Hao Xuan managed to safely return to the mansion without getting seen. On the way over he ran past many thousands of soldiers running towards the outer wall at full speed.
All businesses were closed down and a curfew put in effect for the remainder of the night. All families that were located outside the city wall were ordered to come in.
Hao Xuan sent Kuo a message and told him to take a few dozen soldiers with him to escort the Khan family safely inside himself. They were taken to one of the many smaller mansions owned by Yangdi in the inner district for the night.
When he got the news, Hao Xuan went to check out their situation for himself. Everyone other than Maaz was present and accounted for. Kuo told him that Maaz had been called in by the military since he was on active duty. (Read 4th Auxillary chapt for details on the family)
Hao Xuan was standing on a tree branch a street away and looking in from an open window. The entire family was huddled in front of the fire in the living room, watching the news on the TV.
"Aren't you going to go meet them?" Kuo's voice came from his left.
Even in this heavy rain Hao Xuan was able to hear him coming from a few dozen meters away so he wasn't surprised by his query. He shook his head softly.
"No need. Did you hear anything from First brother or any of the others?"
"No. Nothing at all. As far as I know, no one from the Red Legion was sent out tonight," Kuo spoke in a whisper.
Hao Xuan nodded and turned to meet Kuo's gaze.
"Alright, that will be all. Sorry to call you out for such a small task. We should be getting new orders in a few days so keep the men on standby," he said with a smile and patted Kuo's shoulder.
Kuo shook his head helplessly, "You're our leader. You don't have to apologize for using your authority. You should be more assertive."
"Mhm, I'll do that," Hao Xuan nodded earnestly.
Kuo was one of the few people that Hao Xuan could always count on. Whether he knew it or not, but Hao Xuan always listened to Kuo's advice, whatever it may be.
Kuo didn't comment on Hao Xuan's change in appearance nor did he bring up his elevation to the Spirit realm. Unless Hao Xuan mentioned something himself, Kuo usually would never pry into his affairs.
He turned around and quickly disappeared into one of the 3 streets around the corner, leaving Hao Xuan standing there all alone.
Hao Xuan stood there for a few more minutes before turning around to leave when…
*Cough*Cough*
The skin around his neck flushed red as he keeled over and threw up several mouthfuls of crimson blood. The fight with Gertrude and Rhea was not an easy one.
He took a direct hit from Gertrude's greatsword while fending off Rhea and some of the attack's Qi was still rampaging inside his body.
Although the external wounds closed up rather quickly, the actual damage was on the inside.
He lost his balance and fell down from the tree, landing head first on the ground. Thankfully, his physique had reached such a level that instead of taking damage he left a 3-inch deep imprint in the muddy ground.
Still, his appearance was quite messy and with the bloodstains on his robe and the mud on his face, it looked he was beaten up badly.
He fumbled about in the dark and finally reached back home where Xu Qing was waiting for him with an umbrella. She quickly ran over and grabbed his arm, supporting him up.
Hao Xuan had called all his summons out of the mind palace. All of them were staying in the mansion so he couldn't summon them to help him out.
Xu Qing looked at him with anxious eyes. She couldn't 'see' what was wrong with him which worried her even more.
"Should I call for a doctor?"
"Haha, no no, its nothing big, don't worry about it," he gave a goofy smile.
Xu Qing's brows furrowed as she gently pinched the side of his chest. Hao Xuan wasn't expecting her to do that and accidentally gasped out a pained moan.
That little pinch was right next to the area where the attack had landed and it felt like someone had just stabbed him with a dozen burning needles.
He slowly turned his head to look at her, the movement much too similar to the rigid motion of a mechanical doll.
Xu Qing was staring right into his eyes with an angry expression, her lips pursed ever so slightly.
"Don't lie to me, ever," she whispered.
"U-Unh. I'm sorry," Hao Xuan bobbed his head up and down without knowing why.
Although he was the one in severe pain, yet he felt the need to apologize for some reason.
"Now, do I need to call a healer?" Xu Qing asked again, this time her voice a lot more authoritative.
"N-No, ma'am," Hao Xuan instinctively straightened his back like he was standing in front of a superior.
His unexpected answer startled Xu Qing making her break out giggling.
*Ba-Thump*
One of his hearts actually skipped a beat looking at her girlish demeanor. This was the first time he had seen her laugh like that.
People usually forgot but she was only 21 years old this year, even younger than Hao Xuan by a year. It's just that her mannerisms were always so calm and sensible that she seemed much older than she actually was.
*Cough*
He coughed again, throwing up another mouthful of blood. Xu Qing had to force herself to stop laughing and take Hao Xuan to his room.
There she brought him a change of clothes and some soup before leaving without saying another word.
'Is she mad at me…?' Hao Xuan scratched his head in confusion.
He took a shower and changed into the new clothes.
As he was sitting on his bed going over everything that had happened in the last few hours, the rain outside got heavier, slamming against his window like the banging of drums. He couldn't bring himself to make the call.
If it was up to him he'd rather go out right now and fight those dreaded specters than do this.
Still…
*Beep*
"Ninth brother? What's up? Everything okay?"
Third's usual worried voice came from the other side. In the background, several other shouts and yells could be heard and the atmosphere seemed quite lively.
Third was the big brother of the group. He had to take care of his own 7 siblings growing up so without even trying he became such a figure to others in the Legion.
"Third brother….Fifth sister…she…"
