Chapter 683: Wuxia: Even Archrivals Can Become Lovers 17

Mu Huaizhi!

The moment the two black-clad men blocking the road fell, Mu Huaizhi sheathed his sword, his vision already completely blurred by thick smoke, tears streaming uncontrollably.

Just then, Jin Chen's anxious voice came from the well opening.

Hearing that, Mu Huaizhi inexplicably relaxed, walking forward according to the route he remembered from before, and he didn't forget to grab Fang Xun's arm so as not to lose him.

As for Fu Zhiyuan, who cares about him.

Mu Huaizhi! Where are you!

Jin Chen's voice drew nearer, as if he too had jumped down.

Cough cough cough... I'm here.

Mu Huaizhi managed a hoarse voice in the smoke, only able to hold his breath and move forward; after speaking, he clearly heard Jin Chen's footsteps draw much closer.

Huaizhi, this Jin Chen... cares a lot about you.

Fang Xun suddenly asked, no longer struggling to go back and rescue Fu Zhiyuan; his inner strength was not as deep as Mu Huaizhi's, and at that moment he could see nothing of the path.

Hmm... maybe.

Old friends were once again at peace, but clearly this wasn't the time to talk, and Mu Huaizhi also didn't know how to answer that question.

Mu Huaizhi!

His arm was suddenly grabbed; Mu Huaizhi followed the hand to see Jin Chen's worried expression, and only after confirming he was unharmed did he relax.

Come with me, the exit is this way.

Mu Huaizhi didn't refuse; if he relied on himself to walk, he still wouldn't know when he'd find the exit.

All the way winding, he could already feel the air in the passage growing thinner, the heat behind drawing ever closer.

Everyone was drenched in sweat, and they finally found the well opening they had come down through.

The instant he leapt up with lightness skill, Mu Huaizhi gulped fresh air, his complexion steaming and flushed, his hair damp with sweat sticking to his temples, even the corners of his eyes red.

He constantly shielded Fang Xun behind him, yet he himself bore the brunt of the smoke's impact.

Cough cough cough cough...

Mu Huaizhi, open your mouth!

Mu Huaizhi was coughing to ease his throat discomfort; hearing Jin Chen's voice, he instinctively looked up, 'What… cough cough…'

Feeling a pill swallowed, Mu Huaizhi warily met his gaze, 'What is this.'

I couldn't possibly harm you; of course it's to soothe your throat.

Jin Chen patted his shoulder to check.

Are you hurt? Down there it's pitch black, yet you dare to draw the Jade Hilt Dragon, unafraid of hurting yourself.

You didn't even notice I was gone, yet you foolishly walked into their trap.

Jin Chen checked while muttering complaints; the sword really wasn't injured, and his worry eased somewhat.

Mu Huaizhi cleared his throat; the burning pain from smoke irritation indeed lessened considerably.

Listening to the incessant chatter beside his ear, Mu Huaizhi for the first time felt that Jin Chen's way of speaking wasn't unpleasant.

I'm fine.

Mu Huaizhi replied, his damp long lashes shielding his eyes, also hiding the emotions in their depths.

Who would have thought the next instant he was violently pulled into an embrace, his nose bumping Jin Chen's shoulder, a dazed pain.

Mu Huaizhi! Your life is mine to have saved! You have no right to throw it away again!

Though he was clearly shouting loudly, Mu Huaizhi inexplicably heard lingering fear and tension in it.

His heart instantly felt as if wrung tight and filled with water, heavy and oppressive, his chest likewise.

Mu Huaizhi blinked, his throat feeling a little sour and astringent.

... Hmm.

This time he didn't again blame Jin Chen for being overbearing; he unexpectedly replied, his voice though cold, came across as somewhat obedient.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value 5, total 10!】

Watching the two in their embrace, Fang Xun lowered his eyes, not knowing what he was thinking, then turned his gaze toward the well opening.

Fu Zhiyuan happened to come rushing in, disheveled.

He crouched and gave a tug.

After Fu Zhiyuan climbed up, Fang Xun did not hurry to rise, remaining squatted, head lifted to watch his lover coughing incessantly, face smeared with smoke and ash, utterly disheveled.

Zhiyuan, guess what I just saw.

Fu Zhiyuan was feeling unwell; hearing this, he looked over, his eyes showing only doubt and a hint of impatience.

Fang Xun paused for two seconds, then glanced at Mu Huaizhi and the two of them, finally shaking his head: 'Nothing, are you hurt?'

No.

Perhaps it was resentment that Fang Xun hadn't waited for him, or perhaps it was something else; either way, Fu Zhiyuan's mood is not good right now.

Fang Xun's expression shifted slightly, he forced out a smile.

Boom!

Suddenly a deep booming sound came; Jin Chen reacted first, enveloping Mu Huaizhi and retreating at top speed.

The entire well opening collapsed with a roar, thick smoke billowing upward, unburned weeds scattering everywhere.

Jin Chen turned his back, shielding Mu Huaizhi in his arms; at that moment, taking advantage of the roar, he whispered something in Mu Huaizhi's ear.

There's a traitor among us, including those nine people.

Mu Huaizhi started slightly, nodded, and still asked.

What were you just doing?

That black-clad man holding a child suddenly veered off halfway, and I followed him.

Jin Chen secretly sighed, "These people's concealment technique is truly superb."

"I'll explain in detail when we get back."

The thick smoke cleared, and Jin Chen shook dust from his hair, looking somewhat embarrassed.

Mu Huaizhi glanced over, then helped him remove the dried leaf stuck to him.

"Jin Chen! Where's the child?"

Fu Zhiyuan walked over, his tone full of questioning.

Jin Chen's expression instantly turned cold as he glanced at him, "The child is naturally where she should be—what are you rushing for?"

The black-clothed people weren't caught, and you still dare to question—useless.

He showed no concealment of his hostility toward Fu Zhiyuan, taking Mu Huaizhi's hand as they headed back.

"Tomorrow I will personally explain tonight's specifics to the Governor; after this, I won't share clues with you—each of you investigate on your own."

"Fang Xun is still okay to talk about; who knows whether this weird protagonist top is actually that spy."

Mu Huaizhi glanced back; Fang Xun deliberately avoided his gaze and stood shoulder to shoulder with Fu Zhiyuan, as if they were saying something.

"Don't look, hurry back."

Jin Chen shook his hand, muttering, "I don't trust those two right now, and you shouldn't either—what if they're the mole?"

"Then why do you trust me?"

"What are you saying? How could you ally with the Earth Evil Palace? Your rigid sense of justice is practically overflowing."

Jin Chen wore a smug look, as if he understood you completely.

Mu Huaizhi's mood inexplicably improved quite a bit; his lips curled slightly, and he said nothing more.

When the two returned to the manor, Uncle's family was holding Nuonuo to coax her to sleep; seeing them come back, they hurried to greet them.

Jin Chen made a bow to them, "Tonight we found many clues—thanks to Uncle for believing in me."

Uncle waved his hands repeatedly, saying he hadn't done anything; as long as we could find out, that would be fine.

As it happens, even the great hero Jin didn't know what method he used—Nuonuo never left the manor, yet when those child‑snatching thieves broke in, they readily believed there was a baby in the swaddling clothes.

Truly, his powers are vast to the extreme.

Sang Ning, who had been guarding the manor, also rushed over, asking, "How is it? How is it? Did the sachet work? I stayed up all night brewing it!"