Chu Changning was startled and turned around to look at the tall building, where he met the man's eyes.
From afar, she could see a large group of people standing on the city wall.
The emperor, high above all others, wore a black and gold dragon robe and a crown. His dark pupils stared at her like a surging, unfathomable sea, ready to devour her completely.
"Walk."
Before Chu Changning could react, her hand was suddenly pulled, and she was dragged out of the crowd by Helian Ye.
Yan Beimo saw two figures running away side by side, his dark eyes devoid of any light.
"Pass down the order: lock down the city."
Chu Changning was dragged along by Helian Ye, the cold wind howling across her face, her long black hair cascading down her back, swaying her body.
She forcefully shook off the large hand that was holding her captive, panting.
"open."
Helian Ye didn't let go. With a loud "whoosh," a magnificent black horse appeared out of nowhere. He picked her up, spun her up, and rode towards the city gate.
Chu Changning was caught off guard and struggled angrily.
"Is the young master in such a hurry to leave because he's afraid he'll kill you?"
A soft laugh reached my ears.
'Given his temperament, he might kill you first.'
Chu Changning, "---"
She recalled the argument she had with Yan Beimo before they parted ways. He was such a petty person; if he saw her and Helian Ye admiring the lanterns in the market and wanted to catch her, he might actually kill her.
She felt a chill run down her spine and licked her lips.
"How about I take you to the Western Regions?" Helian Ye whispered close to her ear, "You promised me that you would accompany me to the Western Regions to see the Green Waist Wine and admire the Tianshan Snow Wolves. You broke your promise."
Chu Changning regained his composure and remained silent.
"Young Master came to Jiankang in person, could it be to fight for that pride?"
He chuckled and hissed in her ear.
"Is that not allowed?"
I don't believe him.
Who knows if he has other intentions, or if he wants to take advantage of her.
A mix of complex emotions welled up in Chu Changning's heart, and he quickly racked his brains for a solution.
“He harassed my western border and even took you away right in front of me. Where do I put my face now, A-Wan? Don’t you think so?”
Seeing that she remained silent, he chuckled softly again.
"Don't worry, I won't hurt you. I'm just putting him in a difficult position. Let's see who loses this time!"
Chu Changning rolled her eyes inwardly, grabbed the horse's mane, leaned forward, and tried to keep her as far away from him as possible.
Before the two even reached the city gate, they heard that all four city gates had been sealed off.
Helian Ye immediately took her by water.
Under the cover of night, deep in the jungle, where thorns and weeds grew everywhere, the two crossed the mountains and reached a small river.
Chu Changning followed him onto a small boat and watched as he leaned calmly against the stern, speaking in a cold voice.
"Young Master, did you plan this all along?"
Helian Ye chuckled softly, "You have a lot of opinions about me?"
"---"
Who would give a friendly look to someone who has kidnapped her time and time again, especially when she's being used as a plaything in men's competitive rivalries?
Chu Changning looked at the shimmering river surface with a cold expression and ignored him.
Helian Ye raised an eyebrow, stared at her for a while, and the gold thread in the bracelet on her wrist suddenly appeared.
Her slender waist was suddenly captured.
Chu Changning instantly leaped into the air and pounced on him.
She was terrified, sensing the danger in his eyes, and quickly backed away, but he held her tightly around the waist.
Helian Ye simply disliked her cold and disgusted attitude towards him and wanted to scare her.
Unexpectedly, this woman's body was so soft, and she even had a faint, pleasant fragrance.
How come I never noticed before?
He couldn't help but tighten his grip and lower his head to sniff her soft neck.
Chu Changning was horrified and immediately pushed him away.
"Helian Ye, you're possessed! Get out of my way!"
Helian Ye paused, realizing what he was doing, and his eyelids twitched.
The gold thread around her waist suddenly retracted, and the pain subsided.
Chu Changning immediately stepped out of his arms and cautiously sat down at the stern of the boat.
Helian Ye was provoked by her appearance, and his face darkened slightly.
Is it really necessary?
Chu Changning ignored him and looked away.
The crescent moon hung low, a gentle breeze caressed her cheeks, her profile was sparse and aloof, the moonlight fell upon her like a layer of cold light, making her seem unattainable.
Helian Ye suddenly felt his mouth go dry, staring at her, his throat bobbing involuntarily.
Chu Changning noticed this and, fearing he might be harboring some thoughts, spoke up.
Where are we going?
The soft voice interrupted his thoughts.
Helian Ye closed his long eyelashes slightly, took out a flute, and played softly.
"Western Regions".
The sky and earth are boundless, and the view is filled with moonlight.
The flute's melody is melodious and clear, carried on the breeze, as gentle as a light drizzle.
Chu Changning glanced at him sideways.
The boy in red leaned against the side of the boat awning with his eyes closed, his pale fingers holding a flute to his lips, appearing exceptionally ethereal in the quiet and desolate night.
But when he opened his eyes, he gave a light, mocking smile, giving off an air of both righteousness and wickedness.
Chu Changning immediately looked away and saw the lanterns floating on the river, and was slightly surprised.
This place is connected to the Peach Blossom River, and the river lanterns released by the people float down the moat all the way west.
"The New Year is not very interesting for people in the Central Plains."
Chu Changning, "---"
She ignored him completely and didn't say a word.
"Young Master, we've arrived."
After docking, they disembarked and, after walking a few steps, arrived at a secluded, open valley.
Surrounded by mountains on all sides, the ground is covered with all kinds of flowers, spreading across the entire land.
Helian Ye led her to a mountain pass, opened a mechanism, and found that it was a tunnel inside.
Chu Changning knew that once he left this place, he would probably be stuck in the Western Regions forever, his fate uncertain.
She lowered her eyes slightly, but before she could say anything, a sharp pain suddenly shot through her chest, and her body went limp, causing her to fall backward.
Helian Ye turned around, reached out and hugged her around the waist, seeing that her face was pale and her eyes were narrowed.
"What's wrong?"
Chu Changning's consciousness instantly became hazy, and his lips turned pale.
"Jiu--Jiu Yu--"
Helian Ye was from the Western Regions. Although he was not knowledgeable in medicine or poisons, he had naturally heard of Jiu Yu Ye, a rare poison from the Western Regions.
He smelled the strong fragrance that suddenly emanated from her, and recalling her low moans, he realized what was happening.
"Jiu Yuye, have you been poisoned by Jiu Yuye?"
Chu Changning nodded dazedly, the pain causing her to curl up involuntarily.
Helian Ye held her and sat her on the ground, using his internal energy to suppress the poison.
"Young Master, we must leave, he's coming soon."
The stone gate behind them opened wide, and people from the Western Regions emerged from the passageway.
Helian Ye saw the Grand Wizard and spoke in a gloomy tone.
"Do you have the antidote for Hatoyu Night?"
The great shaman was skilled in various poisons from the Western Regions and had countless sects under his command.
But he came in a hurry and did not bring any antidote.
"I did not bring the antidote."
After saying that, he walked over to take a look and spoke.
"The poison in this girl's body can no longer be suppressed. Without an antidote, she will perish within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn."
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