Chapter 4:THE CHILD BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH
The Azure Dragon locked onto the infant with terrifying killing intent and surged forward at full speed, its massive body tearing through the air.
But just as it closed in—
SHUUU!
A sharp arrow streaked across the sky like a falling star.
It struck the dragon's head dead center.
The impact shattered its momentum instantly. The Azure Dragon let out a pained roar, its eyes dimming as consciousness slipped away. Its enormous body twisted mid-air before crashing violently into a distant river, sending a massive wave across the surface as it sank beneath the waters.
Silence returned to the battlefield.
---
A short distance away, two figures stood on elevated ground.
Luo Xin lowered her bow slightly, letting out a small breath.
"Zhao Xue… you really are a dragon slayer."
Zhao Xue's gaze remained cold, fixed on the river below.
"It was just luck."
A brief silence followed between them. The tension eased only slightly.
Then—
A sound broke through the quiet.
A cry.
Not a normal infant's cry, but something broken… ragged… as if the throat itself had been torn open. A sound that did not belong in this world.
Both of them froze instantly.
Zhao Xue's eyes sharpened.
"Be ready."
Without another word, they moved.
Luo Xin leapt forward first, her white robe fluttering as she crossed broken terrain with light, precise steps. She followed the sound toward the riverbank, her expression turning serious.
"Zhao Xue! Where are you?!" Zhao Xue called out.
"I'm here!" Luo Xin's voice came from ahead.
Zhao Xue followed immediately.
And what she saw made her stop.
---
Luo Xin was kneeling at the edge of the river.
In her arms… was something small.
A baby.
Barely alive.
Its body was broken beyond what an infant should have survived—fractured bones, torn skin, and breath so weak it seemed ready to disappear at any moment. Each inhale sounded like it passed through shattered flesh.
Zhao Xue's expression darkened instantly.
"What is that?"
Luo Xin didn't look away.
"I don't know."
Her hands glowed softly as healing energy flowed into the child, stabilizing its fragile life force.
"I found him earlier… he was already like this. I couldn't just ignore him."
Zhao Xue stepped closer, her voice firm.
"Leave it. We need to go."
Luo Xin shook her head without hesitation.
"No. I won't leave until he is stabilized."
Her energy surged again, stronger this time.
"I'm taking him with us."
Zhao Xue frowned deeply.
"Luo Xin… if you bring something like this with you, you'll regret it. There are things in this world you shouldn't interfere with."
For a brief moment, Luo Xin hesitated.
Then she spoke softly.
"If Grandmother were here… she wouldn't turn away."
Silence fell.
Only the river's current and the baby's faint breathing filled the space.
Zhao Xue closed her eyes briefly and exhaled.
"…Fine," she said coldly. "But make it quick. We leave immediately after."
---
Meanwhile, far across space and void, within Planet Xianhe—
Xuan Hui reappeared inside his private chamber.
The room was silent, heavy with lingering intent.
He stood still for a moment… then a cold, twisted smile formed on his face.
In his mind, he muttered:
"Damn child… be grateful."
A low chuckle escaped him.
"I only showed you the beginning… just a warming up of my hatred."
He turned away, as if nothing mattered anymore.
---
Back on Dragon Island, Luo Xin finally exhaled in relief.
"He's stable now," she said softly.
Zhao Xue nodded once.
"Good. Let's leave. Now."
Luo Xin carefully lifted the child.
"Alright, sister."
They moved quickly through the terrain, leaving the battlefield behind.
---
After some time, they reached deep into the far far away from dragon island.
Between the dense trees stood an old wooden house.
yet still standing.
Zhao Xue's gaze softened slightly.
"…Grandmother's house."
Luo Xin looked at it quietly. "We're staying here?"
Zhao Xue nodded.
"It's safer than anywhere else nearby. We rest here for now."
Luo Xin nodded as well. "Mm."
They stepped inside the old house.
Dust filled the air, but the place still carried a faint warmth of past memories.
Luo Xin gently placed the baby on a bed inside.
The room fell into silence.
Zhao Xue stood near the bed, watching carefully.
"How is he?"
"He's sleeping," Luo Xin replied softly. "He looks peaceful… almost like a normal child."
A faint, uncertain calm settled between them.
Zhao Xue stared at the child for a long time.
"…Why was he on Dragon Island?" she murmured. "And alone…"
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"I don't like this feeling."
Luo Xin placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, sister. We'll figure it out. We'll help him find his family… and return him safely."
Zhao Xue didn't respond immediately.
After a long silence, she finally nodded.
"…I hope so."
Then she added quietly:
"…We will go back to the city tomorrow. For now, we rest."
Luo Xin nodded gently.
"Mm."
The two settled inside the old house as night slowly spread through the jungle.
Outside, the wind moved softly through the trees.
For now… there was peace.