Error was something that could never be fully eliminated. Every study since ancient times had proven this. People could only strive to approach the truth, never fully reach it.
So when Li Scar saw his fist caught mid-swing, he began questioning if some "margin of error" existed in his own actions.
Had he held back? Or had Shen Yuan Yuhu pulled some trick in that split second...
But no matter how he pondered it, no answer came. Every question he posed was shot down within milliseconds—a bitter mockery of his own doubt.
Yes. He couldn’t explain what he’d just witnessed. Couldn’t force himself to believe it. Everything had happened too suddenly.
"Kid. Who *are* you?"
For one thing, the long black-haired figure before him didn’t register as female at first glance.
Even though Bai Ming had indeed caught his punch, saving face demanded he assume this was a man.
"Must I say who I am...?"
But contrary to Li Scar’s expectations, the black-haired man casually reached out with his free hand to rub his own forehead—even while still gripping Li Scar’s fist.
As relaxed as if he were at home. Utterly dismissive of the attack just moments ago.
"Hey—"
Li Scar tried wrenching his arm free. Then froze. He couldn’t.
Couldn’t because his shoulder was dislocated. It had happened in an instant—so fast his nerves hadn’t even registered the pain yet.
*When...?*
Yet he didn’t panic over his dislocated arm. Didn’t flinch from this unfathomable man. Li Scar’s mind fixated on one thing only: escaping this mall.
Options flashed through his head: One, kill this man and Shen Yuan Yuhu behind him, then kidnap the boy. Two, eliminate them all.
The second option was a last resort. No one courted that kind of risk willingly.
So only one path remained: take down this guy in front of him.
"Fine. If you won’t speak, stay silent forever."
Li Scar raised his other fist. A violent vortex swirled around his body. His feet slammed into the floor like drills.
"Don’t know how you managed it last time. But luck won’t save you now."
He settled on the simplest explanation: luck.
Yes. He was certain no one here could’ve caught that punch—not even that hated "Hero" outside. If someone *had*... only luck could explain it.
"Die—"
His words choked off as his body convulsed violently. Agony surged through him like a storm wave, hurling him backward.
"Gwaaah—!"
A 178-pound man, towering like a mountain, flew through the air...
Li Scar skidded dozens of meters across the floor before slamming into a wall. Concrete and rebar shattered as he crashed into the next room.
It all happened in a blink. Not even Shen Yuan Yuhu—cradling the boy behind Bai Ming—had seen the movement. One moment Li Scar stood there; the next, he was gone.
"Bai... Bai Ming?"
Shen Yuan Yuhu gaped, still holding the trembling boy. She recognized him instantly...
"How did you—"
"Get that kid out of here first. Okay?"
"Oh..."
Startled by Bai Ming’s reminder, Shen Yuan Yuhu glanced down at the boy in her arms.
"Sis... Sister... will we... be okay...?"
Li Scar’s killing intent had terrified him. The boy’s face was ghostly pale, his body shaking. Blood trickled from his bitten lip, dripping onto his shirt.
"What’s your name, little one?"
"A-An Youta."
"Alright, Youta. It’s dangerous here. Go back to your mom, okay?"
In moments, Shen Yuan Yuhu—battered but determined—had carried Youta to the exit. She stroked his head, her fox ears twitching gently like beckoning hands.
"But Sister, you—"
"I’ll be fine. I’m a ‘Hero,’ remember?"
"...Mhm!"
With that reassurance, she turned. Seeing Bai Ming still standing alone, Shen Yuan Yuhu knew she couldn’t delay.
"Youta! Youta!"
A woman—Youta’s mother—broke past police lines and sprinted toward them.
"Youta! Are you hurt? Are you alright?"
She frantically caressed his face. Her swollen, tear-streaked eyes betrayed raw desperation. Kneeling, she crushed him to her chest, nails digging into his clothes as if he might vanish.
"Thank you... thank you so much..."
Her voice, hoarse from sobbing, poured gratitude toward the bloodied girl who’d saved her child. The mix of grief and relief tightened Shen Yuan Yuhu’s chest.
"Just doing our duty."
Blood still seeping from the corner of her mouth, Shen Yuan Yuhu gave a polite nod. Then she pushed herself up and ran—without looking back—toward where Bai Ming stood.
