144、Whale Watching

Breathing.

The soldiers chasing Chen Ji were far behind him now, and in the vast expanse of the world, it seemed only his breathing could be heard.

A gust of mountain wind suddenly howled past, and the last of the leaves on the dry branches of the trees flitted away from their twigs.

As Chen Ji ran, he couldn't help but glance sideways. He saw gray dead leaves dancing in the sky, coming straight towards him before being whisked by the wind past him, reminiscent of rain in the Jianghu night and of certain people and events.

He couldn't resist the urge to reach out to grab a leaf when, from the corner of his eye, a sharp black crossbow arrow shot towards him from behind, cutting through the wind and shattering leaves as it hurtled straight for Chen Ji.

The broken leaves scattered.

Chen Ji tilted his head slightly, allowing the crossbow arrow to embed itself in the tree trunk ahead with a thud, its tail feathers trembling ceaselessly.