After provoking the holy maiden of Miao territory, she was infected with a love curse.

Staring at Yin Huaixi's disappearing figure, Tian Jian put his hands behind his back and turned his head away from the bloody scene that was about to unfold.

"Killed with a single arrow."

"Let her die quickly and painlessly."

This order was the last act of mercy from Tian Jian and Yin Qingyue, who were both subjects.

If Yin Huaixi were to be impaled by an arrow and bleed to death little by little, that would be the most painful and cruel way for her to die.

"Tian Jian".

"What are you doing?"

"She helped me escape."

With sharp eyes and a reprimanding tone, Zhao Huining knew that it was His Majesty's order to deal with Yin Huaixi, but she also wanted to stop Tian Jian to save Yin Huaixi's life.

"You have committed such a heinous act of murder against my savior; it is an act that cannot be tolerated even by the laws of heaven."

Upon hearing Zhao Huining's rebuke, Tian Jian closed his eyes, refusing to look at the prince's angry face.

"If my actions offend Your Highness, then I will accept it."

"Does Your Highness know how suspicious His Majesty is? You must have considered this outcome when you brought her out!"

Zhao Huining clenched her fingers so tightly that her palms almost bled. She didn't say anything more, but just looked in the direction Yin Huaixi had fled.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

The sound of arrows piercing the air!

An arrow pierced through Yin Huaixi's thin shoulder, and bright red blood immediately seeped out. The tearing pain made her stagger, face forward, and she almost rolled down.

But the arrows came one after another like a torrential downpour, and Yin Huaixi had nowhere to hide.

Who can dodge the aim of the imperial guards!

Completely losing his balance, Yin Huaixi's vision went black, he took a wrong step, and tumbled down the hillside.

Seeing that Yin Huaixi had been shot by an arrow and had no chance of survival, Tian Jian raised his hand and waved it again.

"That's enough."

"There's no need to waste the arrows we went through so much trouble to bring this insignificant life."

"On my command, everyone retreat."

Attack Fengming Mountain?

That was never part of the Imperial Guards' plan in the first place. As long as Tian Jian brings Zhao Huining back, he can explain to His Majesty. Why create unnecessary complications?

If Your Highness hadn't escaped today, Tian Jian might have considered wiping out the entire lawless Miao village.

The guards responded in unison, "Yes!"

Tian Jian gestured for Zhao Huining to enter, showing his disregard for human life. Zhao Huining suppressed the turmoil in her heart at his attitude.

...

The pain of the arrow piercing his body was not unique to Yin Huaixi.

With her pale hand covering her palm, Sang Che was also in excruciating pain, and a stream of bright red blood flowed down her nose.

Having anticipated this, Sang Che reached out and pulled out a handkerchief to stop the gushing blood.

The small red snake, which had been darting swiftly through the mountains, parted the bushes and came to Sang Che. It wagged its tail and prepared to lead the way.

"Little Tooth, good... child."

"Take me...to her, and hurry."

More and more blue and red butterflies fluttered around Sang Che, his long black braid swayed slightly, and Sang Che's fingertips reached out again.

The butterflies immediately scattered.

Flying all over the mountain.

Having grown up in the Phoenix Mountain, Little Tooth was very familiar with the terrain and did not want its master to be involved in the struggle of those outsiders again.

He deliberately chose a shortcut with no one around and hurried along, when he heard the sound of flowing water in his ear.

Despite the intense pain, her face was also scratched by the fine thorns, leaving streaks of blood.

It is eerie and mysterious.

Gu worms love water.

A smile flickered in his eyes. As he drew closer to Yin Huaixi, the blurry vision in Sang Che's eyes gradually faded, and a clear outline began to appear.

Despite being immersed in the icy, splashing stream, Yin Huaixi, who was burning up all over, still couldn't feel any coolness.

She raised her hand and looked at her palm, which had been scratched by the gravel and was now white from being soaked in water.

A sense of fear crept into my heart.

With her legs treading on the water, Yin Huaixi tried to climb out of the stream. She wasn't sure if the arrow was poisoned or if she had accidentally provoked some poisonous plant while running, which had caused her to be in this state.

The feeling of the arrow embedded in her body was extremely uncomfortable. Yin Huaixi gritted her teeth, but knew she couldn't pull it out now!

She had to hold on until a doctor was there to stop the bleeding and reduce the inflammation, otherwise even if she escaped Fengming Mountain, she would lose her life!

While struggling helplessly in the water, the sounds of fighting came from the other side of the mountain. Yin Huaixi became even more nervous. In her panic, she pressed her palm against a smooth stone in the stream and choked on a mouthful of water.

The stream water filled my ears, and my nose and mouth were completely submerged in the murky water. Just then, through the hazy sound of the water, I heard the familiar ringing of a bell.

The sound of the bell seemed to ring in her ears, destined to come to her side.

It's... Sang Che...

A thought quietly arose in my mind.

Yin Huaixi's fear of death gradually dissipated. She knew that Sang Che would take her back and lock her up again, but he wouldn't go crazy and kill her like those imperial guards!

No… why would she feel joy at Sang Che’s arrival… she wouldn’t feel that way!

Two voices rang in her mind at the same time, and Yin Huaixi's head throbbed with pain.

As the body gradually gave up struggling and sank completely into the stream, a pale hand reached out. The indigo cuffs were soaked by the stream, and the silver butterfly ornaments floated on the water.

"Huaixi, I've found you."

"Come with me."

She was pulled out of the water, and Yin Huaixi saw that Sang Che's face was covered with bloody marks. Countless butterflies were swirling around her, dancing gracefully all over the mountains and fields.

My chest is pounding.

Hot water droplets slid down her cheek. Yin Huaixi bit her thin lips and subconsciously shook her head.

"No... I... can't go with you!"

"Sang Che! You...you're here to kill me too, aren't you?"

On the verge of a mental breakdown, clear tears mingled with the stream water and flowed from Yin Huaixi's red eyes. She stared blankly at the person in front of her, resistance written all over her face.

"Good girl, Huaixi."

"I'm here to save you."

"If this continues, you'll die..."

Sang Che reached out and hugged Yin Huaixi's waist, intending to pull her up. However, as soon as her fingers touched Yin Huaixi's side, Yin Huaixi stepped back. She would rather fall back into the rushing stream than let Sang Che touch her body.

"Sang Che...don't touch me..."

"Stay away from me..."

"Stay away from me...!"

She didn't know where the strength came from, perhaps the desperate situation made Yin Huaixi burst out, she reached out and pushed, and actually made Sang Che stagger backward.

Faced with Yin Huaixi's resistance, Sang Che was not angry at all; instead, he smiled.

"Huaixi, you can't escape."

"Look at how those people treat you. I couldn't bear to hurt you like this, how could they... do such a cruel thing to you?"

"Don't worry, I will punish them. You are my person, how could I let these people hurt you at will and not pay the price?"

With his thumb pressed against Yin Huaixi's chin, Sang Che forced Yin Huaixi to look into his dark, deep eyes, giving her no chance to escape.

"Sang Che...you...you're insane..."

"Those are the emperor's personal guards..."

Sang Che shook her head, bringing the two of them incredibly close, their noses almost touching Yin Huaixi's wet cheeks.

"I'm not crazy."

"Huaixi...whoever hurt you...in this Miao region...will either die or be skinned alive."

Just as Sang Che was cupping her cheeks, about to deliver an untimely kiss, Yin Huaixi pushed Sang Che away again with her hands, which were struggling in the water.

Even so... I won't go back to the village with you!

"Even if... I die! I will... I will get out of here on my own..."

"I...I won't fall for your tricks again!"