Chapter Seventy-Two: Kuang Shaozhen Was Truly Struck Dumb

Zhan Yu noticed that Wan Qi Lianhao had completely forgotten about Kuang Shao, who was still lying on the ground. Pointing toward Kuang Shao, he asked, “Third Young Master, how do you intend to settle Kuang Shao?”

Only then did Wan Qi Lianhao remember Kuang Shao—a man who had suffered this calamity because of his own daughter. He owed him a debt of gratitude for stalling time until their arrival. Holding Xuan Xuan in his arms and unable to free his hands, he beckoned to Yi Qiong, who had just finished her tasks, to come over and help Kuang Shao up. “Quickly call someone to give Kuang Shao a thorough examination, then notify the Kuang family. Be polite—express both our thanks and apologies.”

Nestled in her father’s arms, Xuan Xuan cast a disdainful glance at Kuang Shao. It was only a minor poisoning, and the antidote had already been administered. Aside from some depletion of spiritual and physical strength, he had yet to regain consciousness. With a casual gesture, she tossed him a “Mental Awakening.”

Yi Qiong had already arranged for someone, and was about to help Kuang Shao to the living room when he stirred, still dazed. Having believed he was doomed, Kuang Shao blinked in confusion at the people before him.

“I’m not dead?” he asked groggily.

Zhan Yu threw him a look of disdain, turned his face away, and pretended not to hear. To say such nonsense—how embarrassing, especially in the Wan Qi household.

Wan Qi Lianhao, however, responded with heartfelt gratitude. “Today’s events have troubled you, Young Master Kuang. I truly appreciate the care you showed my daughter.”

In Wan Qi Lianhao’s arms, Xuan Xuan rolled her eyes ungracefully. Wasn’t it she who had taken care of him? Without her intervention, even if he hadn’t been hit by that energy blast, the poison alone would have finished him.

Seeing Kuang Shao still somewhat disoriented, Wan Qi Lianhao asked, “Aside from your forehead, are there any other discomforts? The doctor will be here soon.”

“My forehead?” Kuang Shao frowned, which sent a stab of pain through his brow. He reached up to touch it and sucked in a sharp breath. How had he managed to injure his forehead inside the mech? Hastily, he produced a mirror. Zhan Yu’s lips twitched at this; only a narcissist like Kuang Shao would carry a mirror everywhere.

Staring into the mirror, Kuang Shao nearly screamed, but managed only a miserable expression. “I’m disfigured.”

Wan Qi Lianhao hadn’t expected this reaction. To spare Kuang Shao further embarrassment, he suppressed his smile and shot a warning glance at those around him, including Xuan Xuan, before saying, “After treatment, there won’t be any scars.”

Thinking it over, Kuang Shao relaxed and put away the mirror, only to remember suddenly, “Wait, wasn’t I poisoned?”

Zhan Yu scrutinized him in detail, then silently stepped back. He was beginning to think Kuang Shao might have hit his head too hard today—each of his actions more humiliating than the last. He almost wanted to pretend he didn’t know him.

Wan Qi Lianhao looked Kuang Shao up and down but saw no signs of poisoning. “May I ask what kind of toxin you were exposed to?”

“The poison on the hidden arrow,” Kuang Shao replied, raising his hands. He distinctly remembered that, before passing out, even his hands had gone numb, and the blackness of the toxin had crept to his face. Yet now there wasn’t a trace left.

“Yi Qiong, go check whether the hidden arrow was poisoned.”

Obeying, Yi Qiong brought out the arrow that had just been retrieved and scanned it. Her expression changed. “Master, there is poison—it's a new variety, no less lethal than ‘Blood Seal.’ In fact, it appears to transmit through the skin. But Young Master Kuang shows no symptoms. If he’d truly been poisoned, even with his abilities, his chances would have been slim.”

She glanced at Kuang Shao. “We should check the other arrows for toxins as well.”

Though Kuang Shao didn’t seem poisoned, for safety’s sake, Wan Qi Lianhao sent Yi Qiong to fetch the doctor as soon as possible.

Kuang Shao himself didn’t feel poisoned anymore. In fact, he noticed an odd taste in his mouth, reminiscent of the antidote a girl from StarNet had once given him. He eyed Zhan Yu—could it be that he’d secretly met up with that girl in real life, keeping it from him?

He was sure he’d been poisoned. Was it not Zhan Yu who’d cured him? That seemed unlikely; Zhan Yu was always busy, squeezing in time for StarNet at night. During the day, he barely had time for anything else. Besides, they’d both been in the imperial capital, and Zhan Yu hadn’t behaved unusually.

Was it all a hallucination? Had he really never been poisoned?

He examined his jade-like hands—no sign of poisoning. Glancing at Xuan Xuan, he noticed she had turned her face away, clearly exasperated by his naivety.

Wan Qi Lianhao intended to have Kuang Shao moved to a guest room for a thorough check-up, but Kuang Shao waved it off. He knew his own body; without poisoning, he was fine, aside from the conspicuous wound on his forehead. So he took his leave. “Today is your esteemed father's birthday, but in my current state, it’s best I not stay any longer.”

“We are deeply indebted to you, Young Master Kuang. Words cannot express our gratitude. After my father’s celebration, I will call on your family personally to thank you.”

Kuang Shao nodded, feeling much improved. He brushed off Yi Qiong, who was supporting him, and smiled. “No need for such formality, Third Young Master. Xuan Xuan is so adorable—looking after her is only right.”

Wan Qi Lianhao gave Xuan Xuan’s nose a playful tweak and smiled. “She’s just a bit too mischievous.”

Xuan Xuan snorted and turned her head away.

Kuang Shao would never dare speak ill of their precious daughter. He only smiled, but as he looked back, he caught sight of his beloved “Xuan Yang” lying on the ground, battered and riddled with holes.

The long-suppressed scream finally burst from his lips. “Ah, my darling!”

Zhan Yu shook his head and stepped back twice. Kuang Shao really had been knocked senseless.

Xuan Xuan’s eyes widened—Kuang Shao’s scream was so shrill it could have come from a woman, and he hadn’t even used any Disguise Grass. She scratched her ear in disbelief.

Wan Qi Lianhao looked on awkwardly as Kuang Shao wailed over his damaged mech, knowing it had been ruined while rescuing Xuan Xuan.

But Kuang Shao did more than wail. His own father would probably kill him for this. The old man treasured the mech more than he did his own son. Kuang Shao almost wished he’d died of poisoning instead—at least then the mech would have been spared. Now he was unharmed, but the mech was in ruins.

It wasn’t just his treasure—it was his father’s as well. As he gazed at the mech, riddled with holes, he could only imagine his father repairing him in kind.