Feng Jin collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath, feeling like she had narrowly escaped death. A great misfortune averted surely meant great fortune ahead.
After resting for a moment and regaining her composure, Feng Jin vaguely sensed something was amiss. It wasn't unusual for there to be a cave at the bottom of a cliff, but the loose stones around this cave were remarkably clean, as if they had only recently fallen.
Unless they were dislodged by an external force, such a quantity of stones wouldn't have fallen, proving someone had been here recently.
Feng Jin stood up, took out the fire starter she had prepared from her waist, and lit it. Guided by the dim light, she bravely ventured inside.
It was pitch black and eerily silent, save for Feng Jin's footsteps, the rustling of her breath, and the faint sound of dripping water.
As she ventured deeper, Feng Jin caught a pungent, bloody smell. It was a scent she knew all too well, definitely not the scent of animal blood.
Mustering her courage, Feng Jin continued forward, her footsteps exceptionally light.
A 'clink' echoed through the silent cave, making her heart jump into her throat.
"Who's there!" a voice suddenly boomed from the cave.
Feng Jin froze instantly, her lips parting slightly, but no sound escaped.
She swallowed, the dryness in her throat easing slightly. Steadying her nerves, she spoke in a deep voice, "I accidentally fell off the cliff. My apologies for intruding. Please forgive me."
As soon as her words fell, the sound of regular footsteps echoed from the empty cave. A faint light flickered from the depths of the cave.
Feng Jin immediately became tense, her feet moving backward.
"Feng Jin..."
A familiar voice called out. A spark of light ignited in Feng Jin's eyes. This voice... it was so familiar. She called out tentatively, "Ling Mohan, is... is that you?"
"Cough... Feng Jin, it's me..."
As the voice faded, Ling Mohan's figure became clearer.
Feng Jin's expression was filled with shock. Tears welled up in her eyes, her lips trembling slightly. "Ling Mohan, it really... really is you."
The emotions she had suppressed for so long suddenly collapsed. The tears in Feng Jin's eyes could no longer be held back, and she began to cry loudly.
Ling Mohan reached out and pulled Feng Jin into his embrace, his voice gentle as he said, "It's alright, it's alright."
"You scoundrel, where did you go? I've been looking for you for two whole days, do you know that!"
Feng Jin's emotions completely broke down. Her voice choked with sobs as she unleashed a torrent of accusations at Ling Mohan.
"I'm sorry, it's all my fault, my fault."
Ling Mohan softened his tone, apologizing repeatedly until Feng Jin's emotions calmed down.
"I haven't asked you yet, what happened to you? How did you end up on this cliff?"
"I was ambushed by the rebels. I dodged several times and vaguely saw a cave in the mountains, so I jumped down. I intended to wait for them to leave before going back up, and then you came down."
Ling Mohan explained the events. He paused and then asked, "Right, why did you come down?"
"I came down to find you! Otherwise, I wouldn't have!"
Hearing Feng Jin's words, Ling Mohan's expression deepened, and his voice held a hint of anger. "You came down by yourself?"
Feng Jin, still not understanding, nodded. "Yes, if I didn't come down willingly, would someone have pushed me?"
"You're pregnant now. Recklessly coming down, do you not want to live!" Ling Mohan's voice grew stern as he reprimanded her.
"I was worried about you. If you had really died, leaving me alone in this world with no one to turn to, I would have been better off dying with you."
A soft spot in Ling Mohan's heart felt like it had been fiercely squeezed. It ached. He couldn't bear to imagine Feng Jin jumping off the cliff.
He knew how steep the cliff was. Feng Jin appearing before him unharmed was already a great source of hope.
"Don't be reckless again in the future." Ling Mohan met Feng Jin's gaze with firm eyes.
"I know."
Feng Jin quickly nodded. Taking advantage of Ling Mohan's distracted state, she quickly changed the subject. "Right, let's go up quickly. Lu Shi and the others are still waiting on the cliff."
Staying in the cave wasn't a solution. They had to find a way out.
Moreover, Ling Mohan was the commander of the three armies. If news of his disappearance spread, it would undoubtedly destabilize the morale of the troops.
"It's already dark, and the cliff face is too steep. The two of us can't get out now."
When Ling Mohan jumped down, he had already tried to find a way up, but it was all in vain. That's why he hid in the cave, waiting to be rescued. Now with Feng Jin added, it was even more impossible to climb up.
"Then we can't just stay here?"
"Send a message to Lu Shi. We'll go out tomorrow."
As he spoke, Ling Mohan took the dagger from Feng Jin's hand and carved a few words onto a stone: "Safe, will rescue tomorrow."
He then tied the stone to a rope and, with all his might, threw it upwards.
"That's it?" Feng Jin's eyes were filled with disbelief. Was that all? They would be spending the night here.
Feng Jin glanced at the dark, somewhat eerie cave, and her lips twitched uncontrollably. How would they get through the night in this forsaken place?
She instantly regretted her impulsive jump, but it was too late.
"There's a place for you to sleep inside. Don't worry."
Ling Mohan's lips curved into a slight smile, which sent a shiver down Feng Jin's spine. She had a feeling his smile held ill intentions.
"What are you trying to do? I'm warning you, I'm pregnant now, so don't do anything foolish. That would be the death of two lives!"
"What are you thinking!" Ling Mohan was truly amazed by Feng Jin's imagination.
Ling Mohan pulled Feng Jin forward, and only then did Feng Jin realize that the cave had more to offer.
No wonder she had heard the sound of trickling water when she entered. There was actually a waterfall inside.
"Did you catch this rabbit?" Feng Jin pointed at the cooked rabbit on the ground and asked.
"It took a lot of effort to catch it. You came in just as it was roasted. Make do with it."
Ling Mohan pulled off two rabbit legs and handed them to Feng Jin. He then sat on the ground and ate heartily, completely losing his former refined demeanor. He looked like a beggar who hadn't eaten for days, stuffing food into his mouth.
After confirming it was edible, Feng Jin took a tentative bite, still harboring some doubts.
The taste was surprisingly good. In this desolate wilderness, where did Ling Mohan get the seasonings? This made Feng Jin very curious.
"Why does this rabbit have flavor? Did you add seasoning?"
"A wise person has their own methods. This is my secret recipe, how could I tell you?" Ling Mohan said mysteriously.