Chapter 118 – Safe Enough to Shatter

Luo Heng stood outside Bai Xunli’s room, crying silently. He was eavesdropping—he knew he shouldn’t—but he was worried, and he’d heard everything.

When Lin Qian had shouted for Xuan Tian earlier, Luo Heng had jumped awake and run to find her, only to see them rushing into Bai Xunli’s room. He waited a few beats, but when the voices stopped, he panicked and tried to enter.

He reached the door just as Yan Zhen arrived from the other direction.

But Xuan Tian stopped them—and told them not to enter. Not until Bai Xunli gave her permission.

They reluctantly agreed, even though they were dying to see her. Yan Zhen left to inform Wu Zhenhai that Bai Xunli’s room was off-limits for the time being.

His heart broke when he heard Bai Xunli ask if she was going to be executed. And tears were streaming down his cheeks uncontrollably when Bai Xunli’s broken sobs were heard.

He was shaking, trying to stop crying, and his fists were gripped tightly until his knuckles turned white. His whole body was rigid. Until he couldn’t take it anymore and leaned against the wall.

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Bai Xunli’s sobs subsided. She lifted her head slowly, facing Lin Qian, who was still crouching down on the floor – patiently waiting.

Between sobs, Bai Xunli managed to say, “Who… are you…?”

Lin Qian exhaled slowly, “I am Lin Qian, Captain Bai. Do you remember me?”

“Lin… Qian…?” Bai Xunli's raspy voice sounded unsure.

“Yes, Captain.”

“Lin… doctor Lin Qian?!” Bai Xunli’s voice up a level.

“Yes, Captain.” A smile could be heard.

Bai Xunli’s hand scrambled forward, trying to touch Lin Qian.

Lin Qian leaned closer, letting Bai Xunli touch her.

Bai Xunli’s hands found Lin Qian’s shoulder. One hand grabbed her shoulder tight and her other hand moved to Lin Qian’s face - or at least tried to—her hands were still bandaged. She couldn’t properly grasp anything.

Lin Qian touched Bai Xunli’s arm.

“It is me, Captain Bai. Doctor Lin Qian. From Baishan City. I am here. It’s me.”

Lin Qian repeated her sentences, to make sure Bai Xunli really heard her and let that sink in.

Bai Xunli went still. Only the sound of her breathing was heard. Her head tilted slightly, as if straining to process. Then her jaw dropped.

“Dr Lin Qian! Is it really you?! Thank Heavens! Thank Heavens!”

Bai Xunli was overjoyed.

“Captain, please. Let me help you return to the bed. You are in no condition to move around.”

Bai Xunli nodded, “Okay. Yes. Return to bed. Okay.”

When she was back on the bed, she exhaled loudly, “I’m really safe, aren’t I? Safe? No more torture?” She smiled like a child.

Lin Qian nodded and said, “Yes, Captain. You are safe. No more torture.”

But her face turned grim and looked at Xuan Tian, “General, I need to re-check her Mind Core. She’s behaving like a child.”

Xuan Tian replied, “It could also mean she’s disoriented, doctor. She had been through a lot. It makes sense if she’s a little disoriented. But I agree. Check her Mind Core to be safe.”

“Can you please distract her while I do it?”

“Yes.”

Without stepping forward, Xuan Tian called out softly, “Captain Bai, do you remember me?”

Bai Xunli’s head snapped to Xuan Tian. Recognizing the ‘safe’ voice, she exhaled, relief.

“I’m sorry. Your voice is familiar, but I can’t really place…”

A pause.

Then she sucked her breath sharply.

Her breath trembled. She wasn’t crying anymore, but tears rolled down again—this time from something else entirely.

“Sheng… Sheng… Shengzun…? Xu… Xu… Xuan… Tian… Shengzun…?”

Bai Xunli suddenly got up, tried to jump toward Xuan Tian, startling Lin Qian, one hand extended to Bai Xunli’s forehead.

Bai Xunli jumped disregarding her surrounding, forgetting that she was sitting on the bed. She only knew that she had to go to Xuan Tian. Her instincts were screaming at her to do something.

Xuan Tian stepped forward and caught Bai Xunli before she fell completely from the bed.

The moment Bai Xunli felt Xuan Tian, she climbed into his arms on her own, like a child seeking comfort after a nightmare. Then she hugged him tight.

And broke down completely. Wailed openly like a toddler.

This visibly startled both Lin Qian and Xuan Tian.

Then Xuan Tian shifted his body to cradle Bai Xunli better and sat on the bed. He slowly positioned Bai Xunli so her forehead was accessible to Lin Qian. He patted Bai Xunli gently and gave a nod to Lin Qian.

Lin Qian replied the nod and place her palm on Bai Xunli’s forehead.

Bai Xunli was still crying openly, her body trembling in his arms. Her tears soaked into Xuan Tian’s black clothes as Lin Qian’s hand remained gently on her forehead.

Xuan Tian was still cradling her and patting her, letting her cry her heart out.

After a while, Lin Qian extracted her hand and looked at Xuan Tian, “Her Mind Core is fine. This is trauma.”

Xuan Tian nodded, continued to pat Bai Xunli.

They stayed like that for about half incense time.

Xuan Tian felt Bai Xunli’s body was relax, no more tension, and her cry had stopped completely. But she still had her arms wrapped around Xuan Tian tightly.

Lin Qian checked and whispered, “She’s asleep.”

Xuan Tian moved extremely careful. He put Bai Xunli flat on the bed and got up from the bed.

Lin Qian looked to the window.

The light of dawn was slowly lit up the sky.

They both looked at each other and came to the same conclusion, Perfect timing.

Lin Qian whispered, “We should start. I’ll need to guide you, General.”

Xuan Tian nodded and moved to stood beside the bed.

He absorbed the Purple Qi, circulated his own spirit energy, extended one hand hovering over Bai Xunli’s lower abdomen. It was the same position when he extracted Tie Yangfang’s core.

He extended another arm over Bai Xunli’s heart.

He whispered, “Ready when you are, doctor.”

Lin Qian circulated her energy and put her fingers on Bai Xunli’s temples.

She closed her eyes and began the ‘surgery.’