The Resentment Domain's method of harming people was basically to drag living bodies inside, make them go through the plot, and then have them die the same way.
The empress's leap from the city tower took only an instant. Within that brief window, the rescuer had to accurately determine which departed soul contained a living body.
Fortunately, at the very last moment, Jian Ran keenly caught a different expression on the empress's face. Only then was he able to throw himself forward and catch Nuo Xiaolan's wrist.
"Still not letting go?! Aren't you afraid I'll drag you down with me?!"
"Please, don't let go of me! I don't want to die yet!"
"Hahaha! Anyone who ruins my curse must die!"
"No-"
Jian Ran frowned. "Why do you two have so much crap to say?!"
"Brother Lu? Have you got the Talisman Paper out yet?!"
"Almost!" Lu Yanting fumbled behind him, his voice somewhat hoarse. "You hid it way too well."
On the inside of his thigh, of all places?!
Jian Ran blushed at that. "I had no choice. Anywhere else, it'd be too easy to spot. Hey, hey, hey, watch where you're touching! You..."
"Got it!" Lu Yanting handed over the Talisman Paper.
He really did want to feel him up a little longer, but the situation wouldn't allow it. That could wait until later.
Jian Ran took it with one hand, silently recited an incantation, and stuck the Talisman Paper onto the empress's face.
Golden light swiftly flared, enveloping her completely. The empress struggled violently, her face contorted, but suddenly, she froze. Her one exposed eye looked toward Jian Ran's other side.
"Y-Your Majesty?"
Nothing was worse than the air suddenly going quiet...
Jian Ran and Lu Yanting slowly turned their heads to the left at the same time.