For the next few days, the fleet continued sailing toward its destination while resting and recuperating. Thanks to their help that night, Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing earned the respect of the entire fleet.
Furthermore, Su Miaoqing had grown restless staying in her room and figured Old Daoist Lingxu was already far away. Thus, she occasionally stepped outside to stroll around, giving everyone on board quite a feast for the eyes.
On this day, Zhang Tianzhi sent a maid to invite the two to the main hall, stating that a banquet had been prepared in their honor.
Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing naturally accepted. When they arrived, Zhang Tianzhi, Old Daoist Bichen, and several generals were already seated. Zhang Tianzhi occupied the central head seat, with Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing seated first on his left, and Old Daoist Bichen first on his right.
Shortly after they took their seats, Yuge walked in with graceful, measured steps. The generals all rose to greet her.
She bowed gently to the gathering and said, "Yuge has been unwell and unable to step out to converse these past few days. I hope you will forgive me."
Zhang Tianzhi hurriedly invited her to sit beside him and bade a maid draw a curtain to screen her from view.
"I wonder what illness Princess Yuge suffers from? Even with Daoist Bichen's skills, can it not be cured?" Su Miaoqing asked, unable to contain her curiosity.
"It is a long story," Yuge replied poised and without reservation. "It is a strange ailment I have carried since birth. Though we have sought renowned physicians far and wide, none could root it out. It flares up once every month. When it strikes, I feel icy cold all over, the pain is unbearable, and my body becomes exceedingly weak and fragile."
Xiao Yifeng's expression shifted slightly, as if remembering something.
Noticing his change in expression, Yuge asked with a hint of doubt, "Young Master Xiao, why do you look so startled? Could it be that you have heard of this illness?"
"May I ask Princess Yuge, when your ailment flares up, is it usually..." Xiao Yifeng began, finishing the rest of his sentence via voice transmission.
Upon hearing his words, Yuge's face flushed crimson. Seeing that no one else reacted, she realized he had used a secret transmission art, and she nodded slightly. "Yes, precisely so."
"Young Master Xiao, have you truly heard of this strange ailment? Do you know of a way to treat it?" Seeing that Xiao Yifeng seemed to know the ailment intimately, Zhang Tianzhi was overjoyed and asked in haste.
"I do know a bit about Princess Yuge's condition," Xiao Yifeng said with a bitter smile. "However, this is no ordinary illness, but a rare physical constitution-the Innate Extreme Cold Veins."
"What!" Zhang Tianzhi exclaimed. "Then may I ask, Young Master Xiao, can this constitution be saved?"
"I can only help alleviate her suffering, allowing her to live a few years longer," Xiao Yifeng sighed. "As for a complete cure... please forgive my helplessness." He retrieved a jade slip, etched a few prescription notes and instructions onto it with his Divine Sense, and handed it to a maid.
Zhang Tianzhi accepted it like a priceless treasure, thanking him repeatedly. Yuge also smiled, raising a glass of clear water from behind the curtain to toast Xiao Yifeng.
During the banquet, she played a piece on the zither for him, captivating everyone present. Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing, both accomplished musicians themselves, offered high praise.
Recognizing that the two were also skilled in music, the hosts lowered their guard as the wine flowed freely, insisting that Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing perform a piece as well.
Unable to decline, the two each performed a piece. The atmosphere grew lively, filled with cheerful talk and laughter.
Later, unable to endure the fatigue, Yuge took her leave first. Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing stayed to chat with the rest for a while longer before rising to bid farewell.
Back in their room, Xiao Yifeng felt a tangle of complex emotions. He was indeed deeply familiar with Yuge's constitution-in fact, no one knew it better than he did.
From Yuge's description, her condition was identical to Liu Hanyan's. The method to cure it was quite simple: she only needed to cultivate the Ice Heart Art unique to Liu Hanyan.
However, the Ice Heart Art was an unyielding secret of Feixue Hall, as well as a secret of Xiao Yifeng's own. He could not casually teach it to her, so he could only leave matters as they were for now. Once they returned to the Wentian Sect, he would discuss the matter with Liu Hanyan and see what she thought.
Two or three days later, the fleet finally arrived at Lijing, the capital of the Yuanhai Kingdom.
After passing inspection at a massive watergate, the vessels were granted passage, gliding down the waterway toward Lijing.
Standing on the high deck, Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing bade farewell to Zhang Tianzhi and the others. "If fate wills it, we shall meet again in the future. We two shall take our leave first."
Zhang Tianzhi and his group were all present. Yuge had also broken routine to see them off, her beautiful eyes shimmering with reluctance. She bowed deeply and said, "Young Master Xiao, Immortal Maiden Su, Yuge shall never forget the debt of saving my life and offering medical aid."
Xiao Yifeng hastily helped her up. The moment his hand touched hers, he felt an icy chill-it truly was the exact same constitution as Liu Hanyan's. He drifted off in a momentary daze. Held by his hand, Yuge's fair cheeks flushed crimson.
After a moment, Xiao Yifeng snapped back to reality and withdrew his hand with a slight apologetic gesture. Under the peculiar gazes of the crowd, he clasped his hands in farewell.
"Young Master Xiao, Immortal Maiden Su, take care!" Zhang Tianzhi called out.
"You as well! Take care," Su Miaoqing smiled.
Xiao Yifeng nodded, and together with Su Miaoqing, transformed into two streaks of light, soaring into the sky and vanishing from sight.
Zhang Tianzhi and the others stared blankly at the direction where the two had departed.
"Crown Prince Tianzhi, have you taken a liking to Immortal Maiden Miaoqing?" Old Daoist Bichen teased with a chuckle.
"Haha, and what if I have?" Zhang Tianzhi admitted openly without hesitation. "Regrettably, the stream flows with intent, but the flower drifts away in indifference. A fairy like Immortal Maiden Su could only be matched by a brilliant young hero like Young Master Xiao. How could a mortal like me dare to entertain such foolish thoughts? Besides, with national ruin and family vengeance looming over us, how could I have the mind for such matters?"
He then turned to look at his younger sister, only to find her still staring blankly at the spot where the two had vanished. He let out a gentle sigh and said, "Yuge, the wind out here is chilly. You should head inside."
Yuge nodded, turned, and walked back into the cabin.
High in the clouds, Xiao Yifeng and Su Miaoqing flew through the air.
"Well? Was Princess Yuge's hand particularly soft?" Su Miaoqing teased.
"Senior Sister, what nonsense are you talking about?" Xiao Yifeng did not know whether to laugh or cry.
Seeing Su Miaoqing giggling delightfully to herself, he asked in confusion, "Senior Sister, what are you laughing at?"
"I was just wondering what her parents were thinking when they named her Princess Yuge."
"Yuge sounds quite pleasant, doesn't it? What's wrong with it?"
"Fool, try saying her full name together with her surname!"
"Zhang Yuge... Octopus??"
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