Chapter 170 (1/2)

Chapter 170: Retort

Even though Jun Huang was the one the audience was praising, Nan Xun was pleased as if he had been on the receiving end of the praises as well. A smile found its way to his face and stayed there.

Rong'er scowled. She was from a prestigious sect! She couldn't possibly be inferior to this weakling!

She tightened her jaw and glared at the elegant man who was a few feet away from her. Hatred filled her heart with fire. She threw a punch at Jun Huang.

Jun Huang could tell that Rong'er had lost her calm. Her punch had lost its usual velocity and force. Jun Huang dodged it easily and pushed at Rong'er from behind.

Jun Huang had not used her inner force with that push. Therefore Rong'er only stumbled before steadying herself. The audience erupted into laughter. Rong'er's face flushed in anger as she advanced on Jun Huang with insistent attacks.

Rong'er was able to push Jun Huang back not because she had tapped into her potential due to provocation, but because Jun Huang was. .h.i.t with a sudden pain in her chest. She had to endure it while fighting Rong'er. Her face became more and more pale.

This close, Rong'er could see that Jun Huang was losing her strength. With a scoff, she backed Jun Huang into a corner and struck at her chest, very much the opposite of how an honorable fighter would act.

Nan Xun had taught Jun Huang what to do when backed into a corner. She crossed her arms before her chest and pushed Rong'er away. She took two quick steps and kicked Rong'er in the stomach, sending her flying in the air. The sudden movement caused a clot of blood to form in Jun Huang's lungs. She spat it out, leaving a crimson stain on the stage.

Jun Huang looked up at the sky. The sun was blindingly bright. She had been struggling to stay upright. After her bout of attacks against Rong'er, she had exhausted her well of strength. Her knees went weak and she collapsed.

Nan Xun rushed up the stage and caught her before she could hit the floor. The fabric of their clothes fluttered in the wind as their hair tangled together. With a twist of his foot, Nan Xun steadied himself with Jun Huang in his arms.

Jun Huang took a deep breath to alleviate the heaviness in her chest. She stayed in Nan Xun's embrace for a moment before opening her eyes. She attempted a smile and opened her mouth to say that she was alright, but no sound came out.

Nan Xun's heart clenched. He couldn't take it if something happened to Jun Huang. He held onto her, his knuckles going white. His eyes were filled with worry. He was terrified that Jun Huang would lose consciousness again and not wake up this time.

It took a while for Jun Huang to find her voice. ”Don't worry,” she said weakly. ”The clot of blood had been forming in my chest for a while. It's good for me to get it out.”

Nan Xun was reminded of what the doctor had told him. He too said that blood had been acc.u.mulating in Jun Huang's lungs. She would feel better once she got it out of her system. It would warrant more concerns if she couldn't get the blood out. Nan Xun had been too worried and too focused on taking care of Jun Huang that he forgot about that.

Jun Huang knew medicine herself. Nan Xun let out a relieved sigh, but he couldn't stop himself from thinking about what could have happened. Reflexively, his arms tightened around Jun Huang.

Jun Huang didn't see the panic on Nan Xun's face, but Rong'er did. She had been kicked off the stage by Jun Huang. If her seniors had not caught her, she would have been seriously hurt.

She had witnessed Nan Xun pulling Jun Huang into his arms and saw his fear. She wanted nothing more than to take Jun Huang's place. She was even more convinced that Jun Huang was a manipulative liar. Nan Xun had been deceived by her innocent appearance.

”Haven't you promised me to stay safe?” Nan Xun whispered into Jun Huang's ear in a pained tone. ”How can I trust you to take care of yourself? Were you even listening to what I said?”

Jun Huang didn't have an answer for him. She never expected Nan Xun to speak to her in such a tired voice. Her heartbeats grew erratic.

Her silence prompted Nan Xun to continue, ”Can you give up this fight? I'll send my men to track your brother down. You don't have to risk your life for fame that may or may not help you.”

He was pleading.

The man whose name alone could deter an army, the prince who stood above many others – he was begging her to not risk her safety. He promised to take care of everything. He only asked for her to stay safe.

How could she not be moved? How could she deny him?

Jun Huang nodded without hesitation and said, ”I understand. I will forfeit the match.”