Chapter 38 [VIP] The World of Martial Arts (19)

Nan Yan also saw the perilous situation. She looked up to see the copper bells under the eave ringing wildly in the wind, seemingly a signal.

At the same time, assassins hidden in the shadows leaped out, their murderous aura instantly filling the courtyard.

The courtyard was quickly surrounded, and the boldness of these people attacking in broad daylight indicated just how audacious the demonic sect had become.

Nan Yan was hiding under the eaves, with Xie Yu’s room behind her, and a considerable distance separating her from Xiao Guanxue. The assassins' primary target was clear - to kill Xiao Guanxue, but anyone associated with him was also in danger.

The reason for their attack was vengeance and elimination of future threats.

According to the original text, the poisoning of the villagers was not accidental but intentional by the demonic sect to test their poison.

Long suppressed by the righteous sects, the members of the demonic sect were humiliated and sought to restore their former glory.

The poison was meticulously developed to control the so-called righteous people, preparing for the demonic sect's next move to control and dominate the martial world using the poison.

However, the poison was neutralized by Xiao Guanxue, the divine doctor of Medicine King Valley, who thwarted their major plan. Naturally, the demonic sect would not let him go easily.

Hence, they had planned this assassination.

"Sumo, having recognized the pattern on the dart, turned pale. It was a unique assassination dart from the Demon Sect. Could it really be their doing? Were they plotting something sinister?"

"Before they could ponder further, assassins from all directions swarmed in. Xiao Guanxue, preoccupied with Nan Yan’s safety, found himself held back by the assailants. As a blade swung towards him, he swiftly dodged, his agitation growing with Sumo’s urgent calls."

"Although his medical skills were unparalleled, his martial arts were only average. Now, he ignored the others, focusing only on keeping Nan Yan safe."

"Meanwhile, Nan Yan also became a target. As she dodged and retreated, she threw nearby medicinal herbs at the attackers."

"Her throw caused the attacker's blade to veer slightly off course, aiming for her shoulder instead of her neck."

"Nan Yan turned her head to avoid it, closing her eyes instinctively, bracing for a minor injury, hoping the local constables would soon notice the commotion and come to their rescue."

"But in the chaos, the expected pain never came. Instead, she felt herself being pulled into a warm embrace, a muffled groan near her ear followed by a warm flow down her neck."

"Then, a trembling voice, laced with lingering fear, spoke in her ear. Xie Yu held her tightly, unwilling to loosen his grip even slightly."

"'Yan Yan, don’t be afraid…'"

"Nan Yan’s eyelashes quivered slightly."

"She thought, as expected, someone had saved her."

"She hadn’t been entirely sure of her plan, seeing Xiao Guanxue surrounded and unable to break free, she had lured the assassins towards the door, where Xie Yu was."

"It was a gamble."

"Only when she heard a soft call did Nan Yan slowly open her eyes. When she saw who was in front of her, she seemed momentarily dazed, her gaze fixed on the man before her."

"Seeing her dazed expression, Xie Yu, thinking she was injured, anxiously checked her over, 'Yan Yan, where... cough, are you hurt? Why aren’t you speaking?'"

"Nobody knew the fear and tension he felt seeing the blade slashing towards her. He was terrified she would get hurt."

"In that instant, he disregarded his own safety, with only one thought in his mind: if he died, she must remain unharmed, so he instinctively shielded her with his body."

"At that moment, Nan Yan's heart was calm, but her face showed urgent concern. She moved her lips as if to say something, but as she looked up, she saw the assassin behind him collapse to the ground."

"Xiao Guanxue, witnessing the scene, instinctively shot several poison-coated silver needles from his sleeve, which fortunately saved Xie Yu's life."

"Despite this intervention, Xie Yu still received a harsh blow to his back, the blade slicing from his shoulder down his spine, causing blood to pour out profusely, skin and flesh gaping open."

"Nan Yan, seeing the severity of the wound, burst into tears immediately, 'Brother Yu, you…'"

"Before she could finish, a loud bang at the door signaled the arrival of the village guards and officials, finally alerted to the commotion. Seeing the daylight assault, they charged in with weapons drawn, causing the assailants to gradually retreat amid the growing crowd."

"Everyone had sustained minor injuries in the chaos. Sumo, in her attempt to pull Xiao Guanxue away, had her arm slashed. Still weak from a recent illness, she couldn’t withstand the strain and fainted from the pain."

"Xiao Guanxue kicked aside a corpse blocking his way and rushed to Nan Yan, yanking Xie Yu away from her before tightly embracing her."

"His face was still smeared with dried blood, and in his urgency to shoot the needles, he had neglected his own safety, suffering a cut on his hand. Now, holding Nan Yan, his hands trembled with fear."

"He was relieved that Xie Yu had taken the blow for her, fearing that otherwise, it would have been her. Yet, he also feared her compassion; Xie Yu had risked his life for her, would she... regret her choice now?"

"'Yan Yan, are you alright?'"

"Xiao Guanxue held her tightly, as if clinging to her could erase the recent horrors."

"Nan Yan, however, looked towards Xie Yu, whom Xiao Guanxue had pushed aside, and grabbed his wrist, 'Brother Yu, Xiao Guanxue, please save him...'"

"'I can't concern myself with the life or death of others now.'"

"'He's not just anyone, he's Brother Yu…'"

"Seeing Nan Yan's pale and panicked face,"

"Xiao Guanxue, worried she was too frightened, suppressed the sour unease in his heart and responded, 'Okay, I understand. I'll save him. Don't worry, he'll be fine. Don't cry.'"

"Nan Yan then realized he was injured too, sensing his inner turmoil. She reached out to wipe the blood from his face, softly comforting him, 'Don’t worry, I'm fine. My concern for him is only brotherly, not what you're thinking.'"

"Xiao Guanxue hummed in acknowledgment."

"Xie Yu, already pale, turned even whiter upon hearing her words. Clenching his fists, he looked at them embracing with a sense of powerless despair, feeling that the physical pain was nothing compared to the ache in his heart, almost wishing he were dead."

"With these thoughts, Xie Yu could no longer hold on, leaning against a pillar and slowly collapsing, losing consciousness."

"Reassured by her words, Xiao Guanxue thought that if it hadn't been for Xie Yu’s life-saving action, Nan Yan might have been the one injured. If Xie Yu had not survived, Nan Yan would be haunted by his memory for life."

"Without hesitation, he and the others began to help the injured and clean up the aftermath."

"Their original plan to leave the village in a day or two was postponed for a few days due to the assassination attempt and their injuries, deciding to stay until they were better."

"The village chief, though worried about further trouble, was grateful to them as their saviors. With the presence of guards patrolling the village entrance, things gradually settled down, and he did not object to their decision to stay and recover."

"As a doctor, Xiao Guanxue became busier after the incident. Xie Yu’s injuries were severe, with deep cuts exposing the bone and torn flesh. Had the wound been any deeper, the bone might have been visible."

"Xie Yu remained unconscious for two days and nights, during which Nan Yan took care of him."

"Though Xiao Guanxue didn’t voice it, he felt uneasy inside. However, since Xie Yu was indeed injured for Nan Yan’s sake, he couldn’t force her to ignore him, as that would only make her resentful towards him."

"On the morning of the third day, Xie Yu finally awoke."

"As Xie Yu awoke, daylight streamed through the window, filtered by the pomegranate tree in the courtyard. The first thing he saw was the simple roof above, leaving him momentarily disoriented."

"He had thought he was dead but was surprised to find himself alive. Yet, recalling the last scene before he lost consciousness, he felt a profound bitterness, wishing he hadn't regained consciousness."

"Attempting to lift the blanket, he found his arm stiff and numb, his fingertips involuntarily trembling. That's when he realized someone was holding his hand tightly."

"Xie Yu was initially startled, then turned his head to look."

"Beside the bed, a head with black hair was resting, and it was her hand that clutched his tightly."

"For a moment, Xie Yu thought he was hallucinating, back in times past. Otherwise, why would Yan Yan be here?"

"He moved his fingertips slightly, feeling the warm, soft touch in his hand – it was not a dream!"

"His breathing halted in nervousness, afraid to disrupt the peaceful scene, merely staring at the fuzzy head before him."

"He watched for so long that his shoulder went numb, yet he felt it wasn’t enough. How could he have been so foolish before? Why did he ever find this earnest affection from his childhood friend bothersome?"

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he unconsciously murmured her name, his fingers slightly curling, longing to hold her hand tighter.

"Yanyan..." His voice, barely audible, was a soft whisper.

Yet, this slight movement woke the person lying beside the bed. Nanyan's fingertips twitched slightly as she slowly opened her eyes. Lifting her head, she met Xie Yu's gaze, staring blankly at her.

Initially startled, her face soon lit up with joy. She instinctively tightened her grip on his hand, her voice filled with excitement, "Brother Yu, you're finally awake. Does it still hurt? Are you feeling any better?"

A faint smile appeared in Xie Yu's eyes as he shook his head, "I'm fine." Then, remembering something, he added, "Did you get hurt after that day?"

The mere thought of that day brought a slight redness to Nanyan's eyes. Looking at his wounds, guilt washed over her face, "I wasn't hurt, nothing happened. I'm sorry, Brother Yu, it's my fault you're like this."

"Don't say that, it was my choice."

"But I slapped you that day."

She was referring to the morning incident. In a moment of desperation, he had acted inappropriately towards her, causing her to run out in tears. Yet, if given another chance, he might still do the same.

Already regretting his past actions, Xie Yu's heart ached seeing her teary eyes and guilty expression.

He gently caressed under her eyes, wiping away her tears, recalling the promises made in their youth. A bitter feeling surged in his heart, "Yanyan, you don't have to feel guilty. I learned martial arts to protect you."

After all, it was always him who owed her.

Every time Xie Yu thought about what she said that day, his chest felt as if it was being pricked by needles.

"Quickly adjusting his expression, he gripped Nan Yan’s fingers and earnestly said, 'Yan Yan, can you give me another chance? Let's go back to Mingyue Mountain Villa. My parents are waiting for us to come home. Can we start over?'"

"As long as she agreed, it didn't matter if he was cut once or even ten times more. Even if she was with him out of guilt, he wouldn't mind as long as she was willing to be with him."

"Nan Yan, hearing these words, felt her eyelashes tremble uncontrollably, tears falling freely."

"She closed her eyes and then reopened them with a calm expression, withdrawing her hand from his grasp, 'I'm sorry, Brother Yu…'"

"'You saved me, and I’m grateful for that. But I don’t love you anymore. Now, I love Xiao Guanxue. Since you chose Sumo, you and I... it was over between us.'"

"Xie Yu stiffened, panic setting in for the first time. He had never heard Yan Yan speak to him in such a calm tone. She really didn’t want him anymore, she was really giving up…"

"Xie Yu felt an unprecedented panic engulfing him, a cold shiver running through his body as if doused with ice water from head to toe, leaving his heart utterly cold."

"He desperately clutched Nan Yan's hand to his cheek, his lips trembling with fear, 'How can it be impossible? It's possible, it's still possible, as long as you're willing, there's still a chance...'"

"He couldn’t believe it, couldn’t accept that years of affection could just disappear. It was impossible; Yan Yan wouldn’t do this to him."

"But Nan Yan shook her head, her eyes misting over, 'It's impossible now, Brother Yu. We can't go back. I don't love you anymore. Please... don't say these things again.'"

"Unable to contain his heartache any longer, Xie Yu pulled her into a tight embrace, 'I don’t believe it. You love me, you’ve always loved me. Yan Yan, please don’t do this...'"

"Nan Yan weakly shook her head, 'I just don't want to linger anymore. Let's end this, Brother Yu.'"

"'No! Don’t be like this. I know my mistakes now. I've hurt you so much, you hate me, right? Yan Yan, I know you hate me, so you're saying this just to spite me, aren’t you?'"

"His tone became urgent, almost pleading. He couldn't bear the thought of everything ending, even if it meant being hated, he didn't want to be indifferent."

"He held her tightly, ignoring the reopening of his wounds, seemingly oblivious to the pain."

"Hearing his words, Nan Yan’s eyes suddenly filled with tears, and she forcefully pushed him away."

"'Yes, you're right, I do hate you!'"

"As she said this, her tears flowed even more fiercely, her gaze towards him filled with suffocating resentment."

"'I hate your heartlessness and disloyalty, Xie Yu. Knowing our childhood friendship and my decade-long affection for you, why did you break off our engagement so easily? Where did you place me in your heart?'"

"'You don’t know what I went through! For another woman, you dragged me through the mud. Did you ever think of me, your fiancée? Our decade-long relationship couldn't compare to your half year with Sumo. Xie Yu, why did you put me through this?'"

"'What you’re feeling now is just what I experienced, but my pain was a hundred, a thousand times worse. How could I not hate you after what you’ve put me through?'"

"Nan Yan’s tears turned to laughter, but her eyes were full of pain and despair."

"Xie Yu's pupils constricted sharply."

"Seeing Yan Yan like this, he felt an intense pain in his chest, a piercing agony spreading from his limbs throughout his body. It was his fault for ruining everything, for causing her such distress. How could she not hate him?"

"But seeing her in such pain, he felt even worse than her."

"'Yan Yan... don’t cry...'"

"'I’m sorry...'"

"He cautiously reached out to touch her face, his fingertips grazing her warm tears. His eyes began to sting, 'I'm sorry, I truly know my mistakes now. Please don’t cry, it’s all my fault. Don’t be so sad, you’ll hurt your eyes...'"

"Nan Yan slapped his hand away, her eyes glaring at him with resentment, 'You think just because you saved me, I should be grateful? I wish you were dead. I don't just hate you, I hate all of them, I hate all of you! So, I want to take revenge on you, on everyone!'"

"'You think I truly like Xiao Guanxue? I hate him too. He thinks he’s some high and mighty doctor, and he made things difficult for me because he liked Sumo. What did I do wrong?'"

"'So I wanted to take revenge on him. I purposely seduced him, thinking he was a sentimental man, but he turned out to be no different. With just a little effort, he followed me around like a dog, it's utterly ridiculous!'"

"Nan Yan’s tone shifted, seemingly taking pleasure in her words, despite her tearful red eyes, glaring fiercely at him, 'I used him to get back at you, to return all the pain you and the others inflicted on me.'"

"'Are you happy now? Do you understand how much I hate you? I wish you were dead. Do you still want to be with me so desperately?'"

"As soon as she finished speaking, Nan Yan heard a hoarse voice behind her."

"Xiao Guanxue emerged from behind the door, looking at the slender figure before him, he asked softly, 'So, everything you did with me, from beginning to end, was just to use me?'"