Following the scent of blood, Qiao Xin searched all the way and finally found Heng Wen in the grass.

The poor child had been stabbed multiple times and was barely clinging to life, just a breath away from death.

Qiao Xin let out a sigh of relief—at least he had a strong will to live.

The most fatal wound had pierced through his chest, missing his heart by just a centimeter.

Although she had found him, his condition was dire.

Not only was he severely injured, but he was also suffering from hypothermia.

She only had some basic wound medicine and a few unknown-quality Rejuvenation Pills.

Qiao Xin wasn’t sure if she could save him.

But leaving him to die wasn’t an option either.

The child was related by blood to her eldest son. If the marquis’ household investigated the truth later, who knew if they would take out their anger on her son?

“Host, you can’t save him with just those medicines in your hands. I can help!” The system finally found an opportunity to gain favor and wasn’t willing to let it slip away.

Qiao Xin: ……

Her expression instantly darkened. “Did you forget our rules? I’ll call on you when I need you.”

“I’m just trying to help you!” The system felt wronged. If Heng Wen’s survival wasn’t tied to Qiao Yunxin’s future, it wouldn’t have intervened.

Fine, she’d just consider this a good deed.

“Just this once!”

Qiao Xin wasn’t confident that she could save Heng Wen, but that didn’t mean the system had the right to make decisions for her. If she let it overstep once, it might try to push further next time.

“What do I need to give in return for saving him?”

“Host, you just need to spend ten merit points to activate the Interdimensional Trade.”

“Interdimensional Trade?”

“Yes. In your world, his injuries are a death sentence. But in a world where martial arts are common, this wouldn’t be a big deal. Through the trade, you can exchange medicine with a host from that world.”

“That simple? Why are you so eager to help? What’s in it for you?” Qiao Xin didn’t believe the system was acting out of kindness.

“Well… whenever you make a trade, the platform rewards me with energy points. Once I collect enough, I can upgrade. This is a win-win, Host! Helping the three Qiao brothers earns you merit points. The better their lives, the better yours will be as their ancestor. And if I level up to an advanced system, I won’t be restricted by the interface anymore.”

“Heh, so even systems have ranks. Then why are you pushing me down the path of conquest?”

“More conflict means more merit points! Farming takes way too long!”

Qiao Xin understood now—it was the difference between getting rich quickly and slowly.

Every host was just a tool for the system to gather energy. Those who lacked strong willpower could be easily manipulated into chasing power blindly.

And if they failed, the system would simply move on to the next host. It didn’t care about their survival.

Her wariness of the system skyrocketed. It was best to stay on guard.

But right now, saving Heng Wen was the priority.

“How many merit points do I have? Is it enough for a trade?”

“Yes, yes! Unlocking a targeted interdimensional trade only costs ten merit points. You’ve already changed the fate of twelve people in the Qiao family, so the system rewarded you with 120 merit points.”

“This counts as changing fate?”

“Of course! If you hadn’t intervened, Si Lang, Wu Lang, and San Niang wouldn’t have survived the migration. Saving a life earns you more merit than building a seven-tiered pagoda!”

“Alright, enough flattery. Get to work! If we delay any longer, even the gods won’t be able to save him.”

The moment Qiao Xin got impatient, the system immediately cowered and hastily pulled up the trade interface.

On the screen, three items were displayed: top-grade hemostatic powder, a Revitalization Pill, and premium bone-setting ointment.

The total cost? Exactly all of her remaining merit points.

Ha! This sneaky system sure knew how to calculate.

“Host, I—I merely optimized the best possible treatment for you!”

Since things had already reached this point, Qiao Xin didn’t hesitate. She quickly completed the trade.

However, after a long while, the items still hadn’t appeared. She frowned. “Where are they?”

“To avoid suspicion, the system has replaced the medicine bottles with standard-looking ones.”

…

Seeing his mother staring at Heng Wen without speaking, Qiao Yun Ting thought she was frightened. He hurriedly brought the torch closer to her.

This was also his first time witnessing such a gruesome scene.

The stench of blood was overwhelming, making him want to vomit.

If he wasn’t standing beside Qiao Xin, he might have fled already. His hands were trembling so much that he could barely hold the hatchet.

He wanted to help but didn’t know how—Heng Wen looked like a discarded rag doll, barely holding together.

Qiao Xin snapped out of her thoughts. Seeing her son pacing around nervously and muttering to himself, she realized he was also shaken.

“Take off your fur coat and cover him with it. Then go call your elder brothers and bring the medical kit!”

Qiao Yunqing quickly returned with the kit.

Seeing the bloodied boy on the ground, he frowned. “Mother, taking him with us will only cause trouble.”

Qiao Xin sighed and spread her hands helplessly. “I don’t want to meddle either. But we just saw him at the market a few days ago, and now we ‘just happen’ to stumble upon his attack site? Who would believe this is a coincidence? Besides, for your eldest brother’s sake, we have to save him. This child might even be related to you by blood.”

As she spoke, Qiao Xin lifted the torch and shone it on Heng Wen’s waist, revealing a familiar jade pendant stained with blood.

“Stop standing around! Help me! Give me the kit—I need to treat him first. His injuries are severe, and even with a doctor, I’m not sure if he’ll make it.”

She bandaged his wounds and fed him a Revitalization Pill to protect his heart.

True to its name, the system’s medicine worked instantly—the boy’s weak breathing stabilized.

Qiao Xin secretly sighed in relief and had Qiao Yun Xin carry him to the back of a wagon.

Xu Shi, ever observant, quickly had Zhang Shi stay to watch over the children while she moved to the rear cart.

She laid out fur blankets and prepared a pot of hot ginger water.

But when she saw her husband carrying a blood-soaked boy, her legs nearly gave out.

Qiao Yunxin caught her and reassured her in a soft voice, “Don’t be afraid. Mother and I will take care of it. You just need to assist.”

Xu Shi dug her nails into her palm, forcing herself to stay calm.

This was the first time she had seen such a terrifying sight. But with her mother-in-law and husband around, she had to hold herself together.

“Alright.”