Chapter 603 520: "Brother Pei, why do you want to leave... Is it because Jin'Er did something wrong?

WHOOSH—

A flash of sword light, as white as snow, cut a sharp arc through the dim forest.

With a crisp SNAP, a large, twisted, pitch-black tree crashed to the ground.

Nangong Jin sheathed her sword. She was breathing lightly, but the corners of her lips curved into a satisfied smile.

These trees, tainted by Demonic Qi, were incredibly tough. With her Spiritual Qi depleted and her body injured, it was no easy task for Nangong Jin to chop one down.

However, the moment she thought about how this firewood was to keep Brother Pei warm, Nangong Jin was instantly filled with renewed vigor.

Her movements were swift and efficient. Wherever her blade passed, the thick trunk was neatly split into evenly sized logs.

This was her first time doing such rough work as chopping firewood. Her clothes were covered in wood chips, but far from feeling demeaned or wronged, a strange sense of accomplishment swelled in Nangong Jin's chest.

"Living in a cave all the time isn't very proper. I should build a log cabin for Brother Pei to protect him from the mosquitoes and other pests."

Nangong Jin muttered to herself, seeming to subconsciously ignore the issue of returning to civilization with Pei Yuhang. She instinctively wanted to live here in seclusion with him and his amnesia.

'After all, only here... with his memory gone, is Brother Pei completely mine. If Brother Pei were to go out and meet Qing Yueqiu, or Ye Liyuan...'

'...all my lies would fall apart, exposed as the ridiculous falsehoods they are.'

'Brother Pei would realize that I'm a despicable woman who tried to steal someone else's life.'

'Thank goodness... Brother Pei's injuries are very serious. He'll need a long time to recover before he can move around. During this time, he'll have no choice but to accept my care peacefully.'

Nangong Jin lowered her gaze. She fell silent for a moment, then finally shook her head, unwilling to dwell on the topic.

'This should be enough firewood for a few days. But the temperature near the Endless Sea fluctuates wildly between day and night, and it's been raining nonstop lately. Judging by the sky, it's probably going to snow soon...'

'To make sure Brother Pei doesn't get cold, I'd better chop some more.'

At this thought, she bit her lower lip, tightened her grip on her sword's hilt, and walked toward another large, black tree.

SNAP, SNAP—

The pile of firewood grew higher. As Nangong Jin carefully bundled it with vines, the rough branches left red marks on her palms.

But she didn't mind that the dirty logs sullied her dress. She simply wiped the sweat from her face and heaved the heavy bundle onto her shoulder.

The vines scraped against her slender shoulder, but Nangong Jin paid it no mind, her steps light as she trod the muddy path.

With every step closer to the cave, her heart beat a little faster.

Dusk slowly fell, and a hazy mist rose through the forest.

She gazed at the faint firelight shining from the distant cave, and a sudden warmth filled her chest, as if she were soaking in a hot spring. In that moment, all the day's fatigue was washed away.

She had read countless poems and songs, including one line that said, "a heart returning like an arrow." Nangong Jin had never been able to truly understand it.

But now, she suddenly understood. With a loved one waiting for her at "home," her heart truly yearned to fly back like an arrow.

'Perhaps being stranded here isn't a bad thing,' Nangong Jin thought selfishly, a secret smile she herself didn't even notice touching her lips.

'After all... there are no other women here. Brother Pei can only rely on me, only have eyes for me, and only be cared for by me!'

Just thinking about it made Nangong Jin's heart feel as if it were being gently squeezed by an invisible hand—a feeling both sour and sweet.

It made Nangong Jin feel like she had found some kind of purpose.

RUSTLE—

As she neared the cave entrance, she suddenly stopped and scanned her surroundings warily.

The traps were all intact, but a rustling sound came from within the cave.

Her heart sank. She dropped the firewood and rushed into the cave, only to see Pei Yuhang struggling to push himself up with his arms. His pale face was covered in a fine sheen of cold sweat, his thin lips pressed into a tight line.

"Brother Pei!"

She cried out, taking two quick steps to kneel beside him and steady Pei Yuhang's arm.

"Brother Pei, you're still severely injured. Please, lie back down and rest."

"Why did you get up?"

Pei Yuhang pressed his lips together and said softly, "I heard you coming back, Jin'Er... so I wanted to get up to greet you."

Nangong Jin's eyes suddenly grew hot, and her nose tingled. Unable to hold back any longer, she gently wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her face in the crook of his shoulder. Her voice was muffled, tinged with a mix of playful complaint and heartache.

"Don't do that, Brother Pei. You don't have to be so formal with Jin'Er."

"But I feel... like I'm useless, just lying in bed all the time. I want to do something for you, Jin'Er."

Nangong Jin lifted her head and cupped his face in her hands. She gently wiped the cold sweat from his temples, her gaze tender yet firm.

"Brother Pei, you don't need to do anything for me... You've already done more than enough for me in the past. Right now, as long as you obediently stay by my side and rest, Jin'Er will be very happy."

"Promise Jin'Er you'll leave everything to me... okay?"

Pei Yuhang was silent for a moment before nodding.

Nangong Jin smiled in response.

「Night.」

Nangong Jin mustered her courage, lay down beside Pei Yuhang, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

Pei Yuhang, his back to her, stiffened for a moment but ultimately didn't react.

It seemed he was beginning to accept this Fairy Junior Sister who claimed to be his Dao Companion.

...

...

「Several days passed.」

Under Nangong Jin's care, Pei Yuhang's weak body gradually recovered thanks to the self-healing abilities of his Giant Sun Saint Body.

He and Nangong Jin grew increasingly intimate.

Although they slept in the same bed every night, they hadn't consummated their relationship as Dao Companions, but their affection for each other was rapidly growing.

「On this day.」

Nangong Jin walked excitedly into the cave, carrying a bundle of dry firewood on her shoulder and a string of translucent Spirit Fruits in her hand.