Since its inception, apart from its own members, outsiders only knew about Nanyuan.
Why would a noble royal prince, who has absolutely no connection with these江湖 (jianghu) organizations, know so much about Hong Yuan?
"If you don't tell me, I'll have to take matters into my own hands to prevent future troubles. I never leave any potential threats around me!"
Hua Yan had witnessed Ning Yao kill people; she was cold-blooded and ruthless, so she believed Ning Yao's words.
She also placed a sliver of hope in Ning Yao.
She knows medicine, so could she help herself?
"Okay, I'll tell you."
Recalling the past, she rarely showed a hint of helplessness and loneliness.
Hua Yan is an orphan who has lived in Nanyuan since she can remember.
She was beautiful from a young age, and the people in Nanyuan treated her like a maid, dressing her up beautifully.
But she herself knew that she had a physical defect and was disabled.
That's why I studied medical theory.
A doctor cannot heal himself; her condition was far more complicated than imagined.
Later, after hearing a legend about the Kunlun Mountains, he placed his hopes on the sacred tree.
And just then a drought struck, so he pretended to be a refugee and went to the Kunlun Mountains.
According to her, meeting Ning Yao was just a coincidence.
This claim is obviously false. The three people present are not stupid; it's just that Hua Yan is only willing to say this much.
"As for the somnambulism and kung fu you mentioned, I know a little kung fu, but I really don't know anything about somnambulism."
Hua Yan pursed her lips, looking puzzled: "Ever since we entered the mountains, I have indeed felt something strange. Could this be related to sleepwalking?"
Ning Yao's gaze was devoid of warmth: "Would you believe what you're saying yourself?"
Hua Yan thought for a moment, then stretched out her hand with a very serious expression: "Miss Ning, you know medicine. You can tell whether I have any hidden illnesses just by examining me."
"However, no matter what the outcome, I hope the girl won't say it, so as to leave me with the last bit of dignity."
Ning Yao stared at her for a while, then reached out and placed her hand on her wrist.
In just a few breaths, her cold expression was replaced by astonishment.
"What is this..." Ning Yao didn't finish her sentence, but it meant she already knew what was going on.
The fact that she had a hidden illness didn't shock Ning Yao much, but it was quite surprising that her pulse indicated a man's pulse!
This is probably what my second brother wanted to say back then!
Hua Yan smiled bitterly: "Miss Ning, can you understand now? Even though I have concealed something, it is not a big deal for you. What I ask for will not hinder you, much less threaten you."
Ning Yao gave her a complicated look, and after a long while said, "Fine, I won't argue with you anymore. But it was too hasty of you to enter Kunlun Ridge because of a vague rumor."
"Haste? For me, I won't give up as long as there's even a sliver of hope."
Ning Yao didn't know what to say; everyone makes different choices.
Hua Yan risked her life just to gain a healthy body, which is not wrong.
"Have you considered what you would do if, even if the legend of the sacred tree is true, it doesn't actually have any healing properties?"
Hua Yan was stunned; clearly, she hadn't considered this question.
Yes, if you find a cure but it's not effective, it's all for nothing.
He looked up at Ning Yao, somewhat embarrassed to speak, "Does Miss Ning have a solution?"
Ning Yao shook her head: "No."
The light in Hua Yan's eyes went out: "Never mind."
Ning Yao stood up, put away her whip, and said, "It's time to get going. We haven't even covered a third of this mountain path yet. If we delay any longer, who knows how long we'll have to walk."
"Alright, let's get going!"
Ning Yao remained silent about Hua Yan's hidden illness, so Shen Ci'an and Lin Qingyu didn't ask any further questions.
Seeing the direction Ning Yao was heading, Lin Qingyu quickly called out, "Miss Ning, you're going the wrong way!"
Ning Yao smiled and said, "I didn't go to the wrong place, you did."
Lin Qingyu was puzzled.
Shen Ci'an chimed in, "Sister is right, you're wrong."
"Qingyu is confused; please enlighten me, Young Master Shen."
Looking at the curious Lin Qingyu, Ning Yao explained in a rare good mood, "These, these, these, these points are where we'll be staying for the next few days."
Ning Yao picked up a twig and drew a few crosses on the ground.
“This is where Hua Yan goes every night when she has sleepwalking disorder. She does it every day, and nothing has changed except for the distance between them. Can you tell anything?” Ning Yao asked.
Lin Qingyu shook her head.
Seeing this, Shen Ci'an took the branch from Ning Yao's hand and connected the landing points one by one, then connected the place where Hua Yan went with each landing point.
"How about we look at it now?"
"Like a fan."
Ning Yao said, "Not entirely correct. The distance is getting farther each time. If we follow this pattern to predict the next point, it should be one of these locations."
"If I'm not mistaken, the farthest point is on the other side of the mountain."
"How can you be so sure? What if the whole circle is still within the outer perimeter?" Lin Qingyu thought her statement was too imprecise.
Ning Yao smiled: "Do you really think this spot is just where Hua Yan is standing? Is it possible that this spot is the only way in? Didn't you enter from here?"
Lin Qingyu thought there was some truth to it, but he still didn't want to go: "I already said it's dangerous there. For safety's sake, let's not take the shortcut, shall we?"
Ning Yao threw down the tree branch and clapped her hands: "No, I have to go no matter how dangerous it is. Don't forget that I was able to cure Zhao Xin, which means I have a way to deal with it. If Young Master Lin doesn't want to go, then climb the mountain by yourself. If you really can't manage, go back to Songyang City and tell City Lord Zhao my name. He might take you in."
Lin Qingyu blushed instantly, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.
"What about you? Are you going to find the sacred tree by yourself, or are you coming with me?" Ning Yao asked Hua Yan.
Hua Yan answered decisively, "I'll go with Miss Ning!"
There's no need to ask Shen Ci'an; he's definitely going to follow Ning Yao.
"Fine, I trust Miss Ning, I'll go with her too!" Lin Qingyu finally relented.
Ning Yao smiled and said, "Then let's go!"
The four returned to the place where they had fought the night before. Lin Qingyu suddenly became energetic and shouted at Hua Yan, "Miss Hua Yan, it was right here last night that you knocked me to the ground and made me pass out."
Hua Yan felt a little embarrassed. Although it wasn't his intention, it was a fact that he had hit the other person.
"Young Master Lin, I'm so sorry!"
Lin Qingyu waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's nothing. I'm just a little surprised. Are all women this good at martial arts? If so, could you take Lan'er as your disciple? I read in a book that martial arts training should start from a young age. Lan'er is still young, so she should be very suitable!"
Hua Yan teased him, "Does Young Master Lin's Confucian classics talk about these things? I bet you read a lot of storybooks, don't you?"
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