King Jin arrived in front of the cave and went inside, noticing the extinguished fire. He bent down and touched the ashes, which were still warm. She had left only an hour or two ago. He perceived her aura again and followed the direction she had gone, moving much faster this time. This woman was giving him a hard time. Why wouldn't she just accept being his woman? What's not to like? He smirked.
"This King will bring you back to the Palace and will make you fall for this King!" he vowed.
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Yi Ling was dead tired. She was resting beside a big rock. The herbs were too heavy for her to carry, and she wasn't fully healed yet. It would've been convenient if she had the Sapphire Jade Ring with her; then she wouldn't have to carry this burden. She sighed. Her spiritual garden had a long way to go, and she needed these herbs badly.
She closed her eyes and began cultivating the spiritual energy around her, hoping to replenish her strength before moving again. She hoped that whatever the fight earlier was about, it wasn't after her.
After an hour, she didn't notice someone arriving in front of her. King Jin had hidden his aura. He saw her a moment ago, cultivating, and didn't want to startle her.
His woman was wearing a man's disguise; he might have been tricked if it weren't for her aura. He also noticed the robe she was wearing was his. He blushed. Wouldn't that be like an indirect hug? He rubbed his nose and shook his head. He couldn't think clearly whenever this woman was involved. Ever since the day he saw her in that cave, his senses had been shattered.
He knelt down and caressed her cheek. He wanted to wake her so that she wouldn't be sleeping in this cold place.
Yi Ling felt someone touch her cheek and instantly opened her eyes. But before she could say a word, King Jin picked her up. It was too quick; she couldn't even retaliate.
"What do you think you are doing? Just because you are the King doesn't mean you can own me!" she yelled, struggling in his embrace. His chest was hard as a rock, and his embrace was too strong for her to budge.
"Won't you please listen to this King first? This King isn't a bad person." King Jin couldn't help but carry her up. When he brushed his fingers against her cheek earlier, he felt that her soul was getting weaker again. He couldn't help but panic.
"What's to talk about? Tsk, put me down, and maybe I'll listen!" He was getting on her nerves. How did this fellow find her so fast? She thought she could at least outrun him for a day. That was her fault; if only she had left all those herbs. She sighed.
Sensing that she was calming down, he let her down but still held her waist. "This King won't let you go, just in case you decide to run again. Let this King talk first; after that, you may decide if you still want to leave this King." If he wanted her, he had to do it differently. Forcing her was out of the question now; her life was at risk. He was used to ordering people and never considering their opinions. He didn't know how to take care of someone. This was another first.
She noticed that his voice was filled with worry. This royal pig was worried about her? Why?
"Fine, talk. What is it? Why do you keep bothering me?" She couldn't help but be suspicious. Although this man was claiming her as his from the moment she woke up, she knew he wouldn't kill her. She still didn't understand why she trusted him so much.
"Your soul is not placed right in your body. It was so weak and faded when this King first saw you in that cave. You using your spiritual energy recklessly is not helping it either. This King knows it was this King's fault, but please. Until your soul gets stronger, stay with this King. This King promises not to touch you anymore, nor to make it harder on you. This King just wants you to be well. After that, you may leave this King." King Jin had never begged for anyone before, not even his little sister.
All he really wanted now was for her soul to get stronger, hoping for the best that she would fall for him eventually.