Chapter 254 (1/2)

The steep cliff rose abruptly and the wild gra.s.s between the cracks of the cliff was smashed into a green line that swiftly disappeared. As the cold air slapped against her cheeks, Mo Shanshan used her left hand to tightly clutch Ning Que's waistband. She neither felt afraid nor screamed because she believed that Ning Que would never commit suicide.

”Peng!” The big black umbrella opened in the air. Their bodies jerked, and the speed at which they fell slowed down. They drifted along with the wind and away from the cliff, toward a broad-leaved forest not far away from them.

Mo Shanshan narrowed her eyes due to the wind. She raised up her head to see that umbrella, which blocked the snow. Even though it had been battered by the fierce wind, it only had slight deformations. There were no traces of it tearing at all. Because it was so solid, she could not help wondering what material on earth this umbrella was made from.

Ning Que gripped its handle tightly with his right hand as hard as iron. He held Mo Shanshan's waist with his left hand and his eyes focused on the ground, which was getting closer and closer. He was in no mood to feel the warmth from Mo Shanshan's skin. He had hugged little girls and jumped down from cliffs many times, so he knew that even though the umbrella was solid, the umbrella cover was not big, so it would be uncomfortable when they landed on the ground.

When they were 10 feet away from the ground, a faint but pure light came out from Mo Shanshan's finger. All of sudden, the air became thicker, and the falling speed was slowed down for the second time.

Ning Que knew that Mo Shanshan had done something. So he stopped his talisman preparations and held onto her waist tightly.

A dull, thumping sound was heard as he bent his legs and fell to the ground. His muscles and skeleton first became tight and then loosened the moment that he landed, successfully absorbing most of the impact. Yet it seemed that the girl in his arm had sensed nothing.

Ning Que released his hand and nodded at her to show his appreciation.

Mo Shanshan shook her head in reply and calmly left his arm.

The forest floor was carpeted with fallen leaves and it was soft to step on. No one knew how many years these leaves had been acc.u.mulating, but it was weird that there was no rotten smell.

Although this was a broad-leaved forest, these trees had just begun to sprout and could not keep off the sporadic snow that fell from the snow cliff, making them appear to have green constellation patterns among the snow.

They walked into the green forest and disappeared from sight for a moment.

They continued to walk and had gradually moved farther away from the snow cliff. No more snow landed there from the world outside of the mountain. The sky above the valley was still gray and, compared with the forest dotted with green, it was much more desolate here.

Maybe because of the pressure from the oath, or because Prince Long Qing had talked about Sangsang, who was far away in Chang'an City, Ning Que became very quiet after entering the forest. He was not as active as usual and just kept walking in silence.

Mo Shanshan was silent also. Watching his back, she thought about the conversation that had happened earlier on the snow cliff. She thought about that little handmaiden whom Ning Que tried to protect, even against his original intention, and thought about that oath, which, although not b.l.o.o.d.y, was cruel. She became dejected, then worried. No sound was made as she stepped on the leaves and she did not speak either.

When looking down from the snow cliff, this green valley was not large at all. But when they came here in person, they found that the valley was very deep even though it did not appear to be. They walked for a long time without any conversation, yet they still had not reached the end of the valley.

This place was far away from the snow cliff. So there was no need to worry that they would be heard or chased. Staring at that big black umbrella behind Ning Que's back, Mo Shanshan could no longer bear the curiosity within her. She asked, ”Why didn't you fight?”

Ning Que stopped and turned back to ask, ”Why should I fight?”

Looking into his eyes, Mo Shanshan said in a serious tone, ”You taught me how to fight before in the carriage. At that time, you said that when two tigers meet, the most important thing to remember is... only the bravest one can win.”

After being silent for a moment, Ning Que replied, ”In front of Long Qing, I am not even a tiger.”

Mo Shanshan looked at the silk bag hanging on his wrist and said, ”With a Divine Talisman in hand, even a kid could be as powerful as a tiger.”

Ning Que shook his head and said, ”s.h.i.+fu had put in much effort to write this Divine Talisman that can be used by a person in the No Doubts State. As a disciple, I shouldn't use it at just anytime. Besides, you and I both study Talisman Taoism, and we should clearly know that because I didn't make this Fu, it's hard to let it reveal its real power. I didn't have the confidence to hurt Long Qing with it.”

Mo Shanshan raised her head slightly and said in a serious tone, ”You have me.”

Ning Que said sincerely, ”Thanks. But after all, this is between me and Long Qing. So it would be unreasonable to let you take the risk. What's more, you came here under the edict of the Divine Hall, and I would never let the relations.h.i.+p between you and the Divine Hall get worse because of me.”

He looked toward the forest and at the cliff that he could barely see. Ning Que said, ”We all came here to get the Tomes of Arcane, so I will still run into him in the end. He wants to drive me to desperation, likewise, I want to do the same to him. Things would be easier if I could get rid of him first.”

Mo Shanshan slightly frowned and said, ”Prince Long Qing is not a person that can be gotten rid of easily.”

Ning Que explained, ”He wasn't easy to get rid of before, but now, we have a bet. The situation is totally different. As long as I break the realm first, he will naturally be gotten rid of.”

He spoke slowly and in a peaceful tone as if he was saying something that would surely happen.

Mo Shanshan looked at him, suddenly realizing that he had never thought that he would lose the bet. Even if he should win, did he consider what he would do if Long Qing went back on his words? Even though that prince devoutly believed in Haotian, if he needed to destroy his practice and leave the Divine Hall, even an oath sworn in Haotian's name would not be binding.

She asked, ”What if you lose this bet?”

Ning Que simply answered, ”I won't.”

Mo Shanshan continued to ask, ”I said if...”