商悅涵的腳步雖重，卻并未失，停下腳步，目如炬，落在側那名奄奄一息的男子——靳雅軒。他的軀已經失去了往日的拔，綿綿地倚靠在龍鱗衛的臂彎，像是一顆離枝的枯葉，隨風搖曳。

靳雅軒眼中閃過一戲謔， carefully scanning the surroundings with a gaze that held more meaning than words. He signaled to the two guards flanking them to be vigilant, then finally, he settled against a massive rock, his breathing a mix of effort and relief.

"Apply the medicine."

His tone was devoid of emotion, but the message was clear. His injury was too severe to continue even a step further; he must rest or there was no hope of survival.

The woman, known for her sharp eyes and even sharper wit, studied靳雅軒 for a moment before reaching into her pouch with practiced hands to fetch the gold-resin ointment. Her movements were anything but gentle, and there was an edge of rusticness to her touch, but靳雅軒 bore it silently.

As she worked, her hands Glide softly over his back, and with each careful stroke, she became more tender. "Who hurt you?"

Her voice carried a hint of surprise, for she had heard tales of靳雅軒's prowess, but this level of injury was rare. Such a fate could only befall a man of his caliber.

"It was five of the Ten Dukes," he replied with a hint of bitterness. "I never imagined they would come in such force."

The conversation about the Yama Palace, a legacy left by the ancient Wei, had been frequent. But seeing was believing, and it was apparent that anything labeled as a legacy was indeed powerful.

"Are they formidable?"

She knew of the Lingya Academy, the tiger in the dragon's heart, but now it seemed there was another beast, one that could hold its own.

"Indeed, they are no less powerful than the Lingya Academy."

靳雅軒's eyes darkened with a hint of resentment. It was a place he had once cherished, but because of Jin Meiqi, now it stood in his way. He had not killed her when he had the chance; now, he regretted it.

Her eyes narrowed as she processed the information. She had heard the man speak of the Lingya Academy often, a lion crossing the emperor's heart, and now there was another, one that could match it.

"Why are you coming to Lancheng?"

Understanding dawned on her face. There must be a reason why he had come so far. Other than the Yama Palace, what else could draw him away from his troubles?

"For the Yama Palace."

His voice was as cool as the autumn wind, tinged with a hint of frustration.

Her nod was understanding. He was not a man of idle boasts. It seemed that this journey was not merely a reconnaissance but a quest.

"Later, I will send one of the eunuchs to take you ahead. I will travel with another to a different path."

He was not naive. The men of the Yama Palace would not rest until they had found him. Staying together could mean their mutual destruction. Dividing their forces meant survival, for now.

"Alright."

Her agreement was short and sweet, and for a moment, his fingers brushed against her brow in a gesture that held more emotion than words.

"Even if we are captured, do not fear. As long as I can escape, I will come for you."

He did not wish to consider such a scenario, but it was better to plan for the worst. He would rather have an escape plan than no plan at all.

She nodded, a mix of suspicion and resignation in her eyes. She had no choice but to trust him, no matter how much she wanted to question his motives.

"Do you suspect that I will use you to draw away the pursuing forces?"

Her expression turned pensive, a shadow of doubt crossing her face.靳雅軒 dipped his eyes, his lips curving up slightly in a remark that carried a subtle shift in sentiment.

"You think I would use you as bait?"