Maybe guilt and heartache always feel sharper than gratitude. For the first time, Xie Shuangxue saw a gentler, more careful side of Ling Xuan, who had usually looked at him with such a critical eye.

“Just hang in there a little longer… it’ll be okay soon,” Ling Xuan murmured, trying to reassure him.

Ling Xuan was clearly flustered, and when he looked down, he saw that Xie Shuangxue’s clothes were soaked with blood. As he held him, he could feel the sticky warmth seeping onto his hands. Xie Shuangxue’s face was ghastly pale in contrast.

He hurriedly carried Xie Shuangxue to his own quarters, a temporary setup built on the ruins of the City Lord’s mansion. It didn’t look like much on the outside, but he’d used the best supplies to furnish it. At first, Ling Xuan was unsure of where to lay Xie Shuangxue down, treating him as if he might shatter, and finally settled him on the softest cushion he could find. Then, he carefully peeled off Xie Shuangxue’s blood-soaked shirt to tend to his wounds.

Most of the lashes were on his back. The fabric was sticky with dried blood, clinging to his skin. As he peeled it away, Xie Shuangxue trembled in his unconscious state, and Ling Xuan’s hands hesitated even more, afraid of hurting him further.

He had no experience caring for others, and his clumsy handling was clearly making things worse for Xie Shuangxue. Thankfully, Chen Xin arrived shortly after and stepped in to apply medicine with a gentler touch. Glancing at Ling Xuan, Chen Xin said quietly, “I thought this seemed fishy from the start. This whole situation is more complicated than it looks. Now that it’s just us here, will you tell me the truth?”

Chen Xin was known for his gentle temperament and had earned the respect of the clan. Every disciple, no matter their rank, addressed him as “Elder Brother” with genuine respect. Ling Xuan had always regarded him as an older brother.

“Don’t ask me, Elder Brother Chen Xin. I can’t tell you anything about this,” Ling Xuan replied, keeping his eyes on Xie Shuangxue, watching his lashes, black as crow feathers, tremble slightly. He felt his own heart tremble alongside them. “But I owe him for this.”

Chen Xin took the hint and didn’t press further.

He knew that the Feather Clan wasn’t as harmonious as his mentor had hoped, and Xie Shuangxue was merely a pawn swept up in its power struggles. It was precisely because of this that Chen Xin felt such pity for him. Penglai’s destruction was tragic enough, and now, only days later, Xie Shuangxue had to endure yet another ordeal. It was hard not to feel concern.

Pausing for a moment, Chen Xin gently reminded Ling Xuan, “It’s not just about this incident. Even last time, you could’ve shown him a little more kindness.”

Ling Xuan knew Chen Xin was referring to the time with the medicine. He was silent for a while, and when he finally spoke, his voice was barely a whisper, as if he were talking to himself: “I know… but why?”

“To avoid causing too much controversy, to not make things difficult for Her Highness, to avoid making enemies… given his situation, he has plenty of reasons for doing these things,” Chen Xin explained. “I’m partly to blame too, for not checking on him more often these past few days, leaving him isolated and vulnerable to trouble.”

Honestly, I didn’t think through all those reasons myself, Xie Shuangxue thought, lying there silently.

The exchange between him and Chen Xin had indeed been a carefully crafted excuse on his part, improvised to play on Chen Xin’s concerns. In the original plot, Xie Shuangxue would never have brought medicine to Ling Xuan. With no interference from Chen Xin, Ling Xuan had really beaten him, leaving him breathless and crumpled against the wall until Chun Yao intervened.

In those circumstances, where would Xie Shuangxue have found the energy to tend to Ling Xuan’s wounds? He wouldn’t have even had the time to learn what kind of person Ling Xuan was.

But Chen Xin’s intervention had guided Ling Xuan and made his status in the Feather Clan clear to Xie Shuangxue, changing the situation entirely. This had shaped Xie Shuangxue’s caution; with no physical altercation between them and no true animosity, Chun Yao’s involvement made it perfectly reasonable for Xie Shuangxue to offer medicine. This smooth shift in the plot was fully in line with his character, and SEA had no reason to flag it.

The medicine Chen Xin applied was effective, and as it took effect, the pain from Xie Shuangxue’s wounds dulled. But as he lay there, he felt not just a single droplet but rather a bundle of warmth radiate into his body.

The warmth spread from the top of his head to his limbs, easing the pain from the lashes.

It wasn’t only Ling Xuan who felt sorry for him.

The players who cared for him had also contributed to this small miracle.

Xie Shuangxue had noticed a familiar streamer in the crowd—the one from yesterday. He’d been watching him closely. The lashes still hurt, of course, but knowing there were so many people who truly cared made it feel a little less painful.

Yesterday, Qiao Zhihui had watched him out of curiosity for the hidden storyline, but today, seeing Xie Shuangxue suffer through those lashes, he felt a different kind of emotion. When he saw Ling Xuan carry Xie Shuangxue away, he quickly followed, using his Assassin’s stealth skill to sneak into Ling Xuan’s quarters. He placed a camera by the window to continue streaming, and seeing Chen Xin and Ling Xuan genuinely caring for Xie Shuangxue gave him a bit of relief, though he still didn’t want to leave.

While Xie Shuangxue had settled into a calm state, someone else felt as if they’d been struck by lightning.

“What’s Ling Xuan doing looking after him?” Elder Ling fumed, rushing to Ling Xuan’s quarters. When he arrived, Ling Xuan was already at the door, seemingly waiting for him.

“You…!”

But before Elder Ling could say more, Ling Xuan cut him off.

“There’s no need to say anything, Master. I’ve thought it all through,” he declared. “This is my responsibility.”

“Responsibility? What do you know about responsibility? You still…”

“The Xie family died protecting the city, protecting the Feather Clan. Xie Shuangxue only kept quiet because he didn’t want to cause you trouble. I knew all this, yet I didn’t speak up. It’s too little, too late, to help him after the punishment.”

Ling Xuan’s voice grew more resolute with each word. “If you want to throw him out, I’ll go with him. And if he’s still not welcome, I’ll confess to Her Highness that I ordered him to act, and I’ll take the fifty lashes myself.”

After saying all this, Ling Xuan felt a strange sense of peace. It was as if this was what he should’ve done all along, rather than just seeing the surface and reacting impulsively.

This was the first time Ling Xuan had defied his master.

His stubbornness frustrated Elder Ling so much that he struck Ling Xuan across the back with his dust-whisk, leaving a bright red mark. But after a few more strikes, he relented, realizing he couldn’t change Ling Xuan’s mind. After a lengthy argument, he stormed off in a huff.

Xie Shuangxue! Elder Ling seethed with fury.

He’d been watching Xie Shuangxue closely these past few days, ready to act if he showed any disloyalty. Who would’ve thought that, on the surface, Xie Shuangxue appeared obedient yet had somehow charmed Ling Xuan without anyone noticing?

He regretted using this pawn more than ever.

Meanwhile, Ling Xuan, feeling unburdened, returned to the room and began fussing over Xie Shuangxue, preparing everything he might need to rest comfortably.

Thankfully, Xie Shuangxue woke up shortly after.

Despite the medicine, his back was still a mess of wounds, and sitting beside him, watching over his injuries, was Chen Xin. Seeing Xie Shuangxue awake, Chen Xin looked visibly relieved but seemed at a loss for words.

“It’s you, Elder Brother Chen Xin,” Xie Shuangxue said first, his voice soft. “I’m sorry for troubling you.”

“No need for apologies right now,” Chen Xin reassured him.

But the next moment, Xie Shuangxue noticed Ling Xuan standing behind Chen Xin.

He’d been waiting nearby, and when Xie Shuangxue opened his eyes, Ling Xuan didn’t know what to say. Seeing those eyes looking at him, he felt strangely nervous. Back when he had disliked Xie Shuangxue, he’d muttered to himself that the guy looked like trouble incarnate. But now, without the negativity, he felt an odd emotion bubbling up from within.

He couldn’t quite understand what it was, but it was definitely different from the resentment he’d felt before.

Ling Xuan wanted Xie Shuangxue to say something to him, like he had to Chen Xin, in that gentle voice of his.

But instead, Xie Shuangxue’s expression shifted, looking anxious and afraid. He struggled to sit up as if trying to leave the bed, and Ling Xuan, worried that his wounds might reopen, almost panicked.

“Stay down! Xie Shuangxue, what are you doing?” he scolded.

“Aren’t I supposed to be reflecting in confinement? Now that I’m awake, I should continue my punishment,” Xie Shuangxue replied weakly. “I’ve already returned that lash to you, Ling Xuan. What more do you want?”

“What’s the point of bringing that up now? Just stay still!” Ling Xuan protested, flustered, and glanced at Chen Xin, hesitant to speak too bluntly. “It wasn’t your fault. I never blamed you—there just wasn’t a chance to tell you before!”

Ling Xuan, caught up in his emotions, rushed forward. His hands hesitated, but he gently pressed Xie Shuangxue back down.

Upon hearing Ling Xuan’s words, Xie Shuangxue stilled, watching him with an almost cautious look. After a long silence, he asked quietly, “Really?”

Seeing Ling Xuan’s earnest nod, he obediently lay back down.

Ling Xuan could only hold one of Xie Shuangxue’s shoulders, where there were no wounds. As Xie Shuangxue lay down, Ling Xuan’s hand found only empty air, and he felt the soft ends of Xie Shuangxue’s hair brush against his palm.

Ling Xuan’s face flushed, and it took him a while to calm down.

“Did Elder Ling punish you?” Xie Shuangxue asked.

“Oh, that’s done with,” Ling Xuan mumbled. “Stay here. The Enforcers won’t disturb you, and Her Highness won’t pursue it. I’ll handle everything else.”

Xie Shuangxue remained silent after that.

Ling Xuan asked if he was still in pain, and Xie Shuangxue shook his head slowly.

Maybe he’s still mad at me, Ling Xuan thought.

Not long after, some news seemed to come from outside, and Chen Xin was called away, leaving just the two of them in the room.

Ling Xuan couldn’t resist moving closer to Xie Shuangxue, watching as he blinked slowly, lost in thought.

From this angle, Xie Shuangxue looked particularly small and well-behaved. He lay on Ling Xuan’s bed, sunlight filtering through the window, casting Ling Xuan’s shadow protectively over him.

A strong urge rose within Ling Xuan—a sense of wanting to shield and protect.

From now on, I’ll protect Xie Shuangxue, he vowed silently.

True to youthful fervor, emotions came on swiftly and passionately, and Xie Shuangxue, seeing Ling Xuan’s expression, could tell exactly what he was thinking. This was just as he’d hoped.

But this matter wasn’t over yet.

Xie Shuangxue was still waiting.

Meanwhile, Chun Yao examined the so-called healing medicines that had traces of demonic energy, hoping to find some proof to indict Elder Ling. He and Luo Yin had already checked each bottle with no luck. But when they came to the last one, Luo Yin noticed something unusual.

“This one… it looks like someone tampered with it,” he said, inspecting the powder closely. “It seems… the medicine was swapped.”