As thunder rumbled, a light rain began to fall from the sky, eventually turning into a downpour that drenched both Lan Yan and Jun Yelan, turning them into drowned rats.
Lan Yan dragged Jun Yelan, struggling to traverse the forest. Water droplets clung to her eyelashes, obscuring her vision of the path ahead. Vaguely, she spotted a cave.
"Excellent," she called out to Jun Yelan beside her, "We can go in and take shelter from the rain." However, Jun Yelan did not respond, his face growing paler.
Seeing this, she bit her lip and quickened her pace.
Step by step, her soaked shoes and socks became heavier, making the walk more difficult than usual. After an unknown amount of time, she finally managed to bring Jun Yelan into the cave, collapsing onto the ground in exhaustion.
Jun Yelan's eyes remained closed.
Lan Yan got up. Both of their clothes were wet, and they couldn't stay like this. She took out the flint from her pocket, looked around, and found some branches.
"Heaven has not forsaken me," she muttered. She piled the branches together, and after much effort, the fire finally ignited successfully. She then dragged Jun Yelan closer, sat beside him, and extended her hands to warm them.
Seeing that Jun Yelan still hadn't woken up, she asked, "System, will he be alright?"
The system replied softly, "As long as the host takes good care of him, he will naturally be fine."
"Oh." A stinging pain shot through Lan Yan's palm. She looked down to see small red wounds all over it, likely from earlier. She cried out pitifully, "If I can't complete this mission, my hands will have been for nothing."
System: "...The host can do it. System going offline."
Lan Yan was left alone, guarding Jun Yelan and the fire. She looked at the rain outside the cave, knowing it wouldn't stop anytime soon, and her eyelids grew heavy.
She added a few more branches and lay down, facing Jun Yelan. In her daze, she mumbled, "Jun Yelan, you must get better, or I'll be disappointed."
After speaking, she immediately fell asleep, only to feel cold again and move closer to the only source of warmth.
The entire cave was then filled only with the crackling sound of flames.
In the middle of the night, Jun Yelan opened his eyes and shifted his body. He felt much better than before. In his state without martial arts, forcefully using the power of his snake tail had led to his unconsciousness.
He was still pondering what had happened after he passed out when he saw the small head nestled in his arms. Lan Yan was holding him tightly, as if hugging a large teddy bear.
His pupils trembled slightly. What had happened!
Lan Yan was still murmuring about being cold. She had placed her hands on Jun Yelan's chest and wrapped her legs around his waist.
Jun Yelan: "..." He looked at Lan Yan's innocent little face and then at the wounds on her hands. Ultimately, he did not push her away. He reached out and caressed her back.
Perhaps it was the warmth from the person in his arms, but he soon fell asleep again. This was the first time he had slept warmly, as the serpent race was cold-blooded and could only absorb heat from external sources.
Lan Yan was the warmest heat source he had ever encountered.
With this thought, he felt at peace and slept soundly.
The next morning, Lan Yan woke up first and found herself holding Jun Yelan like a doll, which startled her. Oh dear, Jun Yelan probably hadn't noticed!
She quickly retracted her limbs, pretending nothing had happened, and got up to go to the cave entrance.
After she left, Jun Yelan opened his eyes, having witnessed Lan Yan's small actions. A smile flickered across his lips. He also got up and slowly followed Lan Yan.
Lan Yan stood at the entrance, extending her hand to feel the sunlight filtering through the forest. Although it had rained heavily last night, the sun was warm this morning. She sighed, "What a beautiful day."
Hearing footsteps, she turned to see Jun Yelan and her gaze flickered away. Seeing that Jun Yelan seemed fine, she said, "You're better, so let's go back."
"Alright," Jun Yelan's tone was much gentler.
On the way back, Lan Yan asked curiously, "Who were those people last night?"
"The ones trying to kill me," Jun Yelan replied coldly, clenching his fist. "The leader was a high-ranking official from the Serpent tribe, the Crown Prince. He always feared the military power I held and swore to kill me."
"Since I survived this time, he will surely make another move."
Lan Yan nodded, confirming that person was indeed a threat. "The Serpent Crown Prince has appeared, and the Human race cannot simply ignore it. When we get back, we'll report to the authorities first, at least to make those people wary on Human territory."
"Don't worry, I won't let him succeed," she added, quickening her pace.
Jun Yelan, however, was taken aback and couldn't help but look at Lan Yan. Her words, often spoken casually, were incredibly heartwarming. He murmured behind her, "I won't let him have his way either."
The two returned to the General's mansion and sent people to report the incident.
Lan Yan had wanted to go herself, but her injury had been discovered by the household staff, and she was being attended to by Chun Tao and Lan Ya, awaiting the doctor's examination.
Meanwhile, the Serpent Crown Prince, mounted on a tall horse, gazed at the imperial city before him with cold eyes. "What a pity, I still failed to kill Jun Yelan this time."
Du Yin, behind him, with one empty sleeve, called out, "Master, we still have opportunities. Let Jun Yelan live a little longer."
"Hmph," the Serpent Crown Prince sneered. "If it weren't for my father, fearing I would cause trouble and rushing me to return, I would never have let Jun Yelan go. You stay here, make good use of Liu Tingting, and cause him more trouble."
"Yes, Master," Du Yin replied with a bowed head, respectfully seeing off the Serpent Crown Prince.
He then grabbed the empty sleeve beside him and said angrily, "Lan Yan, Jun Yelan, I will definitely avenge my severed hand." He then rode into the city.
On the other side, Lan Yan was propping her chin with one hand while the other was being examined. "Doctor, I really don't think I'm seriously injured. You were quite fast last time, why are you so slow with me now?"
It had already been an incense stick's worth of time.
The doctor finally released her hand and looked at Lan Yan's hand again before writing a prescription. "Take this prescription twice a day for five days. And this bottle of medicine, apply it morning and evening, and avoid getting it wet."
Lan Yan yawned and nodded, "Doctor, I've got it."
The doctor then placed the medicine on the table, packed his things, and left.
Chun Tao picked up the medicine from the table and said, "Miss, I'll apply the medicine for you first." She felt sorry for her young lady, whose delicate hands were now covered in small wounds.
She wondered how long these wounds would take to heal!
As she was about to open the bottle, Jun Yelan took it from her.
"I'll do it," Jun Yelan said, sitting down. He took Lan Yan's wrist and gently dipped a cotton ball into the powder, applying it to her palm.
Lan Yan couldn't help but stare, dumbfounded. When had Jun Yelan become so gentle!