Cen Ji paused, then continued, "That's the kind of person I am, and you've misjudged me too, haven't you?"
Seeing Ban Lan biting her lower lip and remaining silent, he seized the opportunity to say to Huang, "Cen Ji will come here to face his death after rescuing the people. I only hope that you will not block my way at this time." After saying that, he suppressed his desire not to look at Ban Lan's disappointed and sad expression, turned around and left, meaning that he was going to part ways with Ban Lan.
Ban Lan pouted, looking like a small volcano about to erupt in Huang's eyes.
As Huang watched Cen Ji leave, she suddenly spoke: "Without my guidance, none of you will be able to leave the Azure Phoenix Forest."
Cen Ji stopped, hesitant.
"The place you are in is actually just the outside of the Azure Phoenix Forest. You have not yet set foot in the real Azure Phoenix Forest, and to get to White Chess Mountain, you must cross the Azure Phoenix Forest."
Ban Lan immediately gave Huang a pleading look: "Huang..."
Huang looked at Ban Lan's shoulder, the wound was wrapped in layers, her slender shoulders were uneven, and her face still had a sad, angry, stubborn and aggrieved expression.
After a while, Huang said to Ban Lan, "Remember to check your shoulder injury after you leave the forest."
*******
On the way out of the forest, the atmosphere between Cen Ji and Ban Lan was somewhat tense. Although Cen Ji was not usually one to speak to Ban Lan, Ban Lan had never ignored him like this before.
Instead of talking to Cen Ji, Ban Lan went to chat with Huang.
"Huang, you're not bad at all, so why do people in the martial arts world call you a female demon?"
Huang said, "Because women shouldn't be too strong."
Ban Lan shook her head, not understanding.
Huang said, "Women who are too strong will not be tolerated by the world."
Ban Lan asked, "And what about you?"
Huang said, "I just like being rejected by the world."
Ban Lan said, "But that must be very lonely."
Huang said, "There is always a trade-off between gaining and losing, just like you."
Ban Lan asked in surprise, "Like me?"
Huang sighed and said, "You live freely and authentically, but you have lost the approval of men."
Ban Lan never considered these things because she never thought about how to gain a man's approval.
“Perhaps,” Ban Lan smiled bitterly, “this Azure Phoenix Forest is indeed suitable for someone like me.”
“Perhaps,” Huang glanced at her sideways, “you should learn how to be a woman.”
*******
Huang led the two along a shortcut for most of the day, finally reaching the edge of the forest.
Ban Lan was so exhausted from her injury that she wanted nothing more than to lie down and sleep on the spot.
Ban Lan was reluctant to part with Huang. Although she had promised to come and keep her company in the future, she felt an inexplicable closeness and trust towards Huang for some reason.
"Huang, why don't I stay and keep you company now?" Ban Lan touched her injured shoulder, thinking that she would only be a burden to Cen Ji if she followed him.
Huang refused, saying, "You have an injury on your shoulder, and there are no medicines for injuries in the Azure Phoenix Forest."
Ban Lan said, "Then come with me."
Huang shook her head and said, "No, I swear I will never leave the Azure Phoenix Forest in this lifetime, unless..."
Ban Lan hurriedly asked, "Unless what?"
Huang lowered her eyes and said, "Unless... it is permitted."
Ban Lan exclaimed in shock, "There's someone more powerful than you?"
Huang said, "There are always people more capable than you. There are countless powerful people in this world that you haven't met."
Ban Lan had no choice but to nod and stop pressuring Huang.
Huang looked at Ban Lan's pale lips and interrupted, "Let's find a doctor to prescribe some medicine first. I'm sure that heartless man won't be in such a hurry, will he?"
Cen Ji pretended not to hear, but no one left.
Ban Lan said, "Huang, thank you. I will take good care of myself."
Huang said slowly, "I knew you could do it, because you are Ban Lan."
After bidding farewell to Huang, Ban Lan and Cen Ji walked silently for several miles until they finally saw a city.
Upon entering the city, Banlan suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Cen Ji had no choice but to stop and look at her in confusion.
Ban Lan raised her head, her eyes resembling crescent moons.
"Let's part ways here," she said.
Cen Ji was surprised that she would take the initiative to separate. He looked at her and said, "You are injured."
Where? On the shoulder, or in the heart?
Ban Lan smiled, "It's just a minor injury. You should go now, your senior sister is waiting for you."