"Why are you still standing here?! Search!! Search everywhere!! If we can't find His Lordship on time, then we can only kill ourselves. Committing suicide can't even atone for our crime."
Using Qing gong [1], the man who was wearing a mask turned his body and jumped on the nearest tree.
The subordinate inwardly shook his head.
'Chief will definitely go crazy if we can't find His Lordship immediately.'
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*drip*
*drip*
*drip*
XuanRong perked her ears and raised her head that was buried in between her knees. Aside from the continuous dripping of water coming from the cave's ceiling, she was not able to hear any other noises. A couple of tea time already passed ever since the fight started outside the cave. She could no longer hear the clashing of swords and it seemed like the commotion outside already ended, but she wanted to make sure that the area was safe before going outside. She was afraid that those people were still around, lurking in the shadows.
She lowered her head and looked at the man who was still lying unconscious beside her. She couldn't see him clearly, but she was sure that he was taller than the normal height of a common man. Although his build was not masculine enough, his body was still remarkable. His arms were full of muscles but not muscular, and his chest was soft but firm. Even though she did not see his face, she could tell that he was like Pan An [2], a man that could make women throw fruits into his carriage until it was full [3].
Thinking of the reason why the man, who was able to hold her down a couple of tea times [4] ago, suddenly fainted without any external wounds. XuanRong was a little bit flustered when she saw him collapse. Fortunately, when she was half-dragging-half-pulling him inside, there was no scent of blood coming from his body. So, XuanRong knew that he was not hurt physically. Her worries slowly lessened. All that was left was for him to wake up.
XuanRong squinted her eyes as she tried her best to look at him. Regrettably, the cave was very dark, and she could not use fire, fearing that once she lights a fire, the assassins would immediately find this hidden cave.
She could only sigh in regret.
In her previous lifetime, she was not able to clearly see her benefactor's face. The only thing she remembered were his lotus scent, his pair of beautiful phoenix eyes and the jade ornament hanging on his hips. In this lifetime, she did not expect to meet him once again. If not because of his eyes, she would have stabbed him on his chest without mercy. Luckily, before she was able to execute her plan, she realized that the man who was with her inside the cave and the man who helped her in her previous lifetime were the same person.
Remembering the moment where her naked half-dead body was covered gently by this person beside her, XuanRong was filled with warmth and gratefulness.
The urge to see his face intensified. She really wanted to know his identity. Too bad, there was nothing she could do.
XuanRong shook her head in disappointment.
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YuYing nervously grabbed her own sleeves as she sat on the horse, fearing that they were already too late. When XuanRong ordered her to return to the town and go to the yamen's office to search for Fei Bai Zou, she was completely confused and baffled as to why her Da XiaoJie ordered such thing. When XuanRong told her that she saw someone lurking in the shadows, YuYing's heart almost leaped out of her chest. She wanted to convince her Mistress to go back with her, but XuanRong stubbornly refused. YuYing could only leave unwillingly.
When she arrived at the yamen, she immediately gave a few pieces of silver coins to the guards who were stationed at the yamen's entrance, asking to send a direct message to Fei Daren.
When she saw the oversized man, Fei Bai Zou, walking towards her, YuYing subconsciously beamed a delightful smile. She felt relieved that she did not need to wait for a long time and could immediately return to XuanRong's side. She then gave the gold coins XuanRong gave her to Fei Bai Zou and explained her Mistress' situation.
Together with Fei bai Zou and other yamen officers [5], YuYing and the rest immediately traveled back to the temple without stopping to sleep. They had been traveling for a couple of sichen already. Although they were almost there, it was already the hour of the tiger [6] and YuYing was afraid for her Mistress' well-being.
What if something bad happened to her?
What if she was hurt?
Those were the questions that kept on repeating inside her head.
'XiaoJie, please be safe!'
--------
When XuanRong already confirmed that the commotion outside the cave already ended, it was time to leave. She once again took a glance at the man lying beside her.
What should she do?
'Should I leave or should I wait for him to wake up?'
XuanRong bit her lips.
If she wants to avoid tarnishing her reputation, she must leave now before dawn arrives. In her previous lifetime, because she hid inside this cave for the entire night, even though her life was spared, her reputation took a big hit. To avoid the repetition of what happened in her previous lifetime, XuanRong had to meet with YuYing and the rest, letting them escort her back to the temple.
But... if she decided to leave, what would happen to the unconscious man?
Although XuanRong did not know the reason why the man was currently hiding inside the cave, she knew that the other group, who was fighting with the assassins her second mother ordered to silence her, was searching for him.
If they were his friends or foes, she was not sure. It was better to be safe than sorry.
After contemplating for a while, XuanRong suddenly thought of an idea.
Her eyes shone as she slowly stood up from sitting. She then lowered her head and looked at the man beside her.
"This is the only thing I can do for you. Wait for me."
After speaking, XuanRong went out of the cave until she vanished under the darkness.
One incense stick of time [7] passed after XuanRong left the cave, the man who was lying unconsciously on the ground opened his eyes.
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[1]. Chinese martial arts
[2]. Also known as Pan Yue. A famous litterateur in Jin Dynasty and could be considered as one of the most famous handsome man in China.
[3]. Unique way of expressing adoration/admiration
[4]. A tea time is approximately fifteen minutes
[5]. Equivalent to modern police.
[6]. 3:00-5:00 am in the morning
[7]. Equivalent to five minutes.
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Edited and Proofread by: Prikkrang and Supremetobs