Chapter 575: 576 (Second Update)

It was clear that this was no ordinary injury.

Chu Jin’s pupils contracted slightly—no wonder she smelled a strong scent of blood upon entering the room.

It had to be said that this person’s willpower was truly strong.

Despite such a severe injury, he didn’t make a sound, and just now, he had even stepped in to save her.

But how could an ordinary person sustain such injuries?

Sitting down on a stool, Song Shiqin spoke in a deep voice, "These injuries are beyond the capability of an ordinary military doctor to treat, I’m troubling you." His voice, as usual, was as if the injured person was not him.

Chu Jin got up without asking about the origin of his injuries and went directly behind him to stand. Then, she opened her medical kit, put on rubber gloves, took out the Golden Needle, and sealed his major acupoints, successfully stopping the bleeding.

"It might hurt a bit, bear with it," she said softly.

"Mmm," Song Shiqin let out a syllable from the depths of his throat.

The wound was too large; relying solely on the Golden Needle to stop the bleeding was futile. Chu Jin took out anti-inflammatory medicine from the medical kit and sprinkled it on his wound, and immediately after, she took out a needle and thread and started suturing the cuts.

Every stitch was decisive, without the slightest hesitation, and not even a furrow of her brow.’

Her movements were extremely efficient as well.

Without any anesthetic or use of painkillers, the needle and thread pierced through skin and flesh, yet Song Shiqin did not utter a single sound.

The type of pain that could gnaw at one’s heart caused layers upon layers of cold sweat to form on his forehead.

He was indeed a tough man.

During the stitching, Chu Jin noticed a black Lycoris radiata tattoo on the right scapula of the man.

It seemed to bloom from the other shore of hell.

Imbued with the scent of death.

Mysterious yet dangerous, as if it could devour a person at any moment.

That familiar bizarre sensation intensified, and Chu Jin froze even in the middle of suturing at the sight of the Lycoris radiata.

"Zi," Chu Jin communicated with Zi in the Purple Thunder Dimension through her consciousness.

"Hmm?" Zi snapped back from the tablet computer, "What’s up, Jin Bro?"

Chu Jin frowned slightly and continued, "Can you check if Song Shiqin is still Song Shiqin for me?"

Zi looked confused.

"Jin Bro, what do you mean by that?" After speaking, she added, "If Song Shiqin isn’t Song Shiqin, then who could he be?"

Chu Jin knitted her brows, hiding the emotions in her eyes, "I have a strange feeling that Song Shiqin seems to be different from the Song Shiqin of before."

Seeing her serious expression, Zi tossed the sunflower seeds aside, closed her eyes, "I’ll check it out."

"Good."

Just then, Song Shiqin slightly furrowed his brows and let out a soft hiss, turning his head to look at Chu Jin, "What’s wrong? Is there a problem?"

Chu Jin snapped back to reality, realizing that the needle was still lodged in the flesh, having not moved. She pushed it through without showing any reaction and said quietly, "No problem, I just suddenly thought of a herb that isn’t in this box."

Song Shiqin turned his head, his tone even, "What herb? I’ll have someone bring it over."

"No need," Chu Jin continued with her task, her expression natural, "I have already found a replacement."

Song Shiqin was not suspicious and after a confirmation "Mmm," he didn’t speak further.

At that moment, Zi in the Purple Thunder Dimension slowly opened her eyes.

While continuing with the sutures, Chu Jin asked, "How is it? Did you find anything?"

Zi shook her head, "Jin Bro, you might be overthinking it, Song Shiqin is still the same Song Shiqin as before, I didn’t find anything unusual."

"Are you certain?" Chu Jin raised her eyebrows slightly.

As she did, she inadvertently applied more force to her hand, causing pain that made Song Shiqin slightly furrow his brows but he did not say much else.

"I’m certain," Zi nodded solemnly, "Jin Bro, you’re definitely overthinking it. Think about it, Song Shiqin is the Son of Heaven, protected by the Heavenly Dao. Nobody can deceive the eyes of the Heavenly Dao."

That’s right.

As she spoke, Chu Jin came to an understanding. How could she have forgotten this detail? Song Shiqin was the Son of Heaven; who would have the audacity to impersonate the Son of Heaven?

So, Song Shiqin was still Song Shiqin.

It was just that she had never truly recognized the real Song Shiqin before. Perhaps the current Song Shiqin wasn’t the true Song Shiqin either.

He had always been hiding his true self.

Zi added, "Jin, actually, it wouldn’t be a bad idea for you to interact more with Song Shiqin." Without finding the Soul Resurrection Grass, Zi could only pin all her hopes on Song Shiqin.

She hoped he could bring hope to Chu Jin.

Chu Jin naturally understood what Zi meant.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to approach someone with an ulterior motive. If possible, she didn’t want to get entangled with Song Shiqin more than necessary.

Yet, fate played its tricks.

He had become her military training instructor.

There were some things she couldn’t refuse, nor was she able to refuse.

Seeing that Chu Jin wasn’t talking, Zi also fell silent, cracking melon seeds with a snap and a crunch, holding a tablet computer, and enjoying her carefree days, cherishing every day she had now.

Chu Jin continued suturing the wound, and from beginning to end, Song Shiqin was very cooperative, not moving an inch.

Before long, his back was covered with more than a dozen crisscrossing scars, similar to those of centipedes. Although they had stopped bleeding, they still looked somewhat horrifying, causing a tingling sensation on the scalp.

Chu Jin remained calm, methodically removed the Golden Needles from his body, and then pocketed them.

Finally, she took out a bottle of red medicine from the medical box and applied it to the sutured wounds.

She didn’t know what the medicine was, but Song Shiqin just felt a cooling sensation on his back, refreshing and soothing, the pain receding like the tide, as if the excruciating pain had been an illusion.

After she was done, Chu Jin removed her rubber gloves and casually picked up a shirt from the side, draping it over Song Shiqin’s back.

Then, she walked over to the desk, picked up a fountain pen and a piece of paper, began writing while she spoke, "The wound has been treated. During this period, avoid raw, cold, and spicy foods. Get someone to fetch these herbal prescriptions, simmer them over a low flame, reduce three bowls of water to one, and drink once a day for three days."

With these words, Chu Jin handed the note to Song Shiqin.

Song Shiqin buttoned up his shirt methodically and then reached out to take the piece of paper, a hint of admiration in his eyes, "Okay, thank you."

Still that brisk and vigorous calligraphy, bold as if to pierce the paper.

Such handwriting couldn’t be achieved without decades of practice.

Familiar, yet also foreign.

Chu Jin gave a light, polite smile and continued, "Remember to go to the hospital to remove the stitches in three days."

Song Shiqin put on his coat, "Alright." His movements were crisp, as though he had never been injured.

Chu Jin, looking at Song Shiqin, said in an even tone, "If there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving first."

"Mm," Song Shiqin nodded gently.

Chu Jin turned to leave.

Just as she was about to exit the tent, Song Shiqin called out, "Wait a moment." His voice was normal, revealing no change in emotion.

"Is there something else?" Chu Jin turned back, her eyebrows slightly raised.

Song Shiqin looked down at her, his expression unchanged, and after a moment, he slowly said, "You should leave Mo Zhixuan as soon as possible. If you continue like this, it’s no good for you or for him. You shouldn’t be with him."

He knew he had no place to say this.

But he had to say it.

Not for himself, but purely for her sake.

All he wanted was to watch her be happy from a distance. But with Mo Zhixuan, she would only fall into endless pain or even face death.

Their love wasn’t recognized by the Heavenly Dao.

It was doomed not to blossom, much less bear fruit.

Song Shiqin was serious.

Chu Jin chuckled lightly, her voice clear and melodious, "Then who does Instructor Song think... I should be with?" She slowly lifted her delicate jaw, her eyes shimmering but tinged with an indescribable chill, startling the soul.

Song Shiqin’s expression remained the same, and he spoke with a faint tone, "As long as it’s not Mo Zhixuan." In truth, his heart was already in turmoil.

How should I tell her?

Mo Zhixuan is not her destined partner.

She is also not Mo Zhixuan’s destined partner.

No one can escape the punishment of the Heavenly Dao.

Chu Jin looked at him, the smile at the corner of her mouth unchanged, and said slowly, "But for me... I only want Mo Zhixuan." No one else is Mo Zhixuan.

Song Shiqin smiled too, then asked, "Do you love him?"

"Love," Chu Jin looked at him, her red lips parting slightly as she gently spoke, "and love deeply, until death do us part."

Each word, powerful and resounding.

In that moment, Song Shiqin felt the wound on his back as if it had torn open again, so painful he could hardly breathe.

Although it was the expected answer, even after witnessing their intimate moments countless times, he still found it somewhat unacceptable.

Despite the agony within him reaching its limits, Song Shiqin still maintained an indifferent facade, yet the depths of his eyes were profound.

Some pains should only be tasted once, but the same pain, he had tasted countless times.

In this lifetime, no matter what choices she made.

Down to hell.

Up to the yellow springs.

He would be with her.

Even if it means—

"Scatter Like Ashes."

Unable to reincarnate.

Some things, it’s enough to miss just once.

After saying these words, Chu Jin turned and left; had she looked back, she would have seen that this towering man, who never uttered a sound through whippings and bone-piercing needles, now had tear-reddened eyes.

Grief, beyond expression.

All he could do was to protect—

and to accompany her into the abyss of hell.

After Chu Jin left, Song Shiqin also turned and returned to his tent.

Just then, a formless black shadow appeared in the air, "You know to remind her not to be with Mo Zhixuan. How come you don’t remind yourself to stop getting closer to her!"

The voice was incredibly hoarse, yet also rough with a hint of brutality, very strange.

This black shadow was the same one that had just attacked Chu Jin; it floated mid-air, resembling a wisp of black smoke.

Song Shiqin’s face was grim as he reached out and grabbed the black shadow, his eyes bloodthirsty as he said, "Didn’t I tell you! Do not harm her!" Song Shiqin clenched the black shadow tightly.

His whole body trembled.

He was in a state of utter fury.

The black shadow struggled painfully in Song Shiqin’s grasp, "Let go of me, let go! I’m doing this for your own good. If this continues, she will drain all the fortune from your body, and then, both of you will die! You already know the outcome, why must you defy heaven?"

Song Shiqin’s face was cold as he gradually increased the strength in his hands, radiating a fierce energy, as if he had become a different person.

The black shadow cried out in terror, "Have you gone mad! Let me go now, or I’ll really ’Scatter Like Ashes’! Just let go, and I won’t meddle in your affairs anymore!"

Song Shiqin then slowly eased the force in his hands, lifted the black shadow, and warned deliberately, "If there is a next time, I will make sure you ’Scatter Like Ashes’!"

The black shadow hung its head, its expression terrified, "Okay, I understand..." The feeling of death was terrifying.

"Get out!" Song Shiqin flung it aside.

Having gained its freedom, the black shadow drifted up into the air, its voice hoarse, "I think you’ve really gone mad, mad for so many years and still not enough, still wanting to continue your madness, even willing to strike down your old partner."

Song Shiqin said nothing, leaning back into a nearby chair, he picked up the porcelain-white cup, and gently sipped the tea. Although the tea had gone cold, when it reached his mouth, it was still sweet.

Holding the cup, Song Shiqin delicately traced along the handle, as if what he was holding was a precious treasure.

On the cup, it seemed her warmth still lingered.

"You’re truly at death’s door!" the shadow continued, "Take my advice and stop making these mistakes. Continuing like this, neither of you will have a good ending. Even if you are the Son of Heaven, you can’t withstand such torment. You two are even now, why must you be so fixated?"

"It’s not your place to comment on my affairs," Song Shiqin’s expression was icy.

The shadow spoke with a hint of helplessness, "I’m just showing concern for you."

Song Shiqin ignored it and continued drinking tea.

"Do you know that the purple aura in you has been completely exhausted? If you go on like this, you’ll end up just like her," the shadow said earnestly, "She goes against the world, and you are the Son of Heaven. You two are not from the same world. Why can’t you see the reality?"

Not only does she go against the world, but she also automatically absorbs the purple aura from his body.

Yet, this person keeps sending the purple aura to her, like a fool.

The purple aura represents one’s destiny.

"To her, I am willing," Song Shiqin spoke slowly, his face expressionless, "Enough, you don’t need to say more. My mind is made up."

She is the reason he lives.

If she were not in this world, neither would he be.

"You think I want to keep talking?" the shadow said with some speechlessness, "If it weren’t for our many years of friendship, do you think I’d bother with you?"

Song Shiqin still drank his tea.

The shadow continued, "You’ve done so much for her, does she know? Has she ever shown gratitude? In the end, aren’t you just making a wedding dress for someone else! Let me ask you, when you see her with Mo Zhixuan, doesn’t your heart ache?"

This was indeed a heart-piercing statement.

The most painful thing in the world is to watch the person you deeply love being affectionate with someone else.

Especially when you were the one who caused it.

The shadow had never seen anyone as foolish as Song Shiqin, who would sacrifice his own life for her, only to end up without even a word of thanks.

And she treats him like a stranger.

What was he hoping to achieve?

This is what they call love.

The love of a single person?

An uncelebrated love.

"Enough!" Song Shiqin slammed his teacup onto the table violently, "If you continue spouting nonsense, do you believe I will make you unable to ever speak again!"

The shadow trembled with fright.

It seemed to want to say more, but instead clamped its mouth shut, not daring to utter another word.

Quietness returned to the air.

The clean, army green shirt on Song Shiqin was instantaneously stained red with fresh blood, drop by drop falling to the ground.

The shadow sighed.

Song Shiqin really was mad. For her sake, he would go as far as hurting himself like this! How was this different from self-harm? To be able to turn against oneself so ruthlessly! It was truly too much!

And utterly not worth it!

Does it not hurt?

The pain of heartbreak alone is unbearable, let alone the physical agony he must be enduring.

Diseased to the core, only she can cure him, with no other medicine able to do so.

Chu Jin leisurely walked back, and Qiao Muyan hurried to meet her, speaking with some nervousness, "Chu Jin, why were you gone for so long?"

"Don’t worry," Chu Jin’s lips curled with reluctance, "Nobody is stealing your Instructor Song."

"Then what were you all doing in there?" Qiao Muyan continued to ask.

Considering Song Shiqin’s identity, Chu Jin concealed the fact that he was injured and simply said, "We were just discussing matters related to military training."

"Are you serious?" Qiao Muyan pressed on.

"Seriously," Chu Jin nodded lightly.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read