Chapter 274: Nan Guyue (1/2)

Nan Xun huffed out a wistful laugh and poured himself another cup of wine. Ji Bo took the cup from him.

“What?” muttered Nan Xun.

“The wine is good, but it's going to be bad for you in excess. Besides, you're going to be feeling the alcohol tomorrow if you don't stop drinking. Why waste something so nice if you're not going to enjoy it?” Ji Bo smiled and chucked the wine carelessly. “Might as well use it as tribute to the bright moon.”

“The gentleman sure knows how to enjoy life,” Nan Xun said with a quiet laugh.

Ji Bo shrugged and placed his empty cup on the stone table. After a pause, he continued, “It's already difficult for her to leave the city to seek treatment. She can only do so because you and I are here. If you leave as well, she'll start worrying again, which will be detrimental to her health.”

“Besides, Qi Chen and Prince Duan pose a threat simply by existing. If you leave, there's no telling what they'll do. Please keep the big picture in mind. Once they're dealt with, you can then think about going to Southern Mu.” Ji Bo was speaking from the bottom of his heart.

Nan Xun pursed his lips. He knew what Ji Bo meant. He simply missed Jun Huang too much and was feeling melancholy seeing the moon. Ji Bo words made him realize how unreasonable his wish was.

Ji Bo sighed in relief when he saw Nan Xun's resigned expression. After exchanging a few more words, Ji Bo bid Nan Xun farewell and returned to his bedroom.

Nan Xun sat under the moon alone, his heart filled with a faint sense of loss. He knew he had to put all his effort into dealing with the task at hand before he could go to Jun Huang.

With that in mind, he threw himself into work, leaving early in the morning to train his soldiers and returning late in the evening. Before he fell asleep, Jun Huang was often on his mind.

Meanwhile, Jun Huang missed Nan Xun dearly as well. She stood in the garden looking up at the sky. Her yearning for Nan Xun was quiet, but unrelenting.

It'd been some time since she left Northern Qi. She wondered what was happening there. Occasionally she'd exchange a letter with Nan Xun, but she knew he was busy. She didn't write a lot about her current situation lest she burden him with worry.

She sighed as she placed her hand over her chest, feeling her heart pounding against her ribcage. The lone moon cast an untouchable silver glow over her surroundings. She felt like a lone wolf roving a vast land.

When Oleg Cragfiend came with Jun Huang's medicine, she was standing at the center of the garden. Her silk robe waved softly in the breeze, catching the silver moonlight and giving her an ethereal feel. She looked even more stunning than usual.

“Master.” Jun Huang was surprised to see him standing in the hallway. She gave him a small smile.

Without a word, Oleg Cragfiend walked up to her and handed her the bowl of medicine. She stared at the black liquid in the ceramic bowl for a moment before finis.h.i.+ng it in one go.

Bitterness a.s.saulted her senses, but she'd gotten used to the taste. Nothing could top the pain inflicted on her by the poison. She could therefore take any medicine without so much as a frown.

Oleg Cragfiend sighed and patted her on the shoulder, motioning at her to take a seat. Jun Huang obliged without a word.

“What's on your mind?” Oleg Cragfiend finally asked, breaking the silence.

Jun Huang frowned and shook her head in response.

Oleg Cragfiend sighed, looking into the distance. “There's no need for you to keep it from me. I don't know why you've been preoccupied, but I have to remind you that you have to recover enough to feed the lotus with your blood. You mustn't exhaust yourself, mentally or physically. I don't know what has happened to you in Northern Qi, and I don't want to prod. However, you have to prioritize your health and rest well.”

“Maybe your heart is with something or someone in Northern Qi,” he said slowly, laying down the facts. “However, if you can't put your mind to rest, it'll take longer for your body to recover, and we'll have to wait longer to cure you.”

After a long pause, Jun Huang nodded with a smile. “This disciple will keep master's words in mind. I'll rest and recover with your help in order to get cured as soon as possible.”

Her tone was earnest. Oleg Cragfiend nodded and went back to his room. Jun Huang stayed in the garden for a while in deep thoughts.

Her master was right. It wasn't the time for her to be stubborn. She had her obligations. She had to cleanse the poison as soon as she could so that she could focus on her revenge.

Early the next morning, Jun Huang was woken up by a familiar voice outside. Her forehead creased as she contemplated what to do. She rose and made herself presentable before walking outside. It was Nan Guyue, who she hadn't seen her for a while.