The alliance leader clutched his chest, spitting out a mouthful of blood. "This rebellious girl, she knows martial arts!" He then glanced towards the cave entrance, his meticulously prepared trap.
Rumors had long circulated about secret passages in the Dead City, with hidden mechanisms. He had made a few modifications, ensuring that anyone passing the cave entrance would be pulled in.
And within, many good things awaited them!
"Seal the cave entrance and continue the assault on the Dead City." With the Dead City now leaderless, they were scattered like sand, and he was destined to win. A sinister smile spread across his face as he advanced towards the city gates.
Meanwhile, at the cave entrance, Lan Yan was falling. Gazing into the pitch-black abyss below, she couldn't help but close her eyes. She landed in a warm embrace and softly called out, "City Lord."
The next moment, she was held tightly, feeling a hot breath against her ear.
Jun Yelan felt Lan Yan's warmth; his Lan Yan had finally returned to his side. He cupped Lan Yan's waist, pulling her close, and after a long moment, said gently, "Never leave my side again."
He had once believed that keeping Lan Yan away was for her own good. But now, he saw that Lan Yan could only truly be safe by his side. He would protect Lan Yan with all his might.
"Mhm," Lan Yan smiled faintly, relieved that Jun Yelan had finally voiced his true feelings. She touched Jun Yelan's back and exclaimed, "City Lord, you said it yourself, you can't go back on your word."
"If you go back on it, I really won't talk to you anymore." She had her moods, after all.
Jun Yelan curved his lips, nodding, "Alright. Even if I die, I will not regret it."
They clung to each other, yet a growing rustling sound filled their ears.
Jun Yelan held Lan Yan tighter, his tenderness reaching the depths of his being. "Don't be afraid, they cannot harm you." He took out a tinderbox, his eyes chilling as he saw snakes crawling all around. He then cut his own arm with his soft sword.
"City Lord," Lan Yan took the tinderbox, her eyes filled with worry.
Jun Yelan smiled at Lan Yan, "Just a little blood." The blood from his arm dripped onto the ground, and the poisonous snakes instantly froze.
The surrounding snakes, seeing this, crawled towards Jun Yelan, meeting the same fate.
When no more snakes appeared, Lan Yan took out a handkerchief to bandage Jun Yelan's arm, her heart aching. She vowed to learn about poisons so that Jun Yelan would never have to suffer such injuries again.
Jun Yelan, unaware of Lan Yan's thoughts, saw her lost in contemplation and mistook it for lingering fear. He reached out, as she had done earlier, and stroked her head. "I am here."
Lan Yan looked up, forcing a smile. She surveyed the surrounding walls and asked, "City Lord, the structure of this place is very similar to the secret passages I took in the Dead City. Could there be an exit here?"
The most despicable was Alliance Leader Li, who had sealed the cave entrance. Without enough air and food here, they wouldn't last long.
Jun Yelan walked over, tapping the walls. "Indeed, the materials are the same." He walked around, finding a relatively weaker spot, gestured for Lan Yan to stand behind him, and struck out with his palm.
With a boom, the wall cracked open, revealing a gap.
Lan Yan cried out in surprise, "That's wonderful! We can get out!" She stepped forward, taking Jun Yelan's hand, her face beaming as she looked at him.
Jun Yelan gripped her small hand tightly and cautiously moved forward.
The tunnel ahead was narrow, the air growing thinner, and the light dimming.
Lan Yan began to feel dizzy. Looking at Jun Yelan's back, she bit her lip, urging herself to stay conscious. She could do this.
Jun Yelan was focused on finding an exit, eager to get Lan Yan out as soon as possible.
They reached a fork in the path, and a swarm of insects flew towards them. He drew his sword, fended off a wave, and led Lan Yan into the right-hand path of the fork. "Lan Yan, how are you?"
He turned his head, only to see the person behind him collapsing onto the ground. He quickly caught her. "Lan Yan!" He gripped her hand, noticing her pale face and furrowed brow.
Lan Yan reached out and smoothed Jun Yelan's brow. "Your frowning is unsightly. I'm just a little tired; I'll be fine after a rest."
Jun Yelan saw that Lan Yan's lips had turned purple. This was not ordinary fatigue, but poisoning. He looked around. They had broken many traps along the way, and some might have contained poison.
However, he couldn't sense the poison himself, which was why he hadn't detected it. He blamed himself, his heart filled with worry for Lan Yan's condition.
Lan Yan smiled, "City Lord, I'm alright." She was just very sleepy and had been walking continuously, making it hard to stay upright.
Jun Yelan remained silent. He then cut his arm again and brought it to Lan Yan's lips. "You've been poisoned. My blood can slow the toxins. Drink it."
Fearing she wouldn't, he added, "If you collapse here, I will not leave alone."
Lan Yan's pupils trembled slightly as she bit Jun Yelan's arm. She could not die here, nor could she let Jun Yelan die with her.
Jun Yelan felt the softness on his arm, his mind consumed by a single thought: Lan Yan must live.
After resting for a while, Lan Yan's mind cleared considerably. She looked up, preparing to stand, but her eyes widened. "City Lord, your hair."
Jun Yelan had lost too much blood; the tips of his hair had turned silver and were creeping upwards. If this continued, his condition would worsen, and without restraints here, he would directly harm Lan Yan.
He quickly retreated, putting distance between them, and called out, "Hurry and go. Follow the path ahead, and you'll find the exit."
Lan Yan shouted, "I won't abandon you!" She stepped forward and hugged Jun Yelan from behind. "Jun Yelan, let's try this. Even when you're unwell, you won't hurt me."
"I promise you, if it truly becomes dangerous, I will leave."
This time, Jun Yelan couldn't break free from Lan Yan's grasp. The small woman possessed such immense strength today. He nodded, "You promise me, the moment I lose consciousness, you will run with all your might."
Lan Yan nodded, released Jun Yelan, and then took his hand. From this point on, it was her turn! She scouted ahead, constantly monitoring Jun Yelan's condition.
Jun Yelan's pupils gradually became unfocused, and his hands uncontrollably reached for Lan Yan's back. But he smelled a familiar scent and heard gentle words, which calmed him slightly.
He suppressed the pain in his chest, swallowed the blood surging in his throat, and focused all his attention on Lan Yan.
Lan Yan felt Jun Yelan's changes and quickened her pace in searching for an exit. Jun Yelan, I won't let anything happen to you!
Suddenly, a stone by the wall toppled over, letting in the first light of dawn. "City Lord, we're out!" Lan Yan exclaimed joyfully, turning to see Jun Yelan, his hair now entirely silver, cascading down his back and shoulders.
Furthermore, Jun Yelan was looking at Lan Yan with a cold gaze, reaching out to attack the space behind her.
Lan Yan heard the sound behind her and turned to see a fallen righteous figure's corpse. She scanned the surroundings, finding chaos everywhere, and the people of the Dead City were on the verge of defeat.