Chapter 377: Ill Follow You To Hell (1/2)

“The journey is going to be exhausting. You're...”

“I have to go. I have to make sure he's alright. No one knows how long it'll take you to bring him to me. What if… I die before he's back? Then I won't be able to rest in peace.” Jun Huang was simply telling the truth. She wasn't trying to use her death as a bargaining chip.

Nan Xun understood her. Oleg Cragfiend hadn't yet found a cure. Her days might very well be numbered. He wanted her to be happy, and he wanted her to fight to live. Eventually, he nodded. He'd take Jun Huang to Jun Hao.

They departed as soon as they could. Theirs was a small group. Apart from Jun Huang and Nan Xun were Nan Xun's most trusted men, Yin Yun, and Oleg Cragfiend. Nan Xun took the poison master in case Jun Huang's condition deteriorated.

His decision was proven to be a wise one. Jun Huang had fallen unconscious along the way several times. Once, Jun Huang was bored and wanted to read, but Nan Xun stopped her and read to her instead. Not long after he started, Jun Huang fainted. He'd thought she was simply asleep, but he couldn't wake her up. It wasn't until Oleg Cragfiend checked on her that he knew she'd lost consciousness.

Nan Xun had been constantly afraid for Jun Huang, worried that she'd collapse at an inopportune moment. It wasn't a smooth journey. She might get herself hurt.

Oleg Cragfiend had been giving Jun Huang medicine nonstop, but it hadn't been effective. It got to the point that Nan Xun was losing sleep every day. He couldn't rest easy without Jun Huang in his sight. He worried that she'd fall unconscious one day and never wake up.

Jun Huang didn't know how she could comfort Nan Xun. She could only talk to him about the beautiful scenery outside.

Half a month had pa.s.sed. Nan Xun seemed to have aged prematurely from the stress. His chin was covered in stubbles. He didn't look like his usual stoic self.

Yin Yun noted his unkempt look. Who would've thought Northern Qi's general would end up like this? Who other than Jun Huang could have such a profound impact on him?

Nan Xun didn't allow himself to relax until after Jun Huang had fallen asleep. Their coach was parked on the side of the road. Not far from it was the cliff. With a tangled mess of thoughts in his head, Nan Xun got off the coach to get some fresh air. He ran into an equally awake Yin Yun.

Yin Yun traced the sound of footsteps to Nan Xun. He could see the exhaustion in the general's eyes. He sighed. “The princess is doing relatively well, and Oleg Cragfiend is a master of poison. He'll be able to help her. Don't run yourself to the ground. We don't want you to collapse before the princess gets her cure.”

Nan Xun smiled wryly at his attempt of rea.s.surance and looked up at the bright moon. Eventually, he said, “What if Jun Hao has become nothing but a pile of bones when we find him? What will you do?”

Yin Yun froze. He knew why Nan Xun would say such a thing, so he didn't blame Nan Xun for painting a grim picture. He put some thought into the question and answered seriously, “If His Highness has died, I'll follow him to the other world. I won't hang onto my life and leave him alone in the dark.”

Nan Xun was surprised, but it dawned on him how devoted Yin Yun was to Jun Hao. The guard had watched the boy grow up. He'd cared for him and risked his life for him. If one day Jun Hao did die, Nan Xun believed Yin Yun would do as he'd said.

If one day Jun Huang pa.s.ses away, I'll do the same.

He didn't voice his thoughts, but his eyes were expressive enough under the moonlight. Jun Huang had overheard their conversation. A look at Nan Xun's face was enough for her to understand his unspoken words.

Yin Yun was getting tired. He patted Nan Xun on the shoulder and told him not to think too much before leaving. Nan Xun nodded, watching him go. When he turned back, Jun Huang was not far from him, her clothes fluttering in the wind.

“Why did you come out?” Nan Xun hurried to her side and pulled her into his arms.

Jun Huang snuggled closer to him. “What are you thinking?”

“Hm?”

“If I die, are you going to take your own life?” Jun Huang looked up at him. Her piercing gaze seemed to be seeing through his soul. His heart jumped and his throat tightened. With a sigh, he covered her eyes.

“As you've speculated, I'll follow you to the other side if you can't be cured. I'll follow you even in h.e.l.l, even if I have to drink the brew that'll erase my memory[1].” Nan Xun's hoa.r.s.e voice seemed to speak directly to her soul.

She was shaken. A sorrowful smile tugged at her lips. She didn't push Nan Xun's hands away. “What if I don't want you to follow me? Things have gotten back to how it should be. You should see the peaceful world for me. I don't want you to end your life prematurely.”

Nan Xun put his arms around her tightly and said in a loving voice, “Have you given up hope? Why can't you think about what I want, Jun Huang? Don't give up just yet. No matter how slim the chance of your survival is, no matter what we have to face in the future, I'll stay by your side. I won't leave you behind.”