Mainland Martial Arts

Chapter 132 Escape

Chu Hong's face was gloomy as he looked at the backs of Xu Tian and Ma Ziyan, his heart filled with anger and helplessness. The people around him were also extremely anxious, but they did not dare to act rashly.

With that, Xu Tian, ​​holding Ma Ziyan hostage, trudged out of the city, step by step, with difficulty. The road outside was bumpy and overgrown with weeds. Moonlight filtered through the leaves, casting a dappled shadow on them. Xu Tian's foot kept tripping on rocks, and he stumbled. Ma Ziyan quickly steadied him.

Ma Ziyan carefully supported Xu Tian as they walked into a deep forest. The woods were filled with thick fog, eerie and gloomy, with the occasional cries of night owls making their hair stand on end. The ground was covered with rotting leaves, emitting a pungent smell, and with every step they took, they could feel the dampness and softness of their feet.

"Xu Tian, ​​don't be afraid, we'll find a safe place soon." Ma Ziyan's voice trembled slightly, but she tried to remain calm. Her arms were sore from the effort, and her clothes were torn in several places by the branches.

Xu Tian's steps grew heavier, each one like treading on cotton. "I... I can do this..." He panted, sweat dripping from his forehead, down his cheeks and into his neck. His eyes began to blur, and his body began to sway.

They walked, one foot deep, one foot shallow, and time seemed to stretch endlessly. It wasn't until the sky in the east began to turn pale that they finally stopped. At this point, Xu Tian could no longer hold on. His vision went dark, and he passed out.

"Xu Tian! Xu Tian!" Ma Ziyan cried out in terror, her voice echoing through the silent woods. She frantically tried to hold onto Xu Tian, ​​tears welling in her eyes. Xu Tian's body felt like a heavy stone, weighing Ma Ziyan down so hard she could barely stand.

Ma Ziyan looked around and finally found a hidden cave. Using all her strength, she dragged Xu Tian into the cave. The cave was dark, damp, and filled with a foul odor. The ground was littered with pebbles and sharp stones, and Ma Ziyan's knees and palms were scuffed.

She gently stroked Xu Tian's face, her eyes filled with heartache and concern. "You must wake up, you must..." she murmured. Her fingers trembled as she brushed the hair away from Xu Tian's eyes.

In the days that followed, Ma Ziyan stayed by Xu Tian's side. She used herbs she found in the woods to treat his wounds and carefully cared for him. Xu Tian lay unconscious, his face as pale as paper, his brow furrowed, as if struggling in a nightmare.

Ma Ziyan prayed every day, hoping Xu Tian would wake up soon. From time to time, she would wipe Xu Tian's forehead with a wet cloth and give him some water. Sometimes, she would sit at the entrance of the cave, staring at the sky outside in a daze, her heart filled with anxiety and uneasiness.

A few days passed before Xu Tian finally showed any signs of movement. He slowly opened his eyes, his gaze confused and weak.

"Xu Tian, ​​you're awake!" Ma Ziyan was so excited that she almost jumped up, tears of joy flashing in her eyes. Her face was full of fatigue and haggardness, and dark circles were deeply imprinted under her eyes.

Xu Tian forced a smile: "Zi Yan, thank you for your hard work." His voice was dry and hoarse, like sandpaper rubbing against his face.

Ma Ziyan shook her head: "As long as you can get better, everything I do is worth it." There was a hint of bitterness in her smile.

Xu Tian tried to move his body, but the pain from the wound made him gasp. "I feel better, but we can't stay here for long."

Ma Ziyan nodded: "Okay, when you can get up, we will leave."

After a few more days, Xu Tian's wounds began to scab over. Although his body was still weak, he was able to walk.

The two of them set out on the road to escape again. Ma Ziyan supported Xu Tian and they moved forward step by step with difficulty. The thorns on the road tore their clothes and scratched their skin.

"Xu Tian, ​​are you okay?" Ma Ziyan looked at him worriedly. Her breathing was rapid and her face was covered with dust.

Xu Tian gritted his teeth and said, "I'm fine, keep walking." His steps were weak and he had to take several breaths with every step.

They walked along the rugged mountain road and through the dense jungle. They didn't stop to rest until dark. Xu Tian leaned against a tree, breathing heavily, while Ma Ziyan was busy looking for some edible wild fruits.

At this time, Xihai City was in chaos. News spread like wildfire that the Tenth Elder of the Nine Emperor Pavilion had returned gravely injured. Although he claimed to have eliminated Lin Feng, his injuries still aroused everyone's suspicion.

The Chu family was in an uproar. Ma Ziyan, the young mistress of the Chu family, had been abducted by Xu Tian and her whereabouts were still unknown. Chu Hong dispatched a large number of people to search everywhere, turning the entire Xihai City upside down.

"We must find the young lady!" Chu Hong roared angrily. He paced back and forth in the room, his face gloomy.

The Chu family's servants were like ants on a hot pan, searching every corner of the city for clues. They searched every house and questioned every passerby, but still found nothing.

A few days later, in a cave in the Haifeng Mountains, the Chu family found the second elder of the Chu family and Chu Yi tied up.

The two men were disheveled and had dull eyes. They were weak from not eating for many days. Chu Yi's face was covered in dirt and his clothes were tattered.

"Quick, rescue them!" The servants hurriedly untied the ropes.

Chu Yi said weakly, "Xu Tian must be killed!" His voice was weak and full of resentment.

However, Ma Ziyan and Xu Tian are still on the run. They don't know what awaits them in the future, but their hearts are full of desire to survive and yearning for freedom.

Xu Tian and Ma Ziyan continued to walk, exhausted, leaning on each other. The cool night breeze brushed against their cheeks, bringing a hint of coolness.

"Xu Tian, ​​I don't know how far we can get." Ma Ziyan's voice was filled with despair. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her eyes were full of confusion.

Xu Tian looked up at the sky and said firmly: "As long as we don't give up, there will be hope." His eyes were firm and persistent, as if he could penetrate the darkness and see the light.

Xu Tian and Ma Ziyan walked for a long time and finally came to a stream. Ma Ziyan looked at Xu Tian's haggard face and said distressedly: "Xu Tian, ​​let's take a break first. You drink some water and replenish your energy."

Xu Tian nodded, squatted down by the stream, scooped up the cool water with both hands, and drank it in big gulps. Ma Ziyan sat nearby, observing her surroundings vigilantly.

"Zi Yan, I'm sorry for making you suffer by following me." Xu Tian said guiltily.

Ma Ziyan shook her head gently and said, "As long as I can be with you, I'm not afraid of any hardship."

Xu Tian and Ma Zi Yan walked for a long time and finally came to a stream.