Chapter 181 (1/2)

Chapter 181: Lasting Fear

Jun Huang slowly opened her eyes. Whether she was alive or dead, she had to see for herself. What came into her view was the silky drape of the canopy bed. She propped her tired body up. The room looked similar to one of the inn. She blinked in confusion.

After what she had been through, her entire body was aching. Her chest hurt even when she breathed a little heavier. She bent down to press against her stomach. Her face went pale in pain. Her already slim form seemed even more fragile. It was heartbreaking to see her in this state.

When the pain had faded, she slowly got off the bed. She lost her balance as soon as her foot touched the ground.

Ji Bo happened to be bringing her her medicine. He quickly placed the bowl on the table and rushed toward her. He almost didn't catch her before she fell.

Jun Huang gasped and choked on the tainted air she had inhaled. She broke into a coughing fit. Her body curled together as she coughed until her eyes were br.i.m.m.i.n.g with tears. She looked up at Ji Bo and clutched the tail of his robe. She couldn't stop herself from trembling.

Ji Bo patted her on the back to help her control her breathing. Once she started breathing normally again, he helped Jun Huang back to the bed with a sigh. He then picked up the ceramic bowl he had placed on the wooden table and returned to the bedside. The medicine was still steaming hot.

”Drink this,” Ji Bo said before Jun Huang could say anything. ”You can't collapse now. I know you have a lot of questions. Finish this bowl of medicine, and I'll tell you what you want to know.”

Jun Huang nodded reluctantly and took the bowl from Ji Bo. She quickly finished the bitter medicine. Her eyebrows remained closely knitted even after she put the bowl down.

Ji Bo grabbed a chair and sat by the bed. ”I know what you want to ask,” he said slowly. ”You want to know what's the meaning of the last test, and if you and Nan Xun have pa.s.sed. You also want to know where Nan Xun is now. Don't fret. I will tell you everything.”

”The last stage of the trial is a test on the mind. Sacrificing yourself isn't the right way to go. Neither is killing your companion. We want to know if the two partic.i.p.ants are of the same mind. You've seen yourself that many before you have killed their companions in order to survive. In the end they also died in the room.”

”Then how should one pa.s.s the test?” Jun Huang asked with a frown. ”Is there no correct answer?”

Ji Bo let out a bright laugh. ”Of course there is. If there were no answer, you wouldn't be here.”

Jun Huang looked at Ji Bo without a word. Ji Bo put on a serious expression and said, ”This is a test on the human heart. Naturally there is an answer. The key is for the two partic.i.p.ants to be united fearless against dangers. You either live together, or you die together. Failing the test means death.”

Jun Huang's pupils contracted. Her heart was seized by her fear as she thought back to what had happened. If she had given up on Nan Xun, the consequence would be unbearable. Cold sweat streamed down her face. She was truly shaken this time. Persistence alone would not have been enough for them to pa.s.s the trial.

They started with solving a puzzle. Then they were in a fight for their survival. Finally it was their hearts that were tested. One wrong step could mean the difference between life and death. If Nan Xun hadn't been the one going through the trial with her, she didn't know what would happen.

Nan Xun had been protecting her without a word of complaint. He told her to get behind him if she got scared. Her heart skipped a beat when she remembered his words. She knew Nan Xun had now occupied a significant part in her heart.

”You two were able to pa.s.s the trial because your hearts are aligned and your will is strong,” Ji Bo said after a moment of silence, breaking Jun Huang's trance. ”I'm curious, however, whether you truly had no doubt even in that situation.”

Jun Huang looked up at him and smiled. ”As you've said, our hearts would point us to the door of life. It is human nature to be greedy, to fear death. I'll be lying if I say I wasn't scared at all. But… I know if I survive at the cost of his life, it'd be a fate worse than death. Death isn't always the most painful. Sometimes, it's worse to be the one who survives.”

Ji Bo frowned at Jun Huang and sighed. They fell silent.

”Nan Xun and I have been to h.e.l.l and back together,” Jun Huang said carefully. ”We both know what the other feels, but circ.u.mstances prevent us from being together. Now, though, I can't lie to myself and say I've never had any feelings for him. I even fear that death will come to either of us before I can confess to him.”

Nan Xun had heard what she said outside the room. Every word she uttered imprinted itself into his heart.