Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Sleepless Night

Sometimes, just a glance, a single gesture, or a friendship spanning only a few days can mean more than bonds forged over many years. Such is fate, or perhaps destiny.

“I think you’re more important!” As these words reached Xiaoshan’s ears, a gentle warmth bloomed in his heart, Ruoxi’s voice echoing in his mind.

“Thank you!” The words slipped out before he could stop them. He had never felt like this before; his cheeks tingled as he broke into a joyful smile.

Though Xiaoshan could speak now, he still didn't know why his eyes remained closed. His voice was faint and trembling, barely more than a whisper.

Ruoxi saw that Xiaoshan could speak at last, but her expression remained tense. Her right hand gripped the Soul-Quelling Sword tightly.

She sheathed her sword and, with her back to Haotian, bent down to face Xiaoshan, drawing him into her arms.

The first thing Xiaoshan noticed was a delicate fragrance. Then he felt himself being gently lifted by Ruoxi’s soft hands, his chest pressed against hers.

It was a wondrous sensation, and as the corners of Xiaoshan’s lips curled, a smile appeared.

This was Ruoxi. This was her scent.

“Where are we going?” Xiaoshan asked.

“We’re going home,” she replied softly.

“We’ll have Aunt Mei cook for us! You must be hungry,” Ruoxi said tenderly.

“Mm,” he murmured.

As Xiaoshan breathed in her fragrance, his spirit unconsciously relaxed. His head slumped onto Ruoxi’s shoulder, and soon he drifted into a deep sleep.

“Can we go back that way?” Haopo caught up from where he had been standing and asked.

“We can, but it’s a bit troublesome,” Haoyun replied, supporting Haopo.

“What trouble?” At the mention of difficulty, Haotian snapped out of his daze.

“Don’t worry, it’s just a long way,” Haoyun said, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.

“But it’s still dark…” Haotian looked up at the sky and paused, for the eastern horizon was already growing pale.

Unnoticed, they had spent the entire night within that forest.

“After the way she treated you earlier, you still worry about her?” Haoyun said with a gentle smile.

“I’m used to it,” Haotian replied with a sigh, watching the receding figures fade into the distance.

“Haotian! The moment you became a soldier, nothing belonged to you anymore. Dreaming of the future is no longer realistic. The commander is still waiting for us! Don’t do anything foolish!” Haopo’s words thundered through the air.

At the sound of his name, Haotian’s whole body jolted, his mind blanking for an instant. Haopo’s words struck him like a dousing of cold water, clearing away the haze.

In that instant, all thoughts of romance and old grievances vanished from his mind.

“Alright!” Haotian stood tall, drew a deep breath, and answered with a voice that rang out from his throat, hoarse but resolute.

That single word made his unwavering resolve clear.

But as Haopo spoke, his face suddenly turned ashen.

To outsiders, it would have seemed nothing more than a loud reply. But for those with advanced cultivation, it was easy to sense the soul-shaking power in Haopo’s voice. His internal energy carried through the air, entering Haotian’s mind alone, while bystanders felt only a ripple in the air—a rolling wave of sound. Only the intended recipient felt the true impact.

Clearly, this was not just a mental jolt but a technique to calm the heart and focus the mind, dispelling distracting thoughts and pulling one back from restless brooding.

People are ruled by emotions and desires, usually hidden beneath the surface, but when anger or grief confuses the mind, the body falters. At best, it leads to internal chaos, and at worst—serious injury or madness.

Haopo’s actions, pushing his fatigued body to unleash his internal energy, were his way of protecting Haotian.

“How could such a thing happen? I am a soldier, after all!” Haotian shook his head and laughed at himself.