Both Xuan Tian and Fan Qingyan flashed toward Lin Qian, trying to stop her from falling. Though she lost her footing from exhaustion, She barely steadied herself before hitting the floor. Both men's hands were on her arms.
"Doctor," Xuan Tian asked, "Are you okay?"
Lin Qian smiled weakly. "I know I look bad, but I'm just tired, General."
She held tightly onto Xuan Tian's hands and whispered, "I don't know who else to turn to."
She choked on her next words. "I don't know what else to do."
Xuan Tian nodded gently and said, "It's okay, Doctor. It's okay. I'm here."
Suddenly, Jing Xue shifted, placing his giant body between Fan Qingyan and Lin Qian. Fan Qingyan blinked in surprise, then quietly let go of Lin Qian's arm and stepped back to give space.
Xuan Tian understood. Jing Xue's silent gesture meant someone was watching them. The wolf was now shielding their conversation, blocking the spy's line of sight.
He sensed the faint presence too. Locking eyes with Jing Xue, a silent understanding passed between them.
"Don't chase him away. Let him stay," Xuan Tian instructed Jing Xue telepathically—just as the wolf began to shift, ready to act on what his master had already anticipated.
He then turned his gaze to Lin Qian, whose breathing was growing more ragged. Her complexion had turned even paler. It was clear she was far more than 'just tired.'
His gaze shifted to Fan Qingyan. "Prepare a carriage. Quickly."
"Yes, General." Fan Qingyan left immediately, though his mind was already spinning. Who is that doctor? Why does she seem so close to the General? What about Lady Shu Yue? General... don't be a two-timing man!
It was becoming difficult for Lin Qian to remain standing. Without realizing it, she leaned into Xuan Tian for support, her body trembling with exhaustion. Her eyes fluttered closed as she struggled to stay awake.
I can't pass out now! I need to tell the General!
She opened her mouth to speak, but Xuan Tian leaned closer, his voice low against her ear. "Not here, Doctor. Someone is watching us. I'm taking you away."
His mouth was close to Lin Qian's right ear—too close. From a distance, it looked as though he were leaning in to kiss her cheek. Had Lady Shu Yue seen this, her heart would have shattered.
But two others did see it. And they both reached the same conclusion: the General had just kissed the doctor.
Fan Qingyan, who had just ordered a soldier to prepare a carriage, turned around—and nearly fainted. His jaw dropped. He saw the General kiss the doctor's cheek!
Oh my Heavens, General! No! Fan Qingyan was devastated.
He had been rooting for Xuan Tian to marry Lady Shu Yue. He was their number one supporter. In his mind, Lady Shu Yue was the perfect match for the General. That was why he had agreed to Lady Shu Yue's request to "keep an eye" on him.
Now, Fan Qingyan was torn. Should he report what he just saw? What if Lady Shu Yue broke the engagement? No! That cannot happen! But… he had already promised Lady Shu Yue!
Meanwhile, Xuan Tian couldn't hear Fan Qingyan's inner crisis. All he saw was his commander standing frozen, mouth hanging open.
If you weren't a loyal and capable commander, I would've kicked you out of the army.
"Commander Fan!" Xuan Tian barked. "Where's the carriage?!"
Hearing Xuan Tian's sharp question, Fan Qingyan snapped out of it. "It's—it's coming, General!"
The carriage arrived shortly after. It was Xuan Tian's personal transport—simple, unadorned, and inconspicuous. This carriage had no beasts, no wheels. It floated a few inches above the ground, powered silently by spirit energy stones, designed for function rather than show.
Xuan Tian helped Lin Qian climb in, then settled inside with her. Jing Xue trotted beside the floating carriage as it drifted out of the barracks.
The other witness to the "kiss" crouched silently on a tree branch just outside the training ground. A man dressed in black, the same figure who had once knelt before his master in the chamber of black marble and gold. His eyes followed the carriage until it vanished from view. Then he, too, disappeared into the shadows.
------------------------------
Inside the carriage, Lin Qian was struggling to sit upright. She was losing consciousness—fast. Xuan Tian noticed and steadied her, helping her stay seated as he stared into her eyes.
"Tell me, Doctor."
Lin Qian met his gaze with a determined expression. Her breathing was uneven. Every word she forced out came with effort.
"Zhao Zhi and Xu Yun... missing. Lingxu was definitely involved. We believe... someone in the Celestial Realm... is the mastermind."
The moment the words left her lips, Lin Qian's strength gave out. Her eyes fluttered shut, her head dropping forward as her body sagged into unconsciousness.
But before she faded completely, she heard Xuan Tian's calm voice.
"I know."
Xuan Tian made sure Lin Qian's position was comfortable before he said, "One."
One appeared, perched where a driver would normally sit. He had shed his usual black attire for something that blended seamlessly into the surroundings, drawing no attention.
"I'm here, General."
Xuan Tian opened the curtain and stepped outside the canopy.
"Continue your report."
"Yes, General. As I said, a new alliance was formed. Lingxu's head, Xu Ming, is also the leader of the alliance. Wusheng's Crown Prince, Mu Yiran, has been kidnapped. The Human Emperor, Mu Cangtian, is in panic. ICEB can barely hold the Court together."
Xuan Tian frowned. "I thought Mu Cangtian was a capable emperor?"
"He usually is, General. But with his beloved son kidnapped, he's losing his senses. Mu Yiran is the only thing left by his late Empress."
Xuan Tian frowned. "What does the alliance demand?"
"They claim ICEB has been abusing their authority over cultivators. The alliance brought forth numerous cultivators as witnesses, claiming brutality and unfair treatment. Now they're demanding equal standing with ICEB—as official representatives of cultivators in Court."
"In Court?" Xuan Tian frowned. "ICEB doesn't even have formal power in Court. Yet these people demand it?"
"It's obvious that Xu Ming wants to gain influence in the Court. With the Crown Prince in his hands, Mu Cangtian can't do anything decisive. If things continue like this, Lingxu will eventually clash with the Ancestor Saints. And when that happens, the Human Realm will no longer be peaceful," Xuan Tian finished his analysis.
"You are correct, General."
"No wonder Tianjun ordered me to uproot Lingxu."
Xuan Tian then tilted his head slightly toward the canopy. "Any news on the doctors?"
One shook his head. "I'm sorry, General. We don't have any confirmed information regarding Dr. Zhao Zhi and Dr. Xu Yun. All we know is, the three of them have been traveling to the Human Realm more frequently since their return five years ago. And for the last two years, Dr. Lin Qian stayed there and never returned."