Only 4 hours had passed since the battle ended.

The entire town was filled with an awful stench of death, the humidity combined with the blood and bodies quickly attracted flies and maggots. Crows, rats and even some stray dogs and cats fed off the many corpses that littered the battleground.

Though victorious, the Tiger army was in a tense mood, if other people saw them they would have thought that the army lost the war. The news about the princess consorts incident had spread amongst the fellow men. While those who saw Tianhuo's fury, still shivered in fear.

Who didn't know that Tianhuo's way of killing was always to cleanly execute the person. He would never injure a body that's already dead.

The way he killed Lord Jie only served to remind the men why their Commanding General Tianhuo was given the name ' God of War' - the god that relished in killing and fighting.

The body of the enemy's commander, Lord Jie was left untouched. No one was able to remove the body because of Tianhuo's Guandao* that went right through him and into the ground, several inches deep. Even if someone had the guts to try removing the body, they would need several people to help them remove the halberd.

Everyone solemnly began the cleanup. Gathering up whatever armor and weapons that was re-usable. The bodies of their fallen comrades were placed neatly in rows with white sheets covering them.

Deep in the inner room, Tianhuo sat on a chair, fully covered in sticky and dried blood, unmoving from his seat ever since he laid Feiyun on the bed. An unknown aura permeated around him, no one dared approach.

His cold unfeeling eyes watching his own hands covered in Feiyun's blood. How could he fail to see this coming? The strange feeling he felt before the fight. He blamed himself, he should have stayed beside her to protect her. He clenched into a fist, nails digging into his palm from regret and anger.

FeiDu sat at Feiyun's side, carefully examining the wound on her shoulder. Unable to remove it due to the intense pain she would cause Feiyun. Not to mention if more blood was lost, Feiyun would probably lose her life.

But the thing that's got her worried the most was the Red Carnation poison in Feiyun's body. She was surprised Feiyun was still breathing. This itself was a miracle ah, FeiDu had never seen someone survive this long with the Red Carnation.

Known for its highly toxic roots, it is one of the fastest-acting poison known to FeiDu. This plant only grows in mountainous areas that are steep and rocky hence making it dangerous and rare to acquire.

Although it looks similar to a normal carnation flower, its deep reddish-purple leaves are what differentiates it hence it is also known by another name ' the red devil'.

Feiyun's face was a pale white, droplets of sweat could be seen on her face and neck. Her body shivering uncontrollably even though she was running a high fever.

'No good ah... This poison, I can't find a way to neutralise it.'

Feidu thought to herself, her timid face frowning as she stuck her nose into a thick pile of paper and scrolls, flipping her way through the notes trying to find a way.

"...w-wate-cough!"

Blood spurt out from her mouth, a bright red colour staining the white bed sheets. Turning her body slowly to sit. Her shoulder was as though a thousand hot needles were poking and tearing at the meat.

"Feiyun!"

Tianhuo jumped forward catching her in an embrace, gently supporting her to sit up. Feiyun winced slightly as she chuckled weakly, she had never seen him so anxious before.

Worry was written all over his blood-covered face. it was slightly amusing to see Mr Clean dirtied to this extent.

It would be a lie to say that God had been fair in creating this man. No man should be able to look like a beautiful devil while covered head to toe in blood and sweat.

Feidu perked up from behind the tall stack of books, running to Feiyun, her eyes full of tears.

"M-M-master! Feidu apologise, I am unable to neutralise the poison in your body. Please hold on! I will find a way I promise."

"No need. I know how...but I will need your help."

FeiDu's eyes peeled up. The obvious excitement was beaming out her eyes.

'this poison nerd.'

Feiyun shook her head internally. To others they might see FeiDu as an eccentric person, but to feiyun, she really reminded her of herself. Their love for knowledge on poisons was something both had in common.

Feiyun leaned weakly on Tianhuo's broad chest, her breathing soft and weak. Allowing Tianhuo's strong arms to support her body. Although in pain, she was still able to control it. Her eyes glanced towards her shoulder and then back to FeiDu.

FeiDu nodded and quickly ran out to get some alcohol, water, and cloth. She knew what Feiyun meant when she glanced at the arrow.

They both knew that removing the arrow would be the top priority otherwise the poison would continue to weaken her. There was a reason why Feiyun did not speak about it in front of Tianhuo so FeiDu had to follow along silently.

"Tianhuo... There's something I have yet to tell...no show you."

As soon as Feidu left, Feiyun weakly spoke. Tianhuo barely responded, shaking his head quietly asking her to rest, wanting her to save her energy. What could be more important than her life?

Raising her right hand slowly, she activated her dimensional ring. The ring opened a small hole just enough for her hand to slip through.

Tianhuo was stumped for words. What he was witnessing was truly beyond his comprehension.

How could a hole appear out of no where? So that's where all the herbs and weird cloth used during his poison detoxification came from.

Although intrigued, he did not say a word instead he quietly waited for Feiyun to continue.

He watched as she slipped her hand into the space and started to pull out various items; a bundle of white cloth, small bottle of clear liquid, a large white pill and a strange small object that seemed to be a silver needle attached to some kind of see through round cylinder shaped box with black lines on its side.

Using her right hand, she weakly placed the items onto his palm. Pointing as she instructed him.

"Use the needle and poke the bottle. Pull on that little nob to draw the liquid in."

With Feiyun leaning against his chest, Tianhuo wrapped his arm gently around her, careful not to touch her wound while listening to her instruction.

Although he had never seen the items in his hands before, he followed what she instructed, drawing the liquid into the strange box carefully.

"Injec- poke the needle into the area as close to the wound as possible. "

Hesitating slightly, Tianhuo looked at her as though she was asking the impossible. He could never bare to hurt her. His beautiful eyebrows frowned. He had never done this before.

"Don't worry. It's to numb the pain so we can remove the arrow. Hurry before Feidu comes back. "

Letting out a small sigh, Tianhuo did as she instructed, his heart ached as the needle slid into her skin. But she barely moved, the pain was nothing to her.

After which she swallowed the big white pill, Tianhuo gave her a cup of tea to wash it down. His eyes were gentle with worry as he watched her.

In a brief 30 seconds. Feiyun could feel the pain in her shoulder ease away until she could barely even feel a shoulder. The blood also stopped dripping, slowly clotting around the wound instead. Some color in her face returned thanks to the blood pill she ate.

This was the wonder of the numbing agent she created through years of experiments. Perfect for injuries during missions where there was little time to spare and having blood dripping all over would only serve as hindrance.

Amazed at the effect, Tianhuo quietly observed the arranged object in his hand. Feiyun chuckled softly, observing his curious and boyish face which she never knew existed.

If this was to be known by others, Feiyun's life would be in danger. How many millions who approach her to make use of her? If his father emperor knew this, he might even take Feiyun as his concubine. After all be did like rare 'things'.

While Tianhuo seemed go be in a daze, Feiyun place the used objects back into her space.

Just then, FeiDu knocked on the door and entered with FeiXu whose eyes were red from crying.

"Come here, help me remove this arrow first."

As Feidu went closer, she slowly observed the arrow. It's head sticking out slightly from the front. For sure removing this would send anyone screaming.

Worrying slightly about the pain, FeiDu thought to herself.

'Will master really not bite a cloth?"

"FeiXu, where is FeiAn?"

FeiXu looked up slightly anxious, hesitant to reply Feiyun's question.

"FeiAn is currently kowtowing outside... She says she doesn't have the right to face you. Ruyi has been trying to get her to stop for the past few hour."

Upon hearing that, Feiyun sighed helplessly.

Using another hand, Feiyun drew the laced curtains at the side of the bed to a close. It was still slightly see through but it blocked most of herself.

"Call her in."

Her voice was neither cold nor angry. It was just nonchalant. Although no pain or fear could be heard, the sweet spring voice of hers was slightly weaker.

FeiXu quickly ran out only to return dragging along FeiAn who was deathly pale, her lips cracked from dehydration, stumbling as she walked on her legs that were numb.

Ruyi followed behind into the room. He could see that Feiyun was being treated behind the curtain. He felt relief that she was still alive. But realising she was half naked quickly looked away.

Glancing towards Tianhuo who was beside Feiyun. His deathly aura and bloodthirst from before had reduced to nothing. He was back to the usual cold aloof man.

Ruyi let out a breath of relief. He was sure that back then, Tianhuo was so lost in fury whether it was friend of foe, whoever stood in his way would have been cut down just the same, even if that person was of his own blood.

"Tianhuo, You're covered in blood. I will handle things here."

Feiyun turned to Tianhuo. Placing a gentle hand on him to assure him. Reluctantly he gentle let go of her , unable to beat her determined eyes, he stood up and walked briskly towards the door.

Unable to tell if Tianhuo was angry at them or not, Ruyi quickly bowed his head asking for forgiveness from his best friend for not being able to protect his wife, his pride as a shadow guard thrown out the window. Shocking everyone in the room.

Ruyi had always been the more eccentric and egoistic type of person. He enjoyed toying around with people while wearing his usual gentlemanly, foxy smile.

"Master! I deserve death for not protecting princess! Please punish me."

However, Tianhuo look at Ruyi for a moment, his face held no anger. Following which he turned a glance to Feiyun, reading her eyes which were not filled with blame or hate. Then he silently left to get cleaned.

A small smile curled on her lips.

"Are you wondering why he left silently?"

Ruyi nodded his head. Full of guilt, how could he call himself a shadow guard when he couldn't even protect feiyun. Tianhuo not punishing him was even more painful.

"How long have you known Tianhuo. Was he the type to punish without reason? He would never blame the two of you for something like this. Neither would I."

Turning her gaze to FeiAn, she continued,

"I decided to sacrifice out of my own selfishness. I will accept nothing more. There's no need to blame yourself for something I chose to do.

There was no wrong. It's a battlefield there's bound to be one or two injuries. Understand? "

FeiAn nodded her head as a tear fell from her eyes. Ruyi felt his heart ache as he watched FeiAn who's face was filled with sadness.

"Now that we've got that out of the way, report."

Instantly standing up , Ruyi started reporting.

" The bu lords are completely annihilated. We've only lost about half of the men. While the vermilion army are marching back and will reach by daybreak."

Nodding her head, Feiyun silently sat there in thought for a moment. Feidu widened her eyes in shock. How could feiyun not feel a thing when she's poking, cutting and prodding at her wound. Not even a wince or flinch.

Ruyi also wondered how feiyun was not screaming or crying. Even the toughest man on the battlefield would groan in pain when an arrow is being removed but Feiyun barely cared. She was still deep in thought.

"Bring me a brush."

Feiyun called for a set, a surprised expression appeared on FeiXu's face, quickly changing back to normal. Shuffling over quickly to sett down the brush and paper for feiyun.

Dipping the brush in gently, feiyun began writing down some things. FeiDu and FeiXu could only look at each other in confusion.

"What are you writing?"

A gentle and deep voice came from the door, Tianhuo had finished cleaning up. Approaching feiyun with a gentle caress to her cheek as she glanced up towards him.

His usual scent of mint mixed with a hint of metallic blood caused Feiyun to pause for a moment, her lips curled slightly, chuckling internally.

'He must've bathed in a hurry.'

"Cough* you're back."

regaining her composure, she continued

"This is the next step. The townsfolk will need to return to their homes as soon as possible and continue. I'm just taking precautions so that we don't affect our journey back to the capital. "

With a smile she returned to writing.

The people in the room could only wonder how feiyun was able to continue as if she wasn't in pain. The poison should still be flowing in her and although her voice had a trace of weakness it was still charismatic none the less.

Only Tianhuo and Feiyun knew that her shoulder was completely numb that's why she was able to continue as if nothing happened.

Finishing up, she passed the order to Tianhuo who looked through it once. His eyebrow raised in surprise and then quickly returned to his usual stoic face.

"Ruyi, let the Vermilion men carry out this order. We return to the capital as soon as possible."

Ruyi jumped a little when Tianhuo called his name, then quickly came forward, silently recieving the letter.

He was still worried that Tianhuo was angry at him but the feeling that Tianhuo was giving off seemed to say that he wasn't.

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