C14 Finally, There Is a Reason to Get Rid of the Burden!

Kuan Feifei produced a seasoning blend that included a variety of spices, some of which were even unrecognizable to Ke Dong. Yet, when sprinkled on the roast, it released an aroma so enticing it surpassed any he had experienced at restaurants before.

As the barbecue neared completion, Ke Dong plucked a piece from the rack and offered it to Kuan Feifei.

"Here, have some."

Kuan Feifei accepted the barbecued meat, noting its surprising heft despite being only palm-sized. The aroma was irresistible, and it overwhelmed her usual poise. Ignoring the heat, she bit eagerly into it, hissing as the warmth hit her.

Ke Dong grabbed another piece, biting into the juicy meat. It was rich and aromatic, yet not overly heavy. As he swallowed, a comforting warmth spread through him, rejuvenating the energy he had expended fighting four wolves earlier.

This wolf meat, rich with life force, was clearly a cut above the usual fare.

Without regard for the heat, he devoured the meat quickly, washing it down with the last of his water. He patted his stomach and lay back, basking in contentment.

Kuan Feifei, though hungry, didn't have Ke Dong's appetite and was full after half. Seeing his state, she offered, "I can't finish this last bit. It's yours."

Ke Dong declined, "Keep it. It's not easy for you to find food, so save it for later. We'll rest a bit more before we set off. We can't linger here indefinitely."

Kuan Feifei nodded, glanced at her clothes, and after a brief pause, tucked the remaining meat into her pocket. The value of her limited edition attire was inconsequential here; in this moment, the clothes couldn't compare to the worth of half a piece of roasted meat.

Minutes later, Ke Dong rose from the ground and declared, "We need to move on. We can't linger here indefinitely."

Kuan Feifei agreed, sliding off the stone table only to stumble on her left leg. Her calf wound hadn't healed, and she nearly fell again, saved only by clutching the table in time.

Ke Dong watched, puzzled. Had the vine leaf failed to work?

Kuan Feifei was equally baffled. Why had Ke Dong recovered so swiftly with the vine leaves when she hadn't?

Was it truly a matter of individual difference?

Reflecting on how he had applied the vine leaf, Ke Dong realized the issue wasn't with the leaf's potency, but with Kuan Feifei's inability to absorb its medicinal properties quickly.

His body contained a strand of spiritual qi, enabling rapid absorption of the healing properties, and his Immortal Body Technique offered additional protection. That's how he had bounced back so quickly. Without these advantages, Kuan Feifei couldn't hope to replicate his recovery.

"Can you walk? If not, I can carry you," he offered.

Kuan Feifei nodded. This was no time for pride, but before Ke Dong hoisted her up, she removed the tiger skin she wore and handed it back to him.

Given its immense value, she saw no reason to keep it.

Ke Dong stowed the tiger skin in his backpack, along with the firewood from beneath the stone table—it might come in handy later.

Once again, he lifted Kuan Feifei onto his back and headed for the door ahead.

Reaching the threshold, Ke Dong inhaled deeply. "Ready?"

"Ready," Kuan Feifei confirmed.

This second time in Ke Dong's arms, her initial discomfort had vanished, replaced by a profound sense of safety.

Despite Ke Dong's stoic, ironclad demeanor.

He pushed the door open to reveal yet another clearing.

The resting area!

At last, they had returned to the resting area.

Ke Dong's heart lightened. Here, they might run into the likes of Chen Qiang, but it was a sanctuary compared to the labyrinth's depths.

Upon glimpsing the open space, a fleeting smile of delight graced Kuan Feifei's face, but it vanished as swiftly as it had appeared, the memory of her promise to Ke Dong weighing on her. Once inside the rest area, she would have to part ways with him.

In that instant, she entertained the thought that without the rest area, she might never have to leave Ke Dong's side. But as the notion took hold, Kuan Feifei grew anxious, questioning herself. Was it possible to truly know someone like Ke Dong after such a brief encounter?

Could his actions be just an act? After all, aren't men skilled in the art of pretense?

No sooner had Ke Dong stepped into the rest area with Kuan Feifei in tow than a burly man and a formidable woman charged toward them. The man, muscles bulging and face set in a scowl, and the woman, with a gaze so intense it seemed she could devour Ke Dong whole, confronted them.

"Who's this poor nobody you've brought here? How dare you lay a hand on our Feifei?! Release her at once!" The woman's voice pierced the air, her finger jabbing toward Ke Dong as if he had committed an unforgivable sin.

The man let out a contemptuous snort, cracking his knuckles before Ke Dong, clearly ready for a confrontation.

Ke Dong was baffled by the sudden hostility. What was this all about?

Before he could voice his confusion, Kuan Feifei's voice, tinged with surprise, filled the air. "Sister Wang, Zhang Quan, what brings you here? You've got it all wrong about Ke Dong. If it weren't for him, I might not have made it out."

Wang Jing huffed in displeasure. "Feifei, what are you saying? You're the youngest Heavenly Queen with a future so bright it's boundless. How could you just throw in your lot with some nobody? As your manager, it's my duty to look out for your career!"

With that, Ke Dong realized the aggressive woman was Kuan Feifei's agent, and Zhang Quan was likely her bodyguard.

"Well, since you've got company, there's no need for you to stick with me any longer," Ke Dong said, setting Kuan Feifei down. Despite his irritation with Wang Jing's dismissive demeanor—he had, after all, been the one to rescue Kuan Feifei, and she hadn't even offered a word of thanks, let alone shown any gratitude—he had to concede that the arrival of Wang Jing and Zhang Quan provided the perfect excuse to shake off the encumbrance that was Kuan Feifei.

So, he didn't waste his energy squabbling with Wang Jing. All that mattered was that they stopped hassling him.

When Kuan Feifei saw Ke Dong preparing to leave, panic set in. She blurted out, "Sister Wang, you've got it all wrong. Ke Dong truly saved my life. Look at this wound on my leg. Without Ke Dong, I wouldn't be here right now. We really owe him our gratitude."

"Thank him?"

Wang Jing lifted the hem of Kuan Feifei's pants for a quick glance and was instantly taken aback by the severity of the wound, her expression turning grim.

"I'm letting him off easy by not hitting him! Feifei, you were with him and he couldn't even keep you safe. That's on him! If Zhang Quan and I had been there, you wouldn't have suffered a scratch!"

"Kid, it's because of you that our Feifei is hurt. Get over here and apologize!"