Hu Yannan’s outstretched hand had not yet touched Shan Xiaoya when he sensed something wrong. As he raised his head, the knife was above Shan Xiaoya’s head. It was too late to block it. Hu Yannan suddenly embraced Shan Xiaoya, shielding her from the fatal blow. The knife embedded itself in Hu Yannan’s shoulder.
Hu Yannan looked up, his bloodthirsty eyes glaring at the black-clothed man. The man was initially pleased, but seeing Hu Yannan’s terrifying eyes, he dropped the knife in fear, trembling and stepping back.
Hu Yannan moved with incredible speed, striking back with his knife. In one swift motion, he decapitated the man, blood spraying everywhere. The head rolled on the ground, its eyes wide open, unable to believe it had been separated from its body.
Shan Xiaoya, tightly embraced by Hu Yannan, awakened from her horror. Hu Yannan had blocked the knife for her and brutally beheaded the attacker – all in the blink of an eye. The bloody head on the ground clearly told her everything had happened.
Hu Yannan cursed softly: “Damn! The knife is poisoned!”
” He quickly pressed several acupoints on his body and took a pill, the color draining from his face… It seemed these people had prepared thoroughly to kill him…
With a stern face, he said to Shan Xiaoya, “Pull out the knife, quickly!” turning his back to her. Shan Xiaoya frowned, seeing the knife embedded in his shoulder, with black blood flowing along the blade and around the wound, looking horrifyingly gruesome…
This was the first time she felt how fragile life could be…
Shan Xiaoya returned dejectedly to Huyan Nan’s side, looking at him with some pity… His eyes tightly closed, gone was his previous violent demeanor, and the shadow of his wild and domineering nature. He looked much more pleasant now, but… forget it! Let’s first leave this place of trouble! Thinking this, Shan Xiaoya tried to support Huyan Nan. However, the unconscious Huyan Nan was so heavy that despite Shan Xiaoya’s best efforts, she couldn’t move him at all. Exhausted, Shan Xiaoya sat on the ground, breathing heavily.”
Originally standing, it suddenly lay down, its four hooves pressed against the ground, closely nestled next to Huyan Nan. Its intention was too obvious. Shan Xiaoya looked at the horse in surprise, discovering that she had fallen in love with this almost human-like horse. She reached out to stroke its mane, revealing a knowing smile.
The horse carried Shan Xiaoya and Huyan Nan for a long time, arriving at a cave entrance. Shan Xiaoya dismounted and looked at the cave mouth covered by dense branches, walking in with some trepidation. Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches, illuminating the cave brightly. Inside, there was a stone bed, stone table, and stone chairs. Bowls and cups were placed on the stone table, indicating someone had lived here before.
Huyan Nan sat up, seeing her slightly darkened complexion. He quickly placed his hand on her pulse and furrowed his brow. How had she been poisoned? Fortunately, the poisoning was not deep. He took out a pill from his pocket and placed it in her mouth. She would be fine after sleeping for a few more hours.
He placed his hand on his own pulse and, unbelievably, circulated his inner energy for a cycle, discovering that the poison in his body had been cleared. Looking again at her slightly blackened lips and hand covered in black blood, he guessed the truth. A spontaneous compassion welled up in his heart. He reached out to caress her smooth cheek, and a strange tremor passed through his fingertips. His gaze became soft and focused, filled with guilt and self-reproach. His mind, clouded by hatred, had hurt her so badly. He gently lifted her foot, covered in water blisters that had burst and become infected. He took out a white glass bottle and poured the cool liquid on her injured wrist and foot. When he pulled off her shoe, the pain caused her to unconsciously moan even in her unconscious state. Huoyan Nan quickly stopped his actions, filled with compassion and heartache.
Chapter 036
Jing Wang dispatched a large number of subordinates to draw many portraits of Shan Xiaoye, searching for her in An City.
He did not know her name or where she lived, only her appearance and those memorable eyes etched in his mind. Soon, everyone in An City knew that Jing Wang was searching for a girl who was particularly important to him, offering a reward of 10,000 taels of silver for information about her location.
Jing Wang had contracted a strange illness that numerous imperial physicians could not cure. Since the day he saw her cold and beautiful figure on the street, Jing Wang had been unable to eat or sleep. Especially after learning that Chen’s guard had lost track of her, he became even more distressed. For the first time, Jing Wang experienced the taste of longing for a woman.
One day, Jing Wang finally received news about her, though the information was more frustrating than helpful. It turned out that Hu Yan Nan had carried Shan Xiaoye back from a mountain cave and was seen by Chen’s guard, who followed them to the General’s Mansion.
After investigation, Jing Wang learned that she was the bride bestowed by the Emperor – but not to himself, rather to Hu Yan Nan. His heart felt like it was being scratched by a cat, all because he had missed the morning court that day, allowing Hu Yan Nan to take this great advantage.
He must see her again, his eyes filled with undeniable determination…
Hu Yannan was about to turn back and say something to Shan Xiaoya when a guard quickly ran over. “General! The ruler of Manyi Nation wants to see you and has already arrived outside the city gates of An City.” Hu Yannan looked thoughtfully at Shan Xiaoya on the bed, then turned to the guard and said, “Invite him into the General’s Mansion.” “Yes!” The guard quickly left…
Man Hanting arrived at the General’s Mansion with a rosy complexion, greeting Hu Yannan with a worldly smile. “General Hu, I have come this time only to see my younger sister. I hope the General can be accommodating.” Hu Yannan coldly laughed, “What are you talking about? Since you’re here, of course you’ll see your sister. I’ll take you to her right now.” He gestured forward and led the way into the mansion…
Hu Yannan pushed open the door to Shan Xiaoya’s room. With a cold tone, he said, “My lady, look who has come to see you?” Man Hanting saw Shan Xiaoya lying on the bed and his heart tightened. Originally healthy and rosy, she now looked pale, her already frail body seeming even more delicate. Seeing her in such poor condition, he felt even more guilty.
Shan Xiaoya sat up at the sound. When she saw Man Hanting entering behind Hu Yannan, her already composed face became even more displeased. If not for him, she would never have fallen into this difficult situation. She looked at Man Hanting coldly. “Thanks to you, I’m doing very well. If there’s nothing else, you can leave.”
Hu Yannan approached the bed maliciously. “My lady, your relative has come to see you. How can you be so impolite? Quickly get up and greet him.” He forcefully pulled Shan Xiaoya up, causing her injured foot to touch the ground. He then pushed her towards Man Hanting.
Shan Xiaoya never expected Hu Yannan to be so insidious. Knowing her foot was severely injured, he heartlessly pushed her to the ground. Her pride made her endure the pain, standing barefoot in front of Man Hanting. She glared at Hu Yannan, squeezing out words through gritted teeth, “You’re inhuman.”
Man Hanting, seeing Shan Xiaoya’s badly damaged foot, felt even more remorseful. He quickly supported her. “Are you alright?” Shan Xiaoya pulled her arm back coldly, “Not dead yet.”
