Chapter 18: General Xing’s Daydream

Doctor He caught a glimpse of Xing Haotian, but it was just a fleeting moment. Since Xing Haotian had changed into ordinary clothes at the fortress and then donned a white coat upon entering the hospital, apart from his distinctive fiery red hair and eyes, no one would immediately recognize him as the youngest general of Huatianguo.

More importantly, Doctor He had no inkling that Wei Zi was harboring such a formidable presence. He merely thought she was an ordinary mystic, and even an ordinary mystic was enough to handle the factions among common people.

Hearing Doctor He’s words, He Xiaohe instantly grasped the gravity of the situation. Her expression grew serious as she said in a low voice, “If Wei Zi really recovers, she will become a mystic. Then it won’t be easy to move against her. All the efforts you and my brother-in-law have made over the years will be for nothing!”

He Xiaohe’s heart hardened as she declared, “Unless she can’t be saved!”

“Perhaps it’s up to fate,” Doctor He replied.

He Xiaohe sneered coldly. “Fate? I never rely on fate. Otherwise, how would I have climbed to where I am today? He Xu, don’t forget, you got into the best hospital in the capital and became a doctor thanks to the favors I pulled for you—cost me at least several million. Now, your sister needs you!”

He Xu felt a chill run through him, his heart turning weak. He dared not meet the fierce killing intent radiating from He Xiaohe and stammered, “Sis, what do you mean?”

“You’re a doctor; it should be easy for you to get close to Wei Zi and concoct an accident that looks like a coincidence, so that this little bitch disappears forever. That should be a breeze, right?” He Xiaohe said.

“Sis, you want me to kill someone!” He Xu’s eyes widened.

“Don’t put it that way. It’s just an accident,” He Xiaohe said decisively. Then, leaning forward slightly, she narrowed her eyes at He Xiaosheng and said, “If you pull this off, I’ll give you five million.”

Compared to the company owned by Wei Zi’s grandfather, five million was a mere trifle. As long as they secured the company’s actual shares, this money was nothing.

Though He Xu was He Xiaohe’s cousin, they had been close since childhood. He Xu had been fostered in her home, and she arranged both his university and job after graduation. Having endured hardship early on, He Xu envied the lavish lifestyle in the capital, though he kept it hidden. Five million was more than enough to open his own clinic or buy a luxurious property in the capital.

Moreover, the five million was just the starting sum. If he succeeded in helping He Xiaohe, there would be many more benefits to come. If she treated him well and protected his secret, he would keep quiet. But if she betrayed him, he wouldn’t hesitate to expose her for hiring a killer.

With such thoughts, the life of an eighteen-year-old girl, unrelated and even hostile to him, meant nothing.

“I’ll handle it, sis. Once it’s done, don’t forget your promise!” He Xu gritted his teeth.

“Little brother, I’m counting on you! The sooner it’s done, the better your rewards will be!” He Xiaohe said joyfully.

“Got it, sis!” He Xu ended the call, saved the conversation, created a backup, and sent it to his email.

He lingered for five minutes. As a doctor, he could also be an assassin, using many subtle, bloodless methods. Soon, he devised several ways to kill Wei Zi and awaited the opportunity.

Meanwhile, in the single ward, experts gathered for a consultation with General Xing Haotian.

“General Xing, this is the situation. Basic treatment devices have been used. The Ice Muscle Fruit is relatively gentle among mystical fruits, but large doses have side effects. If we administer some ice-melting agents, it can dilute the fruit’s effect, stabilizing her bodily functions and vital signs, but it may damage cells, causing her to lose the ability to absorb ice energy in the future. This aversion to ice energy could hinder her path,” one expert explained.

Xing Haotian naturally opposed this. He knew well that without his fiery poison invasion, she wouldn’t have consumed four Ice Muscle Fruits at once—these are meant to be absorbed slowly.

“Are there any physical methods that don’t involve drugs?” Xing Haotian asked.

The expert glanced at Xing Haotian, thought for a moment, then said, “Body heat would help, but her temperature is already very low. An ordinary person couldn’t endure it.”

Xing Haotian’s eyes suddenly blazed with fiery light. “Can I do it?”

The expert smiled, knowing this was meant for Xing Haotian. “That would be ideal. The Ice Muscle Fruit coursing through her body is essentially eroding her flesh—a trial of fate, cleansing and nourishing her muscles and skin. If she survives, she might develop a natural affinity for ice elements. But it will be difficult. With your help, General, it will be much easier. If all goes well, she should regain consciousness by tonight.”

“I understand.”

The experts left, leaving only Xing Haotian and the unconscious Wei Zi in the ward. Xing Haotian took a deep breath, shed his coat, revealing his strong physique, then climbed onto the bed and carefully cradled Wei Zi in his arms.

Her skin was crystal-clear and soft, now icy cold. The instant he held her, Xing Haotian shivered as if an electric current surged where their skin touched.

That chilling sensation seemed to open his pores.

“Wei Zi!” Xing Haotian cupped her exquisite face in his large hands, gazing at her greedily. His mind was a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. To him, Wei Zi seemed a heaven-sent gift that pulled him from the abyss. Yet to her, he was like a demon who destroyed everything.

Who could ever love a man who had violated her?

But perhaps because of all she had endured, Xing Haotian had marked this woman as his own. Even if by force, he could not let her go.

From today onward, she was his woman. He would spoil her beyond measure, granting her every wish.

He would be her shield. He would never let her suffer again.

He would marry her and protect her with a soldier’s honor, making her the happiest woman in the world.

He held Wei Zi tightly, helping her body dissolve the lingering effects of the Ice Muscle Fruit. Suddenly, an inexplicable happiness, unlike anything he had ever felt, washed over him.

Xing Haotian’s mind raced with countless thoughts, and he grew drowsy, eventually falling asleep and dreaming.

It was truly a beautiful dream. He dreamt of dating Wei Zi, watching sunrises and sunsets in the wild, exploring famous mountains and rivers, dining on meals she made at home, and even having a well-behaved, adorable daughter with her.

——————

Thanks to all who generously tipped 300 book coins for various fake injuries.

Thanks to --Hou, Ze for the 588 book coins tip. Much love to the group~