Chapter Ten: A Different Nan Gong Jin

  From start to finish, Nan Gong Jin didn't say another word. The three of them knew his temperament and that when he wasn't speaking, it was usually because he was in a bad mood. They also knew why he was in a bad mood.

  Because he, who had always been invincible under the heavens, was twice wounded by this woman in front of him. Being wounded was one thing, but originally it was his own affair. However, having arrived at this thicket, he instead had to rely on Nalan Xixi again. For someone as cold and proud as him, his heart must be finding it very hard to accept.

  The sky grew darker, and the endless forest was filled with towering trees that seemed to touch the sky. Even during the day, the sunlight was already heavily blocked, and by nightfall, not a single ray of moonlight could penetrate through.

  The surroundings were extremely clean, not even a single fallen leaf was seen, otherwise it wouldn't have been so depressing to walk. They didn't have the light to use, they could only rely on hearing and feeling to perceive each other.

  Quan Long and He Xian were two men who were true to their emotions. When they said they would rest, they wouldn't waste any more words and would immediately fall asleep. However, Huo Zhe was on the other side, taking out a night pearl and carefully studying the map.

  Nalan Xixiao sat to the side, her stomach a bit hungry. In fact, she had killed He Xian's horse mainly for her own sake. She wasn't inexperienced in entering the primeval forest; after all, she was a renowned warrior from the 24th century known as the Wolf King of the Dense Forest. So she knew even better that this kind of place was most prone to food shortages, because most things couldn't be eaten.

  Her body can't withstand hunger, and those survival, wilderness, and killing skills in the 24th century have only recovered a bit. Without the energy of Nalan Xinxin's special physique, she is equivalent to a useless person.

  Suddenly, Nalan Xianyu perked up her ears, and there was a slight movement beside her, it was Nan Gongyin.

  He leaned towards her this morning, but still had nothing to say. Nalan Xinnuo saw that he was still silent and didn't say anything either.

  The night grew deeper, Nalan Xinnuo clenched his fist lightly and then got up and walked towards the back.

  "Where are you going?" a cold voice rang out.

  "...convenient." Narlan Xizuo replied coldly, and suddenly felt that every conversation between them was like a competition, to see who could be colder in tone, expression, and gaze.

  "I'll go with you." Nan Gong Jin stood up without hesitation.

  Nalan Xixi fell silent for a moment before firmly refusing, "No need, I can handle it myself."

  “……”

  Nalan Xixi clenched her fists again, fiercely pinching herself with her fingernails. What was she even saying? Nangong Jin wanted to follow her, not make things easier for her... She secretly rolled her eyes and explained: "What I mean is..."

  "Let's go together." is undoubtedly a tie with her.

  Nalan Xixi couldn't get past him, so she didn't say anything else and walked straight forward. The figure behind her caught up. Nalan Xixi suddenly felt a little embarrassed, having had similar awkward situations during battles in the forest before.

  But she didn't care at all, because that group of stinky brats absolutely wouldn't dare to follow her or whatever. This was good, for the first time in her life, even when she went to pee, he had to watch her from behind...

  Nangong Jin, ah, what a jinx, how many first times has she lost since meeting him...

  Nangong Jin listened to the unbridled ease of Nalan Xianyu behind him, and his face turned slightly red. Fortunately, it was in the darkness of night, and no one could see it. This woman really didn't have any reserve at all.

  Nalan Xixi finished washing up, tidied her clothes and was about to leave when suddenly a force pulled her back.

  A large hand was holding hers with just the right amount of force, and from the palm, a thrilling temperature was transmitted. She subconsciously wanted to pull her hand back, but he held it even tighter. "In special circumstances, Your Highness doesn't need to mind."

  What special circumstances would she not believe he would get lost, is she afraid of getting lost? However, if a dashing man like him wanted to take advantage of her, it's also hard to justify.

  Forget it, let him be. Let him hold her hand and walk back and forth, but for some reason, she always has a strange feeling in her heart, disturbing her thoughts, destroying her rational defense line again, and starting to think wildly.

  And on his hand, behind the warm palm, the pulse at Nan Gong Jin's wrist began to beat faster and faster.

  Two people with ulterior motives walked hand in hand for a long time, suddenly! Narlan Xizuo's figure hesitated. No! After walking for so long, why haven't we returned yet?! At this moment, Nangong Jin's hands also gradually became cold.

  Just now, the thoughts of both people had wandered off somewhere, and it would be strange if they didn't get lost. Suddenly, Nalan Xianyu felt Nan Gongyin smiling with a raised corner of his mouth, what was there to smile about?

  Originally a group of people came to see him off, now it's better, just the two of them are left, and they'll die even faster! For some reason, at this moment she suddenly had a grudge against him in her heart, if he hadn't insisted on holding hands...

  She sat down on the ground, leaning against a tree trunk, and closed her eyes weakly. Beside her, Nan Gong Jin sat down close to her, but she was too lazy to move away. After all, it would be cold in the middle of the night, so having some warmth wasn't bad.

  "If the Great Emperor Luo Tian were a bald old man, would you still want to marry him?" Suddenly, Nan Gong Jin spoke up with a sentence, his tone no longer having its usual coldness, but instead carrying a hint of... expectation.

  "I wanted to marry him, not for his appearance." Nalan Xixi replied calmly.

  "Oh? What's that for?"

  "Under heaven."

  Nalan Xixi thought that Nan Gongyin would be angry after hearing this, at least a little. But unexpectedly, Nan Gongyin actually burst out laughing.

  "You're so... adorable." Nangong Jin stretched out his hand and gently pinched the back of her neck, as if treating a little kitten.

  However, Nalan Xixi suddenly felt a chill... Cute?! She had never associated herself with the word "cute" in this life! No! To be precise, she had never thought of having any relationship with the two words "cute" for all eternity!

  "The world is not something that people like you and me can bear." Before Nalan Xianyu could say anything, Nan Gongjin added another sentence. His tone was filled with disappointment, desolation, bitterness, and some... emotions she couldn't understand.

  What kind of person am I? Aren't you Nan Gong Jin? Haven't you already taken on the responsibility of this world? Nalan Xianyu smiled slightly, and the atmosphere between them eased a lot, without the previous cold confrontation.

  Her coldness is indifference, a disdain for this world. His coldness is ruthlessness, an inevitability towards the entire world. But in the end, they are the same kind of people.

  Indifferent, but a mask born out of cruel life, don't want to be trampled underfoot, so put it on.

  "What's wrong with people like us?" She couldn't help but ask out loud.

  "People who can't let go of their emotions can never be a qualified ruler." Nan Gong Jin's words sounded like he was muttering to himself, yet also seemed like self-mockery, completely different from the him in front of others.

  Perhaps, at such a moment, when he didn't know if he would still be alive the next second, in this pitch-black darkness where there was not a single ray of light and they couldn't see each other, he dared to really open his heart and say some words that someone or no one might hear.

  "Hmph, emotions?" Nalan Xixi sneered, she had never understood what was called emotions, never had.

  "Don't you believe?" Nalan Xianyu felt that Nan Gongyin was turning his head, looking at her, although he might not be able to see. He fell silent for half a second before saying: "Then I'll ask you, since you knew coming here would mean death, why were you still willing to follow?"

  Why... Ah, knowing it would be fatal, why did you follow me?

  It's as if she came out of nowhere. That normally calm and rational her, just like that, came to send herself to death without any hesitation.

  This question suddenly stunned Nalan Xianyu.

  On the side, Nan Gong Jin saw her unable to respond and smiled lightly. "You're getting emotional."

  Nalan Xixi understood that this wasn't to say she had fallen in love with Nangong Jin, emotions were complex and multifaceted. She was indeed moved. She also understood what Nangong Jin meant, he too was someone who couldn't let go of his emotions.

  He was also moved, whether it was deciding to personally find the medicine for Nan Gongyan, or not sending someone to kill Nalan Xinnuo, or just now, knowing that they might get separated, but still wanting to follow her. Knowing that his heart would be disturbed, he still wanted to hold her hand.

  Feelings can make people promise to be together for life in just one moment.

  For a moment, the silence was restored. In the mountains and forests, there wasn't even a slight breeze, the silence was so profound that one could clearly hear each other's breathing sounds, while Nan Gong Jin's breathing sound became more and more labored.

  Suddenly! Nangong Jin had a severe cough, and a mouthful of blood spurted out. Narlan Xianuo vigilantly jumped up, but all around was quiet, without anyone or even any poisonous insects.

  She quickly lowered her body and subconsciously grabbed his cold hands, asking: "What's going on?"

  "It's nothing... I found a plant similar to the Mei Ye leaf a few days ago, so I tried it out, but unexpectedly got poisoned, no big deal." Nangong Jin weakly waved his hand, but Nalan Xianyu could sense that he was in great pain at this moment.

  Looking at the poisonous spider's gall, the few things he wanted were all highly toxic. He was so pleased to try them casually, and even after being poisoned, he still pretended to be fine, saying it was nothing serious. It's truly absurd!

  Nalan Xixi paused for a moment, what was she angry about? Whether this person lived or died had nothing to do with her.

  As she thought, she let go of Nangong Jin's hand and was about to get up. Nangong Jin turned his head and spat out another mouthful of blood. She clenched her fist in some annoyance, hesitated for half a second, then grabbed the collar of his clothes and pressed her lips to his bloody ones...

  In the dim night, Nan Gong Jin's eyes widened in surprise, a pair of cold and tender lips lightly touched his, warm breath blown on his face, suddenly, soft and wet heat lightly licked his lip corners, then quickly retreated.

  "Nangong Jin looked at her, unable to see her, and didn't know what to say."

  "It's the poison of the Mihua leaf." Nalan Xianyu quickly identified the toxin in Nan Gongyu's blood. The Mihua leaf is a common poisonous plant, and if ingested by humans, it can cause heart blockage, severe chest pain, vomiting blood, and other symptoms, but it does not pose a threat to life.

  Its shape is similar to another highly toxic plant, in the 24th century, called Nai Cha, which smells like a strong tea fragrance, but its toxicity is hundreds of times that of Muye Ye. What they call Muye Ye is probably Nai Cha.

  "Try to use your inner strength to unblock your meridians... If the heart blood is blocked, just unblock the heart meridian and expel the toxic blood from the body." Nangong Jin listened to her words, without a moment's hesitation, began to operate and unblock his meridians.