Chapter 218 (1/2)

Chapter 218: Thief

Nan Xun contemplated Jun Huang's words silently. He checked over each of the men's mouth to make sure that they were all dead from swallowing poison, and that their tongues were all cut off. He stood up and nodded at Jun Huang. ”We should leave.”

Jun Huang nodded. From a distance there were torches coming their way. Realization struck both of them. So this was what the trap was.

They knew someone wanted to catch them. Even though they didn't know who that person was, the person was no doubt their enemy, and a cunning one at that. Jun Huang looked away from the source of the torchlight. Nan Xun put the jade tree back into the box and wrapped up the box with a handkerchief. He held it in his arms before turning to Jun Huang.

Jun Huang knew that she wouldn't be able to run fast enough to get rid of their tails. She resigned to her fate and went up to Nan Xun. With a chuckle, he put an arm around her waist. She held onto his shoulder reflexively as he leapt into the air.

The sensation was different from when Jun Huang jumped into the air herself. She knew Nan Xun had used light body technique. The whoosh of the wind filled her ears. She looked at Nan Xun's stoic profile. He stared straight ahead in deep thoughts, oblivious to her attention.

Soon, they reached the alleyway next to the inn. Jun Huang had been worried that Nan Xun would make a noise and alert the residents when he landed on their roof, but he was even better at martial arts than she imagined. He didn't make a sound as he moved even with her as the added weight.

”What's wrong?” Nan Xun looked down at her once they were on level ground. She suddenly realized that she hadn't let go of him. Heat flushed into her cheeks. She jerked back like she was burned and put some distance between them.

Once her heart had finally stopped pounding, she looked up at Nan Xun and whispered, ”We should go back to the inn.”

Nan Xun knew she was feeling embarra.s.sed. He chuckled and nodded in response. They walked out of the alley and entered the inn through the front door.

It had been an eventful day. There were almost too much excitement than her heart could take. All in all, it was a good day. What pleased her the most was that Nan Xun had recovered the national treasure of Western Que for her.

Contrary to her good mood, Nan Xun was brooding. He had wanted to confess to Jun Huang, but those b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in black clothing had interrupted him. He turned to Jun Huang and saw her watching the jade tree at the desk. Frustration refused to let him go. The words were right at his tongue. He might as well ask her now if she would be willing to marry him one day…

His mind was made up. Without hesitation, he went up to Jun Huang and took her hands. She looked up at him, her brows furrowed in confusion. ”What's the matter? Is there an emergency?”

”There's something I must tell you. Are you willing to – ”

A series of knocks cut him off. They whirled towards the door and saw the silhouette of several men outside. Alarm bells rang through their heads.

Nan Xun gave Jun Huang a questioning look. She nodded. As Nan Xun went to get the door, Jun Huang put the jade tree back to the box and closed it, watching the door warily.

”There's a thief in the city who stole something valuable from the city lord, honored guests,” the clerk said gently. ”Everyone has to undergo a routine check. I hope the guests would let us do our job.”

Nan Xun and Jun Huang both turned to the box on the desk. They quickly figured out what had happened. Nan Xun was unusually calm. He remembered there was a pond in the backyard. As the clerk was about to open the door, he threw the box out of the window. He had used some technique to make sure that the box didn't make a sound as it fell into the water. There wasn't even much of a ripple.

The clerk was followed by a group of soldiers. Without a word, the soldiers searched through the room with weapons drawn. Jun Huang and Nan Xun watched them calmly.

The soldiers did not leave a thing undamaged. They slashed open the blanket and the wardrobe as they searched for the jade tree, making a mess out of the beds and the furniture. The cups on the table were shattered, spilling tea everywhere. The room was silent saved for the clinking sound of the blades and the drip drops of the tea.

The leader of the soldiers turned to Jun Huang. His gaze landed heavily on her. She had changed into a blue robe after returning from Water Cloud. Under the candlelight, she looked alluring. Even a man would be seduced by her.