A woman's heart is like a deep sea, and he could no longer fathom it. Ling Mo Han couldn't help but sigh.
"What's with that expression? Did I bully you?"
She looked as if she had suffered great injustice.
Ling Mo Han quickly shook his head, "No."
Feng Jin studied his face for a long time, and only after confirming he wasn't lying did she withdraw her gaze. "Let's first figure out how to get up."
Ling Mo Han pulled out a vine from somewhere, tugged it forcefully to confirm its strength, and tied it around Feng Jin's waist, binding them tightly together.
"I'll carry you up," Ling Mo Han said, gently pulling Feng Jin's arm and hoisting her onto his back.
"The cliff is too steep. And you're carrying me. Can you manage?"
Feng Jin wasn't unfamiliar with steep cliffs. It was difficult enough to climb alone, let alone with another person's weight. She couldn't help but worry if Ling Mo Han would be able to endure it.
"You don't trust me that much? Don't worry, I'll definitely get you up safely."
Ling Mo Han gripped two makeshift daggers he had fashioned from his long sword, jumped forcefully, and plunged the daggers into the rock face.
Following this clumsy yet effective method, they began to climb arduously. The cliff was steep, and with Feng Jin on his back, Ling Mo Han began to sweat within moments.
"Ling Mo Han, are you alright?" Feng Jin's voice carried a hint of worry.
"I'm fine. Don't move around, just hold on tight!"
Ling Mo Han said in a low voice, his hands exerting force as he climbed. The veins on his temples bulged.
Feng Jin's heart leaped into her throat. She dared not breathe, her entire body stiff, afraid to move an inch.
The makeshift daggers could no longer bear their combined weight. The daggers embedded in the rock face suddenly loosened, sliding down a few centimeters, sending small stones tumbling.
Feng Jin trembled in fear, biting her lip to stifle a cry.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here," Ling Mo Han reassured her, his limbs working together to propel them upward. He tightly grasped a protruding rock and offered a vine to Feng Jin with his other hand.
His hand, bearing all the weight for an extended period, was cut by the sharp edges of the stone. Blood streamed from his fingertips, a stark red that hurt Feng Jin's eyes.
"Ling Mo Han, let me down. You go up first, and then find a way to rescue me."
"Shut up," Ling Mo Han snapped. "Say less and don't distract me."
Ling Mo Han exerted all his strength with each step, yet the summit seemed miles away. The daggers were worn down, embedding less deeply into the rock with each move, trembling precariously.
"Ling Mo Han, if I fall, don't come looking for me. You must protect the people of Yingzhong Commandery. If I really die, I'll allow you to remarry, and I won't blame you…"
Here, she would only be a burden to Ling Mo Han, and neither of them would be able to reach the top. In comparison, Ling Mo Han's life was far more precious than hers.
Feng Jin made up her mind and reached for the vine that bound them together at her waist.
"What are you doing!" Ling Mo Han exclaimed, sensing her intent.
"If you dare to let go, I'll jump down with you. We'll die together."
He couldn't imagine a life without Feng Jin, a life worse than death. He didn't want to experience that.
"Ling Mo Han, live well. The people of Dong Chu need you."
For the first time, Feng Jin looked at Ling Mo Han with such seriousness, a faint smile gracing her lips as she met his gaze. She untied the vine around her waist, and her body, no longer supported, plummeted downwards. Feng Jin closed her eyes, resigned.
Suddenly, a force wrapped around her waist, arresting her descent. Feng Jin opened her eyes and looked up. Lu Shi, standing on the cliff's edge, pulled on a rope. "Madam, I'll pull you up."
"Give me your hand!" Ling Mo Han slid down the cliff face to Feng Jin's side, grabbing her hand and pushing her upwards.
Feng Jin held onto the rope tightly, climbing upward. She knew she had to get to safety first to save Ling Mo Han.
"Madam, take it slow."
After climbing up, Feng Jin immediately reached out to pull Ling Mo Han, who was still behind her.
"Give me your hand." Feng Jin grasped his hand firmly, pulling with all her might.
Once Ling Mo Han was up, he immediately held Feng Jin tightly in his arms, a sense of relief washing over him.
Just moments ago, he had almost lost Feng Jin forever.
"Cough… cough… Ling Mo Han, you're too tight! I can't… I can't breathe…"
Feng Jin gasped, her face flushed, finding it difficult to even draw a breath.
Ling Mo Han loosened his grip slightly but still held her close, afraid that she might vanish if he blinked.
"Let go for a bit. So many people are watching."
Feng Jin whispered in his ear, feeling rather embarrassed with so many eyes on them.
Fortunately, Lu Shi was astute. Seeing the situation, he quickly signaled for everyone to turn away, leaving the couple some space.
After a while, Feng Jin lost her patience and pushed Ling Mo Han away with all her strength. If this continued, she might die from exhaustion rather than a fall.
"Let's go back," she said, her legs numb as she struggled to stand and walked forward with difficulty.
In her haste to pull Ling Mo Han up, she hadn't noticed the bodies scattered everywhere.
"Lu Shi, what just happened?"
"Reporting to Madam, as soon as we lowered the rope, a wave of rebel soldiers suddenly appeared from nowhere and surrounded us. We fought fiercely to break free, which caused the delay and almost led to a disaster."
Lu Shi still felt a chill recalling the danger. If he had been a second slower, Madam would have fallen off the cliff.
Fortunately, he arrived in time to rescue the young general and his wife.
Ling Mo Han straightened his clothes and approached with a cold expression. "Lu Shi, lead a squad and thoroughly search the areas around Yingzhong Commandery. Ensure all escaped rebels are exterminated, leaving none alive."
He regretted not ordering a complete search and extermination of the rebels when the city was breached.
Who would have thought such an oversight back then would almost result in disaster today.
"Yes, Young General!"
"Let's return to Yingzhong Commandery first," Ling Mo Han said, helping Feng Jin onto a horse. He then mounted behind her, and they rode back together.