Second Flame Of Romance

Chapter 25 - Evoke the protective instincts in him

Perhaps the shadow guards felt that they were too pitiful because they only knocked them out without taking their lives.

Heng Zhen Gan guessed Miss Wan must be inside the cauldron and hurried to blow out the fire with a gush of strong wind conjured by his fan. It flickered, dangerously close to being sizzled out, but soon regained its vitality. 

With a frown, he ordered, “Liu Bing, remove the lid!”

The fire was not a normal one and they could only take her out. He hoped Wan Ting was still alive inside the pot. 

The cauldron was scalding hot, including the lid, so Liu Bing could not use his hands. He stepped back and then ran forward to send a strong kick at the lid. 

Heng Zhen Gan intercepted the flying lid before it would crash onto the ground and alert the enemies fighting outside. Wincing, Liu Bing gave his teacher an apologetic look, which Heng Zhen Gan directed his chin at the cauldron, asking him to proceed. 

Once the lid was removed, the person inside immediately opened her eyes, the red flame tattoo on her forehead glowed like a torch in the darkness. Even the fire that refused to be put out died out, allowing others to approach the cauldron that started to cool down.  

The water inside the cauldron was completely absorbed by Wan Ting, leaving the pot empty. The flames in her had dried the moisture from her body and clothes.

Even if Miss Wan was not a peerless beauty that could bring down a nation, she was still a beauty that would earn few glances. It was especially so with her current state where her silken hair was loose around her figure like a luxurious coat. Sitting motionless inside the cauldron, with only a layer of thin white robe, she looked like a bride that an immoral man had stolen for himself. 

There was something unusual about her, that even Heng Zhen Gan that originally had no interest in her as a woman felt she was attractive. Especially her dazed gaze, looking lost and waiting for someone to rescue her, managed to evoke the protective instincts in him.

If a man like Prince Heng whose heart was difficult to be stimulated, Liu Bing had no hope to resist at all before the damsel in distress.  

“Miss Wan, can you stand?” Liu Bing stretched out a hand for Wan Ting to grab. 

However, from the moment the lid was removed, Wan Ting had never turned to look at Liu Bing. Instead, her eyes were only on Prince Heng. From Liu Bing’s words, her dazed eyes finally show some signs of recognition, prompting her to move.

When Wan Ting finally moved, placing her palms onto the cauldron’s walls to help her stand up, Prince Heng said, “Be careful.”

Those that do not know would think he was telling it to Wan Ting as a form of concern, but he was also saying it to Liu Bing, warning him to stay alert. They do not know what the Shadow Tree Sect had done to Miss Wan and she was not acting like herself, if one does not believe she was actually scared and turned into a silly person. 

Wan Ting actually had just got back to her senses after winning against the Flame Spirit. She had completely absorbed its essence into her being, and it made her body feel heavy. There was only the desire to sleep it off, but seeing Prince Heng peering into the cauldron to look at her slowly has her mind cleared.

Once regaining her mind, she became very conscious of her current state. Her hair must be a mess from the rough handling by her kidnappers and who knew how much the ingredients and water had dirtied her body? A brief touch of her robe told her that it was dry, likely done by the fire outside the cauldron.

Her current appearance was improper and scandalous. It was even worse that her current state was seen by two gentlemen! Her mother will have a heart attack upon knowing this.

Seeing Sir Liu Bing was trying to help her out, her eyes flashed with inspiration as her heart was encouraging her to do something that will change her future forever. After successfully standing up inside the cauldron, Wan Ting threw herself onto Prince Heng, ignoring Sir Liu Bing’s outstretched hand.

Her move had successfully caught Prince Heng off-guard and he automatically held her waist to keep her upright. Their eyes met and he knew she was doing it on purpose, just as she knew he caught onto her scheme. 

But she did not regret it.

She could hear the loud noise of fighting outside and with many eyes on her, she would rather have the other party that will be involved in the rumour with her to be Prince Heng. 

From the side, Liu Bing stared at his teacher fearfully, wondering if he would shove Miss Wan away as he did to his female suitors. 

But Prince Heng did not push her away and even helped her out of the cauldron without speaking. After that, he even offered his outer robe to Miss Wan to wear. 

Whatever they wanted to say can be said after they leave this horrid place.