Chapter 50

Stopping in front of a stream, Qin Feng halted and gently placed Min Ruoxi on a rock. He had to stop; the internal energy within him was churning violently, and the breath he exhaled seemed to carry a burnt smell. His exposed skin was as red as a boiled shrimp.

"What's wrong with you? Why is your body so hot?" Seeing Qin Feng's unusual state, Min Ruoxi asked with some concern.

With a plop, Qin Feng jumped into a nearby pool. "There's a problem with the cultivation method I practice," he said simply. "I've been overworking myself these past few days. Damn it, if it wasn't going to happen now, it would have happened later."

"I saw you taking medicine all the way. What is it?"

"Medicine to treat the illness, but it's also a life-threatening one." Qin Feng smiled bitterly as he watched the small pool of water around him start to steam. He said he would burn himself to death, and it seems he wasn't wrong. Min Ruoxi, seeing this, was also shocked, her mouth wide open. "What kind of cultivation method is this, so domineering? Shouldn't it be a balance of yin and yang, water and fire? You, your cultivation method, why does it only focus on yang?"

"I started practicing when I was young and didn't know any better. By the time I realized it was wrong, it was too late to stop." Qin Feng, drenched, climbed out of the pool. Steam rose from his body, enveloping him, giving him a somewhat ethereal appearance. "Look, isn't it convenient, it dries itself."

Hearing Qin Feng's self-deprecating words, Min Ruoxi couldn't help but feel worried. She naturally understood the consequences of such a cultivation method. "You can still laugh about it?"

"Why not laugh? Should I cry instead? If crying could solve my problem, I would have done it long ago. Just live one day at a time." Qin Feng smiled.

Min Ruoxi nodded. "Once we get through this, and return to the capital, I will find a way to help you. In the capital, there are renowned doctors, martial arts masters, and countless rare treasures and medicinal herbs. Together, we should be able to find a solution."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Qin Feng smiled, but he didn't have much hope. If it were a doctor, there might not be many in the world who could match Shu Chang. As for a master? Wasn't General Zuo one? But even he was at a loss.

"Let's go!" He walked to Min Ruoxi, bent down, and lifted her onto his shoulder.

"Can you still manage? I can walk with some effort now," Min Ruoxi said.

"We need to move quickly now. At your current speed, you might as well crawl on the ground." Qin Feng smiled, straightened up, and turned around, but then he froze. Min Ruoxi, on his back, also tensed up.

Not far downstream, a figure appeared, slowly squatting down and scooping up a handful of water, gently rubbing it on his face.

Deng Pu!

Qin Feng had underestimated the capabilities of a ninth-level expert. He didn't make it to nightfall; the other party had already caught up with him.

Deng Pu straightened up and, from a distance of several dozen feet, looked at Qin Feng. After a moment, he extended a thumb and praised, "Impressive."

Seeing Deng Pu's face, even in the current dangerous situation, Min Ruoxi couldn't help but laugh. Deng Pu's face was swollen like a large steamed bun, his eyes reduced to slits, and his entire face covered in large and small red bumps. Even the hands that scooped the water were dotted with small red bumps.

"Thank you for the compliment, but I still couldn't escape," Qin Feng said, putting Min Ruoxi down and gripping the iron saber embedded in the ground.

Deng Pu seemed not to notice Qin Feng's hand on the saber. He squatted down again, scooping up clear water and continuously splashing it on his face, as if the pain from his wounds was unbearable. "I rarely praise people. To escape from me for so long and to put me in such a predicament, there aren't many in this world."

"You are injured, and severely," Qin Feng suddenly said.

Deng Pu laughed heartily. "What? Do you think you have a chance? To be honest, I am indeed injured, and quite badly. I was wounded by the old man Guo Jiuling, and then I encountered General Zuo Lixing's interception, which is the main reason for my severe injuries."

"General Zuo is dead?" Qin Feng was overjoyed.

"Dead, and thoroughly so," Deng Pu said without hesitation.

"You killed General Zuo?" Qin Feng said coldly.

"I can't kill him, but I had help. Originally, after his battle with General Li, one foot was already in the netherworld." Deng Pu said calmly, thinking of Shuhui, a chill ran through his heart. Where is this guy now? Who is he, where does he come from, and what is his purpose? He knew nothing about him. He didn't like this feeling; it made him feel unable to control the situation, always leaving him with a sense of unease.

Qin Feng felt a wave of sorrow. Although he didn't want to believe it, he knew that someone like Deng Pu wouldn't lie. Finally, he had confirmation of General Zuo's fate, but it was bad news.

"Are Guo Jiuling and the others dead too?"

"The guards are all dead, and I don't know if Guo Jiuling is. I didn't have time to kill him. A man who uses such evil techniques probably won't live long either!" Deng Pu snorted. Seeing Qin Feng's rising aura, he shook his head. "Are you still determined to try?"

"I never shed a tear until I see the coffin," Qin Feng said, holding the iron saber in front of his chest. A red light flowed over the saber, gradually turning it red. "How can you know it won't work if you don't try? Besides, you are weaker than ever before. If it were any other time, it wouldn't be necessary, but today, I think it's worth a try."

"Your cultivation method is interesting," Deng Pu glanced at Qin Feng. "But it seems your body is also in serious trouble. Now, you want to fight me? Are you courting death?"

Qin Feng took a deep breath and didn't answer, but his aura continued to rise.

Deng Pu ignored Qin Feng and turned to Min Ruoxi. "Your Highness, can we talk?"

"What is there to talk about!" Min Ruoxi's face showed anger as she looked at Deng Pu. "Tens of thousands of our border troops were killed by you. What is there to talk about?"

"There is, there is!" Deng Pu shook his head. "Princess, the dead are dead, but the living must continue, right? Over the years, the wars between Qin and Chu have claimed many lives, not just yours. Even this Qin Feng here has killed many Qin people. If we were to settle accounts, could we ever finish? The wars between Qin and Chu are about survival space, not a fight to the death. I believe, with Your Highness's wisdom, you understand that there are many common interests between our two countries."

Min Ruoxi sneered. "Common interests? If there are common interests, why do you invade us, invade our Anyang Commandery?"

"Of course, it's to survive. Our Great Qin is suffering from an unprecedented drought, and many people can't survive. We are poor, and you know that. Unable to solve the problem domestically, we can only resort to plunder. We have no intention of occupying Anyang Commandery; it's just like before, a quick raid and then leave." Deng Pu sighed. "If we were rich, who would want to be a bandit?"

"Talk and talk, and it turns out you are right." Min Ruoxi sneered. "If so, why are you still chasing me?"

"We want to capture the princess to prevent the situation from escalating. We need to negotiate and need leverage. The princess is that leverage. With the princess, I believe the peace talks will be easier, and we have other plans." Deng Pu smiled. "The princess is both beautiful and talented, and our Great Qin's crown prince is also in his prime. Taking the princess to Yongdu, if the two of you get along, wouldn't it be a win-win for both countries, strengthening our alliance against Qi's ambitions?"

Hearing Deng Pu's words, Min Ruoxi's face turned red with anger. "Dream on."

Deng Pu smiled. "I don't know if it's a dream, but bringing the princess to Yongdu, the rest is not my concern. Princess, we have no ill intentions. There's no need for a fight to the death. Even this Qin Feng, I admire him greatly. If he is willing to join our Great Qin, I can guarantee him a general's position in the border army. But if we fight, Princess, do you think this Qin Feng can stop me? It will just be a waste of a life."

Min Ruoxi slowly stood up and looked at Qin Feng. "Is what you said true?"

"Of course, it's true." Deng Pu nodded. "Your Highness should have heard of my name. I, Deng Pu, either don't speak or speak with certainty."

"Alright, I'll go with you, but you must let Qin Feng go. Let him leave on his own."

"Absolutely not, he's lying to you." Qin Feng said sternly. "Your Highness, do you remember the trap earlier? Those black-clothed men didn't care if you lived or died. They used crossbows, and if you fell into the pit, you would have died then."

"Black-clothed men?" Deng Pu was startled. "Shuhui?"

"You are indeed a gang!" Qin Feng sneered. "You talked so much here, are you too injured and poisoned to fight, so you want to trick us into going with you?"

Deng Pu swallowed, his thoughts drifting elsewhere. After a moment, he said, "No."