The moon hung faintly over the window, casting its pale glow across the quiet room. Only the rhythmic sound of shallow breathing filled the air. The scent of herbs lingered faintly — a sign of the wounds still healing.
The young man lay still upon the bed, his torso wrapped in layers of clean white bandages. His right hand was being held tightly by a delicate pair of fingers — Qingyao's. Her head rested at the edge of the bed, strands of her dark hair brushing across his arm.
Hours had passed since the chaos.
He blinked slowly, eyes opening to the ceiling, expression blank — as if his soul had just returned from the edge of darkness.
A faint warmth pressed against his palm.
He turned slightly.
Qingyao's eyelashes fluttered as her fingers instinctively tightened around his hand. Her eyes opened — first dazed, then wide with disbelief.
"...You're awake…" she whispered, voice trembling.
He looked at her, faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Seems like it."
Her eyes welled with tears before she even realized. She leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him.
"I was so worried…" she choked between soft sobs. "Even though I believed you'd wake up… still… what if something had happened to you? Look at all these wounds…"
He chuckled faintly. "You talk as if I'm the only one injured."
Her tears stopped for a second — she pulled back and glared at him through reddened eyes. "You still dare to joke?"
"Joking means I'm alive, doesn't it?" he said softly, brushing her hair back.
Before their exchange could continue, the sound of soft movements came from the room.
Xiuying stirred, rubbing her eyes, while Yuhua stretched from her spot near the floor.
"Huh…?" Xiuying mumbled. "Brother's awake?"
The mood shifted instantly. Both girls hurried to his side, smiling through exhaustion. The air that had been heavy moments ago now filled with quiet laughter and warmth.
Amid the noise, a faint groan came from the other side of the bed.
"...Huh?"
Ling Feng's voice was hoarse, almost trembling. Her fingers moved weakly before her eyes fluttered open.
"I… I'm not… dead?" she whispered. Her gaze darted around, confusion giving way to disbelief. "I'm alive… but… how?"
Her breathing hitched as she saw them all standing there — the ones who fought, bled, and nearly died beside her.
"You… you guys…" Her voice cracked. "You saved me…"
Tears fell freely now as she covered her face, shaking. "I thought I would die… I thought I wouldn't be able to see you again…"
She broke down and leaned forward, hugging him tightly — as if afraid he'd vanish if she let go.
He didn't move at first — then his hand gently rose, resting on her back.
"Once I've claimed something," he said quietly, "it's mine."
She froze — her breath catching at his words.
"I'm not what you'd call possessive…" he continued, his tone low yet filled with certainty. "I'm obsessive. You'll know that soon enough."
Ling Feng's tears deepened, but this time they carried something else — relief. She hugged him tighter, feeling the strength beneath the bandages that wrapped his torso.
He tilted his head slightly, voice softening.
"So, Miss Ling Feng… will you give me this chance to free you from the hell you've been living in?"
He met her eyes — clear, unwavering.
"The world outside isn't a fairy tale," he said, "but I'll make sure that from now on… every tear you shed will only be from happiness."
Ling Feng's lips trembled. "Y-Yes… yes… take care of me…" she sobbed.
The two stayed like that for a while — quiet, genuine.
After some time, she wiped her tears and asked, hesitantly,
"Did you… also say things like that to the others?"
He gave a small laugh. "No. With them, it just… happened naturally. Before we realized it, we were married. This is a first for me too."
The other two wives exchanged looks — faint jealousy flickered in their eyes, but their smiles stayed.
Ling Feng chuckled softly. "Then it's good. Though now… they're my sisters, aren't they? Now that I've left my family behind."
Xiuying leaned forward, grinning. "See? I told you there'd be more of us eventually."
Laughter filled the room — soft, genuine, washing away the exhaustion and blood of the previous night. For the first time in days, peace lingered.
But it didn't last long.
After an hour, the young man sat up slowly, his voice calm but firm.
"Alright… now that everything's settled, we need to prepare to leave."
Qingyao frowned slightly. "Because of the Dragon Phoenix Competition, right?"
"That too," he said. "But more than that — all the lingering enemies in this town will come for us soon. We'd better leave before they gather again."
Xiuying nodded immediately. "Brother's right. The Ling Clan might try to return to the capital. This is still their stronghold."
He exhaled, adjusting the bandage on his side. "Then it's decided. We'll leave in a few hours."
His voice turned low.
"Zheng."
A faint ripple of shadow stirred near the wall. A figure emerged silently and knelt.
"Prepare everyone to leave in two hours," the young man ordered. "Tend to the disciples' wounds, have them fed and supplied. Control the news — no information about what happened here should leak for at least a few days."
Zheng bowed. "Understood."
"Also," the young man added, "bring me all the assassination requests we've received while I was unconscious. And report on the Xinhua Merchant Union — how is our plan proceeding?"
Zheng straightened, eyes cold but focused. "The negotiations are underway. Their upper council is divided. Within a few days, we'll have control."
He nodded. "Good. Proceed with that."
Zheng bowed again and vanished into the shadows.
The young man leaned back slightly, closing his eyes.
The night outside deepened, wind brushing against the lanterns.
Preparations had begun — not just for their departure, but for something far greater.
The Dragon Phoenix Competition awaited, and so did the countless eyes watching from the dark.
The storm had only paused — not passed.
Author's note:-
THIS MARKS THE END OF THE " THIRD WIFE ARC"
Next arc :- DRAGON PHOENIX COMPETITION ARC
before starting next arc we'll have a small sidestory of them travelling to the city where dragon phoenix competition arc will take place