Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan's worried eyes and immediately understood.
She raised her fist and gently hit Jun Yelan's chest, saying with a wronged tone, "You left without saying goodbye, and I looked for you for so long."
"And you didn't even leave me a letter, making me sulk alone. That's not all, a man from before suddenly appeared, threatened me, and took me away. Wuwuwu."
She lowered her head and pretended to cry, wanting to make Jun Yelan more vigilant, so he wouldn't dare to leave her carelessly next time.
Jun Yelan was at a loss, having never encountered such a situation. He raised his arm, not knowing where to place it, only able to look at Lan Yan.
He said, "I was wrong. Please don't cry, okay?" He had returned because he was worried about Lan Yan and wanted to see her again.
As soon as he spoke, Lan Yan's crying intensified, though the corners of her mouth curled up slightly. It seemed this tactic was working.
Jun Yelan realized he had said the wrong thing and done the wrong thing. He became helpless and asked, "Why don't you hit me? I absolutely won't fight back."
He placed the sword in his hand aside, adopting a posture of complete submission to whatever Lan Yan might do.
Lan Yan stopped crying, raised her head, her eyes still red. She looked at the seemingly obedient Jun Yelan and said, "I won't hit you. My hand hurts."
Jun Yelan's skin was thick; her hand wouldn't be able to take it.
This put Jun Yelan in a difficult position. He directly rolled up his sleeves, took off the dagger from his waist, and approached his arm.
"What are you doing!" Lan Yan exclaimed, startled. She quickly grabbed Jun Yelan's arm, her eyes filled with even more grievance.
Jun Yelan said, "I'll do it myself, so your hand won't hurt."
Lan Yan was amused, "What a big fool." She pulled down Jun Yelan's sleeve, put away the dagger, and said, "From now on, without my permission, you can't harm yourself. No matter who it's for, it's not worth it."
Jun Yelan was stunned. In the assassin's pavilion where he grew up, getting injured was commonplace. In his understanding, being injured was his normal way of life.
Yet the person in front of him told him this was wrong and that he should cherish himself more. A warmth spread through his heart, and he nodded, "I'll listen to you."
Lan Yan breathed a sigh of relief. She knew she shouldn't have joked with Jun Yelan; it had scared her to death. "Also, I haven't forgiven you for leaving without saying goodbye, unless you promise me one thing."
"Okay," Jun Yelan called out without hesitation.
Lan Yan was slightly taken aback. Jun Yelan trusted her too much; he didn't even ask what it was. She looked at Young Master Xiao, who was unconscious in the carriage, and said, "I can't go back now. You have to take responsibility for me."
Jun Yelan didn't react for a moment. Realizing Lan Yan wanted to follow him, he frowned, "No, I'll find a place for you."
He was only surrounded by blood and disaster. Lan Yan was so beautiful; she couldn't stay by his side.
Lan Yan immediately refused, exclaiming, "You just agreed so readily, and now you're lying to me? Fine, I'll leave by myself." She made to get out of the carriage. This Jun Yelan actually wanted to abandon her!
Jun Yelan grabbed her hand, and seeing her tear-filled eyes, he was slightly taken aback. He didn't want Lan Yan to be sad. Why did things always go contrary to his wishes? His expression fell.
Lan Yan looked into Jun Yelan's eyes and said resolutely, "Jun Yelan, this is my choice, Lan Yan's choice. I never had a home. I always stayed in the brothel, and now a patron has taken me out. I can't go back!"
"Besides, if I go back and something like today happens again, what then? Do you want to see me truly hurt?" She wanted Jun Yelan to realize the seriousness of the situation.
Jun Yelan's pupils trembled, and he tightened his grip on Lan Yan's wrist. He couldn't allow such a thing to happen. His eyes gained a hint of clarity, and he said, "No, I'll take you with me."
He could take Lan Yan away first and then settle her in a safe place.
Lan Yan revealed a triumphant smile, grabbed Jun Yelan's sleeve, and said, "Good, let's leave quickly then." She was led out of the carriage by Jun Yelan and looked at his fallen subordinates around them, snorting coldly.
These people had ill intentions before, and now they've gotten their comeuppance!
Jun Yelan also detested these people. He led Lan Yan forward and said, "Wait for me here, don't look back." He didn't want Lan Yan to see his blood-covered appearance, but these people had bullied Lan Yan, and he had to kill them.
Lan Yan nodded, standing obediently in place, listening to Jun Yelan's footsteps.
Jun Yelan walked to the carriage, his eyes filled with ruthlessness. He shot out the sword in his hand, and it directly pierced Young Master Xiao.
Young Master Xiao's pupils widened in shock as he woke up. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his fingers trembling as he pointed at Jun Yelan, "You!" But he couldn't say anything else before collapsing.
The others lay scattered around the carriage; Jun Yelan had already killed them all with a single blow, not even giving them time to draw their weapons.
Looking at these people, Jun Yelan coldly threw the fire starter from his embrace and burned everything there. The firelight reflected in his eyes. Gripping his sword, he left, ensuring no one would be able to find Lan Yan.
After finishing, he looked at the serene figure in front of him, his eyes returning to calmness. He walked behind Lan Yan, draped the cloak he had prepared over her shoulders, and said, "It's cold at night."
"Mhm," Lan Yan smiled, pulling on Jun Yelan's sleeve, "From now on, I'll follow you."
Jun Yelan's lips trembled. He wanted to say something but ultimately didn't. He slowed his pace, leading Lan Yan away from this place, heading towards the unknown ahead.
After the two left the city, it was already getting dark, so they had to find a place to rest.
Jun Yelan found a cave he had stayed in before, spread some straw on the ground, and said, "We can only make do tonight. We'll leave tomorrow."
"Okay," Lan Yan sat down, patted the spot beside her, and smiled, "Jun Yelan, you sit too."
Jun Yelan looked at Lan Yan's smiling face, and for some reason, his throat felt dry. He said, "No need. I'll stand guard outside."
Lan Yan tugged at his sleeve, blinking her eyes in a wronged manner, "I'll be scared."
Thus, Jun Yelan turned around and sat beside Lan Yan, his movements slightly stiff. A head leaned onto his shoulder, and his body jolted, daring not to move further.
Lan Yan hooked her arm around Jun Yelan's arm and closed her eyes, "I think this is good. I don't have to deal with people from the brothel anymore, and I don't have to worry about you being caught."
Jun Yelan remained silent, listening to the words of the person beside him. The tremor in his heart continued to grow. He was an assassin, yet he repeatedly changed his choices because of the person beside him, reaching a point of no return.
Perhaps tired from the day and with Jun Yelan by her side, Lan Yan gradually drifted into sleep.
Hearing the steady breathing beside him, Jun Yelan reached out and hugged Lan Yan's shoulder, murmuring, "Sleep peacefully. I will protect you."
He looked at the sword on his other side, perhaps this sword existed precisely for this moment, to protect the woman beside him.