Chapter 10: Can't Walk AnymoreJiang Yiyue and Ji Shuhuai stood up simultaneously.A group of dark figures rushed forward without hesitation.Without a word, Jiang Yiyue grabbed Ji Shuhuai and ran into the cave.The dark figures swung their blades several times, but Ji Shuhuai dodged each strike.Unwilling to give up, one of the figures hurled a large knife at Ji Shuhuai.Jiang Yiyue happened to catch sight of it and pulled him with all her strength.Ji Shuhuai stumbled toward her.The two of them tumbled out through another cave opening.Without time to feel the pain, Jiang Yiyue quickly scrambled to her feet and helped Ji Shuhuai up.The dark figures, like ghosts, caught up in an instant, raising their blades to strike.Jiang Yiyue pulled a handful of medicinal powder from her sleeve and flung it into their faces."Ah!" the figures cried out.One move after another.Jiang Yiyue had plenty of tricks up her sleeve.Ji Shuhuai was stunned."Go!" Jiang Yiyue didn't hesitate, pulling Ji Shuhuai into another run.This time, the dark figures' eyes were injured and they didn't immediately give chase.She dragged Ji Shuhuai far, far away, hearing no movement around them.She collapsed to the ground with a thud."Jiang Yiyue," Ji Shuhuai quickly reached out to help her up."Don't pull me, don't pull me. I can't run anymore." She was already injured to begin with.Just after falling asleep, they were ambushed.At first, Jiang Yiyue had followed Ji Shuhuai as they ran.Later, she used traps and terrain to her advantage, pulling him along.She had no idea how long she had been running.Now, her legs felt stiff, and she was gasping for breath.She truly couldn't run anymore.No.Wait.She quickly corrected herself: "I can't walk anymore.""I'll carry you," Ji Shuhuai said.Jiang Yiyue looked up in surprise. "You'll carry me?"Ji Shuhuai bent down in front of her.Over the past few days together, Jiang Yiyue had come to see Ji Shuhuai as a proper, upright gentleman.He disapproved of the original host's behavior.He was also cold and distant toward her.She understood that it was hard to change someone's preconceived notions.She didn't force it. After all, she just wanted to use his reputation to clear her own name of the "loss of virtue" stigma.She never expected that in a life-or-death situation like this, he would be willing to carry her.Although he was injured, he had a strong foundation and had recovered well. Carrying her shouldn't be a problem.If she could survive, why refuse?Without further hesitation, she leaned onto his back, wrapping her arms around his neck generously.Ji Shuhuai glanced sideways briefly but said nothing.He hoisted Jiang Yiyue onto his back and began walking down the mountain.The moonlight remained bright, casting alternating light and shadow across the forest, accompanied by the constant chirping of birds and insects.Jiang Yiyue couldn't help but turn her head to look at Ji Shuhuai.The moonlight illuminated his stern face, making it appear both pure and cold.But he was truly too handsome.She stared, mesmerized.Until she heard a sudden flurry of startled birds in the forest.She spoke up: "They're chasing us again."Ji Shuhuai quickly asked, "Can you walk now?""Yes," Jiang Yiyue had already recovered."You go first. Wait in the village. I'll find you after I shake them off." Dawn was approaching.No matter how bold these dark figures were, they wouldn't dare enter the village to search.Besides, Jiang Yiyue was only caught up in this mess—she wasn't their target.Ji Shuhuai wanted to get her out of this and quickly set her down.Jiang Yiyue had done all she could to help.If she stayed with Ji Shuhuai now, she would only be a burden.But she emphasized one more time: "You have to survive."Ji Shuhuai looked at her and nodded. "Alright."Jiang Yiyue turned and ran down the mountain.Unfortunately, the dark figures had already charged forward. A short dark figure swung its blade toward Jiang Yiyue.Ji Shuhuai kicked up a tree branch.Ignoring the injury on his left arm, he grabbed the branch with his left hand.With a flick of his wrist, he formed a "sword" flourish, blocking the dark figure before him.In two or three steps, he thrust the branch into the chest of the short dark figure and yanked it back out.Blood instantly spurted out, and the short dark figure immediately collapsed to the ground.Jiang Yiyue trembled in fear."Go," Ji Shuhuai said as he resumed fighting the other dark figures.Jiang Yiyue quickly snapped back to her senses and ran down the mountain again.The dark figures hadn’t expected the injured Ji Shuhuai to still be so strong.Despite their numbers, they couldn’t gain the upper hand.Their target once again locked onto Jiang Yiyue.Ji Shuhuai noticed this and immediately intervened.The dark figures could only watch helplessly as Jiang Yiyue disappeared from sight.Ji Shuhuai finally felt relieved.His left arm was already bleeding.If it continued, he wouldn’t be able to hold on much longer.He quickly changed his strategy, shifting from offense to defense to conserve his strength and prepare for a retreat.But he had expended too much energy earlier, and his defense gradually became strained.The dark figures still couldn’t gain an advantage.Just then, a clear, bright voice rang out: "Young Master Ji!"Ji Shuhuai turned and saw Jiang Yiyue returning after having fled, startling him greatly."I brought help to rescue you," Jiang Yiyue said breathlessly.Distracted for a moment, Ji Shuhuai failed to dodge as a tall dark figure’s broadsword swung toward him.A sharp whistling sound cut through the air.An arrow pierced deeply into the tall dark figure’s heart.The tall dark figure collapsed to the ground along with his broadsword.One arrow after another followed, raining down like a storm.The other dark figures tried to escape.But they had exhausted themselves chasing Ji Shuhuai and Jiang Yiyue.They had been fighting with all their might to kill Ji Shuhuai and complete their mission.Now, with little strength left, they fell one by one."Ji Feng, take them alive," Ji Shuhuai quickly ordered."Yes," Ji Feng replied, putting away his bow and arrows and leaping forward to capture the dark figures.Seeing that his own men had arrived, Ji Shuhuai relaxed the tension that had gripped him, and his body swayed to the side.Jiang Yiyue noticed immediately and rushed forward, wrapping her arms around Ji Shuhuai’s waist. "Young Master Ji!"Ji Shuhuai managed to steady himself."Young Master," Ji Feng turned to report to Ji Shuhuai.Suddenly, he saw a young woman tightly embracing the young master’s waist.Not only did the young master not push her away, but he allowed her to hold him.Ji Feng’s eyes widened in astonishment.This…This…What was going on?"How is it?" Ji Shuhuai asked.Ji Feng quickly snapped back to attention. "They all took poison and killed themselves."These were death warriors who would rather die than fall into the hands of their enemies.Ji Shuhuai wasn’t surprised and simply said, "Understood.""Then…" Ji Feng’s gaze shifted back to Jiang Yiyue."Why are you staring at me? Hurry up and bandage your young master’s wounds," Jiang Yiyue spoke up.The young woman before him had an ethereal beauty and a slender figure, yet her presence was unexpectedly commanding.Ji Feng didn’t dare argue and obediently stepped forward to support Ji Shuhuai. "Young Master, please sit down first."Ji Shuhuai sat down and asked, "Where’s the medicine?"Ji Feng quickly took out a pouch of medicinal powder."Antiseptic and fever-reducing," Ji Shuhuai extended his hand.Ji Feng pulled a small medicine bottle from his robe and poured two pills into Ji Shuhuai’s palm.Ji Shuhuai handed them to Jiang Yiyue, his voice gentle. "Take these."Throughout her journey, Jiang Yiyue had collided with trees and stumbled repeatedly.Her injuries weren’t severe, but her entire body was covered in wounds, each throbbing with a dull ache.She couldn't let these men apply the medicine for her.She had originally intended to endure until she returned.Unexpectedly, Ji Shuhuai handed her two pills.Then she wouldn't stand on ceremony.After saying a word of thanks, she took the medicine.The young master… the young master gave the young lady medicine!The usually cold and indifferent young master would actually be so gentle as to give the young lady medicine!Ji Feng couldn't help but widen his eyes."Ji Feng." Ji Shuhuai called out displeased."Yes." Ji Feng hurriedly responded: "Young master, allow me to bandage your wound.""We'll bandage it when we return." Ji Shuhuai stood up."But young master—""It's fine." Ji Shuhuai looked toward Jiang Yiyue and said: "Let's go."Ji Feng had no choice but to give up.With the danger gone, Jiang Yiyue no longer needed to flee for her life as she had just done.She slowly followed Ji Shuhuai and the others.However, the fever-reducing and disinfecting effects of the medicine seemed to be taking effect, and she suddenly felt drowsy.So drowsy she couldn't bear it.She couldn't take another step.Grabbing Ji Shuhuai's clothes, she swayed and said, "Young Master Ji, I can't walk anymore," before losing consciousness.

The Aloof Grand Minister Doted on Her Until She Cried