Chapter 367: Chapter 78: Unexplained Human Sentiment_4
Yan Shi looked at his brother and calmly said, "If Ah Dai is captured, I will stay and figure out a way to save him. You should escort the ladies back to the Elf Clan, then return to our tribe. Request the Prophet and Clan Leader to personally lead a rescue mission for Ah Dai." Even though his tone was calm, the intense emotion hidden within his deep voice was apparent to anyone listening.
Zhuo Yun watched Yan Shi, who never took his eyes off the direction of Sunset City. She unconsciously moved closer to him and grabbed his hand, saying, "Don’t worry. Ah Dai will surely come back safe and sound. You have to believe in his strength. Doesn’t he still have the Sword of Hades?"
Yan Shi sighed, turned to look at Zhuo Yun beside him, and thought about how delighted he would be if it were not for the circumstances, to feel Zhuo Yun holding his hand. He shook his head, saying, "I know Ah Dai too well. He, who had broken free from evil, would likely not use the Sword of Hades against ordinary soldiers. Despite his profound skills, he is still alone. Sunset City is the capital of the Sunset Empire and is well defended. Whether Ah Dai can escape or not depends heavily on luck."
Zhuo Yun realized that Yan Shi’s hand was covered in cold sweat. His inner turmoil was not as placid as he portrayed outwardly. She sighed softly and chose not to speak anymore, just quietly kept him company as she gazed into the distance. Yan Shi found his anxious mood somewhat pacified when Zhuo Yun’s soft hand gripped his. The faint fragrance from her body calmed his mind, and through their joined hands, Yan Shi suddenly felt a sense of serenity wash over him.
A figure, surrounded by a faint white glow, raced towards the group like a bolt of lightning. Yan Shi was overjoyed and called out, "Ah Dai, we are here."
The newcomer was Ah Dai. Hearing Yan Shi’s call, Ah Dai heaved a sigh of relief. He floated down to where Yan Shi was standing and collapsed into Yan Shi’s arms as his body, no longer able to sustain the stress, coughed up a mouthful of blood. Yan Shi was frightfully alarmed and he quickly poured his own True Qi into Ah Dai’s body. Although Yan Shi did not possess the art of regeneration, his cultivation methods were among the most orthodox. With the assistance of Yan Shi’s sturdy True Qi, Ah Dai breathed a sigh of relief and felt much better. The face-off with the masters of the Sunset Empire had lasted for twenty minutes and had drained most of his True Qi. The blow from the Fire Dragon Devouring Heaven Magic while fleeing had seriously injured him. Had it not been for the gentle breeze that swept him away at the last moment, he would have already been a prisoner of the Sunset Empire. He gasped for breath, gradually regaining his composure.
"Don’t worry, big brother, I’m okay. I’m just a little drained," he assured.
From Ah Dai’s meridians, Yan Shi could feel that Ah Dai’s injuries were severe, but not life-threatening. He breathed a sigh of relief. He picked Ah Dai up and hid everyone in the bushes by the roadside. He then asked, "Brother, why did it take you so long to escape? I thought you were..."
Ah Dai forced a weak smile and said, "That was really close! I didn’t want to leave too quickly. I was afraid you hadn’t made it out of Sunset City yet, so I held on a bit longer." He then recounted his experiences atop Sunset City. The others gasped in astonishment when they heard that he had been struck by the Fire Dragon Devouring Heaven Magic.
After hearing Ah Dai’s story, Yan Shi frowned and asked, "Who do you think helped you escape in the end? We didn’t have any friends in Sunset City! You said the figure could fly? Could it be the old magician from Sky Imperial Palace? He’s the only magician I’ve seen who can fly using magic. But, he has no reason to save you! He’s our enemy, logically, he should be attacking you. If it was really him, it would be difficult for you to escape. Did he have some kind of plot in mind?"
Ah Dai shook his head, "That’s unlikely. Before I left, he said to me, ’I’ve repaid your favor. The next time we meet, I won’t hold back.’ But, I can’t remember owing him any favors."
All of a sudden, Yan Shi’s eyes brightened, and he burst into laughter. The others were all stunned. Ah Dai asked, bewildered, "Big Brother, why are you laughing?"
Yan Shi chuckled, "I understand now. Do you know why that old magician saved you? Remember after you escaped from the Imperial Palace of the Sunset Empire that day, you told us that you shot an arrow which missed, intimidating the old magician and allowing you to escape? I guess, he considered that you had spared his life then. So, he took this opportunity to save you. It’s a complete stroke of luck!"
Having heard Yan Shi’s explanation, other than Ah Dai, everyone including Yan Li burst into laughter. Xing Er felt oddly excited and giggled, "It’s not hitting by mistake, but hitting the bullseye by chance. Brother Ah Dai, you really are lucky!"
Ah Dai looked at Xing Er’s laughter, and responded bitterly, "Little sister Xing Er, stop teasing me. I apparently need to practice shooting arrows regularly." The power of the transformation arrow shot from the black iron bow was arguably Ah Dai’s most powerful weapon, after the Sword of Hades.
Yan Shi stopped laughing and explained, "Brothers, although we have escaped, we hastily need to leave this place. After all, we are still within the scope of Sunset City. I can carry you on my back, and once we find a suitable place to hide, you can rest and recover." As he said this, Yan Shi extended his hand, pulling Ah Dai’s arm to his back, and hoisting Ah Dai onto himself.
Ah Dai felt a little embarrassed, "Big Brother, how could this work, I am heavy, it will exhaust you."
Yan Shi smiled, "I am not that fragile. Besides, if I can’t carry you anymore, Ah Li can. Every time, you risk your life for us, let us do something for you for once. Let’s go, Zhuo Yun, take care of the Princess and try to fly lower."
Xing Er said, "Brother Yan Shi, don’t worry, I can still hold on." Although the power of the Elf King Bloodline was gradually fading, her health improved a lot after a month of recovery. No one else needed to bear her burden. She spread out her wings, slightly larger than those of an average elf, and with a silvery bell-like laugh, she soared, gliding into the distance. Zhuo Yun followed her hastily. Yan Shi shook his head helplessly, murmuring, "This little princess... just escaped a dangerous situation, and she’s already getting mischievous again." He weighed Ah Dai in his grip, and along with Ah Li, he chased after the elf with large strides. They ran at a fast pace, covering over a hundred miles in two hours.
Yan Shi, breathing heavily, put Ah Dai down to the ground, wiped his sweat-soaked forehead with his sleeve and called out to Zhuo Yun and Xing Er in the sky, "Stop, let’s rest for a while."
In those two hours, although Ah Dai was not able to properly meditate due to the bumpy ride, his own pure True Qi still stabilized his injuries. He slid to the ground and sat down, saying weakly, "Brother, you’ve worked hard. I’ll meditate for a while." As soon as he finished speaking, he immediately closed his eyes and began to meditate. The battle at the top of Sunset City was perilous and drained most of his strength. As soon as he invoked the power of healing, he quickly entered a state of oblivion. Within his body, the faint silver Golden Body lit up, under his guidance a strand of thread-like energy floated up, surrounding his Silver Body. Ah Dai relaxed his body and began to practice the method of ’going with the flow’ that he had learned during his stay at Tongxin Inn. His True Qi circulated rapidly within his body along its natural path, a faint white glow appeared around Ah Dai, looking rather sacred.
Yan Shi was already exhausted, he sat on the ground panting. Zhuo Yun and Xing Er floated down in front of him. A faint light flashed in Zhuo Yun’s eyes, she pulled out a handkerchief from her bosom and passed it over, "Wipe yourself, you’ve broken into a heavy sweat."
Yan Shi was stunned. He took the handkerchief, somewhat embarrassed, and said, "Thank you, Miss Zhuo Yun."
Xing Er glanced at Yan Shi, then at Zhuo Yun, noting the unusual atmosphere between them, she giggled, "Alright, why are you all so formal? I’m also tired, I will take a nap." As she said that she flapped her wings and floated to a nearby tree, she leaned against a broad branch closed her eyes. Yan Shi wiped his face with Zhuo Yun’s handkerchief and foolishly returned it, "I am done using it, I’ll return it to you."
Looking at Yan Shi’s simple and resolute face, Zhuo Yun laughed and said, "It’s all sweaty, why return it? Wash it clean first."
