Was Xu Hengyan insane? Or possessed?
Xie Jiang's mind went blank. She didn't know how things had escalated to this point, or where it had all gone wrong.
He might not care about his life, but she did.
Panic seized Xie Jiang as she finally reacted.
What was Xu Hengyan doing? Did he think she was doomed and was sacrificing himself to save her?
But the abyss below was not just a thousand feet deep, it was a thousand feet deep, and the current was swift and violent. Falling in would still mean death.
How could anyone save someone like this?
He was the heir of the Duke of Wei!
The successor nurtured by the entire Xu clan!
How could he put himself in such danger?
Xie Jiang wanted to struggle, but it was too late. No matter how much she struggled, wings wouldn't sprout from her back.
She had played too recklessly. The end of the line.
...
In the final second before being struck by an arrow and falling into the water, Xu Hengyan abruptly flipped his body, shielding Xie Jiang's head with his chest.
Xie Jiang, who had been mentally unleashing a torrent of curses, was stunned.
The riverbed was littered with jagged rocks. They crashed down heavily, and Xie Jiang saw nothing but red before her eyes.
It was all his blood.
Under the immense impact, the severely wounded Xu Hengyan fainted, loosening his hold on Xie Jiang.
Xie Jiang reached out to grab him but grasped at empty air. The rushing, roaring river separated them.
Xu Hengyan!
Xie Jiang cried out in her heart, quickly adjusting her body to tumble with the surging river, striving to swim towards Xu Hengyan.
Unfortunately, the current was too strong, and Xu Hengyan was already unconscious. It was hard enough for Xie Jiang to stabilize herself, let alone catch Xu Hengyan.
Xu Hengyan had completely lost consciousness, being swept away by the torrent with no reaction. If this continued, he would die, if not from drowning, then from something else!
Xie Jiang's heart filled with anxiety. Xu Hengyan couldn't die like this. Everything had only just begun.
Xu Hengyan, don't sleep! Wake up!
The situation underwater was extremely complex. If he remained unconscious, he would be drowned or dashed against the rocks.
Xu Hengyan!
Xie Jiang struggled fiercely in the water, surfacing for a breath before diving back down. Xu Hengyan had vanished, swept away to who knew where.
Xu Hengyan! Where is he!
Xie Jiang's heart tightened with each passing moment.
With a careless slip, she scraped against a protruding rock, a jolt of pain making her body convulse and nearly capsize her.
In reality, she could now climb ashore by herself, escaping the danger. After a moment's hesitation, Xie Jiang gave up the idea of saving herself alone.
She had seen it all on the rope bridge earlier. He had rushed towards her without hesitation, braving a rain of arrows, without a flicker of doubt.
That was enough.
Her purpose these past few days had been fulfilled.
But he...
Knowing that falling off a cliff after being shot was a near-certain death, he had still leaped towards her without a second thought.
Even now, Xie Jiang found it hard to believe, and her heart was filled with shock.
...
Xie Jiang continuously struggled to surface, then sank back down, searching with the current.
Bobbing and sinking, she didn't know how long she had been tossed about, or how far the torrent had carried her. When she gasped for air again, large raindrops began to patter against her face.
Outside, the sky was dark and the water churned with rocks.
Xie Jiang was covered in bruises and cuts, her strength gradually draining. If she couldn't find Xu Hengyan soon, she would have to try and survive alone.
Her eyes felt dry and sore, perhaps from being submerged for too long.
She didn't want Xu Hengyan to die like this. Xu Hengyan was so foolish and easily deceived. She had only just begun to approach him, but she couldn't die with him.
She hadn't yet returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion in broad daylight, reclaiming her identity as the second daughter of the Song family, and making those who had once forced her to her death live in fear day and night.
Xu Hengyan, Xu Hengyan.
Xie Jiang silently whispered his name, took a deep breath, and plunged into the rapids once more.
One last time.
If she still couldn't find Xu Hengyan...
Perhaps it was a case of persistent longing yielding results. This time, not long after entering the water, Xie Jiang faintly saw a shadow ahead.
Xie Jiang's heart leaped with joy. Braving the risk of being swept away by the current, she quickened her pace and swam forward.
Several times, Xu Hengyan seemed within reach, but each time Xie Jiang reached out, a surge of waves would toss him far away.
Xie Jiang's strength was failing more and more.
But she was unwilling.
So close! Just a little bit closer!
Xie Jiang's head began to spin, her movements slowing. In the surging current, she was almost losing control of her body.
Watching Xu Hengyan drift further away, Xie Jiang began to feel utterly powerless.
Just then, Xu Hengyan, who had been drifting with the current, suddenly moved.
Xie Jiang thought it was an illusion until Xu Hengyan clearly adjusted his position and looked in her direction.
Xie Jiang's heart was filled with elation.
Xu Hengyan had woken up!
Wonderful!
Xie Jiang, who was almost at her limit, suddenly found a burst of strength and once again pushed herself with all her might towards Xu Hengyan.
Xu Hengyan was extremely weak and unable to contend with the forces of nature. He could only struggle weakly, buying her a little more time.
Several times their fingertips brushed, only to be pulled apart again. Both exerting their utmost strength, they finally grasped each other's hands tightly.
The moment she embraced Xu Hengyan, Xie Jiang was completely exhausted.
At this point, even if she abandoned Xu Hengyan, it would be difficult for her to swim back up on her own.
Damn it!
She had acted impulsively without thinking!
She had just told herself to get away if things got too much!
Xie Jiang was too tired. Holding Xu Hengyan, she didn't want to move. She would conserve her strength first, and then, with a surge of effort, break through the waves!
Xu Hengyan hugged her and tried to push upwards, but after a short while, he weakly began to sink again.
He was too severely injured.
As if sensing her giving up the struggle, Xu Hengyan became anxious. The arm around her waist suddenly tightened.
He was pushing her upwards.
He was signaling her not to give up.
But didn't he know that if he used all his strength to push her up, she might be able to swim ashore, but he would have no chance of survival?
Had too much water gotten into his brain and ruined it!
Did he even know his own name!
To risk his life for a stranger!
Xie Jiang, who had been on the verge of death, suddenly felt a surge of ferocity.
She unbuckled her belt, tied one end to Xu Hengyan, and desperately swam upwards.
Xu Hengyan dared not be a burden. Although he couldn't muster much strength, he tried his best to adjust his position, minimizing the strain on Xie Jiang.
Ascend!
A large gulp of air filled her lungs, and she instantly felt alive again.
Just then, her waist suddenly felt heavy. Xie Jiang's heart sank, and she pulled hard on the belt. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
"Xu Hengyan!"
They had found a way out, just a little more persistence and they would be safe!
"Xu Hengyan!"
Xu Hengyan was unresponsive. Xie Jiang dragged him towards the shore.
Finally managing to drag Xu Hengyan ashore, Xie Jiang collapsed on the ground, too exhausted to get up.
By then, the sky had already turned completely dark. Coupled with the strong wind and heavy rain, visibility was zero, and their situation was dire.
They didn't even know how far the river had carried them, or to what place.