Chapter 108: Falling from the Sky

As Cui Liu and her companions gradually drew closer, it seemed they were already right beneath the trees where they stood. Hua Rong's heart nearly leaped into her throat. She desperately wanted to hold her breath and not make a single sound, yet the cold sweat poured down her forehead, terrified that any discovery would seal their doom.

Gazing at the steadfast Zhui Feng, she felt a surge of doubt and whispered urgently, "What should we do now? Aren't we just going to stand here and wait until they leave? Who knows, they might even know the way out!"

Though we had no desire to engage with these dangerous strangers, it was better to fight with all our might than to remain trapped in this eerie forest for the rest of our lives. Even if we wished to avoid confrontation, at this moment, we had no choice but to press on.

"What are you in such a hurry for? There are so many of them, and they carry swords— they can't be ordinary people. We need to find the perfect opportunity!"

As she spoke, Hua Rong's eyes drifted back to Zhui Feng, only to notice several daggers now resting in his hand. This stirred her curiosity. "What are you doing? Are you planning a surprise attack?"

Her words carried clear support, acknowledging that the methods were a bit ruthless, yet they qualified as a valid tactic. Striking unexpectedly could serve as an excellent self-preservation strategy!

But Zhui Feng shot her a disdainful glance, and Hua Rong realized she had been lost in her own thoughts again.

Suddenly, two sharp whooshing sounds filled the air as several darts streaked out in different directions.

The man's focused gaze drove each dart with uncanny precision, striking the branches and trunks. This left her puzzled. "Why won't you leave the trees alone? Hitting people is one thing— but what good does attacking trees do?"

The tense words had barely left her lips when Jun Ye Li's attention snapped toward them. "Who goes there?"

A fierce, vigilant roar rose from below, sending Hua Rong's heart into a flutter. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she muttered, "Oh no, we've been spotted. What now? Fight or run?"

"Can you show a bit of courage? How did I end up with you?"

Zhui Feng's tone dripped with exasperation, though there was no true abandonment in his words.

Just then, a rustling sound echoed from the surroundings. The branches the darts had sliced through now cascaded down from above like a sudden torrent.

"My lord, there's movement in the area!"

The subordinate on guard drew his blade at once, scanning the perimeter. The branches fell relentlessly, like a storm unleashed from the heavens.

The two men swung their swords in a frenzy of flashes and clashes. Seizing the opening, Zhui Feng launched himself from above, knife in hand, his target clearly Cui Liu.

Cui Liu sensed the weakness in her position and her gaze turned icy. She darted to Jun Ye Li's side and cried out, "Help!"

Clang!

A resounding clash rang through the empty valley, echoing endlessly and stirring the listeners below.

The men's swords met in a furious exchange. Jun Ye Li stood protectively before Cui Liu, his eyes sharp and piercing as he confronted Zhui Feng. "Who are you? Why are you here?"

The standoff continued, neither side yielding an inch, both treating the other as an enemy beyond redemption.

"Since you refuse to speak, don't blame me for being unyielding!" Jun Ye Li's gaze was dark and cold. The sudden intruder brought him a strange thrill of satisfaction, as though his search for Hua Rong had drawn him even closer.

The blood that had seemed near death surged with renewed fury, boiling through his veins.

With the force of someone charging with adrenaline, he unleashed everything, shoving forward. Zhui Feng staggered back two steps, nearly stumbling to the ground.

Yet Jun Ye Li gave him no respite. He advanced with steady steps, pouncing upward. "Surrender!"

As he lunged forward, fallen leaves swirled around them in a whirlwind. Amid the chaos, the two clashed once more.

Leaves mingled with the dance of blades and steel, the fight burning with fierce intensity.

Hua Rong above watched in dizzying fascination, not daring to make a sound. But seeing Zhui Feng gradually losing ground filled her with dread. "It's hopeless. Zhui Feng can't hold them off—what now?"

If she jumped down, it would be like trading one hostage for another, a disastrous bargain.

If she stayed put, Zhui Feng would suffer because of her, an untenable position both emotionally and rationally.

Before she could unravel the tangled thoughts, a heavy thud echoed from below.

Bang!

Zhui Feng crashed heavily against the tree where Hua Rong had been crouching. The sudden jolt shook her, and in her dazed state, her body swayed as if on the verge of falling.

Ah!

A piercing scream tore from her throat as her foot slipped. Weightless, she plummeted downward.

Witnessing the fall, Zhui Feng paused in mild surprise. He channeled all his strength into his heels and leaped upward.

But Hua Rong was uncooperative, neither here nor there, and landed directly in Jun Ye Li's arms.

"You idiot, how could you choose such a person?"

Zhui Feng brushed a hand across his brow. Now he was trapped, already unable to prevail and handed over a hostage on a silver platter, complicating matters further.

Hua Rong remained dazed, her eyes still closed.

"What's happening? I seem to be all right!"

Before she could process the situation, Zhui Feng's scolding reached her. "How long do you intend to linger in his arms? You act as though you're terrified of death, yet the blade is already at your throat, and you haven't reacted at all?"

Could it be that the fear stemmed from the fact that he was a handsome man?

At the realization, Hua Rong belatedly opened her eyes and found herself cradled in the embrace of an attractive figure.

A fresh wave of alarm sent her scrambling away, one hand pressed to her racing heart, as though it might leap from her chest.

"Calm down, calm down, I'm fine, I'm fine!" she murmured to herself, her gaze drifting across the solitary man with a trace of familiarity.

Yet his unwavering stare, fixed upon her without a flicker of movement, felt too direct, almost unnervingly so.

"What are you staring at? Haven't you seen a beauty before?" Hua Rong straightened her posture and met his gaze with defiant boldness. She had dealt with plenty of lecherous old men.

Unless it came down to an outright inability to fight.

"Rong'er, what nonsense are you spouting? It's me!"

Jun Ye Li had never imagined the person he had searched for day and night would drop from the sky into his arms. His heart churned wildly, unable to find peace.