Chapter 24 – We Meet Again

Everyone could feel an overwhelming pressure closing in from the direction of Jingtuo Temple, and all eyes turned toward it in alarm.

The old man in purple smirked wickedly as he leaped backward, landing atop a tall tree.

“He’s here. None of you are leaving alive.”

At once, Feng Sinan stepped in front of the Emperor.

“Go! Quickly!”

Reacting immediately, the First-Rank Martial King bodyguard seized the Emperor and Empress Dowager, soaring down the mountain with incredible speed.

Kan Chaoyan grabbed Mu Nanjin by the belt and followed after them.

【You won’t outrun him.】

Kan Chaoyan glanced down at the woman in his grasp. Her face remained calm, without the slightest trace of panic.

This girl is being hunted by assassins and still looks this composed? Isn’t she afraid at all?

Meanwhile, the old man on the tree called out to the man pursuing Gong Xiurong:

“Senior! If you don’t act now, they’ll escape!”

The black-robed man cast a faint glance in the direction Mu Nanjin and the others were fleeing. Then, with unhurried grace, he raised his sword and made a casual sweeping motion.

A surge of fierce sword energy burst from the blade, slicing through the air like a black hurricane.

Just as it was about to strike Gong Xiurong, a pendant around his neck flared with red light, releasing a defensive barrier that met the attack head-on.

“Boom!”

The two forces collided with a deafening explosion, sending out a violent shockwave that hurled Gong Xiurong’s body backward—straight toward Mu Nanjin and Kan Chaoyan.

Kan Chaoyan had no time to dodge.

In the next instant, Gong Xiurong crashed into them with full force, knocking both Kan Chaoyan and Mu Nanjin out of the air. Before they hit the ground, Kan Chaoyan quickly circulated his internal energy, bracing one foot against the trunk of a nearby tree to slow their fall. He spun midair, cushioning the impact with a few acrobatic flips before landing firmly on his feet.

“Phew…”

He exhaled heavily. If they had fallen straight from that height, even his martial strength wouldn’t have saved him from serious injury.

“Run!” Kan Chaoyan shouted, reaching out to grab Mu Nanjin’s hand—

Only to clutch a handful of hair instead.

He turned, startled, only to find Mu Nanjin holding someone in her arms.

It was Gong Xiurong—the very person who had just crashed into them. And the “hair” in Kan Chaoyan’s hand belonged to him.

Kan Chaoyan was equal parts furious and speechless.

“Why is he here!?”

Mu Nanjin blinked innocently.

“He flew over, so I caught him.”

Her clear, earnest gaze nearly made Kan Chaoyan choke with frustration.

Gong Xiurong, pale and weak, forced a faint smile.

“What a coincidence. We meet again.”

Mu Nanjin nodded.

“Mm. Though I admit, the way we’re meeting this time is a bit… unusual.”

Her gaze drifted to the pendant on his neck. If not for that artifact, he would’ve been dead long ago.

That must have been why Gong Xiurong had been so confident he could handle things on his own back then.

He let out a soft, pained laugh.

“Heh… I didn’t ask you to save me. So why did you show up?”

Mu Nanjin sighed.

“I didn’t mean to. Saving someone without being asked is really beneath me.”

“Heh… cough, cough…” Gong Xiurong tried to laugh again, but his chest wound throbbed with pain, his brows tightening in agony.

“You two still have time to flirt?” Kan Chaoyan snapped, exasperated. “Can’t you see what’s happening? Run!”

Mu Nanjin looked up calmly.

“No need. He’s already here.”

Kan Chaoyan’s expression froze. Turning around, he saw the black-robed man—the one who had been chasing Gong Xiurong—forcing Feng Sinan and the Emperor’s party back toward them.

“Your Majesty!” Kan Chaoyan rushed forward and dropped to one knee. “This subordinate failed to protect you. Please punish me later. I’ll summon the Jinyiwei to reinforce us immediately!”

The Emperor shook his head.

“Even if they come, they’ll die for nothing. There’s no need to sacrifice more lives.”

【At least the Emperor has some conscience left.】

Mu Nanjin leaned toward Gong Xiurong and asked under her breath,

“So… does this count as me bringing the Emperor to rescue you?”

The Emperor and his attendants fell utterly silent.