Mo Dao Zu Shi: Astray

The Pursuit of Knowledge, Part Ten

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Pan Wukun had been taking a peaceful walk around the Cloud Recesses when she heard Wei Wuxian screaming at the top of his lungs.

She rushed into the forest to see him clinging to a tree.

"Go away! Go away!" he screamed.

A dog stood at the bottom of the tree, barking up at Wei Wuxian.

The dog wore the LanlingJin sect crest on its collar. It must belong to Jin Zixuan!

But why was Pan Wukun the only one here to help Wei Wuxian?

Shouldn't Lan Wangji be the one saving Wei Wuxian from this dog?! And where was Jiang Cheng?!

Pan Wukun tried to wave the dog away. "Shoo! Shoo! Isn't your owner looking for you?"

This did not deter the dog. It only stepped closer.

Could the dog tell that Pan Wukun didn't want to hurt it? Could it smell that she played with the farmers' dogs in Xuhou?!

Looks like she had no choice but to outrun it.

Pan Wukun picked up a stick from the ground and threw it into the distance. "Go! Fetch!"

The dog ran off.

Pan Wukun felt bad about tricking a dog. But this was an emergency.

She shouted up at Wei Wuxian. "Wei Ying! You need to jump!"

"What?!"

"You have to, Wei Ying! That dog is going to come back before we even have the chance to get away!"

Wei Wuxian trembled. "But..."

Pan Wukun spread her arms open. "I promise I'll catch you!"

Wei Wuxian appeared hesitant, still tightly gripping the tree. He looked into Pan Wukun's eyes.

Then he let go.

"Oomph!" Pan Wukun was not used to carrying a human being. Her arms and knees shook. But she managed not to fall to the ground.

Wei Wuxian wrapped his arms around her neck and buried his face into her shoulder.

Pan Wukun carried Wei Wuxian bridal style and rushed as far away as she could.

Moments later, the dog returned with the stick in its mouth. It was dismayed to find Pan Wukun gone.

The dog sniffed the air, trying to catch Pan Wukun's scent.

Before the dog could chase after her, Lan Wangji appeared and stepped in front of it. He gave it an admonishing stare, making it whine. It understood that Lan Wangji was telling it to return to its owner. It walked away back in the direction of where the LanlingJin sect disciples were staying in the dormitory.

Meanwhile, once Pan Wukun felt that she had run far enough from the dog, she stopped underneath a tree.

She tried to put Wei Wuxian down but he did not let go of her.

Wei Wuxian whimpered, clinging on to Pan Wukun like a lifeline.

The fear in Wei Wuxian's eyes was unlike how Pan Wukun had ever seen him before.

Seeing him afraid like this...it wasn't funny. It wasn't funny at all.

Pan Wukun spoke softly to soothe Wei Wuxian. "Shh, shh, shh. It's ok, Wei Ying. You're ok."

Pan Wukun started humming an old farmer's song. She did so hesitantly, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Wei Wuxian's breathing calmed and his grip on Pan Wukun relaxed.