Jade of Another World

Lin Ning slumped to the ground, her body limp, looking at Nangong Jin before her, her heart filled with mixed emotions. Nangong Jin slowly knelt down, reaching out to gently brush away the stray strands of hair from her forehead, his eyes filled with complex emotions—heartache, restraint, and a barely perceptible hint of relief.

"Ning'er, I know you've been wronged." Nangong Jin's voice was low and gentle, as if afraid of disturbing her. "I can forgive and forget about your faked deaths, as long as you obediently come back with me. I will not punish Ruoli either."

Lin Ning looked up and met Nangong Jin's gaze, which held a hint of suspicion. "Are you really not going to blame Ruoli?" Her voice trembled slightly, filled with deep wariness.

Nangong Jin nodded gently, reaching out to grasp Lin Ning's hand, applying slight pressure as if to give her strength. "I always keep my word. As long as you return to the palace with me, everything will be fine." He paused, his gaze turning serious. "However, after this experience, I hope you can stay safely by my side and not think about running away. I don't want to experience the pain of losing you again, nor do I want to see you in danger again."

Lin Ning bit her lip, torn between two conflicting emotions. On one hand, she longed for freedom and didn't want to return to the palace that imprisoned her, living a life controlled by others; but on the other hand, she worried that Ruoli would be implicated because of her, and having just experienced Wanyan Qiang's various threats, she was indeed exhausted.

"I..." Lin Ning was about to speak, but then she didn't know what to say.

Nangong Jin seemed to sense her hesitation, gently helped her up, and pulled her into his arms. "Ning'er, I know you yearn for freedom, but this world is vast, and it's not the free era you lived in. Where can you truly be safe? Stay by my side, and I will protect you and give you everything you want, as long as you don't leave again."

Lin Ning leaned against Nangong Jin's chest, listening to his strong heartbeat, and her defenses gradually crumbled. She knew that she might really have no other choice. "Okay, I'll go back with you. But you have to keep your word and not make things difficult for Ruoli," Lin Ning said softly, a hint of helplessness in her voice.

Nangong Jin's lips curled up slightly, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes. "I promise you." He held Lin Ning tightly, as if afraid she would disappear again.

Afterwards, Nangong Jin helped Lin Ning mount her horse, and surrounded by men in black, they headed towards the palace. Lin Ning sat on horseback, watching the wilderness recede into the distance, silently wondering what kind of life awaited her upon returning to the palace…

The carriage moved slowly along the rugged road. Lin Ning leaned weakly against Nangong Jin's chest, her face as pale as paper. The ordeal of the past few days had taken its toll on her body; each bump seemed to drain her last bit of strength. Nangong Jin looked at her with heartache, his eyes filled with concern. He gently held Lin Ning, trying to make her feel secure. Listening to his heartbeat, Lin Ning didn't know if it was exhaustion or genuine emotion, but at this moment, Lin Ning truly didn't want to struggle anymore. Perhaps it should just end like this. If it could last this lifetime, perhaps this was a kind of love. Who could say this wasn't love? Lin Ning thought to herself.

However, the peace did not last long. Just as they were about to enter the territory of Dayu, the previously silent surroundings suddenly erupted with the rapid sound of horses' hooves. Immediately afterwards, a group of men in black emerged like ghosts from the roadside woods, wielding sharp blades and with fierce eyes, charging menacingly towards Nangong Jin's group.

"Protect His Majesty!" the guards shouted in unison, quickly surrounding Nangong Jin and Lin Ning's carriage. However, the men in black were numerous and each exceptionally skilled; they fearlessly engaged the guards in a fierce battle. Swords flashed, shouts of battle were deafening, and the air was thick with the stench of blood.

Lin Ning was terrified by this sudden turn of events, her face turning deathly pale, and her body trembling uncontrollably. She gripped Nangong Jin's sleeve tightly, her eyes filled with fear. Nangong Jin sensed her fear, gently patted her head, and soothed her tenderly, "Don't be afraid, with me here, no one can hurt you."

After speaking, Nangong Jin's eyes instantly turned cold and sharp. He drew his sword from his waist and joined the battle without hesitation. His movements were agile and his swordsmanship was fierce. Every swing of his sword carried a powerful aura, making the men in black dare not approach easily.

"Your Majesty, be careful!" a guard shouted a warning. A man in black seized the opportunity and charged at Nangong Jin from the side. Nangong Jin's eyes narrowed, and he swiftly turned, his sword piercing precisely into the man's chest. The man in black screamed and collapsed to the ground.

Watching Nangong Jin bravely fight his way through the carnage, Lin Ning felt a complex mix of emotions. She admired his bravery but was also deeply worried about his safety. "Nangong Jin, don't worry about me, be careful!" Lin Ning shouted, her voice tinged with anxiety.

Nangong Jin glanced back at Lin Ning, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry, I'll be fine." After saying that, he turned back to the battle.

The battle intensified, with both sides exchanging blows and refusing to yield. Although the guards were well-trained, the sheer number of men in black was overwhelming, and they gradually became overwhelmed. Just then, the sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from afar; reinforcements from Dayu had arrived.

Seeing the situation was turning against them, the men in black retreated. Nangong Jin watched their departing figures and breathed a slight sigh of relief. He sheathed his sword, returned to the carriage, and looked at Lin Ning with concern in his eyes. "Lin Ning, it's alright," he said softly, gently wiping away the tears on her face.

Lin Ning looked at Nangong Jin, her fear gradually dissipating. She nodded slightly and whispered, "Thank you, Nangong Jin." Then, she leaned against Nangong Jin's chest, closed her eyes, and felt the warmth of his embrace…

Unbeknownst to Nangong Jin, during their fight, Lin Ning felt a sudden, sharp pain in her back, a piercing agony that instantly spread throughout her body, almost causing her to cry out. Reaching out to touch it, she discovered a cold arrow embedded straight into her back. The location of the arrowhead made her heart sink; based on her medical knowledge, she knew it had likely struck her lung.

The intense pain made her vision go black for a moment, and cold sweat instantly soaked her clothes. But she endured the pain, not daring to make a loud noise. Her hands trembled as she used all her strength to break off the exposed blade of the sword, the broken wood shards embedding themselves in her palms, but she was completely unaware.

Lin Ning took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. She slowly straightened her disheveled clothes, put on her outer garment, and tried to cover the bloodstains as much as possible. At this moment, a wave of despair washed over her; she knew that this time, her chances of survival were slim. Nangong Jin, completely unaware of Lin Ning's distress, was still vigilantly observing the surroundings, wary of another attack from the men in black. Lin Ning quietly nestled in his arms, feeling the warmth of his chest and his strong heartbeat, tears involuntarily blurring her vision.

"This might be the last time I feel his warmth," Lin Ning thought bitterly. She didn't want Nangong Jin to know she was injured, didn't want him to worry about her, and even less did she want to cause him pain in her final moments. Perhaps only now did she realize that she did love Nangong Jin. This love was his obsession, but wasn't it also hers? Because of Lin Xiang, because of Xuan Yuanche, because of Ouyang, because of so many people, so many responsibilities, so many obstacles, her attitude towards Nangong Jin had always been one of hatred or resentment. Now, it seemed that this time, it was truly time to part. Perhaps lying in his arms forever wouldn't be a kind of happiness. Warmth. As time passed, her consciousness gradually blurred, and her breathing became rapid and weak. Each inhale felt like a knife cutting into her lungs, the pain unbearable. But she still forced herself to hold on, even managing a weak smile, not wanting Nangong Jin to notice anything amiss.

"Nangong Jin..." Lin Ning silently murmured his name in her heart, "If there is an afterlife, I hope we can meet in different circumstances. If we cannot love each other freely, I hope I can truly choose my own life, and I also hope you can find true happiness..."

Nangong Jin, still immersed in the tension of having just repelled the men in black, gently stroked Lin Ning's hair and whispered, "Don't be afraid, we'll be at the palace soon." He was unaware that Lin Ning in his arms was slowly losing her life, enduring immense pain alone…