Ye Tinglan, though appearing aggressive, was purely defensive during their encounter, never making a move to attack.
Feng Yinwan couldn't fathom his intentions. Her silver needles danced, but each strike was aimed to miss, never to kill. After all, mercy to an enemy is cruelty to oneself!
"..."
Though her poison wasn't fatal, its potency was significant. No matter how deep Ye Tinglan's internal energy, he couldn't suppress it indefinitely.
Seeing his movements falter for a moment, Feng Yinwan seized the opportunity, launching a silver needle towards his vital pulse.
Ye Tinglan deflected the needle slightly with his arm, a sinister glint appearing in his eyes. He then swiftly grabbed her wrist, pulling her closer.
While skill could compensate for a gap in combat techniques, it couldn't bridge the chasm of sheer strength. With her wrist restrained, Feng Yinwan's silver needles were rendered useless.
Ye Tinglan, of course, knew this better than anyone.
He twisted her arm behind her back and, with a powerful heave, lifted her onto his shoulder.
His body stiffened for a split second upon touching Feng Yinwan's swollen abdomen. Then, the grip on her wrist loosened almost imperceptibly, releasing some of its force.
Feng Yinwan hadn't expected him to remain so composed, even after being pricked several times and poisoned. This damned man's strength was astonishing!
Her wrist still pinned behind her, Feng Yinwan couldn't free herself, so she resorted to her legs.
However, before she could even launch a kick, a force clamped down on her legs, pinning both of them tightly.
In an instant, the only part of her body that could move was her head.
She contemplated biting him, but the mere thought of Ye Tinglan's scowling face made it difficult to commit. As she hesitated, her gaze fell upon Feng Wuxi standing nearby, and a surge of hateful fury coursed through her.
"Feng Wuxi, are you just going to watch?!"
She had been so preoccupied with Ye Tinglan that she had forgotten this scoundrel was still standing there. Not only was he not intervening, but he was grinning as she was being carried away?! What nerve did he have? How could he smile at a time like this?!
Feng Yinwan wanted to curse him, and indeed, she did.
After she had verbally abused him down to the third page of his family tree, he finally seemed to come alive and stepped forward.
"Lord Mo, please wait."
Ye Tinglan's handsome face was already a thunderous mask. Seeing Feng Wuxi, he didn't even glance his way, coldly stating,
"Scram."
Feng Wuxi raised an eyebrow, seemingly about to do just that.
Seeing this, Feng Yinwan panicked, "You dare to leave!"
If he left, she would reveal his secret collusion with Yu Che to kill Ye Tinglan! Since she couldn't escape, no one else would have it easy!
Just as she was about to issue a threat, a sharp pain shot through her groin.
Ye Tinglan pressed his hand back into the crook of her knee, coldly warning, "Shut up!"
Feng Yinwan: ???
This bastard, why was he hitting her again!
"Let go! Unless you tie me up with ropes every day, I'll still run!"
Even then, it wouldn't work; she could untie ropes and escape just the same!
Hearing this, Ye Tinglan's grip tightened, his expression turning even colder.
"I will not give you a second chance!"
She had already escaped once; he would never allow such a thing to happen again!
Her body was controlled by brute force, rendering her utterly immobile. With that leisurely spectator trailing behind, Feng Yinwan was on the verge of exploding with anger. She struggled relentlessly, writhing on Ye Tinglan's shoulder.
"Feng Wuxi, are you even human anymore!"
Ye Tingyan had been repelled and poisoned. This scoundrel's objective had been achieved, and he might very well sell her out without a second thought. After all, there could be another啓靈丹, but Ye Tinglan's formidable army of frost armor could not be matched by any other force. The thought made her incredibly resentful. After decades of toil, who was she working so hard for? These damned men, every single one of them was plotting against her!
As light reappeared before her eyes, Feng Yinwan steeled her resolve and dislocated her left wrist.
The sound, subtle yet distinct amidst the soft footsteps and breathing, caught Ye Tinglan completely off guard. The hand clamped on her wrist immediately loosened its grip.
In that fleeting moment, ignoring the searing pain, Feng Yinwan retrieved a silver needle from her sleeve and plunged it towards Ye Tinglan once more.
This needle, unguarded, struck his vital pulse with pinpoint accuracy. Ye Tinglan's lips thinned, and a muffled groan escaped his teeth.
That wasn't all. Feng Yinwan narrowed her eyes and, with a flick of her finger, withdrew the needle. Almost instantly, a stream of black blood erupted from Ye Tinglan's mouth without warning, his face paling dramatically.
The grip around her waist loosened slightly. Feng Yinwan's eyes narrowed as she reinserted the silver needle into her sleeve. The poison was hers, and she knew best how to maximize its effect. The previous needles were all laid groundwork for this final thrust to the vital pulse. She had broken Ye Tinglan's internal energy suppression.
Her dislocated left wrist still throbbed with pain. Feng Yinwan pressed her pale lips together. Lowering her gaze, she realized the grip around her waist had not lessened. On the contrary, it had tightened!
She turned her head in astonishment, meeting those dark, unfathomable eyes. Ye Tinglan spoke, his voice betraying an uncontrollable tremor.
"Now, are you willing to return to the capital with me?"