Po Jun paused before entering the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest, hesitation in his eyes.
Entering the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest was fraught with danger, but opportunities to kill Nangong Yu were few. Furthermore, with the fifteenth approaching, Nangong Yu's poisoning was about to flare up. Entering the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest would be tantamount to seeking death, and he saw no need to follow.
However, the thought that Nangong Yu might escape if he didn't pursue made Po Jun hesitate for a moment before finally entering.
Regardless, he had to witness the deaths of these two with his own eyes. Otherwise, it would mean that the Jiu Yu Lou had failed.
The Ten Thousand Ghost Forest was filled with various mechanisms and traps. Nangong Yu's wound split open again, and Xiao Man had to support him. "Your Highness Prince Qin, something is not right in here."
Nangong Yu gave a wry smile. "This is the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest. Thus far, no one has ever emerged from it alive."
Xiao Man's footsteps halted. "Then I have truly chosen a formidable place."
"Indeed," Nangong Yu chuckled. "But do not worry, I will lead you out."
Xiao Man nodded, her gaze suddenly shifting behind them. She seemed surprised that Po Jun had followed them in, realizing that the Jiu Yu Lou was truly determined to kill them.
"Let's go this way." Xiao Man supported Nangong Yu as they walked swiftly. Every step was a calculated move. While the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest did indeed contain traps and mechanisms, understanding formations and moving in the correct direction would prevent them from triggering.
Nangong Yu smiled as he watched Xiao Man expertly discern their path.
Indeed, Xiao Man was no ordinary delicate woman. She had even bypassed the formation in the forbidden area behind Mount Gan Ye Temple. The formations on the periphery of the Ten Thousand Ghost Forest were child's play to her.
Xiao Man and Nangong Yu moved with ease, but Po Jun, following behind, fared much worse. He triggered several mechanisms. If not for his considerable martial arts skills, he might have perished in those traps. Yet, as he pursued them, he saw no signs of activated mechanisms. Po Jun realized that one of the two ahead must be knowledgeable in mechanisms and formations.
After walking for some time, Xiao Man led Nangong Yu to a large rock, where they sat to rest.
Nangong Yu took his water pouch from his waist and offered it to Xiao Man. "Have some water."
Xiao Man took it, drank a mouthful, and then handed it back to Nangong Yu. "There are many good things in this Ten Thousand Ghost Forest. Wait for me here for a moment. I will go gather some herbs. Your wound needs to be treated again."
Nangong Yu nodded. "Don't wander too far. The terrain here is constantly shifting. Be careful not to fall into a trap."
Xiao Man nodded and turned to leave. As she had entered, she had noticed many useful things. If she hadn't had restorative pills with her, she might have been trapped here today. However, this trip had been very rewarding.
Xiao Man gathered the herbs she needed and then returned. She chewed the herbs she had collected and applied them to Nangong Yu's wound. Nangong Yu's injury was her fault; if he hadn't been trying to save her, he wouldn't have been injured to this extent.
"It's almost dawn," Nangong Yu said, looking at the misty sky. Although he didn't know the exact time, it should be close to dawn.
Xiao Man placed a blade of grass into Nangong Yu's mouth. "Keep this in your mouth to prevent miasma. We need to go further away to avoid Po Jun catching up."
Nangong Yu did as he was told, his mind clear. Ye Qing had been right. Xiao Man was indeed skilled in pharmacology. However, in the Protectorate General's mansion, no one seemed to be skilled in medicine. Coupled with her peculiar martial arts, who had taught her?
"Your martial arts weren't taught to you by your father, were they?"
Xiao Man did not answer Nangong Yu, remaining silent as she led the way ahead.
She had too many things to explain, and if she couldn't tell Nangong Yu the truth, she would have to lie. But once a lie was told, countless more would be needed to cover it up. She didn't want that hassle, so she chose silence.
Nangong Yu was unbothered by Xiao Man's silence. "The Ten Thousand Ghost Forest is not that easy to get out of. If the Medicine King were here, it might be possible."
"With me here, Your Highness Prince Qin can rest assured. As long as we don't encounter any high-level assassins, I will surely be able to lead you out."
Nangong Yu chuckled, a faint sound, but Xiao Man still heard it. "Your Highness, what are you laughing at?"
"I'm just happy."
"Given our current predicament, what is there to be happy about?"
"Because you are here, I am happy. If I were alone in this Ten Thousand Ghost Forest, it would not be so easy to get out." As the sky grew brighter, Xiao Man looked back and saw Nangong Yu's warm smile, like the rising sun, momentarily blinding her. She immediately turned her head away.
Damn it! Xiao Man patted her chest. She had always known Prince Qin was exceptionally handsome, but she never knew that his smile could be so captivating! Even she, who had seen many handsome men, almost had her heart stop.
"Xiao Man, talk to me," Nangong Yu said softly. The silence made him feel uneasy. Today was the fifteenth, his weakest time. Even though he knew Xiao Man wouldn't abandon him, he still felt uneasy, especially in the dangerous Ten Thousand Ghost Forest.
"Talk about what?"
"Do you have someone you like?" Nangong Yu asked, his voice filled with nervousness.
"No," Xiao Man replied, completely oblivious to Nangong Yu's subtle intentions. She had been rather tragic in both her past and present lives.
In her past life, she had lived for her family but failed to save them. In this life, she wanted to live for herself but was surrounded by wolves, always waiting to pounce and snap her neck at the slightest slip.
She had exhausted all her efforts just to survive, leaving no energy to like someone else.
"What about Du Gu Ming Yu?"
"He is different," Xiao Man said slowly. Du Gu Ming Yu was her younger brother, her family, and naturally different from others.
"Do you like him then?"
"Yes," Xiao Man said without hesitation. "I like that he helped my brother destroy Yun Qi Tian Xia."
Nangong Yu noticed Xiao Man's strong obsession with destroying Yun Qi Tian Xia, as if Yun Qi Tian Xia had an irreconcilable feud with her.
Nangong Yu couldn't help but ponder Xiao Man's background. It seemed Xiao Man's mother had died in battle.
"I heard your mother died in battle?"
"Yes, my father said so. I don't know the specifics of how she died."
"General Xiao didn't tell you?"
"He said the time wasn't right. When the time comes, he will tell me who killed my mother." Xiao Man's voice was soft and gentle, but Nangong Yu still detected a hint of coldness in her tone.
"Your mother was murdered?" Nangong Yu was shocked. Who could have harmed Xiao Man's mother under Xiao Zhen's protection?
Xiao Man remained silent. Although she didn't know who had killed her mother, she was certain it wasn't someone within the mansion. The fact that her father had to endure it meant the other party's power was immense, beyond the Protectorate General's mansion's ability to contend with. She had a vague answer forming in her mind.