Chapter 4 – Use Him and Leave

After a long night, Qingli woke at dawn, her lower back aching. She rubbed it while casting a resentful glance at the man still sleeping beside her.

Had she known it would be like this, she would’ve drugged herself instead. Drugging him was simply asking for punishment—his stamina was far too overwhelming.

If she hadn’t eventually resorted to a knockout powder, the man would likely have continued until daybreak. By then, she feared her entire body would have fallen apart.

Muttering complaints inwardly, Qingli rose and dressed. Outside, the sky had already begun to brighten, and light now filtered into the cave.

Once fully clothed, she gave the man one last look before turning and leaving without hesitation.

Outside was a lush forest. Thick greenery concealed the small path, and as Qingli glanced back at the cave one final time, she turned to descend the mountain, leaving markers along the way in case Nangong Yan couldn’t find the way down.

Qingli returned to the Small Town. She needed only two more days to collect her payment from yesterday’s task. Once she had it, she would consider whether or not to return. Exhausted from the night, she found another inn to rest.

Meanwhile, inside the cave, Nangong Yan finally stirred. Due to the sedative, he had woken late—by now, the sun was already high in the sky.

Opening his eyes, the first thing that flooded his mind were memories of the previous night. His gaze darkened, a trace of unnatural redness coloring his cheeks. Surveying the surroundings, he realized the cave was empty—he was alone.

Instinctively, he shifted and slowly sat up. In the next moment, a flash of shock crossed his eyes—he looked down in disbelief at his legs.

His legs could move?

Nangong Yan couldn’t believe it. Remembering the words the woman had spoken last night, a flicker of hope surged in his chest. He tried lifting his leg—he actually could.

Excitement lit up his face as he leapt up, standing firmly on the ground. The long-forgotten sensation of feet grounded on earth brought tears to his eyes. He couldn’t believe it—his legs were truly healed.

Like an overjoyed child, Nangong Yan jumped in place a few times. The solid, dependable feeling beneath his feet brought him immense delight—it was all too exhilarating.

Unable to contain his joy, he ran out of the cave, the wind rushing past his ears, laughter bursting freely from his lips.

Outside the cave, the forest spread out in endless green. Nangong Yan paced back and forth, eyes fixed on his own feet. After walking for a long while, his elation finally settled.

He thought to retrieve his signal device, but upon checking his robes, he found them empty. Only then did he remember—everything must have been discarded by that woman last night.

When he thought of her, his emotions were no longer filled with hatred. Still, recalling how he had been taken advantage of, some lingering frustration stirred in him—it was hard not to feel a little humiliated.

He returned to the cave. The blankets still laid out on the ground brought a flush to his ears. The memories of what had happened on them were far too vivid and embarrassing. He quickly looked away, beginning to search the ground for his belongings.

Near the edge of the blanket, a few scattered items remained—his things. On a nearby stone sat a triangular yellow talisman. Remembering the woman’s words from last night, Nangong Yan picked it up and examined it closely.

Strange symbols were scrawled across its surface, dense and incomprehensible. Though he couldn’t read them, having witnessed last night’s events, he knew she wasn’t an ordinary person.

He carefully tucked the talisman into his robe, folded the blanket, and hid it in a discreet spot before leaving the cave and heading down the mountain.

Along the way, he noticed markers on the trail. Surprised at first, he soon realized it must have been the woman who left them, likely afraid he wouldn’t recognize the path.

Mixed feelings stirred in his chest. At first, he had sworn to cut that audacious woman into a thousand pieces. But now, he couldn’t help but think—she wasn’t all that bad. Had she not used the drug, she probably wouldn’t have done any of this.

And more importantly, she had healed his legs. For that alone, he couldn’t bring himself to harm her anymore.

Nangong Yan descended the mountain alone and arrived at the Small Town. However, he had no idea where he was. Left with no choice, he took out the signal flare. Moments later, someone arrived.

Seeing Nangong Yan unharmed, his subordinates finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. They had searched all night with no leads, nearly driven to despair.

As the ruler of the Southern Kingdom, any accident involving Nangong Yan could plunge the entire country into chaos. Seeing him safe at last, the burden lifted from every heart.

“Your Majesty, where were you last night? Who abducted you?”One of the guards, Hei Jin, hurriedly asked.

Hei Jin, rough and careless by nature, focused solely on who had abducted Nangong Yan, entirely missing the fact that Nangong Yan was standing.

It wasn’t until Heimu beside him noticed that Nangong Yan was on his feet that his eyes widened, pupils shrinking abruptly. “Your Majesty! Y-you… your legs?”

Heimu was so overwhelmed he forgot all sense of decorum. He pointed at Nangong Yan in shock, stammering uncontrollably.

Only then did Hei Jin realize that their emperor was standing. His eyes bulged with excitement as he asked, “Your Majesty, you’ve recovered?”

For once, a faint smile touched Nangong Yan’s lips. He replied lightly, “Mm. Last night, I encountered a remarkable practitioner who healed me.”

All the subordinates immediately knelt in elation. “Congratulations, Your Majesty!”

Their voices rang out loud and full of emotion.

Nangong Yan, worried about drawing attention in public, quickly added, “We’re outside. Be more discreet, and mind how you address me.”

The guards scrambled to their feet, faces beaming with joy.

“That’s wonderful, Your Majesty! Then we no longer need to search for Master Qingming.”

Qingming was a legendary figure—mysterious and reclusive. It was said he possessed extraordinary skills, adept at handling rare and difficult ailments. But no one had ever seen him in person, nor did anyone know where he lived.

Hei Jin and the others had only just managed to trace a rumor that Qingming had been seen in this small town, and had rushed here solely for Nangong Yan’s legs.

Now that he was healed, there was no longer a need to find him.

Nangong Yan nodded. “No need to search for him. But there is someone else we must find.”

As the image of the woman from the night before flashed through his mind, a strange feeling stirred in his chest. She had healed him. And though she had acted against his will and forced herself on him, in matters like this, it was the woman who ultimately bore the greater cost. She had acted out of desperation. It wasn’t entirely unforgivable. Since that was the case, finding her and taking responsibility was something he ought to do.

Hei Jin caught a fleeting softness in his master’s eyes and nearly doubted his own vision.

Heimu, curious as well, asked, “Master, who do you want to find?”

Nangong Yan pulled himself from his thoughts and resumed his usual indifferent demeanor. “Let’s return to the inn first.”

“Yes, sir.”

The group returned to the inn, and sent out a signal to recall those still searching outside.

Inside the inn, the remaining subordinates had all returned. The two accompanying Imperial Physicians had also been brought in. When they saw that Nangong Yan’s legs were healed, both were struck dumb with shock.

“Your Majesty? Y-your legs… are healed?”

Nangong Yan was revered throughout the Southern Kingdom as a wise and virtuous ruler. The court ministers held genuine affection and respect for him. Since the injury to his legs, the court had been deeply worried, constantly seeking famed physicians from all corners of the realm—yet all to no avail. Now, to see him suddenly recovered—

The two Imperial Physicians were so moved they dropped to their knees before him, on the verge of tears.

They had been the ones attending to Nangong Yan’s legs all these years. The problem hadn’t been that it was difficult to treat—it had been impossible. And now, miraculously, he was healed!

Thinking it must be a dream, the two men each pinched the other. A moment later, cries of “Ow!” rang out, followed by expressions of sheer delight.

“It’s real! His Majesty’s legs are truly healed!”

Their comical back-and-forth pinching drew a look of disdain from Nangong Yan. He gave them a light kick to push them aside.

“That’s enough. As senior physicians of the Imperial Medical Academy, such childish outbursts are disgraceful.”

Hei Jin quickly added, “The two of you should check His Majesty’s condition thoroughly! Make sure there are no lingering issues.”

The two Imperial Physicians immediately sobered up. “Your Majesty, please be seated. Allow us to examine your pulse.”

Nangong Yan nodded and walked over to sit at the couch.

One physician placed his fingers on Nangong Yan’s wrist, his face gradually taking on a look of satisfaction. “Your Majesty’s body is greatly improved. No signs of abnormality.”

As he finished, his brows furrowed slightly. Switching hands, he took the pulse again.

Physician Zhou, noticing his colleague’s sudden seriousness, asked urgently, “Physician Zhu, what is it?”

Physician Zhu stood and motioned to Zhou. “You check as well.”

Zhou stepped forward and took the pulse. At first, his expression was relaxed—but moments later, his face too grew solemn.

Hei Jin frowned as he watched, wanting to ask but not daring to interrupt.

Nangong Yan’s brows also drew together. “Speak plainly if something is wrong. No need for all this hesitation.”