Yan Ning nodded and took the small bronze gourd from his waist.
Pointing at the fox demon, he chanted an incantation.
A flash of white light appeared, and the fox demon was sucked into the gourd.
Xie Huaiye walked quickly to Yan Ning's side, his brows furrowed.
He gently lifted her injured arm, his voice filled with heartache:
"Ningning, you're injured."
At this moment, Shi Jin, who was lying to the side, slowly woke up.
She rubbed her throbbing temples and looked around blankly.
"My head hurts so much... What happened?"
Yan Ning put away the gourd and explained, "There was a fox demon hidden inside that jade. It possessed you just now."
"But it's alright now, I've already subdued it."
Shi Jin suddenly realized what was going on and quickly thanked him, "Thank you so much, Master!"
She noticed the injury on Yan Ning's arm and quickly said:
"You're injured! I have some excellent wound medicine here, let me bandage it for you."
Yan Ning nodded and followed Shi Jin into the inner room.
She took off her coat, revealing her injured arm.
As Shi Jin applied the medicine, her eyes widened in surprise:
"So you're a girl! I had no idea."
Yan Ning chuckled, a little smug:
"You didn't expect that, did you? My outfit is quite convincing."
Shi Jin carefully examined Yan Ning's delicate profile and said with a smile:
"I only thought you looked delicate before, but now that I look closely, you're a real beauty."
She lowered her voice and asked curiously, "Is that your sweetheart outside?"
Yan Ning's face flushed, and she asked in a low voice, "How did you figure that out?"
Shi Jin smiled as she bandaged him up: "The way he looks at you is different now, it's full of affection."
"When you were injured just now, his heartache was practically written all over his face."
Yan Ning's ears turned bright red upon hearing this.
After bandaging her wound, Shi Jin saw Yan Ning out.
Suddenly remembering something, he turned around, took out a wooden box, and handed it to Yan Ning.
Yan Ning opened it and found an exquisite jade pendant depicting two fish inside, with a note underneath:
"Congratulations on finding the second treasure and obtaining the Pisces Jade Pendant."
Yan Ning's eyes lit up: "Sure enough, the second treasure is in Hu Yuelou!"
At this moment, Sun Wuji ran over, panting, and looked at the mess on the ground with a blank expression:
"Sister Ning, Young Master Xie, what's going on? Is there a fight?"
Yan Ning rolled her eyes at him, annoyed.
"The fight was over, and the fox demon was subdued before you arrived. It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early!"
Upon hearing that the fox demon had already been captured, Sun Wuji was astonished.
He immediately slapped his thigh, his eyes widened, and his voice rose eight octaves:
"What?! It's already over? Sister Ning! Young Master Xie! You two are really something!"
As he spoke, he loudly raised two thumbs up, as if he wanted to lift them to the sky.
After saying that, he moved closer to Yan Ning.
Looking at the injury on her arm, his expression was one of deep anguish, as if he himself had been injured.
"Oh my, Sister Ning! You've truly rid the people of a scourge, and you've gloriously won the battle!"
"You must have made a few quick moves just now. That fox demon probably didn't even see how you made your move before it was defeated, right?"
"What a pity! I arrived too late and missed your spectacular display! I really missed out on a fortune!"
Yan Ning was left speechless, both amused and exasperated by his flattery.
I got goosebumps all over my arms, and I laughed and scolded:
"Alright, alright, stop flattering me! You disappeared when I needed you, but now you're all talk."
Xie Huaiye glanced at Sun Wuji with a cold face, his voice devoid of warmth:
"You're good with words, but your real skills haven't improved. You need to practice more."
Sun Wuji shrank his neck and gave a dry chuckle:
"Yes, yes, Young Master Xie is right! I will definitely practice harder and never hold you back!"
The three of them walked out of Hu Yuelou amidst a noisy commotion.
A night breeze blows, and the lanterns sway gently.
Sun Wuji said, "Sister Ning, you're injured. You should rest well. I'm going back now."
Yan Ning nodded. She had indeed rested; she had lost a lot of energy today.
Xie Huaiye accompanied Yan Ning back to the door of her room.
The lanterns hanging under the eaves emitted a warm light, illuminating the two figures.
Yan Ning whispered, "I've arrived," and turned to push the door open.
My fingers just touched the door panel.
Xie Huaiye suddenly reached out and gently blocked the door.
Yan Ning turned around and met his deep eyes.
His voice was much lower and hoarse than before, with a hint of tension that was barely perceptible:
"...Won't you invite me in for a seat?"
Yan Ning's heart skipped a beat, and she quickly glanced at the quiet corridor.
There was no one around.
Her cheeks felt a little hot, she lowered her eyelashes, and replied softly:
"...Then, come in."
The door closed gently, shutting out the outside world.
The room was small, lit only by a dim oil lamp, providing soft light.
Xie Huaiye's gaze fell on her bandaged arm, and his brows furrowed again.
He took a step closer, raised his hand, and gently touched the edge of the gauze with his fingertips, as if afraid of hurting her.
"I saw you were injured today."
He spoke, his voice so low it was almost a whisper, tinged with lingering fear:
"Here I am..."
He grabbed Yan Ning's uninjured hand and pressed it against his left chest.
Even through the fabric, Yan Ning could feel his heart pounding rapidly and forcefully. "...It almost stopped."
Yan Ning's palm was pressed down by him.
The strong, powerful heartbeat pounded against her palms and against the very tip of her heart.
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