it be changed! He must become strong—strong enough to protect everyone!

But Ye Wan’er’s condition was so precarious that Jiang Xiaotian could not leave her side. There were endless forms to sign, and money flowed away like water; his two hundred thousand was gone in no time.

He felt no pain for it. That money had never been his to take.

He sent furious messages to that scoundrel; he was Ling Zhi’s true disciple, and their lineage was nothing but trouble!

But just as before, there was no reply.

He didn’t know how much time had passed; darkness had fallen outside.

Jiang Xiaotian realized he would have to stay here tonight.

He meant to call Brother Long to explain, to say he wouldn’t be coming home, and to ask Ling’er to take care of herself.

But as soon as he took out his phone, Brother Long called.

Strangely, the phone rang twice before disconnecting.

No matter how Jiang Xiaotian tried to call back, he only got a busy signal.

Once again, unease welled up inside him.

A nameless fear seized his heart.

Remembering all that had happened, Jiang Xiaotian suddenly bolted upright.

“Damn!”

He dashed madly toward the place where Ling’er lived...

At that moment, Brother Long’s feet dangled in the air. He stared incredulously at the man before him, wanting to beg for mercy but unable to utter a sound.

His throat was gripped effortlessly; with a little pressure, his life would end.

Brother Long struggled, his face reddening from lack of air, his eyes bulging, his expression twisted and grotesque.

“Chen... why...” With all his strength, he squeezed out the words.

Chen Yu smiled, like a kindly elder, but in Brother Long’s eyes, he was a demon.

“Where is Jiang Ling’er? Tell me, won’t you?” he said, releasing Brother Long.

Brother Long gasped for breath, coughing, his hand clutching his throat as he retreated, shaking his head desperately. “Mr. Chen, what’s wrong? I have no quarrel with you, why are you doing this?”

Chen Yu slapped his forehead. “Ah, look at me, growing senile. I forgot you’re just an ordinary man. I hope I didn’t hurt you?”

He approached again. Brother Long, panic-stricken, tried to run, but how could he outrun a martial artist?

“Heh, if you don’t want to die, just tell me where Jiang Ling’er is.”

Brother Long was so terrified he nearly wet himself. Now he understood why Mr. Jiang had acted so strangely today—something must have gone wrong!

But if he told the truth, Mr. Jiang wouldn’t spare him either!

He gritted his teeth; at the last moment, he sighed. “I’ll tell you! Just don’t kill me! She’s in 304!”

“Excellent. Ha ha.” Chen Yu turned to leave.

Brother Long scrambled to his feet and fled, not daring to take the elevator.

He hailed a random cab, gave any address, then remembered Jiang Xiaotian’s business card and dialed in a panic.

When the door to 304 opened, Chen Yu’s face was twisted with rage.

He had been deceived.

Ling’er was not living here.

Yet as his fury surged, an enticing scent reached his nose.

The scent of that perfect body!

He breathed greedily, then turned; at the end of the corridor, a girl stood, motionless, watching him.

“So it’s Miss Ling’er. Out so late—where are you going?” He reverted to his kindly facade, walking slowly toward her.

Ling’er smiled. “Aren’t you looking for me?”

Chen Yu was startled, then an uncontrollable grin twisted his face.

“Hahaha, indeed, I have business with Miss Jiang. But do you know what business?”

He could no longer restrain himself; the aura in his body was bursting forth.

Every cell in Chen Yu’s body craved Ling’er.

He could contain himself no longer. Tonight, he would break through the shackles of external strength and step into internal strength, standing tall in this world!

What matter if it’s the path of evil? Strength is king!

Ling’er shook her head and yawned; even if Chen Yu hadn’t come, she would have sought him out.

Seeing Jiang Xiaotian so distraught, she could not help but feel pity.

But as Chen Yu’s aura intensified, Ling’er frowned.

He seemed to have grown stronger—then that girl must be...

“Miss Ling’er, I have a suggestion: why don’t we cultivate together? I can give you endless wealth—far better than following that useless Jiang Xiaotian! You see, here my word is law; none dare defy me!” Chen Yu’s breathing grew heavy; he was losing control.

Ling’er remained indifferent. “You humans can be truly disgusting sometimes. Stifle your desires. Since you’ve harmed her, killing you is meaningless. Go now.”

She turned to leave.

She had intended to help Jiang Xiaotian, but now it was too late; so be it—she never meddled in unnecessary affairs.

But her words made Chen Yu alert. To be safe, he released his internal energy in silence!

She was no ordinary person. Chen Yu was cautious by nature; his attack aimed to cripple Ling’er.

The force came like rain from all directions, closing in on Ling’er.

Just as the internal energy was about to strike her, a cry rang out beside them.

“Don’t!”

Jiang Xiaotian burst from the elevator, unhesitatingly pulling Ling’er into his arms.

He was tormented with regret.

It was his fault—he had put Ling’er in danger!

But as long as he lived, no one could hurt her!

The next moment, the internal energy silently surged into Jiang Xiaotian’s body.

A crackling sound ran through him—the sound of bones shattering!

Jiang Xiaotian collapsed, limp, to the floor, his organs all but destroyed.

“Ah!” The pain was beyond what any normal person could endure!

He had already given his spiritual energy to Ye Wan’er; now he was almost no different from an ordinary man. If his body hadn’t been extraordinary, he would have exploded and died in that instant.

“S...orry. Go...” Jiang Xiaotian managed to utter before blood gushed from his mouth.

The agony knocked him unconscious before he could finish speaking.

Ling’er stood stunned, her mind blank.

Suddenly she recalled the day she had tricked Jiang Xiaotian, telling him Chen Yu was too strong, urging him to protect her.

That idiot’s resolute expression, his determined nod, his promise: “Don’t worry, I will!”

“Tsk tsk, what a useless waste,” Chen Yu shook his head.

Ling’er turned slowly. When she opened her eyes again, they blazed golden, dragon-like.

“You! Are courting death!”