Chapter 30 [VIP] The Wandering Hero Saga (11)

Chapter 30 [VIP] The Wandering Hero Saga (11)

Outside, the villagers were urging that Su Mo be taken to the charity graveyard, and though Xiao Guanxue wanted to go, he was surrounded by the apprentice and villagers, unable to break free.

The reason was simple: he was the only doctor who might develop an antidote, so naturally, they couldn’t risk his safety.

After Xie Yu stepped out, Su Mo felt as if a weight had been lifted from her heart, even feeling a dark sense of relief. She knew she was being somewhat selfish.

But her request was modest, just wanting him to spend some time alone with her, a small token of friendship. After all, with the Gu poison in her, she didn’t know how much longer she had to live. Let her be a little selfish this once.

But Xie Yu was still immersed in the emotions of the moment and absentmindedly led Su Mo forward, not noticing Nan Yan as they were about to leave.

He knew he had likely hurt her deeply this time, and she wouldn’t forgive him again.

But... isn’t this what he wanted?

Why did it feel like a heavy stone was pressing on his chest, making it hard to breathe, causing so much discomfort?

It was only after entering the mountain that he heard a sound from behind in a daze.

Turning around, he indeed saw Nan Yan wiping away tears as she recklessly chased towards the entrance, her desperate effort causing a sharp pain in Xie Yu’s heart.

"Yan Yan, what are you doing? Go back!"

He instinctively turned to return, but at that moment, Su Mo collapsed beside him, making it impossible for him to leave.

Meanwhile, Nan Yan, pale-faced, clutched her chest and shouted at him, "I won’t go back. Brother Yu, can you come back, please? Let's just be ordinary siblings, I’ll agree to whatever you say, just please don’t go to your death, okay?"

"Brother Yu..."

Her voice was almost hoarse by the end.

Clutching her chest, her body trembling, she staggered slightly. Her lips were so pale, almost devoid of color, as she looked at the two with immense sadness.

Holding the unconscious Su Mo, Xie Yu finally made a tough decision, turned away, and headed to the charity graveyard with her, his fists clenched, veins visible on his hands.

He couldn’t hesitate any longer.

Su Mo was the one he loved. His discomfort was just possessiveness towards Yan Yan, feeling guilty for hurting her. He had always loved Su Mo, it was always Su Mo, only Su Mo…

It wasn’t until their figures completely disappeared that Nan Yan seemed to lose all her strength, swaying and then collapsing backward, her face ashen, clutching her chest.

At the moment of her fainting, Xiao Guanxue happened to catch her.

It was his needless intervention. Seeing her faint, he shouldn’t have gotten involved, but he did, and now he ended up with a complicated situation, unable to just walk away.

……

When Nan Yan awoke, it was already noon the next day.

Xiao Guanxue placed a bowl of medicinal soup on the table and, seeing her struggle to sit up from the bed, coldly remarked, "Now that you're awake, go ahead and drink your medicine."

His tone was detached and emotionless, making it clear why he was destined to remain alone for life, utterly clueless about showing tenderness or affection.

Nan Yan continued her act, rubbing her sore forehead, and her first question was, “Where is Brother Yu?”

Her voice was faint and hoarse, likely from crying too much and not yet recovered.

Xiao Guanxue frowned at her, finding the situation bothersome, “He's at the charity graveyard.”

Nan Yan paused, her face turning pale, and then she threw off the blanket, intent on getting out of bed, “I need to find him.”

But as soon as she got out of bed, Xiao Guanxue stopped her, grabbing her wrist and pressing down on her shoulder with such force that she couldn’t break free.

“What are you going to do there now? He’s already busy caring for the poisoned Su Mo. If you go there, won’t he have to take care of another person?”

Nan Yan refused to listen to his advice. The more he tried to stop her, the angrier she became, as if needing to vent all her frustration.

Struggling fiercely, she said, “What does it matter to you? Let go of me. What do you expect me to do, just watch them walk to their deaths?”

Remembering something, she suddenly looked up, her eyes fixed on him, “Aren’t you a renowned doctor? Don’t you love Su Mo? Why don’t you accompany her in death instead of making my Brother Yu do it?”

“Where is your antidote? Your title of ‘miracle doctor’ seems like a mere facade. You can’t even save the one you love; you’re utterly useless!”

“You…”

Xiao Guanxue, furious, his face turning ashen, regretted bringing her back for the first time.

It was like a dog chasing mice, meddling unnecessarily. His good intentions were taken for granted, and he ended up being scolded.

She was utterly unreasonable.

“Even if I can’t find the antidote, I won’t create chaos like you. You’re only causing Xie Yu worry, nothing else.”

Xiao Guanxue, clearly angered as well, spoke harshly, his cold gaze sweeping over her as he rebuked Nan Yan.

"When did I ever make him worry? I just wanted to see him. Is that not allowed?"

"Your visit to him will only bring him trouble. Do you think the righteous estate is a place for your romantic affairs? His care for Sumo is a reluctant obligation. Your added chaos will only endanger him further."

Nan Yan yelled in frustration, "You're talking nonsense, utter nonsense! When have I ever caused him trouble? It’s Sumo who endangers him. Would he have gone to the righteous estate if not for her?"

"That was his own choice."

"I..."

For the first time, Nan Yan found herself speechless, cornered by his argument. Yes, it was his own choice; he would rather die than leave Sumo's side.

This realization brought tears to Nan Yan's eyes, leaving her with nothing more to say.

Memories of the past, like a series of flashbacks, culminated in the image of him pushing her away to go to Sumo. Nan Yan finally conceded.

Coming to terms with that fact, she fell silent.

The room gradually quietened down.

Perhaps her realization had gotten through to her, or maybe the recently awakened young lady lacked the energy to argue any further. She relaxed and slumped down on the bed, motionless.

Nan Yan, with her head lowered, was inscrutable to Xiao Guanxue, but he sensed a slight tremor in her body.

Was she crying?

Xiao Guanxue frowned, feeling somewhat troubled.

After a long pause, with no further reaction from her, he thought he might have been too harsh with his words. After all, what was the point of a man like him quibbling with a young girl?

Just as he was about to say something to lighten the mood, he unexpectedly heard her say softly, "I'm sorry..." Her voice was gentle and hoarse, tinged with a hint of apology.

"...Hmm?"

Xiao Guanxue's eyebrows furrowed even more, surprised by her unexpected apology.

For a moment, he thought he had misheard. Why would she apologize to him?

Xiao Guanxue found the situation exceedingly strange.

Perhaps it was because the young lady's previous attitude had been too capricious and unreasonable, or maybe it was her consistently unfeigned demeanor towards him that made her sudden apology seem all the more disconcerting.

He wondered if the emotional distress she had suffered had caused some sort of mental disturbance.

This wasn't mere speculation; ancient texts did record instances of women suffering from heartbreak leading to mental derangement, not unlike her current state.

Nan Yan slowly raised her head, her eyes somewhat downcast as she looked at him. Her eyelashes still held tiny droplets of moisture, "I was too impulsive. I know my going there is pointless, but I just couldn't help worrying. Don't you feel anxious?"

Xiao Guanxue, furrowing his brow, wasn't sure how to respond.

He replied indifferently, "Worrying is useless."

Hearing his dry response and seeing his unsympathetic expression, Nan Yan turned her face away in frustration, "I know it’s useless, but people tend to lose control when they are upset..."

She hadn’t finished speaking when her eyes reddened again.

Feeling guilty, she glanced awkwardly at him, "About earlier, I didn't mean it. I was just overwhelmed by my emotions and said things I shouldn't have."

Clearly, the young lady had calmed down and realized that her words had been excessive.

And considering that the man before her had saved her life, she knew that it wasn't right to vent her frustrations on him.

So, the young lady uncharacteristically apologized.

Xiao Guanxue finally looked down at her. Though it was an apology, the young lady still appeared sullen. An insincere apology was not something he particularly valued.

He remained silent, and the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Seeing no reaction from him, Nan Yan turned away, reluctantly repeating, "I’ve apologized to you. I was indeed too impulsive earlier. I shouldn't have been ungrateful and shouldn’t have made those unreasonable and insulting remarks about your medical skills. Doctor Xiao, you are a magnanimous person; can you please not take it to heart?"

Xiao Guanxue paused for a few seconds, then nodded, seemingly not bothered by the incident.

He responded with a noncommittal "Oh."

Is that all the reaction?

Nan Yan immediately looked up at him with a stare, displaying her capricious nature, "I've already apologized to you, why are you still angry?"

Hearing this, Xiao Guanxue glanced at her, his tone calm as water, "I'm not angry. If I took such matters to heart, I would have been angered to death by now."

Nan Yan could detect the irony in his words, but knowing he liked to put on an act, she didn't point it out.

Instead, she feigned annoyance, glaring at him and pointing to her wrist, "If that's the case, then why are you still holding my wrist? Haven’t you heard that it’s improper for men and women to have such physical contact? What kind of behavior is this, pulling and tugging?"

Xiao Guanxue was momentarily startled, realizing he had been holding her wrist all this time. His face flushed slightly with embarrassment and annoyance as he let go.

"I didn’t mean to..."

For some reason, every time he dealt with this young lady, he would get so flustered and annoyed. Although it was just minor squabbles, he still felt he had taken advantage of her and now felt somewhat embarrassed.

Nan Yan huffed coldly at him and then turned her face away, clearly annoyed again.

This irritation brought some color back to her pale complexion, making her look more lively and pleasing than before.

Xiao Guanxue was somewhat captivated, thinking to himself how this woman could possess so many different faces.

One moment she's crying, the next she's angry. She can be completely unreasonable and infuriating, yet sometimes she lowers her guard to apologize. Her words and actions, each one, dance on the edge of his patience, yet he can't bring himself to dislike her.

It was truly bizarre.

Pushing down the subtle emotions within him, Xiao Guanxue began to pack some books and essential travel gear, preparing for a trip into the mountains.

Watching his actions, Nan Yan couldn't help but ask, "Why are you packing? Are you planning to leave here?"

Without lifting his head, Xiao Guanxue responded reflexively, "No, I need to go into the mountains. Sumo's injury by the wild wolf suggests the presence of a toxin in the wolf. But the wolves didn't die, which means there must be something counteracting the toxin. If I can find the source, I should be able to develop an antidote."

Nan Yan found his explanation sensible and volunteered, "Then I'll come with you."

Realizing it was her speaking, Xiao Guanxue glanced at her briefly, then frowned and refused outright, "No, I don’t have the energy to look after you."

Seeing his refusal, Nan Yan stepped forward and grabbed his sleeve, her tone urgent, "Don't worry, Brother Xiao, I won’t be a burden. I just can't stand feeling helpless here. Let me help you, even if it’s just carrying your bags. Please?"

Xiao Guanxue looked at her with an odd expression.

His gaze fell on her anxious demeanor, causing him to pause. Considering her determination towards Xie Yu, he hesitated for a moment before relenting, simply saying:

"Fine, have it your way."

Indeed, she was a capricious young lady – to her, he was 'Brother Xiao' when she needed favors and a 'worthless doctor' when scornful. Her insincerity was complete, proving the old saying true: women and villains are unpredictable.

But then, why should he bother arguing with a woman?

With that thought, Xiao Guanxue left the room, instructed the medicine boy on a few matters, and then departed.

Xiao Guanxue was somewhat mesmerized, wondering how this woman could have so many different faces.

……

Meanwhile, in a different situation, Xie Yu brought the unconscious Sumo to a thatched cottage near the righteous estate, his mind seemingly elsewhere.

His thoughts were preoccupied with the moment Nan Yan had kissed him, that heart-pounding, almost suffocating sensation.

I thought I wouldn't care, but the more I pretended not to, the more it weighed on my heart.

He recalled the scene when he left, with Nanyan chasing after him. She seemed to faint in the end, caught by Guanxue. I wonder how she is now? Has she awakened?

Nanyan has always been frail and sickly since childhood. She shouldn't have been brought along this time, especially not to experience these terrible events. I fear she might never speak to me again.

With these thoughts, Xie Yu felt as if a giant stone was pressing on his chest, suffocating and unbearable.

For a moment, he even thought of rushing back to see her, but his current situation made it impossible to leave.

Carrying Sumo, Xie Yu arrived at the mountain, where too many villagers in the righteous village were stricken with illness, leaving hardly any place to stay.

Everywhere he went, there were gravely ill people lying on the ground, gasping for breath, including young children. The sight was unbearably bitter and sorrowful.

But Xie Yu was helpless, hoping that Xiao Guanxue and the others would soon find a cure to save these villagers.

He cared for Sumo in a dilapidated house all night. Perhaps due to the resilience of a martial artist, Sumo didn't vomit blood anymore that night, though her wound worsened.

He carefully treated her wound and fed her some pills, finally feeling a bit relieved.

As he relaxed, he felt tired, his head aching slightly from the pervasive smell of blood, decay, and herbal medicine. Rubbing his temples, he sat down on the spot.

He had intended to rest for a while, but his mind had been highly focused recently, and the situation with Nanyan left him distraught. He unknowingly fell into a deep sleep until nightfall.

"Xie Yu..."

In his deep slumber, it seemed someone was calling his name urgently, a voice somewhat familiar to his ears.