Chapter 67 (1/2)

Chapter 67

Translator: Nyoi-Bo StudioEditor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

The night mist clouded their vision of the future, as the unfamiliar mountain path extended seemingly indefinitely. Li Ce carefully followed the lassie. Having rarely experienced such hardship, the Tang Prince depressingly knitted his brow. ”Will the Xia Emperor send men to save us?”

The lassie did not reply. Li Ce had not expected an answer anyways, so in a few moments, he started complaining about how the cold temperature of the highlands was not a place for people to live.

”They will.” A low but firm sound replied. Li Ce, stunned, lifted his head in skepticism. ”What did you say?”

Those people had not recognized her, so they were definitely not from Da Tong. If that was the case, Yan Xun would definitely be on his way to save her.

”Definitely they will,” Chu Qiao replied in a low voice. Her gaze was firm, with a certain glimmer in her eyes.

They continued on the mountain path until they reached a lake.

”Li Ce!” The crisp voice of the young lady reverberated around the lake.

”Qiaoqiao, I am still here.” The man stood up, happily waved his arm, and watched Chu Qiao quickly walk over to him. Taking a quick glance behind her, he spoke, ”You took out all of them already?”

Chu Qiao remained quiet and approached the waterside. With her hands, she scooped up some water and drank it.

”Qiaoqiao, that was amazing!” Li Ce happily squatted next to her. ”Are we going to go find more of them?”

Chu Qiao frowned. Li Ce was slightly taken aback and momentarily was a bit awkward. He explained, ”It is just that I feel it would be easier for us to escape if we killed all of them ”

The young lady raised one finger and slowly swung it back and forth. With a deep voice, she said, ”Firstly, it is just me doing the work, not us. Secondly, there are thousands of enemies, how many do you think I can kill? If you remain like how you were, screaming when seeing a mouse, I will sooner or later be killed as a result. Do not blame me for not warning you beforehand, but when there is no retreat, I will be very happy to give up on you in order for me to live.”

Li Ce sulked as if he was really sad and pulled on Chu Qiao's clothes. ”Qiaoqiao, don't be so cold.”

Chu Qiao groaned, causing Li Ce to quickly draw his hand back, only to see the location he was pulling on had fresh blood seeping out of it. It was apparently a fresh wound. Chu Qiao frowned and checked, only to find an arrow wound in her left rib. The wound was not big but was bleeding steadily and the pain was unbearable. It was surprising that such a wound had escaped her detection.

”Qiaoqiao, you have been injured again. Are you okay? You must hang in there,” Li Ce frowned too and worriedly said.

Chu Qiao pressed on the wound, closed her eyes, and leaned on the tree. She quietly said, ”Help me bandage it.”

”What?”

”Help me bandage!” Her voice became sharp and caustic.

Startled, Li Ce nodded his head hysterically and clumsily tore off a piece of cloth. He lifted up her clothes to reveal silky smooth skin that had been dyed a bright crimson. The arrowhead was deeply buried under the skin of the left rib, with two sides swollen and red. Li Ce grabbed the broken arrow and sternly cautioned, ”Qiaoqiao, if you are in pain, just shout out or you can bite on me.”

Chu Qiao closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but did not speak.

Li Ce's face showed a rare glimpse of seriousness as he grabbed the arrow and scowled. With one swift motion, he yanked it out! Blood squirted. Li Ce tightly covered the wound. Chu Qiao groaned in pain and fell forward. Li Ce stretched out his other hand to catch her as she fell.

”Qiaoqiao? Are you okay?” perturbed, Li Ce anxiously asked.

”I won't die yet.” Her hoarse voice gradually reached his ears. The lassie took a deep breath and she leaned her chin on his shoulder. Li Ce gave off a sigh of relief as he proceeded to bandage her wound. In the darkness of the night, her body was like ice. It suddenly dawned upon Li Ce that this girl in front of him could no longer fight, even one more battle.

However, at this critical moment, hurried footsteps echoed from afar. The duo instantly tensed and sat up straight. Their faces were brimming with seriousness, as their sharp gaze surveyed their surroundings.

”What should I do?” Chu Qiao scowled deeply. She had already lost all fighting potential. The smell of blood here was so heavy that waiting here would lead to certain death. The only way out was to take down Li Ce and to use her guise to create a mess, such that she could make an escape. Her gaze drifted gradually towards the man sitting beside her, only to see his face filled with a rarely seen solemnity and sternness. She was not a saint, but saving people must also be within her capability. When helpfulness started to encroach on her very safety, any smart person would know what to do.

In addition, with Li Ce's death, Yan Xun would gain a huge advantage. She should have known what to do, she must have known what to do, and she ought to do it as such. She had an even heavier burden on her shoulders as there were people waiting for her. Her life was still precious and not something she should easily forsake. Her heavy fingers felt for the dagger tied to her thighs, and she got ready for action.