Lady of YeonSung (Lisrene)

Chapter 16

"Ha, haa, ha..."

Even though it was summer, the water of the Silk River was very cold. Like ghostly hands, the underwater greenery waved as they tried to pull them down. Only after searching the depths like crazy did Joohyun finally find him sinking into the riverbed.

Joohyun used all her strength as she grabbed the man and swam up. Above the surface of the water, she could see the shadows of the men searching for them on horseback.

Because the flickering light of the flames was at her back, she couldn't see the men's faces, but their murderous spirit was proof enough. The problem was the light. Floating above the black waters of the river, the light illuminated them so clearly.

Did Princess Chaeyoung escape safely?

Where did Jewol disappear off to?

She heard the men's shouts. Someone was pointing at them. Joohyun paled and hugged the unconscious man as she plunged back into the water. An arrow barely missed her shoulder as it silently shot through the water. She felt as if she were stuck in a nightmare.

How long had it been? She barely managed to crawl to shore. The man remained limp and could barely walk.

"Hey! Get ahold of yourself!"

His whole body was as cold as ice.

Did he die already?

Joohyun quickly lifted her finger up against his nostrils. Her finger was also frozen stiff. He was barely breathing. She heard someone whistle. She also heard the neighs of horses coming from far away. The lights of torches flickered as the men searched the riverbank.

They needed to hide. No matter what.

Joohyun grabbed the man. He was taller than the average man, and he was a lot bulkier as well. He was also half-unconscious, so he was very heavy. She began to slap his cheek.

"Wake up! If you don't want to die a dog's death here! Hurry!"

Dragging his heavy body on her own was impossible. However, it would only be a matter of time before they were caught like this. Joohyun frantically shook him.

Thankfully, the man opened his dim eyes.

"Ah, please get up."

"Alright, I get it, so stop hitting me. I'm gonna die from the pain."

"If we remain like this, we'll really die! Hurry, get up."

Joohyun ordered him in a stern voice. With much difficulty, the man got up on his feet. They needed to run now. No matter what!

Joohyun grabbed the man's hand and headed into the field of reeds. The reeds hit the pair of them from all directions, but they couldn't stop here.

Every time she heard the sound of footsteps, Joohyun felt as if she'd have a heart attack. A while later, she found a small cave near the riverbank. They went inside and hid.

She could still see the faint glimmer of the torchlight outside. Thankfully, the cave was dry, but she could smell the faint smell of moss and animal excrement.

Was this a wildcat's den?

Joohyun managed to lower the man and anxiously perked her ears for any sound. The sound of neighing horses, rough shouts... They were all so close. In the black darkness, Joohyun grit her teeth.

Please, please go away.

The man's breaths became rougher. Their hands and feet were beginning to feel numb and cold. If they stayed like this any longer, they'd both die.