Chapter 21

Luo Huanghun discussed the prescription with the military doctors. The poison could be neutralized, but a rare herb called Chengyuan Flower was missing.

This flower grew on sheer cliffs, making it very hard to find and recognize. Luo Huanghun decided to go search for it, and Bai Zhi accompanied her.

The two women traveled over mountains and across valleys, enduring harsh conditions. Bai Zhi, being a martial artist, was accustomed to such hardships. However, Luo Huanghun, who had been raised in luxury, didn’t complain once. Instead, she seemed even more anxious than Bai Zhi to press on.

Bai Zhi had observed Luo Huanghun for a long time and finally shed her initial disdain.

They successfully found the Chengyuan Flower, but its location was perilous, and a single misstep could be fatal.

“Let me do it,” Bai Zhi stopped Luo Huanghun. “You can’t afford to get hurt.”

Luo Huanghun gave a wry smile and shook her head. “It’s not a matter of wanting to or not. It has to be me. You don’t know how to pick the Chengyuan Flower properly; you might ruin its medicinal properties.”

Bai Zhi took out a rope and tied it around Luo Huanghun’s waist. Luo Huanghun took out a jade box and carefully began to pick the Chengyuan Flower. She was almost successful.

Just then, a dart suddenly flew out. Although Bai Zhi reacted swiftly and deflected the dart, it still grazed the rope. The rope could no longer bear Luo Huanghun’s weight!

Bai Zhi’s pupils contracted sharply. She had wondered why their journey had been so uneventful. She hadn’t expected their patience to last until the very last moment before making their move!

She glanced at Luo Huanghun, who gritted her teeth, secured the Chengyuan Flower in the jade box, and then threw the box towards Bai Zhi before plummeting down herself.

Bai Zhi broke out in a cold sweat. She knew that if anything happened to Luo Huanghun, Murong Feng would also suffer!

She caught the jade box containing the Chengyuan Flower and, risking being cut, reached for the severed rope, but she was still a step too late.

At that moment, a figure lunged forward with incredible speed, tightly gripping the rope. His body dangled precariously at the edge of the cliff.

Luo Huanghun had thought she was going to die, but suddenly she was pulled back. She looked up and saw a face filled with anxious concern. She was surprised. “How did you get here?”

Upon seeing the person, Bai Zhi cried out in shock, “Ren Jingsi?”

Not only Bai Zhi, but the assassins behind her, who were about to attack, also saw Ren Jingsi. They hesitated, unsure whether to proceed.

Ren Jingsi gritted his teeth and shouted, “All of you, stand down!”

The assassins hesitated. Ren Jingsi roared, “Are you not even listening to me anymore?”

They exchanged glances and silently retreated. Bai Zhi breathed a sigh of relief and quickly went to help Ren Jingsi.

When they both lay on the grass, they felt a lingering sense of fear.

Voices could be heard in the distance; they seemed to be soldiers looking for Ren Jingsi.

Ren Jingsi’s hands were bleeding from the rope burns. He looked at Luo Huanghun, finally feeling as if he had come back to life.

“I am an imperial inspector appointed by the Emperor. I learned some news and feared for your safety, so I rushed here. Fortunately, I made it in time.”

Luo Huanghun’s eyes widened in surprise. “You’re the imperial inspector?”

Ren Jingsi nodded.

With Ren Jingsi’s help, the journey back was much smoother. As they neared the military camp, Luo Huanghun thanked Ren Jingsi, but he shook his head.

He looked at Luo Huanghun, his eyes filled with an unresolvable pain. “I hate owing people, especially owing someone their life. I suppose this debt is now repaid.”

Luo Huanghun looked up in surprise. Ren Jingsi gave a bitter smile. “After you left, I still had that dream every night. I went to Baima Temple and met Master Liaoran.”

“I understand why you said we could never be together,” Ren Jingsi said, looking at Luo Huanghun. He then took a few steps back, forcing a stiff smile. “In this life, I hope you will be well.”

Luo Huanghun couldn’t help but shed tears. She felt that she could finally let go of everything.

Despite the insurmountable hatred between them, she had found release.

Luo Huanghun led her horse, flicked the reins, and eagerly galloped towards the military camp, towards the person she longed for. “Your words are a good omen!”