"Young Master, please go ahead," Mo Yu supported the injured Gu Han, his face grim with concern.
On their journey back, a group of black-clad figures suddenly emerged, intent on assassinating the Young Master. Each of them possessed considerable martial skills. Gu Han, in an attempt to shield Mo Yu, took a sword strike for him. The thought of it made Mo Yu feel an overwhelming sense of guilt.
"I think our best option is to fight our way out," Gu Han remarked as he looked ahead. The black-clad figures had caught up with them. In an instant, the two sides collided in fierce combat.
"Well, well, it seems a whole group of you can't defeat just two individuals. Should I say you're too weak, or should I say they're too strong?" As the battle raged on, a woman dressed in red descended gracefully in front of them. Upon seeing Gu Han injured by their hands, a savage fury surged within her. How dare they harm the man she cared for? These people deserved to die... All of them!
"I believe this is rather unfair to them," Elora said with a seductive smile at the black-clad figures. A sense of impending doom swept over them.
"Count me in!" Without waiting for Gu Han, who was too stunned to react, Elora leapt into action.
Mo Yu watched for a long moment before realizing this was the same red-clad woman who Gu Han had once saved. She had left before her wounds had fully healed, but how did she end up here now? And her martial prowess had clearly improved since then.
"Gu Han's little lackey, even though I know my martial arts are second to none, you really shouldn't just stand there watching," Elora snapped as she turned and noticed Mo Yu frozen in place, irritated by his inaction. Didn't he realize she could use some help? Though her own skills weren't weak, she certainly couldn't hold her own in a battle of attrition.
Snapping back to reality, Mo Yu swiftly drew his sword and joined the fray.
Before long, the black-clad figures were utterly defeated by the combined efforts of Elora and Mo Yu, and they retreated in haste.
...
"Hey, are you dead yet?" Elora crouched beside Gu Han, inspecting his wound with a look of distaste. "You were so skilled when you attacked me before, but now you look so weak!" With a rough motion, Elora tore open Gu Han's shirt. A deep, bone-revealing wound appeared before her eyes, the blood already coagulated.
He had sustained such a severe injury and yet had managed to walk so far—should she admire his perseverance, or chastise him for his foolishness? How much must this hurt? As she thought about it, Elora's eyes unconsciously reddened, but she quickly masked it, lowering her head and pulling out the healing ointment that Bing Li had prepared.
Though Elora believed she had hidden her emotions well, Gu Han could still see the faint redness in her eyes.
A pang of bittersweetness filled his heart, and he realized just how deep his feelings for Elora were. Perhaps even he himself hadn't fully recognized the intensity of the love he felt for her.
In his flustered state, Elora accidentally poured the medicine directly onto the wound. The sharp pain caused Gu Han's body to stiffen instinctively.
"Serves you right, doesn't it?" Elora could clearly feel his stiffness, and while her words were harsh, she couldn't help but soften her touch.
Though Elora's words were biting, Gu Han could sense her genuine concern for him.
He gazed at Elora's serious profile, warmth blooming in his chest.
"Ding—Target's Affection +10, current Affection: 70."
"All done," Elora stood and addressed Mo Yu. "That little lackey of mine, make sure to have Zheng Lin check him over when we get back."
"My name is Mo Yu!" He huffed. "Why does she remember Zheng Lin's name but forget mine?"
"I'm leaving now." Elora felt a little uneasy. They had agreed that after this, they would be enemies. So why was she so concerned about Gu Han, her enemy?
"My leg seems to be injured. I can't walk. Could I go to your place?" Gu Han quickly deduced that the black-clad figures were likely sent by the same person. If he returned to recuperate as planned, it would raise suspicion, and he would be easy prey. The safest option was to go to Nebula Sect, recover, and then return to "properly thank" them.
Gu Han raised his eyes to meet Elora's, and for some reason, he found himself trusting her.
"Well… fine," Elora hesitated as she looked at Gu Han's pained expression, her heart softening. "I'll help you this once."
"…" Mo Yu, watching the exchange, wondered if he had misunderstood something. The Young Master wasn't injured at all, was he just trying to gain sympathy? What happened to his pride?
...
Under Mo Yu's bewildered gaze, Elora helped Gu Han into Nebula Sect.
Mo Yu looked around, trying to process the scene before him. This woman was the Sect Leader of Nebula Sect? The very same infamous leader of the cult?
Meanwhile, Gu Han remained remarkably composed. Mo Yu cast a suspicious glance at him—had the Young Master known all along?
"Hongxiu, take them to the guest rooms and have Bing Li tend to them," Elora instructed as she returned to her chambers without sparing Gu Han a glance.