Dreams are beautiful, but reality is harsh.
Dr. Redwater wanted nothing more than to leave immediately, but Serena's hands made it impossible for him to run away early.
To restore Serena's injured bones and tendons to their original state, she needed medicinal baths combined with acupuncture—a process that would take at least ten days.
In other words, Dr. Redwater would have to stay in this corpse-infested place for at least ten days.
Dr. Redwater was so miserable he wanted to die. Every time he tried to complain, Ninth Royal Uncle's icy glare would shoot over like flying knives, scaring him into running as far away as possible.
Usually, except when treating Serena, Dr. Redwater didn't dare go near the stone hut where Ninth Royal Uncle and Serena stayed. Even during treatment, he wished he could blindfold himself or kick Ninth Royal Uncle out.
During treatment, Serena had to soak in a medicinal bath while Dr. Redwater performed acupuncture. That meant her hands and back had to be exposed for him to work.
But Ninth Royal Uncle was notoriously possessive. With Dr. Redwater poking and prodding Serena's back every day, the only reason he hadn't chopped off Dr. Redwater's hands was out of sheer restraint.
Eventually, Dr. Redwater couldn't take the pressure anymore. He grabbed his junior brother, Dr. Marcus Guile, and complained, "Marcus, why did I agree to treat Serena's hands? Why did I say I could do it? I regret it so much."
If he could do it over again, he'd never try to show off. Whether Serena could keep being a doctor had nothing to do with him.
If she couldn't be a doctor, so be it. Their medical academy in Jiangnan was already built; if Serena didn't practice medicine, she could always teach.
"Just hang in there two more days, Senior," Marcus Guile squeezed in some quick comfort between his busy tasks. Before Dr. Redwater could respond, Marcus was already gone.
This place was a nightmare for Dr. Redwater, but for Marcus Guile, it was paradise.
So many, so many ingredients for poison! Those Corpse Worms were real treasures. Marcus had been collecting all kinds of Corpse Worms lately, planning to use them in medicine.
If a person's body had diseased or damaged parts, and you could control these Corpse Worms to make them eat away the bad tissue—how wonderful would that be?
That would be even better than Serena's scalpel.
Of course, it was just an idea for now. Marcus and the Master of Mystic Healer Valley were working hard to test it, hoping for a breakthrough one day.
Busy collaborating with the Valley Master on Corpse Worm research, Marcus honestly had no time to comfort his bored, miserable senior. With only two days left here, he had to collect as many worms as possible before running out.
Time was short, the task was urgent—Marcus truly had no patience for Dr. Redwater's endless whining.
"Oh God, two whole days! How am I supposed to survive? This hellhole isn't fit for humans!" Dr. Redwater pounded the wall in agony, almost bursting into tears.
No way he'd ever come to this hellhole a second time—even if you killed him.
Meanwhile, at the very bottom of the Holy Land, Rowan Bloom was plotting with the Demon Sect remnants about how to take down Ninth Royal Uncle's group.
"Are you sure Ninth Royal Uncle plans to leave in two days?" Rowan Bloom lounged sideways on a black stone chair, his crimson cloak making his face look even more corpse-like.
"Yes, Sect Master. I've asked around—Dr. Redwater has said several times that they'll be leaving in two days." The disciple didn't dare repeat Dr. Redwater's actual words.
Dr. Redwater didn't want to stay in the Holy Land for even a second longer than necessary.
"Good. Spread the word—we move in two days." Rowan Bloom's eyes gleamed as he licked his pale lips.
He'd been waiting for this day for a long, long time.
The Corpse Worms in the quilts had vanished, which meant they'd all burrowed into Ninth Royal Uncle and his companions.
Originally, he'd only planned to capture Serena, but someone in the sect came up with a better idea.
No matter how much Ninth Royal Uncle loved his woman, he valued his own life far more. Only when his own life was at risk would he do whatever the Holy Sect wanted—and...
With the Corpse Worms controlling Ninth Royal Uncle, Rowan Bloom no longer had to worry about betrayal—he could trample Nolan underfoot as much as he pleased.
It was all so perfect!
"Father." Just as Rowan Bloom was dreaming of the future, a clear child's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Zed, come here." Rowan Bloom's love for his son was obvious—otherwise, Zed wouldn't be so spoiled.
Zed approached, but instead of throwing himself into his father's arms as usual, he stopped three steps away and respectfully said, "Father, did you need something from me?"
Rowan Bloom felt both disappointed and proud. His son, Zed Bloom—the Young Lord of the Demon Sect—was growing up.
"Zed, in two days Ninth Royal Uncle and his people will leave. Is there anything you want to say to them?" In two days, Eastlyn's Ninth Royal Uncle would become the Holy Sect's servant.
Just thinking about it made Rowan Bloom's blood race with excitement.
Ninth Royal Uncle had only himself to blame—he was the one who walked into this mess.
Zed lowered his head, hiding his emotions, and replied stiffly, "No. We owe each other nothing."
"What do you mean, 'owe each other nothing'? If they dare hurt you, they'll pay for it. Don't be afraid, Zed. In two days, I'll make sure you get justice." A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Rowan Bloom's eyes. Zed just lowered his head and stayed silent.
Everything he'd been through lately had taught Zed that he was nothing. Whether facing Ninth Royal Uncle or his own father, he had no right to say no.
Zed's obedience pleased Rowan Bloom. He scooped Zed into his arms. "Don't be afraid, Zed. With me here, there's nothing you can't do. If you want to kill a few people—or even wipe out the whole world—I'll help you."
After saying this, Rowan Bloom continued feeding Zed murderous ideas: "Zed, everyone in the Nine Provinces Realm deserves to die. If we don't kill them, they'll slaughter our Holy Sect. They've seized the richest lands and forced us into this corner. If we don't kill them all, our Demon Sect won't survive."
"Zed, remember—you're the Young Lord of the Holy Sect, the future Sect Master. Your mission is to lead our people and kill everyone in the Nine Provinces Realm, so our Holy Sect becomes the sole ruler."
"Zed, never go out without protection. Everyone out there wants to kill you. The people of the Nine Provinces Realm call us monsters and slaughter our sect without mercy..."
Before, hearing words like these would fill Zed with rage and a desire to kill. But now...
He felt numb. Nothing Rowan Bloom said could stir up any urge to kill.
Even if they wiped out everyone in the Nine Provinces Realm, what would it matter? The Holy Sect only had a few thousand people—what use was all that land?
If the Holy Sect didn't provoke the Nine Provinces Realm, the Realm wouldn't bother them—just like the people and things Zed had encountered lately.
He'd escaped alone, and hadn't met anyone who wanted to kill him—except for those kidnappers. He'd even met plenty of people who helped him, who gave him food.
The people of the Nine Provinces Realm weren't as bad as his father claimed. He wanted to coexist with them!
Zed said this silently in his heart.