Sure enough, when it really comes down to it, there's no such thing as a hero saving a damsel in distress. There's not a single ghost in sight; the only thing that matters is self-rescue!
Later, because of the extreme cold of the Guanghan Powder, his body couldn't take it and he unfortunately fainted.
...
"Why is Miss Yan so reckless?"
When I woke up, I heard Xiao Ruo's voice, but it was a little muffled, as if there was a veil between us.
"Cough...cough cough..." I opened my mouth to speak, but felt an itch in my throat.
That damn Yan Hailan, she really gave me a hard time.
Xiao Ruo nervously poured me a glass of water and carefully fed it to me, which calmed me down a little.
I moved my body and felt a tightness around my neck. When I touched it, I found it was wrapped with a strip of white cloth. It was like an old wound that hadn't healed and a new one had been added.
"Where is Yan Hailan?" This grudge must be avenged, or else I will not rest in peace.
"In the main tent..."
Before she could finish speaking, I threw off the covers and rushed outside, but after only a few steps, Luo Qiu stopped me with his jade flute.
"Get out of my way! I want to see your master!"
The door god hesitated and did not take back the jade flute. Suddenly, I thought of a very important question.
"Did you let Yan Hailan in yesterday?"
Luo Qiu's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent.
"So you stopped Yan Hailan because you saw me faint?" I knew the answer from his expression. "Anyway, you really hate me, but you can't disobey the sect leader's orders, so you used Yan Hailan to teach me a lesson, didn't you?"
"So I told you you're really annoying. Why does a woman have to be so sharp?" He finally spoke, his words blunt and direct.
"Another thing is that they hold grudges very much. I'll remember this debt."
He gave me a knowing look, put away the jade flute, and let me pass.
Upon arriving at the main tent, they were surprised to see an elderly man in brown robes with a serious expression; it was none other than Tan Gongqing.
Yan Suqing was pouring tea for Jun Guan, looking all meek and submissive. I thought to myself, "Can't you be a little more ambitious? You're supposed to be the leader of the martial arts alliance, after all."
"She can come and go so freely, does Sect Leader Jun allow her such freedom? What if she escapes..."
"She won't run away. With her pride, she wouldn't stoop to running away, because in her mind, a runner is equivalent to a weakling."
Tan Gongqing frowned, clearly not quite believing it. "Master Jun really knows a lot about this."
Jun Guan smiled, but the smile was somewhat forced.
Are you here to see Hailan?
Where is she?
"With your current skills, you can't beat her, so why bother making a fool of yourself?"
That's really frustrating; it was like a bucket of cold water being poured on me, completely extinguishing my arrogance.
"..." So I decided to change my target. "If I remember correctly, you are Minister Tan of the Nine Ministers, right? Now that the capital is in trouble, why are you not in the city but have come to Phoenix Mountain?"
"Yes, Phoenix Mountain is a nice place."
"If you don't speak, no one will think you're mute." I glared at him fiercely. Why should I care about someone who wants to kill me? It's definitely a misconception to think he's weak and pitiful.
"How is Yunzhi?" Although I believe he will be alright, I can't help but worry.
Tan Gongqing's face instantly twisted in anger. "That damned Nangong Ling, how could he be so ruthless? If it weren't for Sect Leader Jun sending someone to tell me to run away sooner..."
Hearing him say that put me at ease; at least he wasn't the one being threatened.
"This is just the beginning, Rong Lian. I haven't even used this treasure of yours yet."
His smile was clearly so venomous and resentful, yet why was there always an inescapable layer of sorrow, both desolate and exquisite?
"Speaking of which, how has Ayu been lately?" Yan Suqing suddenly spoke up.
Arabic, the little mute? These two are indeed connected.
"What, did you kill his whole family or did he kill your whole family?" Seeing Yan Suqing's ugly expression, I smiled. "Oh no, the Yan family is all here, so it means you killed his whole family?"
I was right. Yan Suqing has never dared to say a word against me before, but this time he actually dared to glare at me fiercely. It's obvious that he hit the nail on the head.
"You ignorant brat, instead of avenging your own father, you're living with your enemy. Don't you feel ashamed?"
"You're barely able to save yourself when you're trying to cross the river in a muddy mess, why are you worrying about me?"
I raised my eyebrows and spoke clearly and forcefully, intending to make him so angry he'd twist his neck.
"Alright, arguing with her will only make you angry." Jun Guan stood up and walked over. "Since you're so energetic, I'll let you see how Nangong Ling died sooner rather than later, how about that?"
I automatically ignored his word, only thinking that I could finally leave this damned place.
Chapter 75
At dusk, the distant river is calm and still, with the evening glow and mist stretching endlessly, creating a long trail of smoke as the sun sets.
The painted boat wasn't warm enough, and the incense in the stove couldn't suppress the chill. Even holding the stove and wearing thick clothes couldn't dispel the cold.
I brewed a pot of Tieguanyin tea; I must drink it slowly, letting the steam dissipate before I feel better. I had Xiaoruo draw back the curtain, and a long breeze brought in a damp coolness.
There is a waterside pavilion on the riverbank, with a golden roof and glazed beads, and a mahogany seven-colored curtain, which is quite exquisite and unique.
Through the misty curtain, a red figure could be vaguely discerned, tall and beautiful, with a charm as radiant as the moon.
"Miss……"
"Hmm?" She turned her head to look at Xiao Ruo, as if she had something to say.
"Young Master has been very unhappy these past few days. He never drinks, but he got very drunk yesterday. Does Miss know why?"
Why ask such a pointed question when you already know the answer?
"How would I know about his affairs?" I took a sip of tea, looked at the red figure in the waterside pavilion, and slowly smiled. "If you're worried, you can go and serve him. I can handle things here."
She looked at me in surprise, and after a long while, she hurriedly lowered her head, saying, "This servant cannot disobey my master's instructions."
"What do I want you to do? Do I want you to serve me well or keep an eye on me?" Seeing her bite her lip and look troubled, I sighed, realizing how harsh my words were. "Never mind, you stay outside and keep watch. I want to sleep for a while."
Until her figure disappeared, I put down my cup and walked to the window. A red figure on the opposite bank was walking out of the waterside pavilion, swaying gently with fluttering clothes. The halo of the setting sun bloomed like a purple cloud, making the person appear as hazy as moonlight. The water mist was as delicate as silk, sometimes appearing and sometimes disappearing, brushing against his white jade face, jet-black hair and crimson brocade clothes.
His upright back and slightly raised chin exude confidence and nobility. When he stands on the platform, it seems as if he is stepping on the entire world. He stands alone and looks into the distance, with the magnificent landscape at his fingertips.
Suddenly, her slender phoenix eyes looked over, and she smiled, a faint smile like mist, which for a moment made it impossible to look away.
Once you're hooked on this kind of addiction, it's impossible to quit. You naively think you can escape, but little do you know that your mind is gradually being lost, and you become oblivious to everything.
"Your eyes are too gentle, unlike yours."
A low, husky voice sounded beside me. I looked up abruptly, and gloomy eyes were right in front of me. I was so surprised that I forgot to dodge, and then bright red lips, as vivid as blood, covered mine without warning.
A moment of silence fell over the cabin; the green river flowed silently, and even the wind passed without a sound.
Next came the sound of the sky being torn apart. I came to my senses and pushed him away. Jun Guan's eyes were filled with laughter, but it was mockery.
The person was nowhere to be seen on the waterside pavilion platform, which made him feel a little uneasy.
“He saw it, he must have seen it very clearly.”
"You did that on purpose!" I glared at him and vigorously wiped my mouth with my sleeve.
"Say what you will, anyway, you two can be so easily torn apart, such a fragile relationship."
"Why do you say that?"
“There is no trust between you. If he believed you would give him the Guanghan Powder, would he?” He scoffed lightly. “No matter how meticulous his arrangements were elsewhere, there was ultimately a loophole with you.”
His words were like a barbed thorn; they hurt when they went in, and they hurt even more when they were pulled out.
"As for you, it's not necessarily true that you'll trust him that much."
Don't be so incisive, as if you know everything about it.
"...Don't you know you should knock before coming in?"
"See, you always react like this when it comes to things you're guilty of." It was rare for him to smile; there was neither that layer of gloom nor that faint sadness in his eyes. He was truly beautiful and radiant.
They all think they can control my personality, huh? I couldn't be bothered with them anymore. I stared straight out the window, but all I saw was the lonely shadow of the waterside pavilion.
"Rong Lian." He suddenly called me in a very serious tone.
"What?" I asked without turning my head.
"I told you before that if you couldn't stay in Wuyue Palace, you could come to Tianjue Sect. What do you say now?"
"What, do you think we can't be together because we don't trust each other enough?" I frowned, feeling a little irritated.
He was taken aback by what I said, then his smile became chillingly beautiful, aloof and cold.
"I offered you a way out, but you refused it. I didn't realize you could be so persistent, so determined to become a pair of doomed lovers with him?"
“Yes, I didn’t realize that Master Jun was such a busybody.” I pushed him aside and started to walk out of the cabin.
"Where are you going?" His face darkened, and he grabbed my collar.
"I'm looking for my other half."
Jun Guan's eyes instantly turned sinister and vicious. I was startled and just stared at him blankly.
"You really deserve to die. I wonder if the deepest hell will accept you."
"How can you decide her fate? Brother Jun Guan, you've frightened her."
A soft laugh spread out, as graceful and delicate as fluttering flowers and butterflies, like the most beautiful melody played on a zither.
The man, dressed in red, leaned against the door, exuding elegance and wealth. His smile was gentle and harmless, and his eyes sparkled with a captivating light.