Chapter 124: The Affections of Zhang Xiaoyan (Part Two)

Dahuang stared at Zhang Xiaoyan with a skeptical gaze, as if asking, "What exactly did Xiaoping and Xiaofan tell you? Tell me quickly!"

Seeing the inquisitive look in Dahuang's eyes, Zhang Xiaoyan gently patted its nose bridge and said, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Dahuang thought to itself, "I'm just curious about the stories you're making up!"

Zhang Xiaoyan continued, "Do you know? At that time, Brother Xiaoping and Brother Xiaofan both said to me with surprise, 'We feel the same way about you as you do about us; we just can't remember where we've met!' It was truly strange! Later, when I told my master about it, he also found it odd. He said that perhaps your meeting with Wei Xiaoping and Wei Xiaofan was a fated encounter. Afterward, when my master and I visited Senior Uncle Xuanzhe again, Brother Xiaoping and Brother Xiaofan told me that their master also said that our meeting was likely a destiny long ordained by heaven. Seeing that both our masters said the same thing, we three concluded that our friendship was a divine arrangement. From then on, we treated each other like siblings, caring for and protecting one another. Whatever fun things or delicious food we had, we shared. If one of us faced trouble, the others helped. We were closer than real siblings! In my memory, Brother Xiaoping was the kindest to me and Xiaofan. He would always give us the best food and take the hardest tasks upon himself, leaving the lighter, easier work for us. Sometimes, he was even more attentive to me, perhaps because I was a girl and the youngest of the three. They both treated me like their own little sister."

As she spoke, a sweet, honeyed smile spread across Zhang Xiaoyan's face. After a moment, she turned her gaze toward Xiaoping, who lay on the bed.

After watching him for a while, the sweet smile on her face suddenly turned into one of shock and seriousness. She leaned in until her face was about a foot from his, staring wide-eyed, and whispered urgently, "Dahuang—Dahuang, come look at this!"

Seeing her excitement, Dahuang feared something was wrong and immediately leaned in to observe Xiaoping as well.

On Wei Xiaoping's handsome, calm face, two trails of crystal-clear tears were slowly leaking from the corners of his tightly closed eyes.

"Dahuang, is Brother Xiaoping hearing us? Is he about to wake up?" Zhang Xiaoyan asked, her voice trembling.

Dahuang examined him carefully and noticed that Xiaoping's complexion was much more ruddy than it had been when Master Xuanzhe was present. It opened its mouth and gently took Xiaoping's hand. Closing its eyes, it felt his pulse. It was beating much faster than when they had first returned, so rapid that Dahuang could feel the rhythmic thumping against its own lips.

"Why does this pulse feel so familiar?" Dahuang wondered.

"Dahuang, how is Brother Xiaoping's pulse?" Zhang Xiaoyan asked, seeing the creature holding his hand.

Dahuang placed Xiaoping's hand onto Zhang Xiaoyan's.

Zhang Xiaoyan understood and immediately checked his pulse herself. After a moment, she said, "Dahuang, his pulse is beating so violently. Is he in danger?"

Dahuang immediately took hold of her hand and, lying down, placed it against its own right foreleg. Zhang Xiaoyan grasped the pulse there and realized it was beating in sync with Xiaoping's. Surprised, she asked, "Dahuang, are you saying his pulse rate is the same as yours?"

Dahuang nodded with a low whine.

"You are so massive, and Brother Xiaoping is so much smaller, yet his pulse is as powerful as yours. Can his body handle it? Is he crying because he's in pain?" She looked at Dahuang with a mix of worry and reproach.

Dahuang whined and shook its head.

"Dahuang, you mean to say he will be fine, right?"

Dahuang nodded again.

Seeing Dahuang’s reassurance, Zhang Xiaoyan’s heart calmed, though she remained uneasy. She kept her hand on his pulse, observing his face closely. As she felt the rapid rhythm, she thought, "If this intense pulse isn't a threat, could it actually be helping him? It surely didn't start for no reason."

"Dahuang, if this pulse isn't a threat, does it mean it's helping him recover? It must have a purpose, right?"

Dahuang tilted its head to look at her and gave a slow, uncertain shake of its head.

"What do you mean? Are you not sure?"

Dahuang nodded slowly.

Seeing the uncertainty, Zhang Xiaoyan’s heart sank again. She reasoned that this pulse must be the result of the vital essence (Zhenyuan) channeled into him by the two senior uncles and Dahuang. It was this essence that had allowed his severe wounds to heal so quickly and his strength to return. Vital essence was the source of life; the more one had, the stronger their life force and recovery. Because he had lost so much blood, he had been at death's door. It was the healing and the infusion of energy from the others that saved him.

Now, with his pulse racing like Dahuang's, it was likely that Dahuang's own powerful energy was being transferred to him. Dahuang was, after all, the legendary Qiongqi—one of the four great mythical beasts—known for its immense strength. If this energy transformed into physical power within Xiaoping, it would be a tremendous boon to his recovery. Perhaps, once he recovered, his strength would far exceed theirs!

Thinking of this, Zhang Xiaoyan looked at Xiaoping's face again, a secret joy blossoming in her heart.