Feng Lihan scoops Lin Yue into his arms as if lifting a princess from a shattered dream. Lin Yue's body is light—far too light—and completely limp, his head resting against Feng Lihan's chest, his breathing shallow and uneven. Without a second thought, Feng Lihan spreads his crimson wings and takes off into the sky, the wind tearing past them as he flies straight toward his cave.
Below them, Mo Shan follows anxiously, running as fast as his legs will carry him. His mind is in chaos. Lin Yue had collapsed without warning, blood staining his lips, his face pale as death. No matter how many times Mo Shan calls his name, Lin Yue does not respond. Fear coils tightly around Mo Shan's heart—fear he has never felt this deeply before.
When Feng Lihan lands inside the cave, he carefully lays Lin Yue on the stone bed, as if afraid even the slightest movement might shatter him. His hands tremble as he brushes Lin Yue's hair away from his forehead.
"Lin Yue… wake up," Feng Lihan whispers hoarsely. "Please."
There is no response.
Mo Shan rushes in behind him, panic written all over his face. "What do we do? He's not waking up. What if—what if—"
Feng Lihan clenches his fists. "Call Seven —no," he corrects himself sharply, forcing clarity into his voice. "Call Seven—the healer. He understands herbs and medicines better than anyone."
Moments later, Seven—the healer—arrives, carrying his worn medical pouch. He is calm on the surface, but the moment his eyes fall on Lin Yue's unconscious form, his expression tightens. He kneels beside the bed and begins examining him carefully—checking his pulse, his breathing, the faint marks left behind by recent battles.
Then, hesitantly, he places a hand lower, near Lin Yue's abdomen.
His fingers freeze.
Seven's eyes widen in disbelief.
He lifts Lin Yue's clothes slightly to examine him more closely—and the shock nearly steals his breath.
This… this is impossible.
Inside his mind, thoughts race wildly. This presence… this pulse… this isn't illness or poison.
Feng Lihan notices his sudden silence. His heart sinks.
"Seven," he demands, stepping closer. "What is it? Why aren't you saying anything?"
Seven swallows hard, his throat dry. He looks at Lin Yue again, then at Feng Lihan—hesitating, conflicted, almost afraid.
"This…" he begins, then stops.
Feng Lihan's voice sharpens with desperation. "Speak. Whatever it is, I need to know."
Seven clenches his fists. How do I tell him? he thinks. How do I explain something that should not exist in this world?
Finally, he exhales slowly and says in a stunned whisper, "This is not a normal condition."
Seven lowers his voice even further, as if the words themselves might break reality.
"Lin Yue… is pregnant."
The cave falls into absolute silence.
Feng Lihan stares at him, unable to comprehend what he has just heard. "What nonsense are you talking about?" he snaps. "Lin Yue is a man. How could he possibly be—"
"I know," Seven interrupts softly. "I know how impossible it sounds. But there is no mistake. His body shows all the signs. This is not an illusion or curse."
Seven looks shaken. "I've studied ancient medical texts—royal bloodline records, forgotten legends. There were once rare cases… men who could bear life under extremely specific conditions."
Feng Lihan's breath becomes unsteady. His gaze drifts back to Lin Yue's pale face, to the gentle rise and fall of his chest.
"A child…" he whispers. "My… our child?"
Fear, shock, and fierce protectiveness crash over him all at once.
Seven nods slowly. "Yes. But his condition is fragile. If we are careless, both Lin Yue and the child could be in danger."
Feng Lihan sits beside Lin Yue, carefully taking his hand. His grip is firm, as if anchoring Lin Yue to this world.
"No matter what it takes," Feng Lihan says, his voice low and resolute, "I will protect him. And our child."
Outside, the wind howls against the cave entrance, as if the world itself senses that a secret powerful enough to change fate has just been revealed.