A Shocking Dream

Chapter 199

"Kan-Kan, I understand, but I'm in such a state of turmoil, I can't calm down for a moment. Do you think she's been trapped by Xie Yuan's men? Or lost in the mountains, caught in a wild animal? She's all alone, and I'm just waiting here..." Lu Yao's voice choked with sobs, her fists clenched, her nails digging into her palms, bloodstains visible. Outside the window, the sunlight dimmed, the clouds piled like lead, just like the gloom in her heart, making it hard to breathe.

Seeing this, Kankan cried even harder and sobbed, "No, Sister Lu Yao! Sister Wunian is so smart, she will definitely be able to turn danger into safety. Maybe she has already gotten rid of the trouble and is rushing back. Let's be patient and wait. It's almost noon. She will definitely not want to see you worrying here, so she will definitely come back on time." As Kankan spoke, she picked up a handkerchief and gently wiped the cold sweat from Lu Yao's forehead, trying to soothe this anxious soul.

Lu Yao took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes, suppressing her turbulent emotions and trying to regain some sense. When she opened them again, though worry still lingered in her eyes, there was also a hint of determination: "Okay, Kanan, we'll wait. But if she hasn't returned by noon, I'll go out and find her, even if the sky falls and the earth collapses. Worse still, I'll fight Xie Yuan to the death!" With that, she leaned back in her chair, folded her hands and pressed them against the wound on her chest, as if to calm her raging heart. She listened to the ticking of time, praying that with every passing moment, she would bring Lin Wunian safely back to this cramped little room, back within her reach, and dispel the panic that filled the room.

Lin Wunian spotted a series of faint footprints in the mud in the distance. Their chaotic, hurried nature revealed them, heading deep into the forest. Her eyes suddenly lit up, and without a second thought, she took off in pursuit.

Branches and vines grew thick in the forest, thorns tugging at her skirt. She swung her sword to cut through the obstacles, her hair disheveled and her clothes soaked with sweat, but she didn't dare pause for a moment. The howling wind muffled every sound, and she could only stare at the faint footprints, praying they were Lu Yao's clues to life.

They chased her to a valley, where the footprints disappeared at the edge of a thicket. Lin Wunian's heart pounded as she carefully pushed aside the brush. She saw the girl collapsed to the ground, her face pale, her clothes tattered, and her side stained with blood. She rushed forward, her trembling hands snaking to the girl's breath. The faint, warm scent brushed against her fingertips, bringing her to tears of joy.

Lin Wunian hurriedly pulled medicine from her pocket, her fingertips trembling with anxiety. The powder fell like a cascade of life-saving hope. She knelt on one knee, carefully brushing aside the girl's disheveled hair, examining the gruesome wounds. "Don't be afraid," she whispered, "I'm here, I'll get you out of this." Her voice was gentle, yet it carried a powerful force, piercing through the blood and fear, reaching the girl's panicked heart.

The powder applied, and the girl winced in pain. Lin Wunian slowed her movements, pressing gently with her palms against the surrounding skin, using subtle force to dissipate the pain, her gaze focused as if this was the only thing on earth. After tending to the wound, she quickly removed her coat and gently covered the girl's thin, trembling form. The coat, carrying her body heat, dispelled some of the chill. "Child, don't be afraid. I will save you," Lin Wunian soothed. Then, with great effort, she lifted the girl to her feet, clasping her hands tightly around her knees and back. With a single push, she secured the girl securely on her back.

The mountain path was rugged and winding, and every step felt like treading on a knife's edge. Lin Wunian was frail, yet he seemed to possess immense strength. Sweat soaked his undershirt, trickling down his cheeks and dripping onto the dusty mountain path, leaving dark, wet marks.

The girl sobbed weakly on his back, and Lin Wunian gasped to comfort her: "Bear with it, I will have a medicine box to save you when we get to the inn, and there are peaceful days ahead." The weight on her back was like a rock, and her legs were like lead, but her eyes were firm, staring at the direction of the city, without stopping.

Lin Wunian slipped on a steep slope, nearly falling. She supported herself on her elbows, the rough gravel cutting her skin, blood oozing out. She groaned, gritted her teeth, stood up, readjusted the girl's position, and continued to stumble forward. The setting sun stretched their figures, like tenacious strokes, writing a fearless chapter.

"She's back! Sister is back!" Before noon, Kankan's eyes, which had been fixed on the door of the inn, suddenly became as bright as stars. She didn't care about shouting and might startle others. Her heart was filled with anxiety and joy, and she ran downstairs like a nimble swallow.

But as they approached, they saw Lin Wunian carrying a wounded girl on his back. Her face was as pale as paper, her clothes tattered, and several wounds bandaged with cloth were stained with blood. Her breath was so weak that it seemed as if she would die at any moment. Lin Wunian himself was also in a state of disarray, his hair a mess, sweat mixed with dust and smeared on his cheeks. His clothes were soaked and stuck to his back. His steps were weak, but he stubbornly took one step forward.

Qianqian's eyes welled up with tears, and without a word, she reached out to help. She stood on tiptoe, struggling to lift the girl's limp arm and resting it on her shoulder, her voice filled with tears and anxiety: "Sister, what's going on?"

"Forget about it for now, let's get back to the inn!" Lin Wunian was exhausted, his lips pale, and it was extremely difficult for him to force a soothing smile: "I met this girl on the road, I'm afraid she was hurt by some bad guys, I can't just stand by and watch her die."

The three of them stumbled upstairs and into the house. Lin Wunian gently placed the girl on the bed. When she stood up, she staggered and almost fell. Kankan quickly supported her and said distressedly, "Sister, you take a rest. I'll take care of her." As she spoke, she swiftly brought a basin of water, wrung out a handkerchief, and carefully wiped the sweat from the girl's forehead and the blood around the wound. As she worked, she muttered, "What kind of black-hearted person would be so cruel? Fortunately, you saved her. She would not have survived."

Lin Xinian relaxed and sat down leaning against the edge of the table, her eyes still fixed on the bed: "When I ran into her, she was hiding in the bushes in the valley, her body was almost bleeding. I don't know where those villains are, and I don't know who they are." After that, she rubbed her aching shoulder blades, frowning, as if she was still annoyed that she had not been able to catch the evildoer.

"Has Lu Yao come back?" Lin Wunian couldn't wait to grab Kankan as soon as he had settled the girl he had rescued. He asked tentatively with an anxious look in his eyes and a nervous voice that couldn't hide his nervousness.

"Don't worry, sister. Sister Lu has returned and is now recuperating in the next room." Kankan was concentrating on wiping the girl's wound with her hands. She didn't even raise her head, but her words were like a stone of peace, which instantly put Lin Wunian's heart at ease.

"It's good that you're back. Is she injured? Is it serious?" Lin Wunian was startled, his body suddenly tensed up, his hands unconsciously clenched around Kankan's arms, his eyes burning as if he wanted to see through her, the anxiety instantly returned, surging.

Wan Wan put down the wet cloth in her hand, gently patted the back of Lin Wu Nian's hand, signaling her not to panic. She frowned slightly and sighed, "Sister Lu Yao was injured. It looks scary, but fortunately, there are no broken bones. They are just superficial injuries. She just lost a lot of blood.