Flaying's True Form: My Young Aunt

Catching sight of what plummeted from the heavens, Du Chen swiftly manifested a spectral lotus to cushion the woman's fall. A single glance, and his brows furrowed deeply in astonishment! She wasn't just a woman; she was a beauty so transcendent that perhaps only Helen herself could rival her allure! She appeared no older than eighteen or nineteen, with raven hair cascading over her shoulders. Her eyes were tightly shut, her face ghastly pale, and a trickle of blood stained the corner of her lips.

Her attire was strikingly simple, devoid of jewelry or heavy makeup, merely a plain white gown. Yet, it exuded a captivating, soul-stirring beauty!

'Miss!' Du Chen called out a few times, confirming the raven-haired beauty was profoundly unconscious. He then meticulously examined her exposed skin, finding no visible wounds. Yet, a steady seepage of bloody sweat emerged from the nape of her neck, staining the back of her gown crimson. Du Chen dared not undress her for a detailed inspection, so he gently settled the raven-haired beauty upon a Lotus Pedestal, stroking his nose in deep contemplation.

To casually acquire such a stunning beauty just by glancing at the moon—what peculiar turn of events was this? Was he destined to emulate Andy, constantly proclaiming, 'I, Francis, am a favored child of the Moon Goddess'?

Du Chen chuckled self-deprecatingly, a thought forming in his mind: 'This girl's origins are veiled in mystery, and her descent from the heavens undeniably implies an extraordinary background!' She was no commoner; saving her demanded careful consideration of the potential repercussions! To save her meant potentially attracting her formidable enemies; to abandon her meant forfeiting the immense Merit of a benevolent deed. What's more, he couldn't even discern if she was benevolent or malicious!

Du Chen's decision was instantaneous: he would save her, but in calculated stages! Du Chen located a secluded cave nearby, using a spectral lotus to gently carry her inside and settle her on a dry grass mat. The Holy Light of The Sixth manifested, bathing the raven-haired beauty! Yet, just as she softly moaned and showed faint signs of recovery, Du Chen promptly retracted his Arcane Artifacts!

Feeling a subtle tingle on his backside, Du Chen smiled faintly. 'Excellent! The Precious Scroll's prompt at least guarantees this girl isn't malicious; saving her will surely accrue some Merit!'

Xue Ji gradually regained consciousness. Her last conscious thought resurfaced: *...a power even more sacred than Master's Water's Embrace Holy Radiance – alas, such a thing couldn't possibly exist!* A jolt. *Eh? I'm not dead yet!?* Feeling the tangible presence of life, Xue Ji's spirit instantly revived. The sensation of rebirth brought a faint surprise to her heart. Yet, immediately following, her second-to-last thought before 'death' also surfaced, and she indistinctly moaned: 'Sixth Sister... the opponent is too strong... warn...' Xue Ji stammered, her words broken and intermittent.

At this moment, Du Chen's brows furrowed tightly. 'Damn it, what's going on?' He had exerted his full power, yet The Sixth's Holy Light seemed only to have salvaged the girl's life, unable to fully heal her in such a short span! Who exactly injured this girl? The damage inflicted was so bizarre that even his Lotus Sacred Artifacts couldn't fully mend it. This indicated her opponent was incredibly powerful; he should avoid unnecessary trouble. After settling her, he would first investigate her background and origins!

Du Chen put away all his Arcane Artifacts, changed out of his Grand Duke's robe that signified his identity, and finally donned a human-skin mask. He now appeared as an ordinary Battle God in his twenties, with a plain, honest, and guileless visage.

Xue Ji slightly opened her dark eyes, her mind now much clearer. Upon seeing Du Chen, her heart subtly trembled! *Could this be the person who saved me? Does he possess a power even more sacred than my Master's?* Du Chen smiled. 'Miss, you're awake. How do you feel now?' 'Did you save me? Thank you for your life-saving grace!' After her initial surprise, Xue Ji mused internally: *The Three Continents truly conceal hidden dragons and crouching tigers. If someone can defeat me in a single strike, then it's no wonder someone can also save my life.* She smiled thankfully from the grass mat. 'May I ask for your esteemed name, benefactor? Xue Ji will surely repay this kindness in the future!'

'I am but an insignificant nobody, without renown. You may call me Alex!' Du Chen casually uttered, pulling a syllable from his son's name. 'Alex?' Xue Ji's heart felt a bitter pang. *Perhaps this name rings like thunder among the humans of the Three Continents, but alas, I've never left Water's Embrace Lake and only know what my Master has told me of common knowledge. I truly haven't heard this name before.*

Du Chen continued, 'Miss Xue Ji, you fell severely injured into these desolate mountains. My saving you was merely a small effort, hardly a great kindness, so you needn't dwell on it!' He took out some fresh water and light food from his travel bag and placed them by Xue Ji's hand. 'Miss, who injured you? It seems your opponent was not weak!'

Xue Ji gave a bitter smile. 'Benefactor, since you ask, Xue Ji dares not refuse, but I truly do not know who injured me. As for the reason behind my injuries, that is a secret of my sect. Please forgive me, benefactor, Xue Ji cannot speak of it!' 'Heh, this girl is honest indeed! If she won't say, then so be it. I'm busy looking for Eldest Brother and Flaying; I don't have the time to dawdle here with you!' He internally mused, *Anyway, the Merit for saving a life has already been secured! Best to avoid women, especially such captivating ones!* Pondering this, Du Chen said, 'In that case, I won't press you further. This is a cave near Longblade Peak, its entrance quite secluded. You should know your enemies; do you think it's safe enough for us to hide here?' He chuckled lightly. 'If your enemies can find this place and roast us both, along with this cave, that would be quite troublesome, wouldn't it?'

Xue Ji couldn't help but laugh, nodding. 'Benefactor, rest assured, my enemies should believe me dead and won't come looking for me again. Otherwise, given Xue Ji's recent injuries and my enemies' capabilities, I wouldn't have had the chance to be rescued by you.' She shifted her body, her brow furrowing. 'My body is still very weak, and I'm unable to move easily. If it's convenient for you...'

'*Convenient? If I'm 'convenient,' does that mean I'll be stuck with you, this burden?*' Du Chen secretly curled his lips, yet kindly interrupted her. 'Heh heh, it's good that your enemies won't come looking! The situation was urgent just now, and I didn't have time to notify my friends waiting ahead. This cave is very secluded; you rest here for a bit, and I'll go tell my friends. I can also fetch you some medicine on the way, what do you think?' He added mentally, *Girl, I've made it quite clear I have important matters to attend to. If you're sensible...*

Xue Ji nodded understandingly, giving a weak bow from her reclining position. 'Benefactor, Xue Ji will never forget your life-saving grace and dares not disturb your important matters. Xue Ji will stay in this nearby cave to recuperate on her own...'

Du Chen nodded. *This girl is sensible!* To his surprise, Xue Ji immediately added, 'But there is one urgent matter that concerns the survival of my sect. Benefactor, could you perhaps deliver a letter to my sister on your way? My sister's address is easy to find; any post office has a route to her; you only need to drop the letter into a mailbox when you see one!' She glanced at her legs, giving a bitter smile. 'Xue Ji should deliver the letter herself, but I truly cannot walk now, so I can only manage to write a few words.'

Du Chen thought, *Not bad. Helping to deliver a letter could save an entire sect; this good deed is quite simple!* He prepared paper and a brush for Xue Ji, then turned away, pretending honorably not to look at the letter's content. However, he secretly darted a few 'thieving' glances, only to be disappointed: Du Chen didn't recognize the script Xue Ji used at all!

'I've troubled you, benefactor!' Xue Ji handed over the sealed letter. Du Chen took it, intending to be 'honorable' once more and not look at the address on the envelope. However, the recipient's address and name were written in Aethelgard Continent common language—otherwise, the post office employees wouldn't recognize it! Two words in the name field, in particular, leaped into Du Chen's vision!

Sherine! Then he saw the address: Battle God Isle Library!

Du Chen was stunned. *This girl is Aunt Sherine's sister? Then wouldn't she be my... young aunt?* Touching his nose, Du Chen suddenly asked, 'Miss, I'd like to ask your full name. Uh, it's quite rude, but it's important.' Xue Ji replied, 'Benefactor, since you ask, Xue Ji dares not refuse. My full name is... Xue Ji Saint Batuul-Great!' Du Chen's vision went black. *No mistake, the noble lineage 'Saint Batuul-Great' is unique to Aunt Sherine's family and extremely secretive. The only reason I even knew Aunt Sherine's full name was because Porter told me! Then this woman who suddenly appeared in these desolate mountains is, nine times out of ten... my young aunt!* Du Chen covered his awkwardness with a light chuckle. 'Miss Xue Ji, you just said Sherine was your sister. Are you blood sisters?'

Xue Ji shook her head, not lying about anything save for her sect's secrets. 'We were nine sisters in total, but most passed away early. Now, only Sixth Sister Sherine and I remain. Though not blood sisters, we were all orphans, raised by our Master, who was also our foster mother, making us closer than blood siblings. However, Sixth Sister had many disagreements with our foster mother in her early years and now resides on Battle God Isle, while Xue Ji serves by our foster mother's side.' She looked at Du Chen with surprise. 'Benefactor, you've repeatedly asked about Sister Sherine. Could it be that you are old acquaintances with my sister?'

Du Chen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Aunt Sherine had vanished after leaving a letter, yet here a young aunt had suddenly appeared! *Sigh, it's a good thing I saved Xue Ji today. Otherwise, how would I ever face Aunt Sherine in the future!* However, Du Chen had no intention of acknowledging kinship. He ambiguously said, 'Miss Xue Ji, Sherine and I are indeed old acquaintances, both teacher and friend. When I was studying at Battle God Academy, Sherine often looked out for me...' He shook the letter in his hand. 'However, you might be disappointed. Sherine is not currently on Battle God Isle, so no one will receive this letter if you mail it.'

Xue Ji's willow-like brows instantly furrowed.