Chapter 71.1: Alone Under the Cliff

As for Li Hong Yuan, who was suspected by the others to be in a very terrible condition, or even dead, his situation certainly wasn't too good. His injuries weren't fake, and the excessive blood loss also made him somewhat dizzy.

Although he wasn't in the water, he was still on the edge of river bank.

"Master...." One of the four shadow guards following by his side, shadow character ranking nine (An Jiu)[1], opened his mouth, originally wanting to urge him to go back, yet in the end said, "Let this subordinate help you treat the injuries?"

If the injuries get treated, then how could this pity inducing scheme still be played out? With Wan Wan being that smart, she would definitely be able tell. Li Hong Yuan only ingested some medicine to stop the pain and bleeding. "How's Wan Wan?"

The shadow guard unconsciously reached out, wanting to help him, but instead got swept a glance by Li Hong Yuan. The shadow guard also realized, he did something stupid again.

Because An Jiu's medical skills were exceptional, compared to the other shadow guards, he carried a bit of compassion as doctor. Another person pulled him back, and went forward himself, "Replying to master, Miss Luo is fine. Gong mama found her a step ahead of us, and has already confirmed that on her body there should only be some bruises. Aside from that, because of the jolt from tumbling down, she's temporarily fallen unconscious, but will wake up very soon, and won't affect master's plans. As for the situation of the others, it still hasn't been confirmed yet." He paused, "Miss Luo rode together in one carriage with the other young ladies. Sir lady protector at the time wasn't in the carriage, thus she wasn't able to protect Miss Luo." He couldn't help but defend Gong mama. Although her master has already changed, if master wanted to punish her, it was still as easy as a turn of a hand.

After learning Jing Wan's situation, they actually were all very surprised, despite all of them all hoping for Miss Luo to not even have a single scratch. But that cliff, although wasn't very high, the area below was very rugged, not to mention the scattered rocks, and overgrown vegetation. There were many areas that, because of the rainwater's eroding, collapsed quite a bit. And the layer below was separated by at least fifteen meters. The second layer's platform wasn't wide enough, and on it, slippery moss grew all over. And below that layer was the river shore filled with rocks. The two cliff's total height exceeded thirty meters. If one were to accidentally get flung out from the horse carriage, it was very possible to directly land at the very bottom. Never mind getting the born torn and bones crushed, nine times out of ten, one would just instantly die.

Along with Ruan Fang Fei's, there were a total of three carriages that fell over the cliff. But the number of people was rather high.....

And out of everyone, apparently only Jing Wan was the unluckiest to have fallen to the second layer, and moreover, landing not even a palm's length away from the edge. But seemingly she was also the luckiest to have suffered the lightest injuries.

However, it was also precisely because of Jing Wan's residing location that allowed these shadow guards to be able to easily have her moved to the very bottom river bank, saving the trouble of being discovered, and moving her away while the others still haven't found her yet. Master only needed to head over there, and will be able to have a 'perfect' chance encounter as planned. Just, taking the person away from sir lady protector's hands wasn't an easy task either. She was just like an overprotective mother hen, nearly starting a fight with them.

Although after Li Hong Yuan learned that Jing Wan had met with mishap, he was still able to divide his attention to go scheme, and to fight risking his life. But after confirming that Jing Wan was safe, his heart finally landed back in its original spot. Originally, he'd also planned for the worst. If Wan Wan was heavily injured, he didn't mind changing his original plans, and 'let the hero save the beauty' once. But, even the heavens were aiding him.

As for whether Gong mama was at fault or not, he can disregard for now, and slowly take care of it after the matter.

And as for how Li Hong Yuan and the others came down from that thirty meter high height? Li Hong Yuan have long been accustomed to planning ahead. The White Dragon Temple's mountain terrain, he has long already grasped very clearly, even letting the shadow guards scout through nearly every single corner. Coming down from above, there was a path that can't really be considered a path. Ordinary people simply couldn't traverse it. And after they descended, they then completely destroyed it. The things he planned, no matter what, needed to leave out enough time to let him and Wan Wan spend time alone together.

Li Hong Yuan stood up, carrying a body full of injuries, and step by step, followed along the river shore towards downstream. Although his pace wasn't fast, every step was still steady, just a trail of bloody footprints were left behind on the ground behind him.

The shadow guards followed behind Li Hong Yuan, and had the bloodstains he left behind wiped clean. As long as it gave others the false perception that master had fallen into the river, and floated downstream along the currents, it was enough.

The shadow guards all watched their own master's back, and couldn't help having a surge of an indescribable feeling. Their master's temper was malicious and ruthless, temperamental without a doubt, but towards him, they furthermore held deep admiration. Not only because of his ability to scheme and control the world, but more so because of that unbreakable and unyielding pride, and also that ability to push things to the pinnacle of 'viciousness'.

It was quite a long distance to reach Jing Wan's current whereabouts. Not to mention the countless small winding paths, there were even two long winding paths. For Li Hong Yuan who was straining more and more at every step, this truly wasn't an easy task.

If he let the shadow guards proceed carrying him on their back, it's not that they can't advance even faster, but he definitely won't allow it.

Li Hong Yuan felt that he was about to reach his limits. However, even if it was like this, he didn't think of anything else other than that this time, he really suffered quite a lot, and must think of a way to compensate it back from Wan Wan. Naturally the more he thought, the more improper and dirty his thoughts turned, practically directly contradicting that perfect and flawless face of his. Fortunately, no one knew his thoughts. Otherwise, who knows how many people would be stupefied. Then afterwards—-heh heh, should say, as expected of Jin Qinwang who's gone through many beauties?

The dizzy feeling was getting increasingly intense. His vision even began to blur, but, in that moment, when Jing Wan's figure entered his line of sight, he could no longer see anything else. Step by step, he unwaveringly approached, and unhesitatingly stepped into the waters. Fortunately, the water here wasn't deep, and the current was also relatively gentle, but the river surface was also very wide. His originally already dried up blood, after coming in contact with the water, immediately smeared, and the places he passed, turned into bloody waters. Midway, his body uncontrollably staggered twice, drenching himself all over. The shadow guards formed a semi-circle around him, fearing that he would fall into the water.

Evidently, they clearly still underestimated their master.

Li Hong Yuan walked to the edge, his consciousness bother muddled and clear. 'En, this spot will do.' He let himself go and collapsed, completely sinking into the darkness. More than half of his body was submerged by the river.....

An Jiu hastily went forward and checked his pulse, then turned his head, "Need to be quick. Soaking too long in the waters, I'm afraid master will really endanger his life."

"Then what are you still waiting for? Go let Miss Luo wake up."

An Jiu quickly got up and walked towards Jing Wan who was lying near the edge of the cliff. Towards Jing Wan, they naturally couldn't be more familiar with. Just, they didn't understand. Just what was so special about this young lady, for master to be able go this far. If she was a devastating and stunning beauty, perhaps master only fell for her beauty; if she had a high and noble status with a strong background, perhaps master was adding a support for the sake of seizing the throne. But she was neither, and thinking of the current situation, that proud son of the heavens, in the past, had never even pierced his skin before, yet now never mind the small and large cuts on his body, his life was even in danger. An Jiu couldn't help feeling a strange resentment towards Jing Wan.

"An Jiu, what are you thinking about, hurry up." Another shadow guard approached and urged him.

An Jiu hurriedly took out a small porcelain bottle that he always carried with him, pulled out the stopper, and placed it under Jing Wan's nose, lightly swaying it.

Jing Wan knitted her brows and a light sound spilled from her mouth, showing signs of waking.

"Quick, let's go." Pulling An Jiu up, they swiftly left. If Miss Luo woke up and saw them, then everything master did will all be wasted.

The four of them quickly retreated far away, hiding in the dark and watching the situation unfold.

Peacefully and quietly. However, An Jiu was particularly silent. The shadow guard from earlier placed his hand on An Jiu's shoulder, "An Jiu, you need to bear in mind, regardless of how Miss Luo is, she is the person master has set his mind on, the future Jin Wangfei, our mistress. It's not our place to comment. We only need to adhere strictly to our duties, and do whatever master wants us to do."

"Just, suddenly seeing master like that, for a moment, still unable to accept it. Don't worry, I know what I should do." An Jiu understood, as a shadow guard, his emotions just now were a bit dangerous, and must be discarded as fast as possible. If master found out, a light punishment would be put back into training when they get back, and heavy would be getting directly killed on the spot.

[1] So the shadow guards, don't exactly have real names. Their 'names' are pretty much just shadow + rank number; for example, An Yi's name is just 'shadow one'. Thus, this character's name, An Jiu, just means 'shadow nine'.