Chapter Fifty-Nine: Artificial Respiration

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Ren Changfeng sat cross-legged in the room, meditating, when a knock sounded at the door. He opened his eyes, a flicker of amusement glinting deep within the darkness of his pupils.

It must be that girl Hongxiu returning to apologize.

He curled his lips into a smile, stood up, and went to open the door, greeted by familiar faces.

Two shadow guards stood before him, their expressions filled with excitement. “Master, forgive us for arriving late!”

Ren Changfeng cast his gaze outside. The courtyard was empty, not a soul in sight.

So, Hongxiu hadn't even thought to come looking for him?

“Master?” The two guards sensed his confusion, glanced behind themselves—seeing nothing—then turned back to Ren Changfeng, inwardly wondering if their arrival had displeased him.

Should they not have appeared?

Ren Changfeng withdrew his gaze, his expression impassive—no, if anything, his face seemed a shade worse.

The two guards, unsure of the cause, bowed awkwardly. “Master, the court is in chaos. They're waiting for you to return and take command.”

“It’s already in chaos. Whether I return or not makes little difference,” Ren Changfeng replied stiffly, his mind elsewhere.

His thoughts lingered on Chu Bing.

“This… Master—” The two guards, unable to read his mind, fell silent.

Ren Changfeng turned away, hands clasped behind his back, took a deep breath, his expression softening somewhat. He knew he could not linger long in this small courtyard.

“Enough, let’s return. By the way, I want you to bring someone from the Li Residence for me.”

“Who might that be?” The two guards were puzzled—what kind of person could draw the attention of their proud master, even in such a dire moment?

He must be a martial expert, someone invaluable to the nation!

Such thoughts crossed their minds, until they heard their esteemed master say softly, “Hongxiu.”

“What?” The two guards thought they’d misheard.

Hongxiu? Wasn’t that a girl’s name?

Ren Changfeng’s cheeks flushed, but he maintained an air of dignity as he repeated, “A maid named Hongxiu saved me. I want to take her away.”

“Master, these are extraordinary times. If you bring this maid along, it may draw unwanted attention and trouble for her. Perhaps we should return first and wait for the situation to settle before fetching Lady Hongxiu,” the guards explained, bracing themselves.

They never imagined that their master, who always placed the court above all else, would concern himself with a girl at such a moment.

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Affairs of the heart seemed truly trivial at this time.

Ren Changfeng considered their words and found them reasonable.

He could only regretfully abandon his plan.

The world is vast; after today’s farewell, who knows when they might meet again?

Meanwhile, Lady Hongxiu was fleeing with Li Mohan.

Li Mohan was gravely wounded, his face pale, steps faltering, barely able to run.

To evade the relentless pursuit of Li Yuxi, Chu Bing led Li Mohan deep into the mountains.

“Li Mohan, hold on!” Chu Bing felt the man’s breathing grow weaker behind her, panic rising in her heart.

If Li Mohan died, where would she find news of Li Haoran?

Li Mohan was nearly unconscious, but somewhere in his haze he sensed a woman carrying him, her familiar tone prompting him to call out Chu Bing’s name.

Chu Bing’s pace faltered for a moment.

She still wore Hongxiu’s face; she almost thought Li Mohan had seen through her disguise. Fortunately, he hadn’t glimpsed her clearly.

Chu Bing gritted her teeth, fleeing while quickly arranging a formation.

She used teleportation to create a time gap between herself and Li Yuxi, giving her time to set up the formation, but each time it was nearly complete, Li Yuxi would appear nearby.

Chu Bing dared not let Li Yuxi see her, hiding in utter desperation.

They continued their escape through the mountains, not knowing how far they had run, when suddenly, Chu Bing heard the sound of flowing water.

Her eyes sparkled.

She knew what to do!

Carrying Li Mohan, she rushed toward the sound and found a river.

From the woods behind came a rush of wind—Li Yuxi was closing in.

She didn’t hesitate, flinging Li Mohan into the water and jumping in after him.

The river splashed, then quickly calmed, as if nothing had happened.

Soon, Li Yuxi appeared at the riverbank.

He stood on the shore, his gaze deep and fixed on the tranquil water.

Suddenly, he raised his hand, sending a gust of force toward the surface, causing ripples and splashes, but nothing more.

It seemed they were not here.

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Li Yuxi lowered his hand, stood quietly for a moment, then turned and left.

Chu Bing, submerged, watched Li Yuxi’s retreating figure, but dared not surface immediately, recalling how he had once doubled back in the bamboo grove.

This man was cunning—who knew if he’d return for a surprise attack?

Chu Bing floated silently in the water, clutching Li Mohan’s wrist so he wouldn’t drift away.

She noticed the veins bulging on Li Mohan’s forehead and was startled—he was suffocating!

She hesitated for a moment, then moved to cradle his face, transferring her breath into his mouth.

It was only to save him, nothing else!

Chu Bing kept reminding herself.

She pressed her lips to Li Mohan’s, holding on until she could no longer endure, then swam upward with him.

A head suddenly broke the river’s surface; Chu Bing gasped for air, wiped her face, and dragged Li Mohan toward the shore.

Li Yuxi was gone; it seemed he would not return.

Nearly exhausted, Chu Bing hauled Li Mohan onto the sandbank, collapsing with no strength left.

“Host, I suggest you check Li Mohan’s condition now,” the system’s stern voice sounded in Chu Bing’s mind.

Chu Bing froze, then scrambled upright to examine Li Mohan.

His face was deathly pale, eyes tightly shut, as lifeless as if he had died.

Chu Bing crawled over to him, frantically pressing his chest.

Li Mohan showed no response.

Was he dying?

“Li Mohan! Wake up!” Chu Bing shook him in panic.

The system prompted, “Host, try artificial respiration.”

Chu Bing’s eyes lit up. Without hesitation, she pinched Li Mohan’s nose and leaned in to deliver breaths.

She kept transferring fresh air into him.

Once wasn’t enough, so she tried again and again.

Chu Bing, like a madwoman, continued to administer artificial respiration.

She failed to notice that Li Mohan, who lay motionless with eyes shut, had eyelashes that were faintly trembling.