In the critical moment, Xia Xianning used a clever trick, extracting the air around him to create a vacuum, which slightly delayed but prevented the explosion from expanding. He bore the impact with his back.
Xia Xianning’s feet almost stamped two deep marks on the ground, managing to stand firm without being knocked down. However, his body still leaned forward slightly, inadvertently touching Luo Yingbai’s hair with his lips.
Luo Yingbai thought he had just been bumped on the head, while Xia Xianning was immediately stunned.
Fortunately, Luo Yingbai quickly pushed him away and hurriedly checked Xia Xianning’s back: “Xianning! Are you hurt?”
Xia Xianning was covered in paper scraps with no external injuries, though his internal organs were aching from the shock wave. He remained expressionless: “I’m fine.”
Luo Yingbai said: “Really? Why is your face so red?”
Xia Xianning said: “…It’s hot.”
“Is that so?” Luo Yingbai added, “You’re too reckless! I’m older, so next time don’t rush forward.”
He complained, then immediately surveyed the surroundings, noticing the old man had disappeared, leaving only a thin layer of powder. Fortunately, Xia Xianning had acted quickly, and the noise hadn’t attracted more attention.
Luo Yingbai said: “I was careless. It seems we can’t casually mention leaving here.”
Xia Xianning seemed to unconsciously touch his lips with his finger: “Everyone here appears normal. No one knows about this taboo. It’s not your fault.”
Luo Yingbai couldn’t help but laugh. They often teased each other, but no matter what either of them did, they would never truly blame each other – a tacit understanding between master and apprentice.
At this moment, the door of the small dilapidated house opened, and Liao Zhong tumbled out. Luo Yingbai wondered if he would recognize him, but Liao Zhong didn’t even glance at them, quickly trying to escape. Immediately, an old woman rushed out, grabbing his collar and pulling him back.
This elderly woman was hunched, her back shortened, face wrinkled, so thin she looked like a skeleton. Yet she moved swiftly. The 1.8-meter-tall Liao Zhong had no chance to struggle in her hands and was dragged back inside.
He desperately clutched the doorframe: “Please, give me a chance! After all these years of marriage, can’t you leave me a way out?”
