Chapter 161 (1/2)

Chapter 161: Martial Arts Tournament

Nan Xun wade through the crowd. Jun Huang was sitting on the ground with a proper smile on her face, but Nan Xun had known Jun Huang long enough to read some of her tells. His eyes fell on her tightened hand. She must have hurt her palm.

Jun Huang kept trying to explain to the woman that this was all a misunderstanding, but the woman was unwilling to listen. She was mad for reasons she couldn't put into words. She just wanted to vent her anger.

Nan Xun wasn't going to let the woman continue bullying Jun Huang. Ignoring the odd looks from the onlookers, he approached Jun Huang and gently helped her up. An undefinable emotion flashed through Jun Huang's eyes when she saw him.

Their foreheads were almost touching as Nan Xun bent down to support her. With his help, Jun Huang got to her feet. Her knees were hurting a little, but the pain was manageable. Her joints just needed some time to get used to her weight.

Nan Xun noticed her frown. A pang of hurt hit him where he was most tender.

”What's wrong?” he asked. ”Are you hurt?”

Jun Huang took a deep breath and shook her head. ”It's nothing. I've just been sitting on the ground for too long. I'll be fine after stretching my legs.”

Nan Xun looked deeply into her eyes, worried that she might be humoring him. Her gaze was steady, though. He relaxed and turned to the woman.

The woman dressed in pink could not stop staring at Nan Xun. She wanted him to s.h.i.+ft his attention to her, even for a brief moment.

Her breath hitched when Nan Xun turned to her. She blinked, at a loss of what to say. It was all she could do to gape at him. Her palms were starting to sweat.

”Our apology,” said Nan Xun. ”My friend has not meant to knock into you. I hope you won't blame him. This gentleman apologizes to you on his behalf.” He made a gesture in greeting the way people in the martial arts world would. Warriors cared not about rules and proper etiquette.

Nan Xun turned back to Jun Huang and took her hand to check for wounds, sparing no glance for the woman. His eyebrows furrowed in sympathy. His lowered head kept the emotions in his eyes hidden.

Jun Huang awkwardly tried to pull her hand away, but Nan Xun tightened his grip and didn't let her. She gave up and let Nan Xun hold onto her arm.

”I… It's nothing,” said the woman. ”I was in a bad mood and happened to knock into your friend. You don't have to apologize. I should be the one apologizing. I shouldn't have lashed out at your friend without a good reason.”

The woman blushed and looked up at Nan Xun shyly. Her heart was beating so fast it was as if it would escape her chest.

Nan Xun threw her a glance and humored her with a few polite words. The woman had only gotten a look at his profile, but it was enough to captivate her. She felt the urge to declare her affection to the world, but she was worried that Nan Xun wouldn't like woman who was too outspoken. She tried her best to reign herself in.

”It takes an argument to get to know someone, doesn't it? I hope the gentleman wouldn't blame me. I'm not usually this unreasonable. Would the gentleman mind… for us to get to know each other?”

The woman's cheeks were beet red. She looked at Nan Xun from the corner of her eyes.

Jun Huang's eyebrows jumped up. She turned to look at Nan Xun from the woman's blindspot.

Nan Xun had noticed Jun Huang's gaze. The woman was still babbling. He awkwardly coughed to interrupt the woman's prolonged introduction. After a pause, he said, ”In the martial arts world we don't dwell on such trivial matters. Everything's good as long as you don't feel offended by my friend.”

Nan Xun's deep voice made the woman's heart skip a beat, which he was oblivious to. He turned back to Jun Huang with a frown. She looked tired, and her palm needed taking care of. He bid the woman farewell and led Jun Huang back to the inn.

”Hey, you're going to just leave?” The woman wasn't going to let them go. She hadn't even found out Nan Xun's name!

Nan Xun threw her a glance before saying, ”My friend's hurt. I have to take care of his wound. I hope you can understand.”

Without another word, he took Jun Huang back to the inn. He ordered a clerk to bring him some medicine before returning to their room. He then went out to fetch some hot water.