“Thank you, Miss Fairy.”
Xiao Jinghe’s voice was soft.
He knew that this mysterious “Miss Fairy” genuinely wanted to help him—and the entire Xiao family.
It’s just…
“If I flee with my family, there’s no guarantee the Emperor won’t take his anger out on my comrades.”
“I only hope Miss Fairy will keep her promise and escort every member of the Xiao family safely to Nanling.”
The dim candlelight flickered inside the prison cell, casting a warm glow across his jade-like features and making them even more captivating.
“When we reach our destination, I’ll give you the payment we agreed on.”
He made the promise quietly.
He couldn’t simply run away and leave his brothers-in-arms to bear the consequences.
When he had returned this time, his original plan had been to send his sisters-in-law, the children, and his mother away first while he stayed behind to face the Emperor’s punishment.
Now that the miraculous Miss Fairy was willing to help, he was even more determined to remain behind, ensuring that his family reached Nanling safe and sound.
“So… you don’t want to run.”
Xin Long spoke with quiet understanding, as though she had expected his decision all along.
“I understand.”
People who were utterly loyal to their ruler and country tended to be stubborn—single-minded to the core.
She reached into her sleeve and took out a crystal core that emitted a faint blue glow, holding it out to him.
The crystal shimmered mysteriously in the darkness like a star in the night sky.
“Eat this.”
Looking at the jewel-like object, Xiao Jinghe’s eyes filled with curiosity.
“What is it?”
He accepted it. It felt cool and smooth in his hand.
“It’s something wonderful for strengthening your body.”
Xin Long blinked mischievously.
“You don’t have anything like this in your world.”
After a brief pause, she added,
“Once you eat it, ordinary cuts and injuries will heal very quickly.”
Xiao Jinghe’s gaze darkened slightly.
He knew the Emperor would never let him off lightly.
What awaited him would be severe punishment.
He hadn’t expected this mysterious “Miss Fairy” to give him something so precious.
A strange feeling welled up inside him as he looked at her.
Gratitude.
Admiration.
And… a trace of curiosity.
“Do you really only want money?”
he asked quietly, testing the waters.
Somehow, he couldn’t believe someone like Miss Fairy cared only about wealth.
“You don’t want anything else?”
In his mind, a spirit like Xin Long must have been inexperienced with the human world to casually hand over such a priceless treasure to a mere human in exchange.
“You’re offering me something else?”
Xin Long raised an eyebrow, confusion showing on her delicate face.
Moonlight filtered through the narrow window high above the prison cell, illuminating her smooth, jade-like skin.
Xiao Jinghe nodded.
“I’ve never been sick since I was a child. My body is exceptionally strong. To spirits like you, it should be… quite nourishing.”
The damp prison smelled of mildew and faint blood, making his earnest words sound particularly bizarre.
Xin Long: “…”
She was momentarily speechless.
Looking at his completely serious expression, she wondered if she’d misheard him.
“I don’t eat human flesh.”
She couldn’t help laughing.
These ancient people really had mistaken her for a demon.
Xiao Jinghe remained perfectly serious.
“I’m asking sincerely. Do you truly only want money? There’s nothing else you desire?”
There was genuine concern in his voice.
“What you’re doing for me… even if I gave you my entire fortune, it would still be deserved. Yet you’re only asking for half.”
He actually seemed to think he wasn’t paying her enough.
Xin Long sighed inwardly.
These ancient people were surprisingly generous.
She had demanded half his fortune, and here he was enthusiastically trying to throw in himself as well.
She waved her hand casually.
“Just eat the crystal core already. I’m leaving.”
After a pause, she added,
“If I ever decide I want something else, I’ll let you know.”
She had no interest in continuing this conversation.
Only then did Xiao Jinghe relax.
Right in front of Xin Long, he swallowed the glowing blue crystal core.
The moment it entered his mouth, it dissolved instantly.
A refreshing coolness spread through his body.
Xin Long stared at him with sparkling eyes, curiosity written all over her face.
“Do you feel anything?”
The prison fell silent, broken only by the soft sound of their breathing.
Xiao Jinghe carefully sensed the changes within himself before slowly nodding.
A faint flush appeared on his handsome face.
“What does it feel like?”
Xin Long asked eagerly.
After another moment of feeling it out, he answered,
“My body’s a little warm. I don’t feel cold anymore.”
The prison was damp and freezing, and his thin prison clothes had offered almost no warmth.
He had been shivering before, but now he felt comfortably warm.
Xin Long looked him over several more times, stroking her chin thoughtfully.
The energy from the blue crystal core hadn’t caused him the slightest discomfort.
Crystal cores were ranked by color—green, blue, orange, red, and beyond.
Whether zombie or human, people normally had to start with green cores and gradually work their way up.
Most people who consumed a blue core too soon couldn’t handle the surge of energy and would come down with a high fever.
Back then, she’d recklessly eaten a blue crystal core herself.
She’d burned with fever for three days and three nights and had nearly been wiped out by a horde of zombies.
Yet Xiao Jinghe felt almost nothing.
His physical constitution was truly extraordinary.
Is this what the body of a military general is like?
Xin Long looked him up and down.
To be honest, he didn’t resemble a battle-hardened general at all.
Instead, he looked like an elegant young nobleman—a refined scholar.
Handsome enough to turn heads, yet possessing such incredible physical strength.
He really was one of a kind.
Worried that something might happen to him, Xin Long stayed a while longer to observe him.
Only after confirming that Xiao Jinghe truly showed no signs of discomfort did she bid him farewell.
“Goodbye, General Xiao.”
Right before his eyes, she vanished into the darkness.