Zed has woken up, Red Blood Hall has been destroyed, and they've escaped from Southlyn Prince Damien's territory—yet no one is happy at all.
Ninth Royal Uncle returned and, hearing that Serena Feng had injured both her hands saving Zed, would have split Zed in two on the spot if Serena hadn’t stopped him.
Dorian Owen looked baffled, and even Dorian’s Master didn’t understand—Serena’s hands were only broken, and once they were set, she’d be as good as anyone else. She didn’t need to do heavy labor, so what did it matter? Was it really worth killing Zed over such a small thing? After all, a life is a life.
But when the Master of Mystic Healer Valley explained how Serena could heal, how many lives she’d saved with her own hands, how she’d opened Victor Yun’s skull and repaired the Eastlyn Crown Prince’s heart, both Dorian and his Master grew agitated and furious.
“That bastard Zed—he’s ruined a sacred pair of hands!” Dorian stomped his feet in anger.
Waaah... He still hadn’t seen a craniotomy, hadn’t watched a skull stitched up, hadn’t witnessed someone’s heart opened. If Serena’s hands couldn’t be restored, he’d never get the chance.
Ahhh... Poor him.
Dorian looked so miserable that the Master of Mystic Healer Valley actually felt gratified—this silly bean finally had at least one redeeming quality.
Dorian’s Master was proud at first, then his face fell. He nervously pressed, “Is there really no way? I remember Divine Doctor Redwater’s golden-needle acupuncture was legendary—do you think it could help?”
The Master of Mystic Healer Valley bristled. “Divine doctor? My skills are better than his! If I can’t do it, who else could possibly succeed?”
Dorian Owen was clearly angling for credit, but the Master of Mystic Healer Valley didn’t bother to stop him.
Better him than me, the Valley Master thought. These past two days, he’d been glared at by Ninth Royal Uncle so much he hardly dared speak. Now that Dr. Redwater had arrived, at least someone else could bear the brunt of Nolan’s anger.
Oh yes, yes, this was definitely a good thing.
As for Dorian... he’d just been used a little, but he’d never know.
Just as the Valley Master expected, when Nolan heard Dorian’s words, he immediately ordered Dr. Redwater to be summoned. But the journey from Jiangnan would take time, so in the meantime, the Valley Master would have to keep treating Serena.
Hearing there was hope for her hands, the gloom in Serena’s eyes faded. She even turned around to comfort Nolan, telling him not to worry so much—she’d be fine. Besides...
They shouldn’t delay their journey on her account. They’d already wasted enough time on the road; it was time to move forward. After all, it was her hands that were injured, not her life.
Nolan disagreed. The Nine Provinces Treasure Map might be important, but it was just an object—once they found its location, they could retrieve it anytime. Serena’s hands, though, couldn’t afford another mishap.
If anything else happened, he’d never forgive himself.
So they rested another ten days. Zed’s injuries were almost healed, but because of Serena’s ruined hands—and his own act of faking unconsciousness—Nolan and the others now avoided him. He’d become a complete outsider.
Nolan didn’t even bother to scold Zed—he simply acted as if Zed didn’t exist, erasing him from his attention completely.
A small, lonely figure, shunned by everyone. No matter how early-matured Zed was, it still hurt. But Zed was stubborn to the core; if Dorian, the Valley Master, and the others excluded him, if Nolan ignored him, he’d ignore them right back.
He told himself, sooner or later he’d return to the Demon Sect. When that time came, he’d go his own way—they could all walk their separate paths. He didn’t need their approval.
Zed sniffed, suppressing the longing in his heart. He stood quietly in the corner, watching the Valley Master and Dorian bicker, Nolan and Serena chat, and Dorian’s Master pore over books, searching for treatments for Serena.
He was just like an outsider, standing there, never able to fit in. After a while, finding it all meaningless, Zed turned and went back to his room alone.
Serena watched Zed’s small, lonely back as he left, and sighed softly, saying nothing.
If, after everything, Zed had just come to thank her or show a little concern, the others wouldn’t be treating him so coldly.
It was as if Zed thought she was supposed to save him. But he’d forgotten—Serena wasn’t a servant of the Demon Sect. She had no obligation to risk her life for him.
Five days later, Dr. Elliot Redwater and Dr. Marcus Guile arrived, having raced all the way from Jiangnan. They barely had time to drink water before being dragged in to examine Serena’s injuries.
Dr. Redwater examined Serena’s hands dozens of times, back and forth. Even someone as calm as Serena, and as composed as Nolan, couldn’t help but feel nervous.
Nolan and Serena watched Dr. Redwater with hopeful faces. In that moment, Serena truly understood what it was like for patients and their families to wait anxiously for a doctor’s verdict.
It was really expectant, yet afraid.
Seeing Dr. Redwater’s brows knit, Nolan and Serena exchanged a glance, hesitating whether to ask if her hands could truly be restored to their former perfection.
The Valley Master sat off to the side, pretending to be calm, but kept sneaking glances at Dr. Redwater, trying to read his expression.
He couldn’t restore Serena’s hands to their original state. If Dr. Redwater could, how humiliating would that be?
Still, deep down, the Valley Master truly hoped Serena’s hands could be restored. It would be such a waste if her hands were ruined forever.
Whether on purpose or not, Dr. Redwater took his time examining Serena’s hands, saying nothing. Nolan and Serena were patient too; since he didn’t speak, they didn’t press him, simply waiting quietly for his diagnosis.
After three quarters of an hour, Dr. Redwater finally set Serena’s hands down, cleared his throat, and saw everyone staring at him. He kept a neutral face, but inside, he was quite pleased with himself.
He liked this feeling—having the fate of so many people hanging on his every word.
Finally, Dr. Redwater spoke: “Her hands can be saved. But if you want them restored to their former perfection, it’ll take time, and not just any time—she’ll need to follow my instructions exactly.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Serena’s eyes glistened with tears. Nolan’s tense shoulders finally relaxed.
Dr. Redwater continued, “But don’t be too optimistic. Even if her hands recover, she’ll need to retrain from scratch. She might regain her surgical skill, but ultra-precise procedures will be much more difficult.”
Serena nodded. “I understand. As long as I can perform surgery, that’s enough. I never expected to be perfect.”
Dr. Redwater glanced at her approvingly. “Good. That’s the right attitude. If you want to recover, you’ll need to be patient.”
“I will,” Serena replied seriously.
Dr. Marcus Guile added, “I’ll help too. With both of us, your hands have the best chance.”
Serena smiled gratefully at both doctors.
Nolan said, “Thank you—for everything.”
Dr. Redwater waved a hand. “No need for thanks—just make sure Serena follows my instructions. Otherwise, even the gods can’t help her.”
Serena nodded obediently.