Hurt my loved ones? I'm not guarding this country's borders anymore!

"Sisi, is Mommy really useless?"

In the late night, Qin Xuerong sat on the edge of the bed in the special care ward, her voice hoarse from crying.

She stroked her daughter's burning face repeatedly with her hands.

She has barely slept these past few days.

During the day, Shen Jinglong was busy running around, handling one major matter after another that she couldn't understand with great efficiency.

And she could only stay there, like a useless prisoner, watching helplessly as her daughter was repeatedly tormented by an unseen pain.

Sisi's little brows were always tightly furrowed, and even in her sleep, her body would twitch from time to time, and she would let out a soft whimper.

Her daughter's illness caused her immense anxiety and a sense of helplessness.

She felt like a complete outsider.

She couldn't share either of her daughter's pain or her husband's burdens.

This feeling of powerlessness and guilt was almost overwhelming her.

"I'm sorry, Sisi, I'm so sorry..."

Large tears could no longer be held back, sliding down her thinner cheeks and dripping onto the back of Sisi's small hand that was gripping the bed sheet with a "plop".

Just then, a tiny change occurred.

Qin Xuerong's eyes widened suddenly. She discovered that her daughter's fingers, which had been slightly curled and twitching in pain, had miraculously straightened out right where her tears had fallen, and had calmed down in just a short moment.

Although it was only for a moment, she saw it clearly!

Qin Xuerong stopped breathing.

A sudden thought flashed through her mind: the words the old man with the crooked mouth had uttered as he knelt on the ground, his voice hoarse with rage: "Blood ties, even the deepest affections, can be a catalyst for medicine!"

The love of my dearest family... My tears... My love...

A daring idea popped wildly into her mind.

Could it be... that it actually works?

Her heart was pounding like a drum, as if it were about to leap out of her throat. Trembling, she reached out and carefully took Sisi's small hand in hers.

Qin Xuerong didn't understand any profound internal energy cultivation techniques. She only knew that her internal energy was so weak that it couldn't even be considered a way to strengthen her body.

At that moment, she closed her eyes, no longer thinking about the despair and helplessness. There was only one thought in her mind: Sisi, Mommy loves you. Mommy is here. Don't be afraid.

She poured all her meager, almost negligible inner strength, mixed with all her maternal love and longing, into her daughter's small body without reservation.

A miracle has happened once again.

In her perception, the violent "Blood Phoenix" power within Sisi's body was like encountering a cool water. Although it couldn't extinguish the raging fire, it noticeably weakened the fire's momentum.

His previously rapid breathing became much calmer.

His tightly furrowed brows relaxed.

Even the pain on Sisi's little face had mostly subsided, revealing a peaceful expression.

It really works!!!

Qin Xuerong suddenly opened her eyes, and tears of joy streamed down her face.

Mommy isn't useless!!! Mommy can save you!!! Sisi!!!

However, this ecstasy did not last long. She could feel that her pitiful internal energy was quickly exhausted, and although the pain in Sisi's body was suppressed, it was like a poisonous weed that could not be pulled out, with its roots still deeply buried.

This relief is simply a drop in the ocean.

How can I really help her?

Qin Xuerong's gaze fell on her slender wrist, and the old man's words echoed in her mind again.

"If a close relative is willing to nourish him with blood, it may alleviate his suffering."

Nourished by blood and qi...

With my blood... with my life...

At that moment, her gaze shifted from confusion and sorrow to unwavering determination.

A difficult yet resolute decision had taken shape in her mind.

As long as it can reduce your suffering, even if it's just to live one more day, Mom is willing to do anything.

. . .

When Shen Jinglong returned to the ward, exhausted and exuding murderous intent after dealing with everything, this was the Qin Xuerong he saw.

She sat there quietly, her expression strangely calm, except for her eyes, which were frighteningly bright.

"You..." Shen Jinglong was about to ask her why she wasn't resting when he sensed something was wrong.

This woman has lost so much weight. I was only thinking about keeping her safe, but I forgot about the torment she was going through. I've been such a failure as a husband.

Qin Xuerong stood up and stared straight into his eyes.

"Jinglong, let's talk."

"What's the matter tomorrow..."

"No, right now," Qin Xuerong interrupted him, "about how to save Sisi."

The two walked to the end of the corridor outside the ward. Qin Xuerong took a deep breath and dropped a bombshell in a calm tone she had never used before.

"Jinglong, I want to be that 'medicinal catalyst'."

Shen Jinglong's pupils constricted sharply, thinking he had misheard: "What did you say?"

"I will use my bloodline to nourish Sisi and prolong her life." Qin Xuerong said each word clearly, "That way, you will have more time to find that 'ultimate yang object'."

"Nonsense!!!"

Shen Jinglong exploded without even thinking!

He grabbed Qin Xuerong's shoulders, his voice trembling with anger: "Do you know what you're saying?! Trading your life for hers? I absolutely refuse to agree to that!!!"

Sacrificing one loved one to save another? If Shen Jinglong were to stoop to sacrificing his own woman to save his daughter, what kind of man would he be? What kind of Commander Long would he be?

"I'm telling you, Qin Xuerong, don't even think about it!!!" He practically roared.

However, Qin Xuerong did not back down at all in the face of his raging anger.

Her eyes remained calm, even carrying a hint of heartache.

"Jinglong, I'm not discussing this with you."

She gently pushed Shen Jinglong's hand away, looked directly into his bloodshot eyes, and spoke in a tone as hard as a rock.

"This is my decision. I am Sisi's mother, and I have the right, and even more so, the responsibility, to protect her. Before, I relied on you for everything, and I could only hide behind you like a useless vase. But now, my daughter's life hangs in the balance, and I can no longer hide."

Her voice wasn't loud, but it was like a sledgehammer, striking Shen Jinglong's heart hard.

He looked at the woman in front of him and suddenly felt a little unfamiliar with her.

She was no longer the Qin Xuerong who needed his protection and would panic over the smallest things.

There was a kind of spirit in her that he had never seen before, a mother's resoluteness and tenacity that could burn everything for her child.

Shen Jinglong opened his mouth, but found himself unable to utter a single word. The anger he felt subsided little by little under her chilling gaze.

Seeing his shocked expression, Qin Xuerong continued, word by word:

"Jinglong, this time, please let me stand with you. Let me fight like a true wife, a true mother."