Jun Yelan shielded Lan Yan, his gaze cold as he watched the people before him. "You deserve to die!" he roared.
Planting his feet firmly, he raised his hand and flung ten pebbles.
The stones shot out with lightning speed, striking the members of the Killer's Pavilion. They fell one by one, fear in their eyes. Having been defeated by Jun Yelan before, they quickly retreated upon seeing how formidable he remained even when heavily injured.
"A bunch of cowards!" Pavilion Master Bai strode over, kicking his fallen subordinates aside. He stood defiantly before Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, I taught you your martial arts. Did you think you could defeat me?"
Jun Yelan's eyes darkened, but he showed no fear. He had no retreat; Lan Yan was behind him. He said coldly, "How will you know if you don't try!"
Pebbles reappeared in his palm, flying towards Pavilion Master Bai's chest.
Pavilion Master Bai flicked his whip, dodging the attack, but one pebble still struck him. Fury blazed in his eyes as he swung his whip, lashing out fiercely at Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan met the attack.
Seeing this, Lan Yan glanced around and spotted a sword on the ground. She grabbed it and tossed it to Jun Yelan, shouting, "Jun Yelan, catch!"
Jun Yelan lacked a suitable weapon and was already severely wounded. Pavilion Master Bai was clearly taking advantage of his weakened state.
She watched him anxiously from the side, her hands unconsciously clenched.
Hearing Lan Yan's voice, Jun Yelan reached out and caught the sword, fighting Pavilion Master Bai as if he were in his element.
Pavilion Master Bai, who had been exulting moments before, found himself repeatedly driven back by Jun Yelan. He sensed something was wrong. "This is not right, Jun Yelan. Why are you still so powerful!"
"Because I have someone to protect!" Jun Yelan's eyes held a firm resolve. He spun the sword in his hand, piercing Pavilion Master Bai's arm with a single thrust.
He withdrew the sword and moved to strike the other arm.
Two wounds immediately appeared on Pavilion Master Bai's body, forcing him to retreat in disarray. He looked at his right hand, which was trembling uncontrollably.
A chill emanated from him as his eyes locked onto Jun Yelan. "Jun Yelan, you think I can't deal with you! I know your weakness."
"Shut up!" Jun Yelan attacked fiercely, aiming for Pavilion Master Bai's neck. Though dodged, a bloody gash appeared on his neck. He didn't want Lan Yan to know about this.
Before Pavilion Master Bai could retaliate, Jun Yelan's sword moved with increasing ferocity, leaving Pavilion Master Bai with no chance to defend himself.
Pavilion Master Bai's face contorted in terror. Jun Yelan's killing intent was palpable, and he was determined not to stop until he was dead. He quickly shouted, "Killer's Pavilion members! Retreat!"
The Killer's Pavilion members rushed over, hoisted Pavilion Master Bai onto their shoulders, and fled swiftly.
Jun Yelan did not pursue. Gripping the blood-stained sword, he walked step by step towards Lan Yan, a smile gracing his lips.
Seeing him like this, Lan Yan's eyes welled up with tears. She opened her arms and caught Jun Yelan as he stumbled. She embraced his waist, burying her head in his chest.
Jun Yelan smiled, stroking her hair, and murmured, "Yan'er, it's alright now."
However, upon witnessing this, Ruo Niang suddenly realized that the person Lan Yan had spoken of as her beloved was none other than Jun Yelan!
And Jun Yelan was the arch-nemesis of their Flower Pavilion. She stood up, pointing her iron umbrella at him.
Following her lead, the remaining members of the Flower Pavilion also rose, surrounding Jun Yelan. "Lan Yan, move aside quickly!"
Lan Yan froze, having forgotten this complication. She let go of Jun Yelan and stepped in front of him, facing the others. "Don't you all forget, Jun Yelan saved you just now."
"But he is also part of the Killer's Pavilion, and our two pavilions are irreconcilable enemies." Ruo Niang's expression was cold. She had pieced it all together. No wonder Lan Yan had changed; it was because of her relationship with Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan grasped Lan Yan's arm and shook his head, smiling faintly. "Yan'er, the Flower Pavilion is your home. You should go back."
He knew his own condition. To see Lan Yan have a good future in his final moments was a source of great happiness for him.
If not for Lan Yan, he would never have rebelled against the Killer's Pavilion, never known the outside world, never understood right from wrong, and never experienced such emotions.
From beginning to end, he was grateful to Lan Yan, wishing for her to have all the good things in the world.
Lan Yan looked at Jun Yelan, seeing him still smiling, yet her own lips could not curve upwards. She clasped his hand and declared, "We are truly a home, together."
She had already made her decision and turned to face Ruo Niang.
"Ruo Niang, I know you all hate Jun Yelan, but I care for him. Let's make a deal. I'll give you the list, and we'll leave here and never return."
Jun Yelan was startled and immediately refused to let go of Lan Yan's hand, tightening his grip instead. If Lan Yan was fighting for him, what reason did he have to hesitate? He should stand with Lan Yan!
He added, "I'll do whatever Yan'er says."
Lan Yan looked at him and smiled, and Jun Yelan returned her smile.
Forced to witness their affection, Ruo Niang hesitated. The list itself was supposed to be non-existent; it had been written by a traitor of the Flower Pavilion. Before it could be retrieved, it had fallen into Jun Yelan's hands.
If the list were to leak now, she would become a sinner in the Flower Pavilion. Moreover, Lan Yan was someone she had personally trained, and she did not wish to kill her with her own hands. "Lan Yan, is your promise true?"
Lan Yan raised three fingers and swore, "I, Lan Yan, swear to the heavens, if I lie to Ruo Niang today, I shall not—" Before she could finish, her mouth was covered. She looked at Jun Yelan in confusion.
Jun Yelan continued, "If I, Jun Yelan, speak a falsehood, may I die a terrible death, be struck by lightning, and leave no complete corpse." He was willing to utter the most venomous words upon himself rather than let even a fraction of them fall upon Lan Yan.
He looked at Lan Yan with unwavering determination, standing by her side.
Lan Yan lifted her head, forcing herself to hold back her tears, not wanting to worry Jun Yelan any further. The two of them would not be looked down upon by anyone; they stood openly before the others.
Such words stunned the Flower Pavilion members, making them hesitant to speak further. Their weapons also lowered slightly.
Seeing this, Ruo Niang declared, "Fine, I will make this deal with you today. But do not regret it!"
"Never!" Lan Yan produced the list and walked up to Ruo Niang, handing it over.
Ruo Niang accepted it, waved her hand, and motioned for everyone else to step back, clearing a path. How things unfolded from here would be up to Lan Yan alone.
"Thank you," Lan Yan said, turning to look at Jun Yelan, a slight smile on her lips.
Jun Yelan curved his lips and strode towards Lan Yan, but suddenly, his veins bulged across his body, causing him to freeze in discomfort.
His pupils began to bleed, his lips turned pale. Seeing Lan Yan's panicked expression, he fell forcefully to the ground.
"No, Jun Yelan!" From afar, only Lan Yan's desperate cry could be heard.