Chapter 48: A Frenzy of Demons, Part 41

Shi Xianyu’s attention quickly returned to the roasted meat. The man had just told her that eating it could enhance her strength and sharpen her senses—things she desperately needed. After the spiritfinch fruit, she had finally tasted something good again.

After the meal, Master Shen extinguished the fire, and as usual, Lin Yuan took care of cleaning up, tossing the leftover bones into the river and washing away any traces of blood nearby. Although their abilities meant that attracting a monster wouldn’t be much of a threat, clearing away residual traces to avoid trouble was almost an instinct for all creatures in this land.

Shi Xianyu, full and content, patted her slightly rounded stomach. She wondered when her strength would actually increase—would it happen right after eating, or did she need to digest first?

She glanced at a nearby stone, then looked down at her fist… Perhaps she should try it out?

Taking a deep breath, she raised her fist, about to strike, when Lin Yuan stopped her halfway. His face was full of disagreement as he frowned, “It’ll hurt your hand.”

Shi Xianyu hesitated for a moment, realizing he was right. There was no need to go all out just to test her strength; she could start with something less extreme. She then eyed a small tree nearby, intending to try her strength on its trunk.

Lin Yuan stopped her again, apparently thinking even the tree trunk was too hard. He took her small fist and pressed it gently against his own abdomen, indicating she should strike there instead.

“Ah…” Shi Xianyu hesitated, looking up at him, “What if I hurt you?”

Lin Yuan’s eyes were full of fondness as he smiled and shook his head, “It won’t hurt.”

Shi Xianyu pouted, a little annoyed. “Even if I don’t have the strength to hurt you, you shouldn’t just say it outright. Saying so really kills my motivation.”

Lin Yuan’s face showed a flustered expression as he quickly explained, “I meant it won’t hurt you.”

Shi Xianyu eyed him suspiciously for a moment, guessing he probably wouldn’t lie, so she let it go. She lifted her fist with determination, aimed at his abdomen, and punched hard!

Thud!

A sharp pain radiated from her knuckles up through her wrist, then to her elbow!

Shi Xianyu’s face turned pale, feeling as if half her arm was rendered useless!

Why was his abdomen as hard as a steel plate?

She’d have been better off punching a stone!

Tears welled up fiercely, her eyes reddening in an instant. Without even a glance at Lin Yuan, she hugged her wounded arm and went straight to find Shen Xiao.

“Brother Shen!…”

Shi Xianyu’s tears rolled down her cheeks from the pain.

“Is there any hope for my hand?”

Shen Xiao couldn’t help but laugh, “You two—how did flirting end up with you hurt?”

Shi Xianyu silently wept.

Lin Yuan looked completely helpless.

Shen Xiao sighed, inspected Shi Xianyu’s hand, and said resignedly, “Let’s get moving. Maybe we’ll find some herbs along the way.”

Shi Xianyu, eyes full of tears, asked, “What if we don’t find any herbs?”

Shen Xiao replied, “Your bones aren’t injured. Even without medicine, it’ll heal in four or five days.”

Shi Xianyu felt even more bitter. She had to endure the pain for four or five days! And, worst of all, it was her right hand that was injured!

Lin Yuan looked at her with regret and anxiety, “I—I’ll go look for medicine.”

“Of course it’ll be you,” Shen Xiao said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder. “Let’s go, time to set out.”

Wild lands were full of all kinds of plants, but finding specific medicinal herbs wasn’t easy. Fortunately, the three weren’t in a hurry, so they slowed their pace and searched as they walked.

When they reached a sloping area, they saw tall banners rising from the forest ahead, adorned with ancient totems and fluttering fiercely in the wind. Beneath the banners stretched countless tents and warhorses.

Thinking of the strange people they’d encountered at noon, it was clear that what they saw now must be Prince Jing’s army.

Shi Xianyu knew Shen Xiao disliked dealing with the military, so she asked, “Should we take a detour?”

Shen Xiao gazed into the distance, then nodded, “Let’s go around.”

The three deliberately stayed well away from the army encampment.

But fate is a curious thing—the harder you try to avoid something, the more it finds you. Not long after, they ran into An Yao again, this time accompanied only by two or three ordinary soldiers.

“It’s you?” An Yao spotted them from afar and approached in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Shen Xiao replied, “Just passing through.”

He paused, glanced at Shi Xianyu’s hand, and added, “Looking for some medicinal herbs for her.”

“Injured?” An Yao looked at Shi Xianyu. “Medical supplies are quite scarce in the camp right now, but one of our scout teams found a valley to the southeast. It’s full of herbs. If you’re searching, you should try there.”

Shen Xiao gave her a respectful nod, “Thank you.”

An Yao thought for a moment, then said, “Never mind, I’ll take you there myself. There are plenty of sentries nearby; if you go alone, you might be mistaken for spies.”

The three had no reason to refuse, so they thanked her again.

On the way, they encountered several sentry posts. Like An Yao, each was staffed by a cultivator and a handful of human soldiers.

Shen Xiao observed quietly. When they were out of earshot, he asked An Yao, “There seem to be many cultivators in the army?”

Leading the way, An Yao turned and smiled, “I know what you’re thinking. Cultivators should devote themselves to their practice and not meddle in worldly affairs. But the world is in chaos now, suffering everywhere. I believe that whether beastfolk, foreigners, or human cultivators, everyone should do their part for the realm. Besides, the Grand Preceptor of the Liang Kingdom is skilled in dark arts—ordinary soldiers are like lambs to the slaughter against him. If cultivators join the army, our chances improve.”

Shen Xiao pondered in silence.

An Yao smiled at him, then continued, “You managed to defeat the tiger-jiao beast so easily—it shows your strength is extraordinary. Why not consider joining us? His Highness Prince Jing is eager for talented people.”

This time, Shen Xiao did not refuse outright. “I appreciate His Highness’s regard. I’ll think about it.”

An Yao smiled, not pressing further, and continued to lead the way.

Shi Xianyu followed behind her and Shen Xiao. This woman was simply beautiful—even her back was mesmerizing. Shi Xianyu’s gaze lingered on her hair ornaments and clothing.

Her hair ornaments were gold; her robes were silver-white. Under the light outer garment, she wore a blue-green long dress, and as she walked, bright purple feathers peeked out from the hem, floating with airy grace.

She was truly stunning, unlike the icy beauty of Lady Xu—more like a spirit of the forest, with a transparent, otherworldly air in every gesture.

As they walked, a feather drifted lightly to the ground.

Shi Xianyu stared, blurting out, “Miss An Yao, you dropped something!”

An Yao stopped and turned back in confusion.

Shi Xianyu pointed at the feather on the ground, “It fell from your clothes.”

An Yao smiled gently, “It’s nothing. I am of the Bluebird clan; I shed a few feathers every day.”

Shi Xianyu asked, “What… is the Bluebird clan?”