The Scarred Queen's Rise (Athena) novel Chapter 179

A sudden mountain wind arose. An icy chill swept in.

Athena’s body swayed slightly under the wind, as if she might be blown over at any moment.

Trina, seeing that Athena had no intention of descending the mountain, asked, “Where are we going next?”

Athena glanced at her. Her voice was calm as she said, “Down to the cliffside, to find someone.”

“Find who?” Trina asked, face full of fear. A chill crept into her heart. Aside from Daniel, there was no one else down the cliff.

Trina thought, ‘Wait… is she actually going to look for Daniel? But… he’s already dead!‘

Athena said nothing. She was determined to see for herself whether Daniel was really dead.

The two made their way down the cliffside, where wild grass and rocks littered the ground.

The further they went, the colder Athena felt inside.

Even if the stab wounds hadn’t killed him, a fall from that height would have finished the job.

Trina looked dejected and tried to persuade her, “Lady Athena, we should go back.”

There were dangers all around at the base of the cliff, and dusk was fast approaching. If they ran into wild beasts, they’d be

in serious trouble.

They had searched for half the day and still found no sign of Daniel’s body. Perhaps he had long been dragged off by wild

animals.

Unwillingness flashed across Athena’s face. Daniel had known all of Willow’s secrets.

Athena wondered, ‘What exactly does Daniel have on Willow?‘

But after searching for so long and still finding nothing, even Athena began to feel discouraged.

Just as she was about to turn back, she suddenly caught sight of something up ahead. Daniel was lying on a tree branch not far away.

The thick branch had snapped under his weight, and he was sprawled across the broken wood.

“There he is,” Athena called softly, quickly rushing forward, Trina right behind her.

Daniel’s limbs were twisted at unnatural angles, clearly broken from the fall. His eyes were shut tight. Whether he was dead or alive was unclear.

Athena walked up to Daniel, placed her hand beneath his nose. To her surprise, he was still breathing, just barely.

She quickly pulled out silver needles and pierced several key acupoints on his body.

Before long, he drew in a breath and opened his eyes.

Trina was so shocked her eyes nearly popped out. “My Lady… you know how, to heal?”

Athena snapped, “Don’t talk. He’s barely clinging to life. The moment I pull the needles out, he’ll be gone.”

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Chapter 179

Daniel slowly opened his eyes. When he saw Athena, his expression turned complicated.

He tried to lift his hand to ask for help, but couldn’t even move.

“Help me… help me, Athena…” His eyes were full of desperation. But Athena’s gaze remained cold and unmoved.

She had grown up under his fists. There were times she had nearly died by his hand. A man like him didn’t deserve to live.

Athena fixed Daniel with a cold stare. “Tell me. What exactly do you have on Willow?”

The light in Daniel’s eyes dimmed. He knew Athena had no intention of saving him.

He opened his mouth to speak, but bloody foam kept bubbling from his lips.

He was breathing more out than in, clearly near death.

Still, he struggled to force out a few words. “It’s… it’s… with her…”

Before he could finish, his head slumped to the side.

“Wake up! Wake up!” Athena called out anxiously, shaking Daniel, but no matter what she did, Daniel remained unresponsive.

The mountain wind howled like a ghost’s wail.

Athena stared at his lifeless body for a long moment, then turned and left without a word.

The trail had gone cold. There was no point in staying.