Upon hearing this, Pan Shulin's face turned pale, his body stiffened, as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over him from head to toe, freezing him to the bone.
"Brother Bai..." His lips trembled as he spoke. "I did this because I like you, I've liked you for a long time..."
"But I don't like you!" Cheng Bai resolutely interrupted Pan Shulin. "I didn't like you before this matter came to light, and it's even more impossible between us after it did."
Cheng Bai spoke coldly, turning his head to look at Pan Shulin, his eyes filled with indifference. "Listen well, Pan Shulin. My heart has always belonged to the little delicate one, and only to him. In three days, I will duel Yuan Heng for the honor of hunting the Haiqiong for him. Upon my return, I will marry the little delicate one."
Haiqiong! Pan Shulin's heart shook violently. Trembling, he said, "Haiqiong is very dangerous, Brother Bai. Brother Cheng Li won't agree either..."
"That's none of your concern," Cheng Bai interrupted Pan Shulin. Pan Shulin was stunned. He looked at Cheng Bai—the beastman's face was full of determination, as if he would not return until he hunted Haiqiong. But that Haiqiong...
This person was actually willing to take such a risk for Xi Yao...
Pan Shulin felt terribly stifled inside when he heard Cheng Bai say, "You just need to remember, from now on, I have no relationship with you."
The beastman's eagerness to sever ties made Pan Shulin feel like some kind of plague. His heart trembled, as if someone was scraping it harshly, the pain making Pan Shulin's body hunch over.
Am I truly so repulsive to him? And Xi Yao... Xi Yao is already...
He cried out hoarsely, "But Xi Yao has already been intimate with that ancient beastman!"
"..." Cheng Bai's face paled, a flash of pain passing through his eyes, but he quickly concealed it, "How dare you say that? It's because of you! Pan Shulin, it's all because of you!"
Cheng Bai glared at Pan Shulin, the hatred in his eyes stabbing into Pan Shulin's heart like an awl. Cheng Bai knew in his heart that wasn't entirely the case, but his trembling lips couldn't form a complete sentence.
Cheng Bai restrained himself and looked away. "Don't appear in front of me again from now on, otherwise I don't know what I might do."
"..." ...Do what? What else could he possibly intend? Hit me? Or perhaps... end my life?
Watching that unyielding figure walk away, Pan Shulin finally unleashed a guttural roar. Tears streamed uncontrollably down his face as he began violently destroying everything in the room.
Hearing the sound of heavy objects colliding and that person's mournful cries from inside the room, Cheng Bai ultimately did not look back, and walked away alone.
Pan Shulin smashed everything in the room. Finally, exhausted, he collapsed in the center of the room. The hatred in his eyes twisted his face severely, like a vengeful ghost returned from hell. His servant, hiding trembling in a corner, fearfully approached. He called out tremulously, "Young master..."
Pan Shulin didn't respond to him. Instead, with a force that seemed capable of grinding bones and chewing flesh, he said through gritted teeth, "Xi Yao must die."
"... Then..." the servant asked in a low voice, "How should we proceed specifically?"
Pan Shulin lowered his gaze, shadowed with gloom, and said viciously, "In three days, both the ancient beastman and Brother Bai will leave. That will be our chance to strike. We must delay that healer these three days."
"Yes," the servant acknowledged, looking around. "Then... I'll go make the arrangements. Should I have someone clean this up later?"
"..." Pan Shulin glanced around, extended his hand for the servant to help him up, brushed off his clothes, and replied, "Mm."
Wang Jin was unconscious for three days. During these three days, he was only vaguely conscious when eating... The rest of the time, he was in a deep sleep.
Yuan Heng took care of him without leaving his side, while also feeling heartbroken and filled with self-blame. He sought out the healer again and again, but the healer had troubles at home and was rushed each time he came. The medicine had been stopped, as the healer said he needed to readjust the prescription. Yet, due to his personal affairs, he had been continually postponing the delivery of the new prescription, frequently providing only the medicine for applying the wounds.
Yuan Heng considered changing to another healer, but Uncle Shan advised that this was the best healer in the city and had been treating Wang Jin all along. Changing him rashly might lead to unfavorable outcomes.
The healer also solemnly promised Yuan Heng that Wang Jin was truly not in serious danger, so Yuan Heng reluctantly let it be.
Cheng Bai was very busy these past few days, preparing for the duel, but he still came to the pavilion, though he only watched from afar for a few moments before leaving.
Three days later.
Wang Jin had still not woken up, but the day for the duel between Yuan Heng and Cheng Bai had arrived.
Yuan Heng considered postponing, but thinking of Cheng Bai's resolute and determined manner, he suppressed the thought.
"Uncle Shan, I may be gone for fifteen or sixteen days this time. If the ger wakes up, don't tell him that Cheng Bai and I dueled, and don't tell him that I went to hunt Haiqiong. I'm afraid he will worry."
"Young Master Yuan, you..." Uncle Shan asked worriedly, "Are you confident?"
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