Chapter 118: Healing the Bat King

The male bat, upon hearing Zhou Yi mention driving away the flying corpse, rolled his eyes anxiously, unsure whether he was weighing the pros and cons or doubting Zhou Yi’s capability.

Bats are mammals, and no creature drinks water directly from a source. There was no water within this cave, so the Bat King and this male bat had always relied on the Blood Spring for hydration. Ever since the flying corpse arrived and took over the Blood Spring, the Bat King and the male bat naturally lost their water supply.

But Zhou Yi proposed using the male bat as bait. Upon hearing this, the male bat’s suspicion grew. If the two were incompetent, the bait would merely become food for the flying corpse. In that case, regardless of whether they could capture the flying corpse, the lives of both the male bat and the Bat King would be at risk. Concerned for himself and his mate, the male bat had to consider carefully.

“If you agree, nod; if not, shake your head. I won’t force you!” Zhou Yi frowned, displeased by the male bat’s hesitation.

Seeing Zhou Yi’s frown, a resolute gleam flashed in the male bat’s eyes before he firmly nodded, signaling his willingness.

Zhou Yi chuckled softly and crouched down. “Don’t be afraid. Since I’ve promised, I won’t let anything happen to you. Rest assured!”

He then looked up at Mu Chen. “There’s no fishing rod or line here—how do we catch it?”

Mu Chen sneered. “We’re not fishing, so no rods or lines needed. But now’s not the time—the flying corpse just entered the Blood Pool below. Frightened, it definitely won’t show itself. We need to wait.”

Hearing “wait,” Zhou Yi’s face soured. “Wait until when? Staying here suffocates me.”

“Zombies have no intelligence and act purely on instinct. A typical zombie would attack upon seeing humans. But this flying corpse immediately hid beneath the Blood Pool...” Mu Chen began, only to be interrupted by Zhou Yi’s frown.

“How long do you think it’ll take?” Zhou Yi cut in, sensing Mu Chen implied the flying corpse possessed some intelligence, making it cautious.

“Probably a day or two. If we act too soon and fail to kill it with one strike, it’ll become alert,” Mu Chen said after some thought.

Zhou Yi nodded in understanding. “Then let’s leave and come back in two days.”

Having agreed, they prepared to return the way they came. But the male bat blocked their path, as if pleading.

“What’s this little beastie want?” Zhou Yi asked.

Alarmed by Zhou Yi’s harsh tone, the male bat stepped back two paces, then forward two paces, once again blocking their way.

Unable to speak, the bat’s gestures made it clear it sought something. Reflecting carefully, they realized the male bat wanted them to heal the Bat King’s injury.

“Lead the way!” Zhou Yi said, understanding the situation.

The male bat, seeing Zhou Yi’s comprehension, took flight to guide them.

At the bat’s lair, the Bat King lay motionless on a stone slab.

Unlike bird wings, which don’t affect flight or survival unless tendons and bones are damaged, a bat’s wing is akin to a human hand, with bones and tendons intricately connected.

Closer inspection revealed a pool of blood on the slab. If not for the Bat King’s robust physique, he might have bled out by now.

“How to treat this?” Zhou Yi pondered. For ordinary ailments, he could use spiritual energy to heal, but as a yin creature, the bat was vulnerable to spiritual energy—it would worsen the injury.

Mu Chen frowned deeply upon seeing the injury. After a long pause, he said, “I once saw Western hospitals use needles and thread to stitch wounds, which stops bleeding and speeds healing. But I’ve never done this before and hesitate to start.”

“Stop hesitating—if you won’t do it, I will.”

“But we don’t have needles or thread!”

The male bat understood their conversation and immediately flew up, clutching the Bat King in his claws, circling once in the air before placing him back on the slab.

“You mean to treat him outside?” Zhou Yi asked, noticing the bat’s actions.

The male bat nodded eagerly.

Neither wanted to linger in the cave, so with the bat’s guidance, they had no trouble reaching the cave’s mouth. They breathed deeply of the fresh air outside, relieved—the cave was not only oxygen-poor but foul-smelling beyond description.

Mu Chen stayed behind to guard the Bat King while Zhou Yi headed straight for the Yuelai Inn in Xishan Town.

The inn lay a hundred miles away, and though Zhou Yi rode with his qi, it took two hours to arrive. Both Fugege and Baozi were already there.

Seeing Baozi’s dejected expression, Zhou Yi knew they had failed again to handle the matter involving Ji Liang and Ming Chuan Youzhi. He decided not to ask.

“Where have you been? What’s that smell on you?” Fugege pinched her nose.

Zhou Yi sniffed hard but detected nothing wrong, then smiled. “Just went to the bat cave. I need you—come with me!”

He glanced at Baozi. “Are you staying here with Xiaocui, or coming with me to the bat cave?”

Baozi, called by Zhou Yi, instantly forgot his failure and grinned mischievously. “Well, I’ll come too.”

Zhou Yi stocked up at the inn with plenty of white wine and salt, then headed straight for Phoenix Mountain. Time was tight to save the Bat King, so he didn’t hesitate—Baozi carried Xiaocui on his back, and they flew swiftly, arriving before nightfall.

Upon arrival, Xiaocui pouted. “Young Master Zhou is already my lady’s personal steed; I’m just a poor maid, alas...” She glanced sideways at Baozi.

Baozi scratched his head, smiling. “Sister Xiaocui, if you want, I Baozi can be your personal steed from now on.”

Xiaocui jumped onto Baozi’s back, exclaiming, “Carry me around Phoenix Mountain once first!”

Baozi mimicked a waiter’s tone, “Right away, hold tight!” and dashed into the deep mountain.

Fugege and Zhou Yi watched their playful antics, feeling somewhat embarrassed, cheeks warming.

“Come on, there’s a patient waiting for treatment!”

“Patient? Who’s sick?” Fugege frowned.

“You’ll see when we get there. Let’s go!”

They reached the cave entrance where Mu Chen rested, rubbing his eyes. “You’re back quickly. Hurry, check him out. The situation isn’t looking good.”

The Bat King lay on the ground with closed eyes but opened them upon hearing Zhou Yi’s voice, a glimmer of joy flashing before closing them again.

Seeing this, Zhou Yi didn’t delay. He took out needles and thread from his bag, disinfected them with white wine, and handed them to Fugege.

“This stitching can only be done by you. The two of us big men wouldn’t know how!”

...

Feeling slightly better now. As soon as I finish typing, I’ll post it. If I type quickly, there might be another chapter tonight, and three chapters tomorrow!