You Rong and Lin Qinghe, Zhang Yi and Chu Tianhao split into two groups. Zhang Yi escorted them back to the castle, while Chu Tianhao first returned to the Elder Council to search for information, hoping to find the cause of Lin Qinghe losing vital signs.
Inside the castle.
The bedroom where Lin Qinghe and You Rong usually resided.
Seeing You Rong covered in injuries and bloodstains, and still intending to fetch water from the bathroom to clean Lin Qinghe, Zhang Yi couldn't help but speak up, "Young Master, I'll call a female blood race servant to help change the Ancestor's clothes. Why don't you come with me to treat your injuries first?"
You Rong's face was pale, and he shook his head with unusual determination, "No need... I can do it."
Unable to dissuade You Rong, Zhang Yi let him be. He then fetched a few blood race servants and had them wait outside the bedroom, ready to be summoned if You Rong needed them.
You Rong wrung out the towel and sat by the bed. He took Lin Qinghe's hand and meticulously, bit by bit, wiped away all the bloodstains from her hands and body. As he changed Lin Qinghe's clothes, You Rong's breath hitched, and he froze stiffly for a few seconds.
Her fair skin was covered in dense whip marks, injuries inflicted by Mu Shaoqing's whipping. Even though the wounds were no longer bleeding, the gaping flesh was extremely shocking.
You Rong, with trembling hands, brought the ointment he usually used for his own injuries and applied it to Lin Qinghe one by one before dressing her in pajamas.
Pulling the quilt over Lin Qinghe to cover her, You Rong leaned over the bed, held Lin Qinghe's hand, and placed it on his cheek. His eyes reddened as he looked at her motionless form, and he whispered, "Qinghe, please, don't leave me. As long as you wake up, I'll listen to whatever you say from now on. If you tell me to go east, I'll go east; if you tell me to go west, I'll go west. As long as it's your wish, even if you ask me to die, I will. Please wake up soon..."
Lin Qinghe clearly could not hear You Rong's words.
After returning to the castle, You Rong changed out of his blood-stained clothes and then stayed by Lin Qinghe's side, never leaving.
A whole day passed. The sky outside had already darkened. Zhang Yi knocked on the door, but there was no response from the bedroom. He still brought food inside and, as expected, saw You Rong guarding Lin Qinghe with bloodshot eyes.
Zhang Yi's brow furrowed as he walked over and said, "Young Master, you haven't eaten for a full day and night. I asked the servants to make some porridge. It might not taste very good... please eat a little to get by."
Lin Qinghe had once forced them to attend a human cooking class. Although they hadn't learned much, they could at least make a few simple human dishes now.
You Rong shook his head, his voice hoarse, "...No need, I'm not hungry."
Zhang Yi sighed and persuaded, "Young Master, if you starve yourself, the Ancestor will surely be heartbroken and worried when she wakes up. You wouldn't want her to worry about you, would you?"
You Rong's expression shifted slightly, seemingly persuaded by Zhang Yi's words. He looked up and said, "Yes, give me the porridge."
Zhang Yi quickly handed him the porridge, "Young Master, eat quickly. The porridge is at the perfect temperature now, not too hot or too cold."
You Rong nodded, took the bowl and chopsticks, and finished the bowl of porridge in a few gulps. He was simply forcing it down; he had no idea if the porridge tasted good or bad.
You Rong put down the bowl and chopsticks and looked at Lin Qinghe, who seemed to be sleeping without any reaction. He asked softly, "Steward Zhang, how is Patriarch Chu's search for information in the Elder Council going? Have they found the reason why Qinghe has become like this?"
"This..." Zhang Yi's eyes darted away slightly. Seeing You Rong's disappointed expression, he quickly added, "Young Master! Please don't worry too much. The blood race has existed for tens of thousands of years since its emergence, so there must be a lot of related records. It's difficult to review all of them in a short time. Please be patient. I believe Patriarch Chu will definitely find relevant information and discover the reason for the Ancestor's condition!"
You Rong pursed his thin lips, his gaze fixed on Lin Qinghe, and repeated, "Yes, they will find it, they will find it..."
You Rong's repeated words were like self-talk, comforting himself over and over again.
Zhang Yi didn't know how to persuade him further, so he could only sigh and turn to leave.
As the bedroom door closed, You Rong remained by the bed, holding Lin Qinghe's hand against his cheek, staring at her intently as if she would disappear if he blinked.
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Three days passed in a flash. Chu Tianhao had been tirelessly searching through the records of the blood race in the Elder Council. Seeing that he had found nothing after so many days, Zhang Yi couldn't sit still any longer. He instructed the servants in the castle to take good care of You Rong and went to the Elder Council himself to help review the records.
At night.
You Rong's face was as pale as paper. Even though he was a werewolf, his physical fitness was far superior to humans. However, even the best constitution couldn't withstand days and nights without sleep, especially with injuries.
As You Rong stood up, a wave of dizziness washed over him. He staggered back a few steps, almost falling to the ground.
You Rong steadied himself, shook his head, and managed to stay somewhat awake. Even so, he had no intention of resting. You Rong turned and went to the bathroom, intending to splash water on his face to wake himself up before returning to guard Lin Qinghe.
He didn't know when Lin Qinghe would wake up, what would happen to her in the next second, or if she would suddenly disappear, her very body vanishing into thin air.
Therefore, he dared not close his eyes; he had to watch her, always and forever.
As You Rong entered the bathroom and turned on the faucet, he heard the sound of the bedroom door being gently pushed open from outside. He immediately frowned but didn't think much of it, assuming it was a blood race servant who had entered without knocking.
Without a second thought, You Rong came out of the bathroom and was about to scold the blood race servant when he saw a strange face standing by the bed, slightly bent over, staring intently at Lin Qinghe's neck with crimson pupils, about to bite. Soudan Novel Network.
This blood race member intended to devour Lin Qinghe!
Just like Mu Shaoqing wanted to devour Lin Qinghe!
You Rong's pupils contracted, and his heart clenched. Almost instantly, he transformed into his werewolf form, a colossal wolf that lunged forward, bit down on the blood race member's body, and roared as he threw him aside.
Zhang Yi, who had just returned from the Elder Council, happened to be at the doorway. He heard a loud "bang" and saw a strange blood race member being thrown out of the bedroom. His heart tightened, and he hurried over to check.
Inside the bedroom, he saw You Rong in his original form, guarding the bed with his massive body, his eyes fierce, baring his sharp fangs and letting out a low, warning growl.
Zhang Yi was startled and quickly said, "Young Master! It's me! It's Steward Zhang! Don't be impulsive! What's going on? Is the Ancestor alright? Where did that blood race member who was thrown out come from?"