Chapter 379: The Gift of Lin Winter City, A Bowl of Porridge
Three days later.
The small wooden boat drifted steadily eastward, mountains and forests passing by on both banks. Dressed as a fisherman, Dai Yao sat at the bow, feet bare, occasionally dipping his toes in the cool water. He held the mask of Shura Emperor in his hand, lost in thought.
If their journey went as planned, they would reach Wuhun City soon enough. He wasn't afraid of facing Bibi Dong or the lurking soul beast forces hidden within Wuhun Hall. No, his uncertainty lay in how he would face Hu Liena. When he had watched her frantically searching for the Shura Emperor, he had said nothing; later, he had crushed her hopes with his own hands. Even knowing his true identity, Hu Liena still expressed her feelings for him, undeterred.
Dai Yao let out a deep sigh, looking up to let the fresh mountain wind wash over his face, easing some of his internal tension. Standing up, he returned to the cabin, where he found Qian Renxue, still in her disguise as Xue Qinghe, lying on the wooden bed and staring blankly at him.
Surprised, Dai Yao smiled and said,
"You're awake!"
Qian Renxue tried to respond, but her voice came out as a weak rasp. Her whole body felt achy and limp, as if her soul power had been locked away. Frustration filled her as she struggled to sit up, her pride rebelling against her own helplessness. She was the wielder of the Six-Winged Angel, Wuhun Hall's most talented soul master; weakness wasn't an option.
Clenching her teeth, she tried to prop herself up, but her arms felt like noodles, utterly powerless. Her slight movement ended with her body falling back against the hard wooden planks, her failed attempt only increasing the waves of pain.
Seeing her unyielding expression, Dai Yao fell silent. He understood the root of her stubborn pride and self-reliance—years of rejection from Bibi Dong had built her fierce resilience, masking a heart that hid many scars. In truth, her strength and arrogance were little more than armor for her deeply wounded spirit. Dai Yao knelt beside her and said gently,
"There's no need to rush. Your wounds are still healing, and trying to move too much will only worsen them. Don't strain yourself trying to talk. If you'd like to sit up, blink once; if you'd rather rest, blink twice."
Without hesitation, Qian Renxue blinked once.
Dai Yao sighed, reaching out to carefully lift her into a sitting position, leaning her against the wooden post behind the bed. He noticed the flash of pain on her face as she shifted, but she made no sound, though cold sweat gathered on her forehead.
Dai Yao found a small crate to sit on so he could talk to her at eye level, saying,
"You were unconscious for three days. In that time, we've traveled almost four hundred kilometers downriver. But we still have a long way to go to reach open water and safety."
"The rest of the way is uncertain, and if we encounter anyone hostile, I may have to lead them away from the boat. You need to regain your strength quickly, as the original plan didn't account for two passengers."
Qian Renxue's face was conflicted. She resented being helpless, yet she knew her survival depended on recovery. Resigned, she finally closed her eyes and nodded.
Relieved, Dai Yao spoke again.
"Just lie down and rest. Don't push yourself. If you agree, blink once."
Qian Renxue blinked once more, and Dai Yao gently helped her lie back down, covering her with a blanket and wiping the sweat from her brow. He dipped a cloth in water, used soul power to warm it, and placed it on her forehead.
"You haven't eaten since we escaped Tian Dou City, and you've been unconscious for three days. Would you like something to eat? Blink once if you would, twice if you'd rather not."
Qian Renxue understood, but even though she was starving and knew food would help her recovery, the idea of showing vulnerability in front of him made her want to refuse. Just as she prepared to blink twice, her stomach growled loudly, filling the cabin with an awkward silence.
A faint blush appeared on Qian Renxue's pale face, a hint of vulnerability that she rarely allowed herself to show. Dai Yao turned away, holding back a smile, and said,
"Understood. I'll make some porridge—it'll be easy on your stomach."
As Dai Yao turned away to prepare, Qian Renxue closed her eyes with a resigned sigh.
At the boat's bow, Dai Yao set up a small portable stove, filling a pot with rinsed rice and water before covering it to let the steam rise. He kept a close watch on the fire, making sure the boat's movement didn't cause any spills.
After a while, he lifted the lid, releasing a puff of fragrant steam as the white porridge bubbled softly. Taking the pot off the heat, he let it cool a little, then brought a bowl into the cabin. He looked over at Qian Renxue, her eyes closed, and said softly,
"This porridge is plain, not like the delicacies you're used to, but it's the best I can do under the circumstances."
He held up a spoonful of porridge, ready to feed her. Qian Renxue hesitated, feeling caught between pride and hunger. Though she was famished, she found the idea of being fed almost intolerable.
Sensing her hesitation, Dai Yao brought the spoon closer, carefully holding it to her lips. Her mouth opened slightly, but her clenched jaw kept the spoon from entering.
Meeting her gaze, he said gently,
"Please, eat. Skipping meals will only make things harder on you. If you don't care, at least think about your grandfather—he would want you to recover quickly."
Qian Renxue's eyes softened, her lips parting as she accepted the spoonful of porridge. She swallowed slowly, each mouthful bringing a slight warmth that spread through her empty stomach. She looked at him in silence, her thoughts conflicted.
Dai Yao continued to feed her, offering spoonfuls patiently until she'd had enough. For the first time, Qian Renxue seemed to see him in a new light. She might not care for herself, but those who loved her, like her grandfather, would.
But then she wondered, besides her grandfather, was there anyone in the world who truly loved her?
Qian Renxue's thoughts drifted, considering her life up to this point: the woman in the Hall of the Pope, or those subordinates of Wuhun Hall—did any of them truly care about her? In the past, she had looked down on Dai Yao, dismissing his suggestions and even turning against him. But after the failed coup, Dai Yao had not only killed Xue Beng and Prince Xue Xing to clean up the aftermath but had also taken her, now a burdensome fugitive, with him as they escaped.
Now, despite her injuries, her hunger, and her inability to move, Dai Yao had personally prepared porridge and fed it to her with care. She had wronged him, yet he bore no grudge and had come to her aid when she felt utterly helpless.
When she was young, Bibi Dong had treated her with disdain, forcing her to lick her wounds alone, like a wounded animal, in the quiet isolation of her room. She had grown up without any concept of parental love. Now, in a foreign land, she once again found herself gravely wounded and helpless—yet Dai Yao had become her support. Back in Tian Dou City, he had shielded her from Seventh Elder's attack without a moment's hesitation, and now, he cared for her tirelessly.
A part of her hated herself for feeling so powerless, but a new sensation grew within her—an unfamiliar desire for Dai Yao's kindness. She had never felt anything like this. It was like finding water in a desert; unsure if it was real or a mirage, she still found herself drawn to it, unable to resist the warmth and gentleness he offered.
All her life, she had possessed extraordinary powers, noble status, and the adoration of many, but the things she truly yearned for remained elusive. Here, with Dai Yao, she was experiencing a purity of emotion that was foreign to her—a connection without ulterior motives, simply genuine care. And to her knowledge, Dai Yao didn't even know her true identity or gender; his actions, therefore, could only be explained by a rare, selfless kindness.
Qian Renxue's gaze softened as she looked at Dai Yao, who was now spooning the porridge for her. Noticing how she was finally relaxing, Dai Yao observed how much easier it had become to feed her compared to before. Though he found her change in demeanor surprising, it pleased him—if she ate more easily, she would recover faster, and they'd be better able to keep moving. Yet, something felt strange about her gaze; as Xue Qinghe, she was looking at him far too intently, and it made him feel uneasy.
Trying to push through the odd feeling, Dai Yao continued to feed her. When the bowl was half-finished, she blinked once to signal she'd had enough, and he stopped.
"Are you full?" he asked.
She blinked once, confirming.
Relieved, Dai Yao said, "Good. Rest here for a bit; I'll help you lie down once you've digested." He quickly stood, retreating from her side as if escaping, finding her steady gaze a little unsettling. Even knowing her true identity, it still unnerved him.
Watching him walk off so hastily, Qian Renxue felt a faint smile tug at her lips.
Lin Winter City
Snow drifted down, blanketing the northern city in cold stillness. Tang San approached the tightly shut gates of Lin Winter City, feeling pleased. The city had followed his instructions to the letter.
"If I'm correct, the carriage that left Tian Dou City made its way here. Of the other four carriages that escaped in different directions, each was intercepted and found empty."
"That means Shura Emperor and Qian Renxue must be hiding within Lin Winter City." With a cold smile, Tang San considered that his two greatest threats from Wuhun Hall were now trapped, leaving him just one final push to eradicate them completely.
"Let's go," Tang San commanded, moving toward the gate. Taking out the Lan Hao King's seal, he held it up as a signal. Immediately, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from above the city wall. Within moments, the gate creaked open, and a finely dressed middle-aged man stepped out to meet him.
The man, clearly the city lord, fell to his knees, bowing respectfully.
"Greetings, Your Highness, Lan Hao King!" he exclaimed.
Behind him, soldiers knelt in unison, all following his lead in honoring Tang San. Tang San raised a brow and asked, "Who are you?"
The middle-aged man lifted his head, his expression deferential.
"Your Highness, I am Horace, the city lord of Lin Winter. I have carried out your orders to the letter: Lin Winter City is under lockdown, and no one has been permitted to leave."
Satisfied, Tang San nodded.
"Has a carriage arrived here from Tian Dou City?" he inquired.
Horace nodded, immediately signaling a few men who brought forward the same carriage Dai Yao had used to escape Tian Dou.
"Your Highness, this is the carriage you're looking for. However, we found it abandoned, with no one inside."
Tang San's expression darkened.
"The driver—is he missing as well?"
Horace, feeling the tension in the air, gulped nervously and nodded, stealing a fearful glance at Tang San's expression. He knew he had likely disappointed him. With this confirmation, Tang San's suspicion grew. The fact that only this carriage lacked a driver, unlike the others, surely held some significance. Shura Emperor and Qian Renxue were likely still hiding within Lin Winter City.
Fixing Horace with an intense stare, Tang San commanded coldly,
"Search the city. If necessary, turn over every stone—I want those two found!"
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