FID – Chapter 696

Chapter 696: Stop, My Dog!

Not long after the first signal flare was fired, another one responded about twenty miles away!

During the day, signal flares weren’t always easy to see against the sky, but the distinct explosion they made was unmistakable to those who recognized the sound. 

As the flare burst in the air and descended with a faint trail of green smoke, it provided a clear marker of its location.

Several groups saw it.

Liu Yusheng saw it too, and joy instantly lit up her eyes.

That was the contact signal used by Feng Qingbai’s shadow guards!

“Heilian, go that way! There are allies there!”

The man silently adjusted their course in response to her excitement.

It took him only moments to cover the remaining miles.

Yet, instead of taking her directly to the designated location, he landed a short distance away from where the signal flare had been fired.

“Heilian?” Liu Yusheng looked at him in confusion once her feet touched the ground.

“It’s only a few hundred steps from here. You’ll be safe.” His gaze lingered on her as he took the basket she had been carrying in her arms. “You can go now.”

“Heilian…”

“Liu Yusheng, I was the one who saved you.”

Liu Yusheng was momentarily stunned before she slowly smiled. “Yes, you saved me.”

She acknowledged it.

Otherwise, he would likely repeat himself just like he did on the first day—like a broken record.

“A person whose meridians have been severed for over ten years… is there really no cure?” he suddenly asked.

Liu Yusheng pressed her lips together. This time, she seriously thought about it before answering, “I am powerless to help.”

“I see.” He lowered his gaze. “Go on, then.”

“Heilian, thank you.” She thanked him once more before turning away. With long strides, she walked toward the direction of the signal flare—then broke into a run.

Feng Qingbai must have seen the signal flare.

Very soon, they would meet again!

Just as this thought crossed her mind, her vision was suddenly filled with the sight of a galloping steed—its rider clad in flowing purple robes.

That face, etched into her memory, remained just as she remembered.

Sharp, striking brows. A high, straight nose. Thin, chiseled lips.

And eyes that, when they looked at her, seemed to envelop her in a sea of endless stars.

“Feng Qingbai.” She stopped in her tracks, gazing at the man galloping toward her at full speed. A sweet smile, one she would never show to others, slowly spread across her face.

The stallion continued its charge, its rider making no move to slow it down. His eyes locked onto hers, bursting with dazzling brilliance.

Just as the horse was about to pass her by, his long arm stretched out. Leaning down, he swept her into his embrace, pressing her tightly against his chest—letting her hear the wild pounding of his heart!

The stallion reared, letting out a sharp neigh.

And she heard his voice call out to her.

“—Shengsheng.”

She looked up, her smile growing even sweeter. “Feng Qingbai, I’m here.”

His gaze bore into her. Even with her safely in his arms, his heartbeat refused to settle, his breath still uneven.

Cupping her small face in both hands, he studied her intently for a brief moment before pulling her tightly into his embrace once more. Only then did he finally close his eyes and let out a sigh of relief.

She was safe.

From the moment he saw the signal flare, his blood had been roaring, surging wildly, while his heart hung in suspense, tightening with each beat.

He was afraid that by the time he arrived, she would be gone.

Afraid that she was hurt. Afraid that she wasn’t well.

Thankfully, thankfully, she was safe.

Nestled in his embrace, breathing in his familiar scent, Liu Yusheng finally relaxed. Her small hands wrapped tightly around his waist, holding him just as firmly.

Whoosh——

A sharp arrow tore through the air.

With a flick of his wrist, Feng Qingbai sent a bead flying, knocking the incoming hidden weapon aside. His eyes snapped open, fierce and icy cold.

Across the distance of several hundred paces, his gaze locked onto the man standing there.

Dressed in black, an unremarkable face—yet in an instant, Feng Qingbai was certain. That was Gong Ling!

Neither of them spoke.

From across the way, the man lifted his hand, curling his fingers in a beckoning gesture.

Let’s fight.

Feng Qingbai let out a cold laugh, his hand tightening around the soft sword at his waist. Just as he was about to charge at Gong Ling, Wei Hong and Wei Zi arrived from behind.

“Watch over Shengsheng,” he ordered, preparing to strike.

But Liu Yusheng suddenly wrapped her arms around his waist. “Feng Qingbai, he saved me!”

Feng Qingbai halted, surprise flashing through his eyes.

On the other side, upon seeing Feng Qingbai pause, the man’s lips curled slightly. He showed no fear despite the approaching royal shadow guards, his figure shooting forward like an arrow.

“Heilian, stop! My dog!”

Wei Hong, Wei Zi, and the merchant group: “……”

The moment Liu Yusheng shouted, the man’s body abruptly stiffened. Landing too suddenly, the momentum nearly made him stumble.

Lifting his gaze, he looked at Liu Yusheng, then down at the dog basket still in his hand. Even with his expression as blank as ever, anyone could sense his sheer despair in that moment.

Closing his eyes for a brief second, he abruptly retreated. “Feng Qingbai, our fight isn’t over yet.”

“I’ll be waiting.”

“Next time, don’t bring her.”

No one noticed, but the corner of Feng Qingbai’s mouth twitched ever so slightly.

The situation just now had been far too bizarre.

Meanwhile, the woman in his arms seemed even more confused than those around them. “Feng Qingbai, do you know Heilian? Why did you two start fighting the moment you saw each other? What’s going on?”

She truly didn’t understand. Heilian had known she was coming to find Feng Qingbai and had personally escorted her back. Yet, not once along the way had he mentioned any grievances between him and Feng Qingbai.

“He is Gong Ling,” Feng Qingbai lowered his head slightly and spoke softly.

“……” Liu Yusheng was momentarily stunned before her expression gradually turned serious.

Heilian was Gong Ling?

The master of Cangying Pavilion?

That meant Cangying Pavilion was connected to Baicao Valley.

“How did you end up with him?” Feng Qingbai asked.

“Feng Qingbai, let’s go back first.” If Heilian was really Gong Ling, then things were going to become very complicated.

After several twists and turns, the different parties finally reunited.

Fortunately, in the end, everyone was safe, with only Wei Hong suffering more serious injuries.

With Liu Yusheng in his arms, Feng Qingbai spurred his horse forward without delay, heading straight for the capital, toward Prince Ting’s Manor.

From the look on the woman’s face, he could tell that the situation was anything but simple—rather, it was incredibly complicated.

They needed to sort things out properly.

As their group swiftly departed, Gong Ling, on the other hand, took his time on his way back. After walking some distance, he lowered his gaze to the dog basket in his hand, which he had yet to discard.

Inside, the tiny puppy stared up at him with wet, fearful eyes, desperately trying to shrink into the corner of the basket. But no matter how much it retreated, the basket was only so big—there was nowhere to escape.

In the end, it buried its head under its chubby little body.

Round as a ball.

Gong Ling lifted the basket into the air and slowly loosened his grip.

Sensing danger, the puppy let out a low whimper, trembling with panic inside the basket.

Just as it was about to hit the ground, his hand caught the basket again.

“She likes you,” he murmured. After that, he said nothing more.

Since she liked it, he would keep it.

At Prince Ting’s residence, as soon as Feng Qingbai dismounted, he carried Liu Yusheng into his arms and strode toward his private chambers.

He ignored the bowing servants, including the delighted prince who had come over to greet him.

Upon reaching his room, he shut the door behind them, pressed her against it, and leaned in—capturing her lips in a deep kiss.

Burning hot, urgent.

His passion had nowhere to go.

“Feng Qingbai, let’s talk first! Let’s—”