The big man’s eye twitched, staring at me like I was a monster. After a while, he coldly spat out two words: “No way!”
I opened my eyes wide: “Uncle, I’ll do it! Our teacher said that thinking is useless; you must take action!”
“What big words from a little girl!” An elder in his sixties walked out, wearing a blue robe. He held a judge’s pen, his eyes sharp. “Want to save someone? You’ll have to get past me first! Such a pretty girl, we can’t let you get hurt. I’ll let you have three moves. If you can hurt me, you can take the person away. If not, please leave quickly.”
I curved my lips. The Cold Family Fortress is not without heroic figures, and the people here are mostly upright. This elder offers three moves, suggesting confidence and elegance. I suddenly had a good impression of the fortress. Of course, if the fortress master is also a handsome guy… I smiled wickedly.
So I turned my sorrow into appetite, eating four days’ worth of honey cakes, almost becoming one myself. Since then, I’ve felt nauseous at the sight of them. It’s all the fault of beauty!
Four days later, I finally got the doctor’s nod to enter the room and rushed in excitedly. Those behind me outside the door heard me shout, “My beauty~~I’m coming—Ahhhhhhh—”
Inside, I found a woman crying dramatically, shaking heaven and earth. Upon inquiry, I learned the beautiful man was gone!
After several days of comfort from various husbands, I pulled myself together. I will go to Cold Family Fortress, investigate everything about this ungrateful man, and confront him—uh, that sounds shameless! He will know the consequences of offending Hua Xiaoxin!
Hmph, Xiaoxin is angry, and the consequences are severe!
[047] Snatching a Beauty
“Just ahead is Cold Family Fortress, so we can’t proceed conveniently. It’s better for the guest to rest here for a day, recover some energy, buy good horses, and set out for Cold Family Fortress tomorrow,” our guide explained. It seems I accidentally hired a carriage and a guide and traveled sightseeing all the way for a month.
“What’s interesting in this town? I mean, local specialties?”
“I had a burlap sack in my left hand and another in my right, my eyes sparkling. The last town’s specialty was Hami melon, before that it was grapes, then yellow wine, and before that…
“People and horses,” the guide said expressionlessly.
Bang, bang, bang!
Three rhythmic sounds rang out, and I turned to see three men falling to the ground.
“What are you doing? Worshipping a god? I know in your hearts I’m a goddess, but you don’t need to be so ceremonious—quickly rise!” I ended with a theatrical tone.
“He looks quite untamed…” Xiao Yinyin rubbed her temples in distress. Spending every day with such a ferocious guy would be exhausting, always on guard against being bitten.
“We’ve gone to the wrong market! This is the western town!” Xiao Chen stomped her foot angrily. After so much along the way, even the best temper would be tested, making her seem more human, no longer like an immortal.
“Ah—we went in the wrong direction?” I was stunned, then scratched my head and laughed foolishly. Caught up in the excitement, I ran too quickly without looking carefully.
“Should we go back?” Feng Qingyun sighed with relief, but then realized there was no response and curiously made a “Hm?” sound.
“Do you think that’s possible?” Xiao Zizi gestured for him to look ahead.
“Make way, make way!”
“I pushed left and right, jumping occasionally, just to catch a glimpse of those above. On the platform, a row of barbarian slaves knelt, both men and women, their lowered heads obscuring their faces, though their fiery red hair caught my attention.
A large hand lifted me up, giving me an unobstructed view. It was Feng Qingyun. I blew him a kiss and looked up at the platform.
The slave trader was pulling a thin male’s red hair, revealing a fair face: “Look, top-quality goods! Trained and docile, perfect for farm laborers or bed warmers!” His words provoked an ambiguous, laughing response from below.
How despicable; beautiful people should be treasured, not insulted! I was upset but soon noticed a spot of black. A boy lay at the edge, contrasting sharply amid the sea of red—a flower withered without water, barely alive, just lying quietly.
Influenced by the slave trader’s pitch, most of the red-haired slaves were soon sold, leaving only the black-haired boy and a few old, thin slaves.”
The slave trader grabbed the boy’s long hair, exposing his beautiful face, and shouted, “Look, such good merchandise! Once missed, it’s gone! When past this village, there’s no next shop!”
The crowd shook their heads regretfully: “What use is a dead one? Take him home for a memorial tablet!”
“Who says he’s dead! He’s doing fine!” The slave trader retorted, then threw the boy to the ground and stomped on his arm, causing the crack of breaking bone and a muffled groan.
“See! He’s groaning, just sleeping!” The slave trader’s malice grew. Consumed by anger, I acted without thinking.
“Ah—” The trader screamed as he flew backward onto the platform, crashing through it. The wooden pillars fell with a crackle, landing on him and raising a cloud of dust. He remained unresponsive, stunned by the blow.
“Oh my! Run! Heaven is striking him down!” Onlookers shouted, scattering in all directions.
Suddenly, I noticed the once-crowded scene was now empty, with only a few abandoned shoes and a couple of injured people groaning on the ground.
Suddenly, the world felt cleaner and emptier, leaving only the four of us standing.
I raised my head proudly and moved forward to carry the beauty. However, when I tried to grab him, I couldn’t pull him. I stepped back helplessly and looked at Xiao Zizi.
Ouyang Zichen had been smiling at the crowd, but when he caught someone’s gaze, he avoided looking in their direction.
I turned to Xiao Yinyin, who obediently carried the beauty away without a word. The three of us sighed: another companion added to our group.
Wuchen tugged at my sleeve: “Xiao Xin… aren’t we robbing?”
“…
You!” The young man’s eyes flashed with anger, but he quickly calmed down. He stepped forward gracefully: “Thank you, female hero, for saving my life. Yi Qing – I want to repay your kindness by offering myself, to serve you like an ox or a horse!”
“Good, good,” Hua Xiaoxin laughed. Another beauty was in her hands! She thought, how could she possibly be ignored?
“Ah—um—” Hua Xiaoxin was stunned. Are modern beauties this passionate? Shouldn’t they get to know each other first? This wild region isn’t so wild after all; it’s quite modern and open.
Thinking about it, overwhelmed by her heroic demeanor and beauty, Hua Xiaoxin responded without hesitation.
Her answer made Yi Qing pause; her face turned crimson. With determination, she carried Hua Xiaoxin from the table to the bed.
Thrown onto the bed, Hua Xiaoxin was dazed. Although she didn’t mind a beauty throwing herself at her, they had no emotional foundation—this wasn’t right!
As Hua Xiaoxin was about to object, Yi Qing pinned her down. Panic set in; she didn’t want this! Although she was lustful and wanted to possess a beautiful man, not like this! Hua Xiaoxin struggled: “No!”
But it was too late. A knife was thrust into her chest, blooming a seductive blood rose. Hua Xiaoxin’s eyes widened, meeting a pair of equally panicked eyes.
Yi Qing was also in shock. Had she misunderstood? How could this happen? She thought Hua Xiaoxin was like those shameless people who seduce royal brothers and had picked up the fruit knife on the table—
Did she do wrong? Yi Qing stared blankly at her hands.
Hua Xiaoxin watched the blood rose bloom on her chest, her strength draining until she could barely keep her eyes open, just wanting to drift off to sleep. Her red lips parted slightly, and she closed her eyes.
