Finally leaving the academy, Luo Yu strode straight down the central avenue.
She didn’t head straight out of the city. Instead, she went to the suburbs, stopping beside a horse-breeding yard. She knocked lightly on the gate.
Soon, a young, sturdy man in worn homespun clothes emerged.
His furrowed brow smoothed as he noticed the pretty girl waiting at the gate. "Little miss, what can I do for you?"
"Who you calling 'little miss'?"
Luo Yu scowled, grabbing the plaque hanging from her neck and shaking it forcefully. "See this? Only Highborn Demons get these precious tags. You’ll call me Lady Luo Yu. Got it?"
"..." He stepped closer, pinching the plaque to examine it roughly. His expression shifted. "Highborn Demon, huh? Though these haven’t meant much for decades. Even Demon King’s Army grunts can snag one through connections now."
"Minnow uncle really has zero eye for quality," Luo Yu sneered, snatching the plaque back. She planted her hands on her hips. "Listen up, minnow! From now on, you call me Lady Luo Yu whenever you see me. Understand? Or I’ll tear this shabby yard down. Got it?"
"..." The young man raised an eyebrow, spreading his hands. "Alright then, *Lady* Luo Yu. What does a commoner like me have to do for you?"
"I’m going to Lan City. Your carriage will take me there."
"Oh?" He yawned, jerking his chin toward the darkening sky. "In a hurry? It’s nearly dusk."
"Leave now. Saddle the horses. Do you even want business?"
"Yes, yes."
They set off quickly. Luo Yu waited only a moment at the gate before the man emerged, leading two chestnut horses.
He hitched the carriage, gave the horses’ backs a light pat, then turned to Luo Yu. "By the way, little miss—do you have coin?"
"I’ve got plenty of money, old woman!" Luo Yu hopped onto the carriage first, then waved a coin purse pulled from her chest. "And minnow—call me *Lady*. Understood?"
"...Right. Lan City. It’s a night’s journey."
"GKD!" Luo Yu suddenly shrieked, her voice shrill and childish. "Peasant! At your age, how can you move so slow? If I were you, I’d be too anxious to sleep!"
"Got it, got it."
"Hmph." Luo Yu lifted her chin haughtily, plopping herself onto the driver’s seat with swagger.
"So *this* is how nobles feel?" She stared at her own hands in surprise, relishing the thrill of ordering others around. "Heh... Soon everyone will call me Lady Luo Yu. Ahahahaha..."
Man: "..."
Her laughter cut off as she noticed the man still standing beside the carriage. She frowned. "Minnow! Why aren’t you up here yet?"
"Well... you’re sitting in my seat."
"Oh." Her butt slid off the driver’s bench. She ducked into the carriage cabin, shouting, "Useless! Reporting such trivial things to Lady Luo Yu!"
Man: "..."
Finally, as the moon rose, the carriage wheels began to turn.
Once beyond the city walls, the rocky road jolted the cabin. Luo Yu couldn’t sleep, bouncing up and down until she sat upright, arms crossed, lost in thought.
She pressed fingers to her lips, teeth clenched, trying to muffle any sound.
Slowly, soft sobs seeped from the cabin.
The man driving ahead noticed. He smiled but said nothing, urging the horses onward for a long while.
When the crying finally faded, he gently pulled the reins, slowing the carriage to a stop.
In the night, he fetched a lantern from the storage box, lit it, and slipped into Luo Yu’s cabin.
He held the lantern close to her face. She was deeply asleep, unaware. His breathing quickened.
Flickering light revealed her dewy, flawless skin—except for four scars on her right cheek. Still, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Barely a teenager, her figure was perfectly formed. Her uniform strained against her chest, and her white-stockinged thighs radiated temptation. Only her slight thinness hinted at past malnourishment.
"This mouthy brat deserves what’s coming..."
He cursed silently, eyes glued to her body, swallowing hard.
He lifted Luo Yu from the carriage, laying her flat on the ground. Then he climbed back for dry firewood.
Once the campfire crackled to life, warmth flooded him. "No wolves will ruin my fun now," he muttered eagerly.
Rubbing his hands, he crept toward the girl, untying his trousers. His gaze devoured her form, drool pooling in his mouth.
His fingers fumbled with the buttons of her uniform, anticipation building like opening treasure.
But halfway through unbuttoning her jacket, he froze.
Two tears slipped from her tightly shut eyes.
Luo Yu’s fingers twitched unconsciously, brushing his hand away. She curled into a tight ball, whispering sobs as tears streamed steadily down her cheeks.
Soft. Unceasing.
"Tch." The man chuckled. "Who cries in their sleep? Scared me for nothing. Even if she wakes, she’s just a weak kid. I’ll handle her easily."
He reached again, ready to force his way—
Then his hand jerked back.
In the dim firelight and lantern glow, he saw something impossible.
The scarred skin on her face was healing. *Impossibly fast*.
No medicine. No magic. The scabs flaked away rapidly as torn flesh knitted itself back together. Her cheek became smooth, perfect.
"How...?!"
He scrambled backward, collapsing onto the dirt.
At that moment, Luo Yu’s eyes snapped open.
She scanned the dark surroundings, staring blankly at the campfire for a long while.
Then she looked down.
Her unbuttoned jacket. Exposed stomach. Bare navel.
Her head snapped up.
Her gaze—sharp with alertness—locked onto the man still gaping at her in horror.
