Chapter 1185: Escape to Freedom

Duan An's heart skipped a beat. Oh no, he had accidentally stepped on a landmine. Why was he getting involved in the affairs between these two mortal enemies?

Before he could say anything, Yan Xuehen retorted, "He was just speaking fairly, why are you being so fierce with him?" Yun Jianyue ignored her. She merely fixed Duan An with an unfriendly gaze, seemingly waiting for his response.

"I..." Duan An was about to answer when, suddenly, with a gasp, he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood and swayed unsteadily. Yun Jianyue was startled. She quickly helped him steady himself. "What's wrong with you?"

Yu Yanluo also noticed the commotion. She rushed back, "Ah Zu!" Duan An managed a faint smile. "It's nothing. I might have overexerted myself with consecutive uses of my power. I'll be fine after a quick meditation and recovery."

"Then hurry and recover," Yan Xuehen urged, quickly getting off his back and sitting nearby. "Okay." Duan An closed his eyes and began to meditate and circulate his energy.

Seeing his breathing gradually return to normal, Yun Jianyue finally breathed a sigh of relief. She then shot Yan Xuehen a furious glare. "It's all because of you, you frigid woman! He wasted so much energy saving you, and even had to carry you. You, a dignified Grandmaster, reduced to this state, might as well just die of shame."

Yan Xuehen felt guilty too, but she couldn't tolerate being spoken to like that by her mortal enemy. "It's because you were just fierce with him and wanted to argue with him that he became so agitated and overexerted himself! And you dare to blame me!"

The two women refused to back down and began arguing with each other. Duan An, who was supposedly recovering, secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He had no injury whatsoever; he had merely resorted to a 'stratagem of self-inflicted injury' because he didn't know how to handle the situation earlier. It seemed to have been quite successful.

At this moment, a crisp slapping sound suddenly came from nearby. He quietly opened his eyes to see that Yun Jianyue had pinned Yan Xuehen across her lap and was spanking her bottom vigorously.

Yan Xuehen struggled desperately, but unfortunately, her injuries were more severe. She was extremely weak now and couldn't break free. Her buttocks quivered and shook with each slap.

"Is it really that... bouncy?" Duan An was astonished. But having learned his lesson, he didn't get involved this time. Fortunately, Yu Yanluo couldn't stand it anymore and advised, "You two, stop it. Don't disturb Ah Zu while he's healing."

Hearing this, Yun Jianyue finally stopped. Yan Xuehen clutched her buttocks, looking utterly mortified and furious. Yun Jianyue, however, was very smug, wearing an expression that dared Yan Xuehen to do something. Yan Xuehen was furious, grinding her teeth, but there was nothing she could do.

After a while, Duan An decided enough time had passed. He pretended to finish his recovery and opened his eyes. "I've recovered. Let's continue on our way." Yan Xuehen's cheeks were flushed, clearly still feeling the shame from Yun Jianyue's spanking. "I can walk on my own. You should rest properly."

Duan An smiled. "It's fine. My body is as strong as an ox. I just had a momentary cramp, but I've recovered now." Without waiting for her reaction, he crouched in front of her and carried her on his back again.

"Ah..." As his hands touched her thighs, Yan Xuehen couldn't help but gasp. "What's wrong?" Duan An was puzzled.

"Nothing," Yan Xuehen replied, her face slightly red. How could she possibly admit that she was still sore from Yun Jianyue's spanking?

The group continued on their journey. At first, Yan Xuehen tried to hold herself up with her elbows to avoid pressing against him, but as time went on, she grew weaker and weaker. She eventually had to subtly relax her grip and lean gently against his back.

Duan An noticed her actions, chuckled inwardly, and said nothing, continuing to stealthily carry her.

However, Yan Xuehen soon became even more distressed. She realized that this position led to intermittent contact, and after a few such occurrences, she noticed a peculiar sensation in her body, which made her increasingly embarrassed.

Left with no choice, she tightly wrapped her arms around Duan An's neck, pressing her body against his back, which finally prevented the intermittent rubbing. At first, feeling the warmth emanating from his broad back, she was extremely shy. But seeing that he made no further moves, she finally relaxed.

Duan An, meanwhile, had a strange expression. He never would have thought that Yan Xuehen, who usually carried herself with such ethereal grace, was so "well-endowed." The heavy, pressing sensation was truly distracting.

"She is Chu Yan's master," he quickly reminded himself. Only then did he manage to compose himself.

Yan Xuehen's mood also gradually calmed. She then found his back to be wonderfully broad and warm, providing her with a strange sense of security.

Gradually, a wave of exhaustion washed over her. Severely injured and physically weak, compounded by the energy expended during her healing, she unconsciously drifted into a deep sleep. The faint smile on her lips was no longer cold as before, but increasingly gentle and sweet.

Yun Jianyue, who was nearby, secretly snorted. "This woman really does have some appeal," she thought. "No wonder all the major powers in the world treat her like a goddess."

After an unknown period of time, Yu Yanluo suddenly exclaimed with delight, "I found the mark left by Xingnu!" "It seems they're fine," Duan An also breathed a sigh of relief. The two of them had come down specifically to find Xingnu and the Serpent tribe members. Earlier, seeing so many Death Worms, their hearts had sunk to rock bottom. Now, receiving news of them again, they were finally relieved.

"Yes!" Yu Yanluo's spirits were also lifted, and she was instantly filled with renewed vigor. The group then quickened their pace. After navigating through a series of complex mine tunnels for a while longer, the surrounding tunnels gradually became wider.

"We're almost at the exit," Yu Yanluo said excitedly. They soon arrived at a stone gate. She found a mechanism beside it, took out a personal jade pendant and placed it into a corresponding slot, then rotated various parts of the mechanism to different angles. Finally, with a click, the stone gate slowly opened. Yu Yanluo turned back to motion to everyone. Just as they were about to exit, several sharp arrows suddenly shot out towards them.

Before Yu Yanluo could react, Duan An had already lunged forward, batting away the arrows. Suddenly, over a dozen figures sprang out, brandishing weapons and attempting to ambush them. Just as Duan An was about to retaliate, a surprised voice called out from nearby, "Stop everyone! It's Madam and Young Master Zu!"

At this moment, a plump figure hurried over. It was none other than Xingnu! The others nearby were clearly the Serpent tribe members rescued from Cloud County. There were men and women among them, who looked not much different from humans. However, upon closer inspection, one would notice their vertical pupils.

"Xingnu!" Yu Yanluo's heart completely settled seeing everyone safe. "Madam!" Xingnu and the others were both surprised and delighted to see Yu Yanluo again.

As the group caught up, Yan Xuehen was awakened by the commotion. "What happened?" she asked.

Yun Jianyue, who was nearby, scoffed, "You certainly sleep soundly. Who would have thought that the 'Fairy of White Jade City,' as everyone sees her, would drool in her sleep? How shameless!" Yan Xuehen then noticed a wet patch on Duan An's back. She quickly wiped the corner of her mouth.

"I... I'm sorry," she stammered. She had blushed more today than in her entire life combined. Duan An chuckled. "It's nothing. You're too weak right now, so things like this are normal. It'll naturally stop once your body recovers."

Hearing his comforting words, Yan Xuehen felt a warmth in her heart, and her embarrassment lessened slightly. "You brat, you're really good at charming women," Yun Jianyue grumbled, clearly annoyed. However, fearing that she might aggravate his "injuries," she didn't say anything further.

Duan An gave a sheepish smile. He quickly introduced Xingnu and the others to the two women. As for Yun Jianyue's and Yan Xuehen's identities, he didn't reveal them directly, simply stating that they were his two good friends.

After all, both women held extraordinary statuses, with powerful factions behind them. It wouldn't be good if word got out that they were allied with the Serpent tribe.

The two women felt grateful. This fellow, usually so carefree and casual, was actually incredibly meticulous and thoughtful, knowing how to consider things so thoroughly for them.

Learning that they were Duan An's friends, Xingnu showed great friendliness. Seeing that both women were injured, she had her subordinates prepare a "carriage" for the two women to rest in. However, it wasn't pulled by horses, but by creatures resembling lizards.

Yu Yanluo explained, "There's a Serpent tribe supply point outside the cave entrance, and they've been waiting here to meet us."

Xingnu then apologized, "Madam, Young Master Zu, we didn't intend to attack you just now. We thought those terrifying strange worms had followed us, so everyone overreacted a bit." Yu Yanluo quickly asked, "With so many Death Worms, how did you manage to escape?"