Chapter 156 (1/2)

Chapter 156: Taking a Leap of Faith

Nan Xun was a man of integrity. He knew where to draw the line. He went to one of the guards' rooms to take a bath. When he came back, Jun Huang was drawing under the candlelight.

Jun Huang noticed his approach before he got close. She turned around. Nan Xun felt awkward all of a sudden. He scratched at his nose and coughed before walking to Jun Huang's side. He looked down at the portraits on the sheets of rice paper.

”Are they Yin Yun and Jun Hao?” asked Nan Xun.

Jun Huang nodded and let out a sigh as she laid down her ink brush. ”I hope we can find them without accidents.”

The bone deep tiredness she radiated made Nan Xun's heart clench. He paused and, with feign nonchalance, said, ”Get some rest. I'll stay outside for the night.”

With that, he walked out of the door, leaving Jun Huang staring after him.

Nan Xun's consideration made warmth bloom in her heart. A hint of smile snuck onto her face without her noticing. She contemplated the drawings in her hands for a good while.

She was exhausted. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep. When she woke up, the sun was rising from the horizon. The peaceful Yun Town slowly came out of its slumber. Jun Huang cleaned herself up and opened the window. At dawn saw Yun Town covered in a thin layer of fog.

The climate here was comfortable, and this was the most serene area in Northern Qi. Raised on this land, the locals weren't as strongly-built as those in other parts of Northern Qi. Instead, they were more similar to the gentle people of Jiangnan.

The day had only just broken. Jun Huang took a deep breath. She could almost taste the dew in the morning air. She opened the door when she was fully awake.

As that day in the relay station, Nan Xun had been keeping watch at the door throughout the night for her safety. He only fell asleep lying against the chair early in the morning.

The other customers were still asleep. Only the clerks were up and working. Jun Huang had thought that Nan Xun would rest on the divan. She didn't expect him to stay at the door again.

It took a moment for her to shake away the tender feelings filling her heart. She walked up to Nan Xun and tapped him on the shoulder.

People trained in martial arts kept their guard up even in sleep. Nan Xun had woken up before Jun Huang reached him. He opened his eyes when Jun Huang touched his shoulder and blinked at her beautiful face.

”Why did you sleep outside again?” asked Jun Huang. She didn't notice the concern in her tone.

Nan Xun shook his throbbing head and straightened his back. ”It's nothing. This way, you won't feel uneasy because of my presence. Besides, the divan is… small. I can't really fit on it. Might as well stay outside and use the opportunity to observe other people.”

His tone was casual, but Jun Huang knew it was deliberate. Nan Xun simply didn't want her to worry. She looked at the divan Nan Xun spoke of. She had not had a good look last night, but now she realized that it was small. Nan Xun was a tall man. It would be uncomfortable for him to sleep on it.

When Nan Xun was trying to come up with something to a.s.sure Jun Huang, the four guards they brought with them walked out of their rooms. They stood on the side and respectfully awaited their orders. It wasn't a good time for such conversation.

Nan Xun cleared his throat and told the guards to go get something to eat first. He returned to his room to clean himself up before following Jun Huang downstairs.

When they arrived yesterday, it was late, and the main hall was empty. Now, in the morning, people started trickling in to have breakfast. Most had come to Yun Town to attend the martial arts compet.i.tion. All of them looked like formidable foes.

Nan Xun kept an eye on them. As someone who had fought on battlefields, he knew better than many that a healthy dose of suspicion was crucial to survival. His guards kept their guard up as well.

Jun Huang was the only one who didn't react. She couldn't care less about the compet.i.tion. Her sole focus was on finding Jun Hao and Yin Yun. It had been too long since she last heard of them. She couldn't help getting both excited and nervous over the possibility of seeing them again. She was afraid that this might turn out to be another disappointment.

Once she had finished eating, she put down her chopsticks and drank her tea without a word.

After breakfast, they went to the room Jun Huang shared with Nan Xun. Jun Huang handed the guards the portraits she had drawn last night and said, ”Thank you for the help.”

”The gentleman is too kind,” said one of the guards. ”These subordinates are simply fulfilling our duties.”

They left the room, leaving Jun Huang and Nan Xun on their own.