Gu Tianzhu didn't say anything. He waited.
"That Worm… and the Seal… they were meant for me, not her." Han Zhaofeng's gaze remained at the waterfall.
He turned to Gu Tianzhu. "It's ICEB they're after. They want control."
Gu Tianzhu was surprised to see Han Zhaofeng's expression. It was not sorrow or guilt as he had first assumed.
Han Zhaofeng's aura was deadly. A man seated in a wheelchair, yet radiating such killing intent—there was nothing more threatening.
Han Zhaofeng sneered, "They are afraid of ICEB. Of me."
"First they poisoned the Crown Prince to get His Majesty's full attention. Then they infiltrated His Majesty's Court."
"ICEB is next. They've already severed my hands and feet, then laid a trap inside one of my students."
He paused, then exhaled, "I am sure that right now, Jian Wushuan is ecstatic thinking the trap has worked, that he now has control over me."
"I defeated that man nearly fifty years ago. He hates me still."
Gu Tianzhu didn't say anything. He didn't feel Han Zhaofeng needed him to.
"Han Shengzun," Luo Heng was approaching them. He bowed and saluted them.
"There are people from the Palace in our headquarters and they delivered an Imperial Edict."
Han Zhaofeng looked at him, "What does the edict say?"
Luo Heng's jaw clenched, "That ICEB now answers to the Alliance."
------------------------------
Ling Yu entered Xuan Tian's room, heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know why, but it went – boom, boom, boom – she sighed. Stop overthinking it!
She entered very slowly and carefully. She didn't know what to expect. She certainly didn't expect to see Xuan Tian fully dressed and making his bed.
Xuan Tian turned his head when he heard Ling Yu come in. Guilt crept back in.
He straightened his back and turned to face Ling Yu. His eyes were watching her, observing her. From head to toe. From top to bottom. He didn't realize his smile grew the longer he looked.
Ling Yu was stunned silly seeing his smile. Her heart beat louder—BOOM, BOOM, BOOM. She instinctively put her hand on her chest.
Xuan Tian's smile fell. His eyes widened in horror. He moved so fast, it felt like he teleported. He suddenly appeared in front of her, his hand reached out, touching her upper arm. Concern was written all over his face.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?"
At the same time, Ling Yu was too surprised to see Xuan Tian vanish and appear in front of her. She gasped loudly and took a few steps backward. Her steps faltered and her body bent backward.
Xuan Tian caught her just in time. His left arm was wrapped around Ling Yu's back.
And they both froze.
For a while.
"Oh, my all ancestors above!"
Xuan Tian jumped and almost retracted his arm. But he managed not to at the last moment. His head snapped to Jing Xue who was sitting comfortably on the floor, savoring the scene.
"Get out!" Xuan Tian growled.
Ling Yu's focus returned and she immediately straightened her back and her forehead bumped Xuan Tian's chin.
"Ouch!"
Both of them saw stars.
They both straightened up. Ling Yu had her hand on her forehead and Xuan Tian had his on his chin. They looked at each other at the same time, and looked away at the same time.
"Bwahahahaha, this is excellent!"
Xuan Tian turned to Jing Xue, his eyes narrowed dangerously.
Jing Xue, sensing danger, got up and dashed out of the room. Still laughing on his way out.
Now they were alone.
Silence fell again.
Then they spoke at the same time.
"I'm sorry. Does it hurt? I can ask Doctor Lin for some ointment for your forehead."
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you with my forehead."
Then they both froze again.
Then –
Xuan Tian chuckled and Ling Yu laughed.
"How are you, Little Chaos? It's been five years. How are you?"
"I'm great, Iron Wall. It has been five years. Never thought I'd meet you again like this."
"Has Ziyu treated you well?"
"Yes. Very well. Shizun and Shixiongs, they all care about me. It's often me who gives them trouble." Ling Yu was still smiling.
"That's great to hear. And your cultivation life?"
"Da Shixiong is very strict in monitoring my sword practice and cultivation. And Shizun has been very patient. He always considers that I don't have a core in every method he's teaching me."
Xuan Tian nodded. Happy to hear that she had led a good life.
"And speaking of cores, how is it?"
Ling Yu shook her head, "Still no core. And you were right. I can produce spirit energy much faster than anyone, and since it's very high in quality, I need less spirit energy than everyone else."
Silence fell again.
Suddenly Ling Yu remembered something.
"Wait. You were injured! You – you were dragged and thrown into the river!"
She started to observe Xuan Tian from top to bottom and walked around him to check for injuries.
He stood there and let her examine him. It reminded him of five years ago. She demanded the same thing and it was him who had to turn around.
She couldn't see any injury on him, so she stopped.
"I am okay. Yes, I was injured. But I am okay now."
Ling Yu looked at him. Really looked at him. And her jaw dropped. Eyes widened.
"L4?!"
"Iron Wall!"
"What?"
"Your – your – your cultivation!"
Xuan Tian sat down and poured himself hot tea. "What about my cultivation?"
Ling Yu couldn't believe her ears.
She grabbed Xuan Tian's wrist and checked his pulse.
"You can check pulses now?"
"Shut up!"
He did, holding his smile and waited for her to finish her examination.
"I wasn't wrong. You really are an L4!"
"Iron Wall, what's going on?"
Xuan Tian sighed, "First of all, what is L4?"
Ling Yu was taken by surprise, "Low Immortal 4. L4."
"That's how you're calling it?"
"Not just me, but everyone. It is shorter. Rather than saying Low Immortal 4, it's just L4. More convenient, right?"
"So, if it's High Immortal 3…"
"H3."
Xuan Tian's chuckle was closer to real laughter.
"Don't change the subject."
"I'm not changing the subject."
"You did. You absolutely did. Now tell me. What's wrong with you?"
Xuan Tian sighed, "Nothing is wrong with me, Little Chaos. I am injured. And now my cultivation drops to… L4."
"Shizun said that if an immortal's cultivation drops more than 3 levels, the internal injury can already be considered severe. Yours didn't drop 3 levels. Yours plummeted 3 stages! If Shizun is right, then you're dying! And my Shizun was never wrong!"
When Ling Yu said the last sentence, her voice was breaking. And to Xuan Tian's horror, tears welled up in her eyes.
He jumped from his chair and tried to comfort her. But he didn't know how. So, he just patted her shoulder, slowly.