’But what is she really after?’

Mo Yuan’s eyes were dark and uncertain as he tried to read something from Song Wanning’s expression.

But he couldn’t see anything at all.

The pursuers behind them were closing in. Annoyed that pulling him along was slowing her down, Song Wanning suddenly swept him up into her arms.

In an instant, a faint fragrance filled his senses.

Mo Yuan instantly froze, his mind going blank for a moment.

’She... she actually...’

’But with all my bones shattered, she had no other choice...’

Mo Yuan’s mind calmed. His vision was completely obscured by black fabric; he could see nothing but darkness.

Carrying him, Song Wanning shot through the air, fleeing for their lives at top speed. His body was jostled with her every movement.

But gradually... he started to feel an unexpected sense of security.

It was a feeling he had forgotten for a very, very long time.

He vaguely remembered when he was young, when his mother was still alive, she would often hold him in her arms.

His mother told him she would protect him forever and ever, but in the end, she broke her promise.

Mo Yuan’s heart grew cold, and he began to feel a sense of resistance toward Song Wanning.

But deep down, he was conflicted, hoping he could stay in her embrace for just a moment longer...

’Just for a moment.’

Mo Yuan’s complex emotions intertwined, his gaze so deep it was impossible to read.

Song Wanning, however, remained cold and detached from start to finish.

Although she was "rescuing" Mo Yuan, she also wanted to vent some frustration, so she let Mo Yu deal with him ruthlessly.

As long as he didn’t die, they could do whatever they wanted.

’Mo Yuan is a suspicious man, but at the same time, he desperately craves the care of others.’

A strange glint flashed in Song Wanning’s eyes. She didn’t think there was anything wrong with her manipulating Mo Yuan.

’I’m the villainess, am I not?’

She suddenly smirked, then leaped down with Mo Yuan in her arms, quickly searching for a place to hide.

But the two Demon Monarchs behind them caught up and once again cut them off.

Having let the pair escape once, the two Demon Monarchs’ expressions were now incredibly foul.

"Still trying to run? Do you really think you can get away?"

A scornful look flashed across Mo Yu’s face as he raised his giant hammer and charged at the two of them.

Mo Yun, his face full of rage, also swung his whip at them. In an instant, the surrounding Demonic Qi erupted, space twisted, and the trees and grass for miles around swayed as if they would collapse.

Mo Yuan’s gaze tightened as he saw Song Wanning leap into the air, still holding him. She shielded him with one arm while brandishing her Longsword at the two attackers with the other.

She was already at a disadvantage fighting two against one, and soon she was stretched thin and became injured.

At the same time, Mo Yuan was hit by the shockwaves from the three-way battle. He coughed up blood again and again until, after just a short while, he was on the brink of death.

Song Wanning suppressed a smile and attacked again.

This time she used a bit more force. ’After all, if Mo Yuan passed out, how could she continue her performance for him?’

With a single strike, Song Wanning broke away and fled with Mo Yuan once more.

Fleeing in a panic, they plunged headfirst into a famously treacherous area of the Demon Clan’s territory: the Ten Thousand Demon Cave.

The Ten Thousand Demon Cave was filled with restrictive formations, all of them domineering and dangerous. Normally, no one dared to enter.

Mo Yuan wanted to warn Song Wanning, but it was too late. They had already entered the Ten Thousand Demon Cave.

Seeing no sign of the two Demon Monarchs behind them for the moment, Song Wanning breathed a sigh of relief. Frowning, she placed Mo Yuan down inside a cave.

The sight of the cave triggered a traumatic response in Mo Yuan. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

He could never forget the day he’d woken up in a cave only to discover that he had been castrated.

Back then, he had gone mad, completely destroying the entire cave and vowing to devour whole and carve to pieces the woman who had bought the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill!!!

His pupils trembled violently, and a flash of blood-red crossed his eyes.

Song Wanning, however, ignored his strange reaction. She had, after all, specially chosen this cave. ’I hope Mo Yuan likes it.’

Hiding her thoughts, Song Wanning sat down cross-legged with a serious expression. She quickly took out an Elixir Pill and put it in her mouth, then casually tossed one into Mo Yuan’s mouth as well.

She said nothing, simply tending to her own wounds.

Both Mo Yun’s and Mo Yu’s Magical Treasures were sharp weapons, and Song Wanning’s injuries were not light. The various bloody gashes on her body were a shocking sight.

But her expression remained unchanged, as if she felt no pain at all.

Mo Yuan lay on the ground, staring intently at her. The Elixir Pill in his system was rapidly repairing his body, which sent a jolt through his heart.

’This woman actually fed me an Eighth-grade Rejuvenation Pill?’

’Such a precious Elixir Pill... she was actually willing to give it to me.’

Mo Yuan’s suspicions grew even deeper.

But Song Wanning’s expression was indifferent. Without even a glance at him, she closed her eyes and began to meditate and heal her wounds, leaving him alone with his endless thoughts and speculations.

...

Mo Yuan fell asleep.

When he woke up again, Song Wanning had already built a fire and was skillfully roasting meat.

He was dazed for a moment, then shocked.

’I actually fell asleep, completely unguarded, in front of a stranger...’

Mo Yuan clenched his fists, then slowly relaxed them and sat up.

Nourished by the Eighth-grade Elixir, his injuries were already mostly healed. A strange look flickered in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.

Song Wanning continued roasting the meat for herself, and once it was cooked, she tore off a large piece for Mo Yuan.

The bonfire crackled and popped.

Eating the fragrant roasted meat and listening to the wind and rain outside, Mo Yuan was somewhat lost in a daze.

He looked at the figure before him.

Still cold, still unattainable, yet an indescribable warmth drifted through his heart.

They were clearly on the run, yet he felt a strange sense of peace.

Perhaps because his gaze was too direct, Song Wanning looked up and asked faintly, "What are you looking at me for?"

The slight arch of her eyebrow dispelled some of her cold aloofness, adding a touch of liveliness to her already stunning face.

Mo Yuan swallowed hard, and only then did he realize just how beautiful this woman was.

"I... I wanted to ask, why did you save me, True Monarch?"

He silently tightened his grip on the skewer, a faint sense of anticipation rising in his heart.

’If she hadn’t bothered with me, she could have escaped long ago. The two Demon Monarchs are no match for her.’

’But she insisted on bringing me with her.’

’What do I have that she could possibly want?’

’I’m completely worthless now,’ Mo Yuan thought self-deprecatingly.

But Song Wanning just stared into his eyes and replied nonchalantly, "You are my person. Naturally, I won’t stand by and watch you die!"

As she spoke, her aura flared, exuding an indescribable dominance.

She was deliberately being vague, giving Mo Yuan more room for imagination.

And just as she’d expected, Mo Yuan’s eyes trembled at her words. His knuckles tightened, and the tips of his ears turned an uncontrollable red.

His heart was beating a little fast. The feeling was so unfamiliar it made him uncomfortable, even a little panicked.

He knew perfectly well that Song Wanning was referring to him being an employee of the auction house, but his mind couldn’t help but wander in another direction...

But when he looked at Song Wanning again, all he saw was that same indifferent face, as if her previous words had been nothing more than a joke.

A chill ran through Mo Yuan. The immense disparity left him feeling deeply dejected.

He could only continue eating his roasted meat with a sullen expression.

In a place he couldn’t see, the corners of Song Wanning’s lips curved up slightly.

’The road ahead... is still very long.’