Chapter Fifty-Two: My Honor

Pain snapped Jiang Hu back to consciousness, granting him a fleeting surge of strength.

“Where are they? Hurry, chase after them!”

The pursuers behind drew closer, their numbers swelling compared to before. The surrounding area was desolate, devoid of even a place to hide; Jiang Hu and Mo Nian Nian were cornered, trapped with nowhere to turn.

The men behind pulled out their bows, arrows whistling toward the two. Jiang Hu struggled to dodge a few, but the next volley was impossible to avoid.

He pulled Mo Nian Nian into his arms, turning his body to shield her, becoming her fortress against the onslaught. Mo Nian Nian’s eyes widened in alarm, immediately attempting to switch places, but Jiang Hu held her tightly beneath him, refusing to let go.

His gaze, gentle and filled with longing, lingered on Mo Nian Nian.

He had finally touched his master.

He had no regrets left, even in death.

Satisfaction overflowed in Jiang Hu’s eyes as he stared motionless at Mo Nian Nian. “Master, it’s alright. Reinforcements will arrive soon.”

As for these final moments, let him be the one to bear them.

Pain, sharp as a needle, pierced Mo Nian Nian’s heart. Her eyes reddened. “I order you, move! Their target is me. Now go—go as far away as you can!” Her body trembled, the effects of the drug intensifying, leaving her powerless even to push Jiang Hu away.

Jiang Hu’s voice was tender to the extreme. “Master, please forgive me this once.”

“Mo Hu!” Mo Nian Nian’s heart grew increasingly uncomfortable.

How could someone be so foolish? What good could this possibly do for him?

Jiang Hu’s energy surged once more, though his face grew paler by the moment.

He charged forward, intercepting the attackers.

Mo Nian Nian watched as arrows and blades struck him, one after another. He became a man of blood, collapsing only to rise again, falling and rising in relentless succession.

Everyone could see he was at his limit.

No one knew what he was holding on for.

Mo Nian Nian moved her hand, reciting a long and complex incantation under her breath.

[Host, you mustn’t! Headquarters has given orders!]

Mo Nian Nian paid no heed. But just then, an arrow flew straight toward her.

Jiang Hu moved faster still, shielding Mo Nian Nian as another wound split open on his battered body. Blood poured from his mouth as he forced a smile, seeking her approval.

The assailants quickly realized Jiang Hu’s weakness, shouting, “Kill Mo Nian Nian first!”

Jiang Hu, with a desperate twist, used the last of his strength to shield Mo Nian Nian behind him.

“Master… will be safe… I will always… always protect you…”

Mo Nian Nian froze, for the first time a ripple disturbing the clarity of her calm gaze.

A surge of murderous intent radiated from her, shaking the entire small world.

[Host! He’s the protagonist of the small world, blessed with great fortune. He won’t die so easily, trust me!] The system’s voice was rapid, even frightened by Mo Nian Nian’s fury.

“Miss!” The Mo family’s troops arrived in force.

The man spat venomously, “Damn it.”

Failure meant death for them all.

The Regent would tolerate no failure, especially where his daughter was concerned.

None of them would survive this—seeing no way out…

His cold gaze locked onto Jiang Hu. He readied his bow, sending an arrow straight toward Jiang Hu and Mo Nian Nian.

Jiang Hu, always living on the knife’s edge, sensed danger instinctively, but now had no strength left to move. He could only turn slightly, enveloping Mo Nian Nian completely.

“It’s alright. We’re saved. You’ll be fine,” Mo Nian Nian said calmly, only the trembling of her fingertips betraying her anxiety.

“Master…” Jiang Hu started to speak, then smiled, eyes alight with fulfillment.

To die for his master was his honor.

Jiang Hu’s body convulsed, blood flooding from his mouth.

The arrowhead burst through his chest.

Perfectly placed.

He was happy, truly, to have accompanied his master for so long. Only regret lingered—that he could not stay with her longer.

Jiang Hu’s eyes slowly closed as a pill appeared in Mo Nian Nian’s hand, which she quickly pressed into his mouth.

Jiang Hu lost consciousness completely.

The system witnessed all of this, wanting to speak but swallowing its words.

The Mo family’s troops finished clearing the enemy, kneeling before Mo Nian Nian. “Subordinates arrived too late to rescue you, Miss. Please punish us.”

“Return, call the imperial physician.”

Mo Nian Nian gave her orders coolly, handling everything before finally fainting.

Chaos reigned at the scene. Both injured too severely, especially Jiang Hu, whose body bore not a single sound patch, his whole being drenched in blood.

Yet he clung tightly to Mo Nian Nian, refusing to release her, so the guards carried them both back to the palace in that state.

Mo Nian Nian slept for two whole days. The Regent and his wife, upon hearing news, abandoned the border and rushed back.

When Mo Nian Nian finally awoke, the first sound she heard was the Regent’s sorrowful sobbing.

Anyone might have thought she had died.

Mo Nian Nian struggled to sit up, her head swimming from blood loss.

“My dear girl, you’re awake? How are you feeling? Is there anywhere uncomfortable?”

“Does it hurt?”

“It’s all my fault, my girl. If I’d known, I would never have left you, not even in death.”

“Stop making such a fuss! Quiet down, Nian Nian has only just woken.”

“Where’s Mo Hu? Where is he?”

Silence fell instantly. Mo Nian Nian’s heart seemed stabbed anew.

“I want to see him.” She threw back the covers, determined to rise.

“Nian Nian! The doctor said your injuries are serious. You need rest!” Her parents anxiously held her back.

“I want to see him.” Mo Nian Nian was unwavering.

“He… he hasn’t woken yet… Once he does, we’ll bring him to you straightaway.” The Regent stammered.

[System, how is the protagonist?]

The system hesitated. […As of now… he still hasn’t woken.]

Mo Nian Nian stood, seeking out Jiang Hu.

He lay swathed like a mummy, not a breath escaping him.

Mo Nian Nian gazed at him in silence. “Tell me honestly, how is he now?”

The physician looked to the Regent, then rattled off a string of medical jargon—essentially, he was still in danger, his recovery left to fate.

Mo Nian Nian was silent for a long time.

“Nian Nian, don’t worry. We’ll summon the best doctors. He’ll be alright.”

“Mm.”

Mo Nian Nian returned to her room. [He’s the protagonist. He won’t die, right?]

The system faltered. [Probably… yes.]

The protagonist’s luck was indeed strong, but he was no iron man. His injuries were grave—had Mo Nian Nian not given him the pill, he would already be gone.

The system hesitated again. [Host, there’s one more thing. You used something not belonging to the small world. Headquarters found out—they want to talk to you.]