I alone am the Honoured One! - Chapter 736

Chapter 736: A moment of warmth in the cold
Xia Shenyi stood still for a moment, staring at the silver mark on her hand.

She had been trapped within the artifact for so long that the realization she could finally leave felt surreal.

Her gaze shifted to Zhao Tian, who sat silently.

His presence had always been unwavering, but now there was a hollowness in his eyes, an exhaustion that went beyond mere fatigue.

She took a step forward and her fingers lightly curled around his wrist “Come,” she said softly.

Zhao Tian turned his head slightly, glancing at her. “Where?”

“To the lake. First bathe before you can eat.”

At first, he didn’t respond, but as she gently pulled on his wrist, he let out a small sigh and stood up, following her without resistance.

The other women watched but didn’t stop them, understanding that Xia Shenyi was perhaps the best person to be by his side right now.

They walked in silence as the path to the lake was illuminated by the soft glow of the artifact’s artificial sky.

When they finally reached the lake’s edge, Xia Shenyi let go of his hand and turned to face him.

“You need to bathe…”

Xia Shenyi didn’t wait for his response.

She reached for the sash of her robe, untying it with a single motion.

The fabric loosened, slipping off her shoulders and pooling around her feet.

She quickly became naked and walked to him.

She stepped forward, reaching for him.

“Lift your arms.”

He hesitated “Shenyi…”

“Let me take care of you.”

The softness in her voice, made it impossible for him to refuse.

He let out another breath and raised his arms slightly.

Xia Shenyi moved and undid his outer robe first.

The heavy fabric slid off his shoulders, revealing his sculpted torso marred with scars.

She moved closer, her fingertips grazing against his skin as she worked to remove his inner garments.

Zhao Tian didn’t resist as she guided him out of his clothing, piece by piece, until he stood just as bare as she was.

She took his hand again as her fingers intertwined with his and led him into the water.

The lake’s surface rippled as they stepped in and the coolness send a shiver down Zhao Tian’s spine.

He hadn’t realized how much tension had built up in his body until the water began to ease it away.

Xia Shenyi moved in front of him, dipping her hands into the water before gently cupping some and pouring it over his shoulders.

Droplets trailed down his skin, catching the faint light like scattered stars.

“Close your eyes,” she murmured.

He did as she asked, and she reached for a cloth, soaking it before running it gently over his chest, down his arms, across his back.

Zhao Tian stood still, allowing her to cleanse him.

It was the first time in days that he felt something other than the heavy numbness pressing down on him.

After a while, Xia Shenyi reached up, cupping his face.

His eyes opened slightly, meeting her black eyes.

He stared at her for a long moment, then slowly, almost hesitantly, he lifted a hand and placed it over hers, pressing her palm against his cheek.

She leaned forward and gently pecked his lips “How do you feel now?”

With a faint nod, he replied “Better…”

Before he could respond, she reached down, taking his hands in hers, and slowly guided him deeper into the lake.

She moved closer and the faint brush of her skin send shivers through both of them.

Xia Shenyi reached for the cloth again, dipping it into the lake before pressing it against his chest.

Her touch was gentle, as she slowly ran the cloth down his body.

Her fingers brushed against the scars marking his skin, and her heart ached at the sight of them.

“You’re so tense,” she whispered, her hands pressing lightly against his shoulders.

Her grip on the cloth tightened before letting the cloth slip from her fingers and disappear beneath the water.

Then, without warning, she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her bare body against his.

Their skin met and Zhao Tian felt her warmth, which was a contrast to the cold body he was hugging for days.

Zhao Tian stiffened slightly, and his hands hovered uncertainly in the air, but then, as if something within him finally gave way, he exhaled deeply and pulled her even closer, crushing her against his chest.

Xia Shenyi could feel the desperation in his embrace and the way his fingers dug into her back, as if afraid she would disappear.

She held him just as tightly, her cheek resting against his shoulder, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“You don’t have to say anything,” she whispered, her lips brushing against his damp skin.

“Just let me be here for you.”

Zhao Tian’s grip tightened around her waist. “Shenyi…”

She pulled back slightly, just enough to meet his gaze.

Without hesitation, she leaned in, capturing his lips in a deep kiss.

Zhao Tian responded instantly and pulled her impossibly close.

Their bodies pressed together and water cascaded down their skin as the kiss deepened.

Xia Shenyi’s fingers tangled in his wet hair, pulling him closer, refusing to let go.

Zhao Tian let out a husky breath against her lips and his hands slid down her waist.

However, just as Zhao Tian was about to lose himself in the warmth of Xia Shenyi’s embrace…

The lifeless eye of Yao Jing staring at him appeared in his mind.

Those beautiful eyes, once filled with warmth and affection for him… were now empty

‘No…’

‘No.. Jing’er.’

His breath hitched and his fingers trembled against Xia Shenyi’s skin.

Suddenly he pulled back from the kiss and his chest rose up and down in grief “Haa… Haa…”

“Tian?”

Xia Shenyi was startled as he suddenly broke the kiss and looked at his face as he clutched his forehead in pain.

Seeing him like this, her heart clenched in pain ‘Seems like he is still not over it…’

Xia Shenyi bit her lip, feeling helpless.

But she refused to let him suffer alone.

Stepping forward, she reached out once more, and this time more gently.

“Tian,” she called softly, her voice laced with warmth.

Zhao Tian barely registered it.

His thoughts were spiraling… memories of that moment, of that battlefield, of Yao Jing lying lifeless in his arms.

My fault.

My fault.

My fault.

If only I was stronger…

A sudden warmth wrapped around him pulling him out of his thoughts.

Xia Shenyi pulled him in for a deep hug.

“Tian, you’re not alone,”

“You don’t have to pretend you’re fine.”

“I know it hurts,” she murmured against his shoulder.

“I know you blame yourself. But please, don’t push us away.”

Xia Shenyi ran her fingers through his wet hair and pressed a gentle kiss on his forehead.

“Yao Jing wouldn’t want you to suffer like this,” she whispered against his skin.

“She loved you, Tian. And love is not meant to be a burden.”

Zhao Tian closed his eyes tightly, and his heart ached.

But he gritted his teeth and let out a deep sigh as he hugged her back.

“Shenyi…”

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