Setting Out, When Has Ninth Royal Uncle Ever Taken a Loss

Zed’s injuries were severe. He remained unconscious for a full three days, and when the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley finally gave up, he let Prince Nolan bring Serena in to examine him.

Seeing that Zed’s wounds were all neatly bandaged and no longer looked gruesome, Prince Nolan agreed.

“The patient simply doesn’t want to wake up.” After her diagnosis, Serena came to this conclusion.

“You might as well have said nothing.” The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley had been hoping Serena would come up with something new, but he was left thoroughly disappointed.

“But I’m not wrong. Zed has no internal injuries, and these external wounds aren’t fatal. He doesn’t want to wake up because he’s terrified inside and can’t face reality.” Clearly, what Zed went through before falling unconscious was so horrifying that now he’s too afraid to wake up.

The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley perked up at this: “Tell me, Prince Nolan, what exactly did you do to this little freak to torment him so badly he’s afraid to wake up?”

“Not as ruthless as you are with your medicine puppets.” Prince Nolan shot back.

In an era where lives were as cheap as grass, some people’s lives were worth even less than ants. Serena kept silent and quietly withdrew from the argument between Prince Nolan and the Valley Master.

Prince Nolan was right. No matter how skilled she was, Serena could only save one or two people at a time. If she wanted to save everyone in the world, she’d have to climb to the very top of the pyramid.

Even then, there would still be darkness everywhere. But with greater power, she could do so much more.

Back in her room, Serena pondered how to treat Zed.

In cases like Zed’s, the patient has simply given up on life. What she needed to do now was reignite his will to live.

To restore Zed’s survival instinct, she had to communicate with him. From then on, Serena made time every day to sit and talk with Zed.

With just the two of them in the room, Serena spoke freely. She picked a few interesting stories from her modern life to share with Zed, especially about human rights and how children lived in that world.

While trying to awaken Zed’s will to survive, Serena also hoped he would come to understand some basic truths—what the rules of this world were, what was right and wrong, and what a normal child’s life should look like.

Serena had no idea if Zed was really listening. But in this little courtyard, she had nothing else to do, so she spent an hour or so every day talking to him, just to pass the time.

Five more days passed like this. Under the combined care of the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley and Serena, Zed was no longer in danger, but he still showed no sign of waking. By rights, he should have kept resting in bed, but Prince Nolan didn’t have time to wait around.

They’d already spent nearly half a month in this small town. The war between the Demon Sect and the orthodox sects was raging. Prince Rowan and Prince Damien of Southlyn had both led troops to the miasma forest, preparing to attack Prince Terrence Valen.

“It’s time for us to set out.” The next day, Prince Nolan made the announcement.

The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley was the first to object. “No way. Zed’s wounds aren’t stable enough for travel.” This was the critical stage for regrowing flesh—any mishap now would be a disaster.

“It doesn’t matter if it’s not okay, it has to be. I don’t have time to sit around here waiting.” Prince Nolan’s tone was absolute; this was a direct order.

The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley was furious. He shot Serena a look, hoping she’d help persuade Prince Nolan, but Serena turned away, pretending not to notice.

She was worried about Zed’s condition, but she also knew that everything Prince Nolan did was meticulously planned. If anything went wrong now, it would be too late to fix it afterwards.

Sean Xuan had already led his people to the Demon Sect. If Prince Nolan didn’t get there soon, Sean might destroy the Demon Sect or let them slip away—and all of Nolan’s effort, and the sacrifices made, would be for nothing.

They couldn’t risk losing everything they’d worked for just because of Zed.

Everyone was being impossibly stubborn. The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley lost his temper and pointed at Serena, scolding, “Are you even a doctor? How can you be so cold-blooded, not caring whether your patient lives or dies?”

It was rare for the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley to show such responsibility. Serena didn’t want to contradict him, so she replied politely, “I am a doctor, which is why I know that, given Zed’s current state, he can travel as long as we’re careful. There’s no real danger to his life.”

Honestly, with the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley around, even if Zed refused to wake up, he probably wouldn’t die anytime soon.

“Just be careful? Easy for you to say! Do you have any idea how expensive the medicine I’m using on Zed is? If the carriage jolts and his wounds reopen, I’ll have to apply it all over again. Every time I use it, there’s less left!” In the end, the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley cared more about his medicine than about Zed.

Serena understood. After all, this wasn’t an age of mass-produced medicine. Even if mass production were possible, the cost of high-grade medicine would still be out of reach for most, and those rare ingredients were far from unlimited.

Serena nodded honestly. “I understand, Valley Master. Don’t worry—whatever you spend on Zed’s medicine, you’ll get it back with interest. Don’t forget, our destination is the Demon Sect, Zed’s old home.”

“You mean…” The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley’s eyes lit up.

The Demon Sect—an ancient powerhouse that’s been around for centuries—must have a huge stash of treasures.

Serena nodded with certainty. “Valley Master, you can rest assured. When have you ever seen Prince Nolan lose out? If he’s gone to all this trouble to save Zed, he’ll make sure it pays off.”

Saving Zed and teaching him might have something to do with Serena’s own reasons, but it was mostly because Zed brought enough benefits to make it worth Prince Nolan’s effort.

That’s just how people are—without a shred of self-interest, who would go out of their way for anyone else?

“You’re right. Prince Nolan never misses a trick. If he’s saving Zed, there’s a reason. Let’s go—get Zed onto the carriage. I’ll keep a close eye on him; I won’t let him die on the road.” When it came to profit, the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley was always straightforward. He did what pleased him and never cared how the world saw it.

Serena didn’t say anything more. She immediately had people prepare the carriage, piling it with thick cushions so Zed could lie comfortably.

Once Zed was placed inside, the Master of the Mystic Healer Valley climbed into the carriage without waiting for Prince Nolan’s order. Dorian Owen followed right behind.

Hmph... No way was he riding a horse. He was tired enough as it was.

“Why are you here? Move over! It’s crowded.” The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley glared at Dorian Owen. He preferred clever, well-behaved children—like Simon, or Zed.

Dorian Owen was obviously not that type; he was naïve and a bit silly.

“No way, I’m sitting right here.” Dorian Owen clung to the carriage door with both hands, refusing to get out no matter how much the Valley Master tried to kick him.

Physical force wasn’t working, so the Valley Master tried coaxing him: “Why sit here? It’s way too cramped. Go ride in Prince Nolan’s carriage—it’s much bigger.”

“You think I’m a kid you can fool? I know Prince Nolan hates anyone squeezing between him and Serena. I’m not dumb enough to go looking for trouble.” Dorian Owen looked smug.

The Valley Master was surprised. “Well, look at that—you do have some brains, knowing not to sit in that carriage.”

“Of course! Lord Bean is plenty smart.” Dorian Owen tossed his head proudly, making the Valley Master’s lips twitch.

Serena glanced over and smiled at Prince Nolan. He shot a cold glare at the two of them, scaring them into silence before they got into the carriage.

The Master of the Mystic Healer Valley, Zed, and Dorian Owen—those three together were a real spectacle. This journey was not going to be boring!