Chapter 86: Awakening from the Dream (2)

The frail Yan Chuan, at this moment, seemed to possess supernatural strength as he battled the three wild wolves. Even as blood poured from his body and his wounds multiplied, not a single cry of pain escaped him—only an ever-wakening ferocity.

Thunderous crashes resounded at the cave entrance, smoke and dust billowing in the air.

In the distance, the Nightmare continued to try and lull Yan Chuan into a trance, but the more it tried, the more intense his savagery became.

“How can this be?” The Nightmare looked at Yan Chuan in shock and uncertainty.

“I can’t push him any further. If I do, he’ll break free from this dream and awaken. What kind of willpower is this? Even within a dream, he’s so domineering? What sort of person have I encountered?” The Nightmare was on the verge of tears.

Inside the cave, Mo Yuxi listened to the sounds of battle outside, knowing Yan Chuan was fighting the pack of wolves. Yet her legs were bruised and battered; she couldn’t move at all.

“My husband!” Mo Yuxi’s tears fell uncontrollably.

Her heart felt as though it had been torn to pieces, her soul in agony. She prayed for Yan Chuan’s safety, though reason told her it was impossible. Her husband was but a frail scholar, now facing a pack of starving wolves. What hope could there be?

A final, earth-shattering crash sounded, and then the world outside fell silent. The sudden quiet left Mo Yuxi frozen in place, certain Yan Chuan was dead. For her sake, he had thrown himself to the wolves.

——

“I will—certainly I will! I will protect you all my life.”

“With me here, no one will ever hurt you! No one is allowed to!”

“Remember, you are my woman, the woman of Yan Chuan. Live well. After I die, stay true to me.”

“I, Yan Chuan, will not stand by and watch my wife die. Once the wolves have eaten their fill, they’ll stop attacking people. If I go out, I may not kill them, but I can at least feed them.”

——

Those brief memories showed Mo Yuxi the true meaning of heartache.

“Husband, in every life I am a member of the Yan family,” Mo Yuxi murmured in despair. Drained in body and spirit, she too slipped into unconsciousness.

No one knew how much time passed. In a haze, Mo Yuxi began to hear voices.

“Young master, young madam, where are you?”

“Miss, sir, where are you?”

The distant voices floated to her ears.

Suddenly Mo Yuxi remembered everything—her situation, and Yan Chuan’s sacrifice. Darkness veiled her eyes and she nearly fainted again, but forced herself to stay conscious, tears streaming down her face.

“Miss, where are you?” came the voices again.

“Over here!” Mo Yuxi called out, stifling her sobs.

“There! That’s Miss’s voice! Over there, hurry, hurry!” came the urgent shouts.

“Ah! Young master!”

“Check the cave!”

Maids and servants rushed into the cave and immediately saw Mo Yuxi.

“Miss, thank heavens you’re safe!” A maid threw herself at her.

Mo Yuxi gave a wan smile. Safe? With her husband dead, how could she be safe?

“Miss, it’s wonderful! You and sir are both alive, thank heavens!” the maid exclaimed excitedly.

“Sir? My husband is alive?” Mo Yuxi jolted.

“Yes, he gave us quite a fright just now. He’s covered in wounds, but he’s still breathing—he’s alive! With sir safe and you safe, it’s wonderful, truly wonderful!” the maid said.

“My husband is alive? I want to see him, I want to see him—!” In elation, Mo Yuxi waved her hands and feet, tears flowing even more freely.