Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 210: Chapter 179: Protection

Seeing the incomparably swift sword wind whistling down, Xie Yuan gritted his teeth, grabbed Situ Qin, and dashed back the way they came at top speed.

He pushed his Cloud Dragon Step to its absolute limit, covering dozens of feet in the blink of an eye.

’No wonder the rock in this upward-sloping section of the cave is so incredibly hard, and even harder than diamond at the bend. It must have been directly facing this sword wind all this time!’

Xie Yuan stared at the bend ahead. ’As long as we can get around that corner, the Sword Qi will be absorbed and weakened by the rock walls. We can withstand what’s left!’

But even with the bend right in front of him, he could already feel the searing sharpness at his back.

The Sword Qi was like a tempestuous tide, its speed far beyond what any human could match.

’We’re not going to make it...’ Xie Yuan gritted his teeth, his eyes hardening. He gave Situ Qin’s hand a mighty swing, preparing to use all his strength to fling her around the corner.

He was only halfway through the motion when the grip on his hand suddenly loosened, the resistance gone.

Situ Qin had let go of his hand.

Shocked, Xie Yuan whipped his head around, only to see Situ Qin standing in the middle of the passage. Her arms were spread wide, her slender frame shielding him.

"What are you doing!"

Xie Yuan yelled.

But before he could finish, the Sword Qi was upon them, its tremendous roar drowning out his voice.

The ferocious Sword Qi, roaring like a dragon, poured into the ground like a hurricane. Its aftershocks spilled over, rushing into the passage toward the two of them.

A clear, jade-colored light suddenly erupted in front of Situ Qin, forming a massive shield that completely sealed the passage.

The Sword Qi slammed into the barrier of light like a tide crashing against a heavy dam. Unable to break through, it recoiled violently, shaking the cave and causing rubble to fall from the ceiling.

A moment later, the sword wind gradually subsided. The jade-colored barrier flickered a few times, its light dimming until it vanished completely.

Xie Yuan stared wide-eyed at the scene. He saw Situ Qin lower her hand, standing there gracefully. She turned her head and smiled.

"Master Xie, what’s with the melodrama? Were you putting on a play?"

Xie Yuan opened his mouth, a bit embarrassed.

"I... well... I didn’t know you had such a powerful artifact..."

"You think I’d leave home without bringing a few things?"

Situ Qin pressed her lips into a smile and skipped over to him, her eyes crinkling as she spoke.

"Were you that worried about me? Were you scared I was going to die? Huh? Am I right?"

Seeing Situ Qin staring at him with a broad, amused grin, Xie Yuan felt a little uncomfortable and turned his head away.

"I just didn’t expect you to have something powerful enough to block a strike from a Grandmaster."

"It’s no big deal."

Situ Qin glanced nonchalantly at a Jade Pendant on her waist. It was now covered in cracks, completely ruined.

But she didn’t seem to mind. Her eyes just twinkled as she kept them fixed on Xie Yuan.

"You still haven’t answered me! Were you worried about me? Hm? Oh well, it’s fine if you don’t say it. I already know the answer."

Her sparkling eyes made Xie Yuan’s face flush. He grabbed her hand and started walking.

"We shouldn’t linger here. Let’s leave first and talk later."

The two of them hurried back through the passage hand in hand. Trailing behind, Situ Qin watched Xie Yuan’s back and the hand holding hers, her eyes gradually curving into a smile.

"By the way, Master Xie, a moment ago, were you trying to send me away while you stayed behind to cover the retreat?"

Situ Qin asked in a soft voice.

Without turning his head, Xie Yuan led the way and replied.

"I didn’t think we’d both make it. I could only use my momentum to get one person to safety."

"Then why didn’t you save yourself?"

Situ Qin blinked.

"That’s impossible."

Xie Yuan replied without a second thought.

Situ Qin lowered her gaze, her voice gentle.

"To think of me at such a critical moment... I’m deeply grateful for the sentiment, and it makes me very, very happy.

"But don’t you dare do it again."

Hearing the gentle reproach in her voice, Xie Yuan replied noncommittally.

"We’ll see next time. Hmm, though it’s best if there is no next time."

Situ Qin shot a glare at his back, though Xie Yuan couldn’t see it.

"Of course there won’t be! Your cultivation isn’t higher than mine, and you have fewer skills and artifacts. In a situation like that, I should be the one in front! We’re exploring together, so that should be the rule—the stronger one bears the responsibility."

Her tone was stern and very serious. Although she had tried to be tactful and her logic was sound, her words still left Xie Yuan speechless and feeling a little frustrated.

He was silent for a moment before saying,

"You have a point. If we encounter a similar danger, the more capable one should take the lead.

"But if it’s a situation like the one we just faced, there’s no way I’m hiding behind you."

Situ Qin nodded slightly at the first part of his sentence, but her brows shot up at the second half. She retorted, annoyed,

"Why are you trying to act so tough? What’s wrong with hiding behind me?"

"I am a man of honor. How could I hide behind a woman’s skirts?"

Xie Yuan declared grandly.

"Besides, you’re tiny. You couldn’t cover me anyway."

Hearing him clowning around, Situ Qin was both exasperated and amused. She had half a mind to kick him.

"What’s wrong with being a woman? My cultivation is higher than yours! And so what if I’m a little small... No, I’m not that small! With my cultivation, I can easily shield a big oaf like you!"

After her bout of laughing and scolding, her expression softened. She knew what Xie Yuan really meant was that he would never abandon her in a life-or-death situation. Still, she shook her head and said firmly,

"Let’s agree on this today. If—and this is a big if—we really run into a situation like that again, you are not to act on impulse. Cultivation doesn’t distinguish between men and women. Since we’re partners, the one with higher cultivation should protect the one with lower cultivation. And I am definitely not the type to hide behind someone else... Oof!"

Xie Yuan had stopped abruptly, and Situ Qin, unable to react in time, bumped right into his back with a yelp.

"Why did you stop all of a sudden?"

Xie Yuan turned his head back, his voice deep and solemn as he said,

"Then you’ll just have to wait until my cultivation surpasses yours. From then on, I’ll be the one to protect you."

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