The startled horses whinnied, forcing the moving caravan to halt right there.
The young drivers patted the horses’ backs to calm them, then slowly looked up with complex expressions at the group that had suddenly appeared on the road.
The burly men before them, wielding large blades, were clearly not to be trifled with. Especially their bald, scar-faced leader, who exuded a terrifying ferocity.
“Everyone off the wagons! Now!!”
The bald man at the front sneered at the caravan, one hand stroking the scar on his face, the other swinging his blade to strike the ground with a sharp clang.
“Boss, this looks like a traveler’s caravan, not one of those wealthy merchant convoys.”
“Look, they don’t even have guards, and their wagons are so shabby and run-down.”
The underling beside the bald man carefully examined the caravan, then leaned in to whisper in his ear.
This was nothing like the merchant convoys they’d encountered before. This caravan was just travelers from the countryside.
“I can see that too. These folks look like poor wretches from the village, trying to make it in the Imperial Capital.”
The bald man frowned unhappily as he glared at the assembled wagons.
Tch, what rotten luck. Of all people to rob, it had to be these penniless peasants.
“Um... sir... we’re all commoners from a mountain village, heading to the Imperial Capital to make our way...”
“We don’t have much money. We’ll give you all we have, sir. Please, show us mercy...”
A man who looked about thirty approached the bald thug shakily, speaking earnestly.
This group was willing to hand over all their money, just begging to be spared.
“Hah? What nonsense are you spouting? Get everyone off the wagons now!!”
“Gather everyone here! Hurry up! My patience is limited. Don’t make me do this myself.”
The bald thug hefted his blade, his face twisted into a cold, sinister grin.
These beggars shouldn’t push him. When he acted, he was utterly ruthless.
“O-okay...”
The man’s face fell when he realized the thug had no intention of negotiating.
Clearly, these bandits had no plans to let them go easily. This was bad...
---
“Oh no! Young master, miss, you two should run! I’ll cover for you.”
“Those bandits won’t let us go easily. Especially you, young master, and this beautiful miss beside you—if she falls into their hands...”
The youth sitting on the wagon quickly turned to Mu Yi and Aiva, who were seated on a hay bale.
His face, usually tanned, had turned pale with fear, his furrowed brows etched with anxiety.
“Young master! Are you even listening to me?!!”
“Run! Don’t just stand there! If you wait, it’ll be too late!”
Seeing they remained unmoved, the youth jumped onto the hay bale and pushed Mu Yi’s shoulder, urging him.
Was he to call them calm and collected, or just thick-skinned? How could they show no tension at all?
“Why don’t you run with us?”
Mu Yi snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at the kind-hearted youth before him.
At such a critical moment, he was thinking of others’ safety, not his own. This kid was too kind for his own good.
“My friends are up ahead. We’re from the same village. I can’t abandon them.”
“But you’re different, young master. Those bandits won’t trouble poor folks like us much, but if they find you...”
The youth glanced at the commoners disembarking ahead.
Damn, there was no time left. It would be their turn soon.
“You really are kind. But don’t worry. Those bandits aren’t what you think. Look over there...”
Mu Yi took the youth’s hand off his shoulder and pointed to the mysterious figure in a black robe who had just stepped down from the third wagon.
If all went well, that mysterious figure would soon be saving these bandits...
...
...
...
“Line up here in a row! I have something to say.”
The bald thug scanned the shabbily dressed, spiritless commoners, his scarred face twisted with displeasure.
What kind of people were these? Their ragged appearance was infuriating to look at.
“Hey, you little girl over there! Get over here now.”
Seeing the little girl with twin tails shrink back fearfully, the thug’s face darkened.
He roared and strode toward her, reaching out to grab her collar.
“Mommy! A monster! Waaah!!!”
The little girl burst into tears at the sight of the thug’s terrifying scarred face.
Her lips quivered, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the ground, huge tears streaming down her face.
“Ah, don’t cry, kid! I just wanted you to stand over there!!”
Seeing the girl break down in tears, the thug panicked. His fearsome aura vanished instantly, replaced by flustered confusion.
Damn! I didn’t do anything! Why are you crying? I can’t stand seeing little girls cry!
Don’t cry! I’ll give you candy, okay? All the candy’s yours!
Thinking this, the thug quickly raised his blade and fumbled in his right pocket with his left hand for candy.
“Ahhh! Murder!!”
“Eeek!!!”
“He won’t even spare a child! He’s the scum of the scum!! Let’s get him!!”
Though the thug only meant to find candy for the girl, his raised blade looked exactly like an executioner about to strike.
He was so cruel he wouldn’t spare a little girl. This bandit was no human being!!!
“Everyone, charge! Let’s take this beast down!!”
Several hot-headed young men roared in anger at the sight of the trembling girl under the blade.
Rolling up their sleeves, they charged at the thug! They couldn’t let that beast kill the little girl before their eyes!!
“Ah-ha! Found it!!”
The thug happily pulled his left hand from his pocket, a neatly wrapped candy resting in his palm.
Now, he could finally soothe this crying little gi...
Whoosh!
The mysterious figure in the black robe shot forward like a ghostly shadow, instantly overtaking the charging youths.
“Huh?”
The thug stared blankly at the black-clad figure suddenly before him, unable to process what was happening.
“Die, beast.”
A cold female voice came from under the robe. A snow-white, shapely leg flashed out, slamming straight into the thug’s face...
