Chapter 310: Chapter 253: Caring More Than He Imagined

Xing Yuan agreed with Ning Zhen’er’s words and said in a low voice, "Then we need to quicken our pace."

Ning Zhen’er nodded gently, her gaze revealing determination.

In the afternoon, as they were camping out in the wild, Xing Yuan’s expression suddenly became solemn. He lowered his voice and said to Ning Zhen’er, "It seems someone has been following us."

"Ah!" On hearing this, Ning Zhen’er was full of shock, evidently having not noticed this situation at all.

However, Xing Yuan, relying on his years of experience of dancing on the edge of death, keenly sensed that these followers were not emitting any malice, nor could he sense any killing intent.

"It should be the Princess Consort who sent people to protect us." Ning Zhen’er said after thinking for a moment.

At the mention of Shen Ruoxi, Xing Yuan gritted his teeth in hatred, as she was the murderer of his father.

"How do you know it was Shen Ruoxi who sent people to protect you, and not to kill you?"

Xing Yuan said irritably, his words full of anger.

All the while, he had been pondering how to find another opportunity to assassinate Shen Ruoxi to avenge his father.

"I may not be able to dissuade your heart for revenge, but I have to say, Shen Ruoxi is the most upright person I’ve ever seen.

If it were me, I certainly couldn’t save my own rival in love, yet she did it, and that’s precisely why I decided to turn over a new leaf.

Now, I admire no one else but her. If I were a man, I would definitely marry her," said Ning Zhen’er with much sentiment.

"In your dreams!" Xing Yuan roared.

Ning Zhen’er was taken aback for a moment; she wasn’t sure if Xing Yuan’s "in your dreams" referred to her intention to marry Shen Ruoxi or something else.

"Get some rest! From what I know about Shen Ruoxi, if the people following us harbor no killing intent, they are certainly sent by her to protect us," said Ning Zhen’er with a smile.

Xing Yuan snorted coldly and said no more.

To return home more quickly, they changed horses at a small town early in the morning and had the coachman drive the carriage ahead.

On this day, the two passed by a secluded mountain foot.

Xing Yuan instantly reined in the horse, his expression tense as he shouted to Ning Zhen’er, "Zhen’er, something’s strange here, be careful!"

Ning Zhen’er was initially startled, but quickly reined in her horse as well.

As soon as the steed halted, a dozen or so masked men in black suddenly emerged from all around them, encircling the two with incredible speed.

"Zhen’er, grab my hand," shouted Xing Yuan.

Ning Zhen’er, well aware of her limited martial prowess, knew she was no match against so many highly-trained men in black.

Thus, she obediently gripped Xing Yuan’s hand, and the two leaped off the horses together.

"If you don’t want to die, then scram!" Xing Yuan yelled coldly.

Xing Yuan had been cultivating the Asura Evil Qi Skill, his whole being akin to someone emerging from a sinister hell, devoid of any human warmth.

At this moment, he deliberately released that frigid and sinister aura, which instantly spread out, chilling to the core.

Everyone present was startled by this malevolent aura emanating from him, involuntarily shivering.

However, they were not ones to be easily frightened.

Their group consisted of over a dozen men, while the other side only had two people, one of whom was a woman. What was there to fear?

After a brief stun, they quickly initiated an enclosing attack, swinging bright and sharp blades towards Xing Yuan and Ning Zhen’er without hesitation.

Xing Yuan reacted swiftly, pulling Ning Zhen’er behind him instantly, immediately employing the sinister cultivation technique of the Asura Evil Qi.

During his time recuperating and training at Ning Zhen’er’s private residence, he refrained from using the Yin Yang Replenishment technique as it would harm the other’s body.

Xing Yuan thought his power had recovered quite well, yet he never anticipated that his power had surprisingly advanced up a level.

In the instant he struck, he sensed the unusualness, as three individuals were promptly struck down by him, leaving even him momentarily stunned.

He had trained relentlessly with little progress, never expecting such significant gains from casual nurturing in a moment of mental relief.

However, the numerous enemies, knowing he was hard to deal with, lunged towards Ning Zhen’er.

Despite his high martial arts skills, simultaneously handling so many adversaries while having to protect Ning Zhen’er left him somewhat flustered.

Watching as a masked man’s large knife was about to slash at Ning Zhen’er, Xing Yuan found himself unable to do anything, feeling chills running down his spine.

Ning Zhen’er barely managed to dodge aside, but another attack came from behind, causing her to break out in a cold sweat.

Yet, just at the critical moment, the enemy who was about to harm her was swiftly slain by someone else.

Xing Yuan froze for an instant and immediately held Ning Zhen’er tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, five or six individuals emerged from an unknown direction, each possessing extraordinary martial skills.

In a mere moment, all the men in black on the ground were eradicated.

The bodies were swiftly dragged away, and in the blink of an eye, all that remained at the mountain’s foot was a strong stench of blood.

"I told you it was the Princess Consort who sent people to protect me, yet you didn’t believe," said Ning Zhen’er with a bright smile.

The recent peril had truly frightened her.

She had always thought her martial arts were decent, but now she profoundly understood that compared with these top-notch experts, she was indeed insignificant.

Xing Yuan slowly closed his eyes. Just a moment ago, he was scared out of his wits, his heart seemingly about to leap out of his throat.

He had to admit a fact that even he hadn’t clearly realized—he cared for Ning Zhen’er far more than he imagined.

At that moment, it was as if his world only consisted of her safety; everything else became unimportant.

"It’s fine now."

Ning Zhen’er forced a smile and said.

At this moment, Xing Yuan held her tightly, his arms trembling slightly, as if still shaken by the recent danger.

With her in his arms, Xing Yuan’s heart continued to race uncontrollably, unable to quell his lingering fears.

"As long as you’re alright." His voice was low and hoarse, filled with concern and worry.

"Are you that concerned about me? If I said, to save my life in exchange for you not seeking revenge on Shen Ruoxi, would you agree?" Ning Zhen’er half-jokingly said, though her eyes carried a hint of complex emotion.

She knew well that the man before her was once the Young Master of the Demon Sect, his obsession with vengeance deeply rooted in his heart.

She never believed she was important enough in his heart to make him relinquish the chance for revenge, to give up regaining what was once his.

Yet, Xing Yuan suddenly said in a low voice, "I would."

His voice was firm and powerful, as if these words erupted from the depths of his soul.

Fearing she wouldn’t hear, he abruptly raised his eyes, staring directly into hers, solemnly repeating, "Ning Zhen’er, listen carefully, I said I would.

If it meant you could live, I say I can forgo avenging my father, not reclaim my position. Did you hear me?"

Ning Zhen’er was stunned, staring at him dumbfoundedly, momentarily not knowing how to respond.

Their beginnings were so poor, filled with compromise and calculation. She never thought he would care so much about her.

She came from another world, wandering alone in this unfamiliar world.

She wasn’t like those female protagonists written in the books, with the halo of a great protagonist allowing her to act recklessly and without care. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

In reality, she lived cautiously, treading on thin ice.

Especially after encountering Xiao Chengyi, that scoundrel, she fully awakened, comprehending the hardships and difficulties of life.

Latterly, without Shen Ruoxi’s support and aid, her business wouldn’t have flourished as smoothly.

She had hit walls and lost money, those setbacks and failures making her hesitant to easily trust others or give away her heart easily.

"Xing Yuan, do you know what you’re saying?" Ning Zhen’er laughed bitterly at herself, her eyes filled with doubt and confusion.

Could she still believe in love? Could she believe the promise of the man before her?

Doesn’t she wish to, like Shen Ruoxi, live a lifetime together with Jun Moling?

But she was afraid, truly afraid.

The past pains made her not dare to wager again, especially since the opposite party was Xing Yuan, a person with a complex background, bound by extensive hatred.