Volume One: Hidden in the Deep Abyss Chapter Twenty-Nine

“Your Majesty, you rescued a man?” Jiang Ji stared in shock at the pale-faced youth in Geng Yuan’s arms.

Geng Yuan gently set the youth down on the ground. The two of them crouched beside him, examining him carefully, a grave look settling on Geng Yuan’s face. Not only was this person an ordinary mortal, but his body bore numerous bite marks—tiny punctures scattered across his neck, hands, legs, and even his waist—all signs of venomous snake bites. And after being submerged in cold water, it was impossible to tell if he was still alive.

Jiang Ji reached for the youth’s neck. “Your Majesty, he’s still alive.”

“This boy is truly lucky.”

Without delay, Geng Yuan cast a spell to expel the water from the youth’s body. The frail youth coughed up a mouthful of water, his lashes fluttering weakly before his eyes closed once more.

Jiang Ji looked to his lord. “Your Majesty, he’s fainted again.”

“I can see that.”

“Oh.”

He and Geng Yuan had come here searching for any trace of the Lady. The scouts had reported her recent presence in Chunshan County, but by the time they arrived, she had vanished without a trace. Stranger still, Geng Yuan sensed an evil presence haunting these parts—perhaps the Lady had gone to exorcise it. When they reached the mountain waterfall, they happened to witness a figure plunge into the water.

Without hesitation, Geng Yuan had dived in. But the one he rescued was not the Lady, but a thin, frail youth.

Jiang Ji carried the boy on his back as Geng Yuan eyed the soaked clothes. With a wave of his hand, blue immortal light shimmered, and every trace of moisture vanished. If Jin Li were here, she would have done the same.

The three left the forest and returned to town in search of shelter. The two of them could manage, but the youth needed a physician—after surviving the snake pit, it would be a cruel fate to die now. And who would bear that responsibility? Geng Yuan had found him, rescued him, only for the youth to die in his care. Better to entrust him to a mortal doctor.

After much searching, they finally found a pharmacy, but it was deserted.

Jiang Ji set the boy down. “Your Majesty, come look—he’s burning up.”

Geng Yuan knelt, pressing a hand to the youth’s forehead—it was indeed scalding hot. Without medicine, he wouldn’t last much longer. Mortal lives were so fragile. He recalled reading in Jin Li’s books that the best cure for snake venom was… Paris polyphylla.

He called urgently, “Jiang Ji, quickly, find Paris roots.”

“What’s Paris roots?”

He recited from memory: “Grind Paris roots and mix with water. Apply the fresh root pulp externally to the wound—it treats snakebites. Hurry, search for it!”

He extended his hand, using his immortal power to suppress the spreading poison. Jiang Ji rummaged through the cupboards, and soon after, “Your Majesty, I found it!”

Geng Yuan took the herb, and with a shimmer of blue light, carefully applied it to the boy’s wounds. When he reached the neck, the youth’s collar slipped, revealing a swath of flawless, snowy skin.

Jiang Ji marvelled, “This boy is quite fair-skinned.”

Geng Yuan paid him no mind, but he couldn’t help but notice the delicate collarbone adorned with a single black mole. For a moment, his mind wandered uncontrollably.

“Jiang Ji, go find something to eat.”

“Yes, sir.”

Once Jiang Ji had left, Geng Yuan loosened the sash at the youth’s waist. His slender fingers pressed the powdered herb into the wounds, and as his fingertips brushed against the burning skin, he froze—the youth’s feverish warmth felt almost like his own body’s heat.

It was just a mole—why was his mind so restless?

He drew a breath, glanced at the youth’s pale, unconscious face, and sternly warned himself not to overthink. But the unfamiliar, stirring sensation in his heart was too real, too familiar. After carefully bandaging the wounds, he pressed two fingers to his own brow and transferred spiritual energy into the youth. He hoped his water affinity would lower the boy’s fever.

Pale blue immortal light enveloped the frail youth. After some time, the light faded. Geng Yuan reached out to test the boy’s temperature—no longer searing. It seemed to have worked.

He rose, draped his cloak over the boy, and kindled a fire. The warmth quickly spread through the room. He watched as the youth’s tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed—he was recovering.

Seated by the fire, Geng Yuan busied himself snapping twigs, waiting for Jiang Ji’s return.

The room grew warmer, and a cool sensation soothed the wounds. Half-awake, Jin Li slowly opened her heavy eyelids, her vision blurry. She heard the snapping of twigs, the crackle of burning wood, and a man’s quiet breathing. Was it a gentleman who saved her?

A faint scent of cedar filled her senses—clean and steady, bringing a deep sense of reassurance. Through the haze, she glimpsed the star-patterned embroidery on the man's robe. She tried to look up at his face, but sleep claimed her once more.

Jiang Ji returned with a bundle of fruit wrapped in cloth. The bright, fresh fruit was enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

“Your Majesty, have a taste.”

Geng Yuan took the fruit, but before he could speak, Jiang Ji had already begun eating.

He glanced at the sleeping youth, thought for a moment, then placed the remaining fruit at the boy’s pillow.

Jiang Ji asked, puzzled, “Your Majesty, what are you doing?”

“We still have to search for the Lady. Leave these for him.”

He pressed a note beneath the fruit, cast a last lingering look at the boy’s now-peaceful face, and strode out.

Jiang Ji hurried to catch up.

“Your Majesty, where could the Lady have gone to fight these demons? We’ve been here so long and found no trace of her.” Geng Yuan’s expression was somber as he surveyed the deserted street. Not a soul was in sight. His thoughts returned to the youth—if a demon encountered him here, it would be disastrous. Without a word to Jiang Ji, he turned and ran back toward the pharmacy.

The firewood had burned down to glowing embers. Geng Yuan signaled to Jiang Ji, who promptly lifted the youth from the bed and carried him on his back. Geng Yuan draped his cloak over the boy’s shoulders; still, he did not wake.

“Your Majesty, are we really taking this boy along while we search for the Lady?”

“Perhaps it’s best if he wakes before we find her. If not, the Lady will know what to do.”

And so, Jiang Ji carried the youth, and the three of them set off.

Night crept in, the wind’s eerie whistle unsettling. Turning his head, Geng Yuan warned, “Hide yourself.”

At once, black shadows rose up all around, swirling like wild veils in the wind, encircling Geng Yuan. A woman’s excited cry rang out.

“What an extraordinary specimen!”

Geng Yuan quietly gathered spiritual power in his palm. In a flash of blue light, a woman appeared, draped over his shoulder, gazing at him with a coquettish smile and smoldering eyes.

He turned, ready to strike—but that face was Jin Li’s.

She was breathtaking, twirling a lock of hair around her finger, her voice playful, her peach-blossom eyes full of mischief and allure. Just one glance and Geng Yuan felt his throat tighten.

“Husband, where are you going?”

Geng Yuan smiled. “So it’s you, my dear. Where have you been? I’ve been searching everywhere.”

Jin Li sauntered closer, lifting his chin and letting her gaze drift to his lips, her laughter soft and teasing. “I was looking for you too, husband.”

Geng Yuan lowered his eyes, slipping an arm around her waist. His gaze brushed her lips and brows, and as the corners of his mouth curled into a smile, a silver arrow shot through her body.

Jin Li collapsed to the ground, eyes blazing with hatred. “When did you see through me?”

Geng Yuan, holding the Cangyuan bow in one hand and a silver arrow in the other, chuckled. “From the very first glance.”

If she had called him husband one more time, he would have lost control long ago—there would have been no need for so many words.