Chapter Twenty: Malice from the Strong

Chen Yi, supporting his weak frame, approached the two henchmen and rifled through their collars and cuffs.

Lin Xueru hid nearby, wanting to watch but afraid of the corpses and bloodstains on the ground, timidly asking, "Brother Yi, aren’t you afraid?"

"Afraid, yes, but fear can't make me forget to search for the spoils," Chen Yi replied perfunctorily, his tone tinged with disappointment.

He only found two money pouches on the henchmen, failing to uncover the letters or documents he sought.

Indeed, considering Zhou Wanyi’s cautiousness, it was impossible she would leave such obvious evidence behind.

Still, this method of abducting him from the capital without killing him was very much in line with Madam Da’s usual style.

Chen Yi couldn’t understand—what about his existence was such a hindrance to Madam Da?

"The spoils," Lin Xueru quickly glanced at him, "are you referring to the money?"

"Yes and no," Chen Yi composed himself and took her hand, heading towards the capital.

As they walked, he instructed, "When dealing with villains, it’s not enough to just kill them; you must also learn to make use of what they leave behind."

"Like these two pouches of money—if left on them, countless people would suffer and weep, but if I take it, it’s different."

At this, Chen Yi looked at her seriously.

"I’ll use this money to buy your favorite pastries!"

Lin Xueru, still pondering what was different, was caught off guard by this and froze.

Once she registered his words, she burst into laughter, her face lighting up with a sweet smile, dimples adorably showing.

"Brother Yi, you’re so kind, just like my second brother."

"Of course, we’re both your brothers!"

On the way back, Chen Yi kept telling jokes to prevent the earlier scene of bloodshed from casting a shadow over Lin Xueru’s heart.

After all, she was just a three-year-old child, unlike him—a young man in his twenties trapped in a small body.

Not long after the two children left, a hunched figure in black appeared beside the henchmen’s corpses.

With murky, dull eyes, he surveyed the "battlefield."

"A swordsman, huh?"

The black-clad man lightly waved his hand, stirring a breeze that swept over the bodies.

The strong stench of blood diminished as three faint afterimages appeared in the air—replaying the battle that lasted only a minute.

"Two sword strikes to the neck—no, wait, three."

His gaze fell on the dagger not far off. With a flick of his wrist, the breeze carried the dagger into his hand.

He ran his index finger over the sword marks on the blade, carefully sensing something.

After a long moment, he sighed, "The vitality of the little beast is great… cough, to actually meet a swordsman just beginning to grasp the path here…"

The black-robed figure sighed, identified a direction, and then his body dissolved like a bubble.

His speed was even faster than that of the mad old man.

……

In the silent forest, through the bare branches, starlight and a full moon cast silver light, dispelling the surrounding gloom.

Lin Xueru smiled for a while, then squeezed Chen Yi’s hand tightly and whispered, "Brother Yi, the blessings from our ancestors on these ritual objects can’t awaken sword energy; sword cultivation is necessary."

Chen Yi paused, then smiled, "I know, so this is our little secret, right?"

"A secret? We can’t tell anyone else?"

"Yes, not even your parents. If they ask, just say we both fainted."

"Oh."

Lin Xueru thought for a moment, her little face troubled, then hesitantly asked, "Then, Brother Yi, do you still want me to protect you?"

Seeing her anxious expression, Chen Yi chuckled softly, feeling a warmth in his heart.

The little girl was afraid his strength wasn’t enough and worried he’d no longer need protection.

Thinking this, he wiggled his pinky finger and smiled, "A pinky promise counts, of course."

Lin Xueru finally smiled, her eyes curved like the moon—beautiful.

"Then, Brother Yi, when I grow up, I’ll protect you just like you protect me."

"Mm-hmm, I’m looking forward to that day..."

After walking for an unknown length of time, Chen Yi spotted flickering lights atop the outer walls of the capital and breathed a sigh of relief.

Along the way, it was impossible to say he wasn’t afraid.

Fortunately, the mad old man took the money and left, and the henchmen did not pursue.

Just as he was thinking this, a translucent screen suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[You are oppressed by the might of Heaven and Earth; your body grows sluggish.]

[You have been maliciously targeted by a powerful enemy; Counterattack Points +10.]

As the words appeared, a suffocating pressure descended on Chen Yi.

His eyes widened sharply—malicious intent from a strong adversary? The might of Heaven and Earth?

"Yi, bro, bro?"

Lin Xueru’s voice was faint and slow in his ears, as though an invisible barrier had formed between them.

Under that oppressive force, time seemed to slow, and the surroundings fell silent.

Only his own slow, pounding heartbeat was audible.

Chen Yi gritted his teeth, forcing his already weak body to endure. His handsome face flushed crimson.

Despite this, he resisted the terrifying pressure, slowly turning his neck, trying to locate the one who attacked him.

"Who—who is it!?"

With a low roar, he caught sight of a pair of eyes—a pair filled with authority yet slightly clouded.

He could even discern the cold killing intent within those eyes, mingled with hesitation and regret.

Faintly, an old, hoarse voice whispered the word "Regrettable."

Then, Chen Yi felt the pressure on his body suddenly lessen and he collapsed to the ground.

Beside him, Lin Xueru, alarmed, called out anxiously, "Brother Yi, what’s wrong? Don’t scare Xueru."

"I’m fine," Chen Yi gasped, his voice dry and hoarse.

His small hands supported him on the ground; sweat soaked his face and body.

"I—I thought you..." Lin Xueru’s eyes brimmed with tears, clearly frightened by his state.

"Yi’er, Xueru?"

Just as Chen Yi wanted to comfort her further, a slightly anxious voice came from nearby.

They both looked up.

Lin Xueru recognized the figure and beamed, then pouted and ran forward. "Father..."

Father?

Was it Duke Xingguo, Lin Hansong?

Knowing their rescuer had arrived, Chen Yi finally relaxed and sat down heavily.

Yet in his mind lingered those eyes and the hoarse, old voice saying "Regrettable."

Regrettable that they couldn’t kill me?

It seemed the sudden appearance of Duke Xingguo had scared that person off...

"Can you still walk, Yi’er?"

Chen Yi came back to himself, saw Duke Xingguo holding Lin Xueru, and nodded weakly.

"Then let’s go. Your family is waiting for you at home. We can talk about everything there."

"Mm."

On the way back, Chen Yi remained silent.

This was the first time he truly faced a life-or-death crisis.

Even when poisoned before, because the toxins weren’t fatal and combined with his sword cultivation, he never thought he would die.

But this time was different—the attacker wanted to kill him and possessed overwhelming power that left him defenseless.

Realizing this, Chen Yi repeatedly recalled that pair of eyes and that voice, as if to engrave them into his heart.

He remembered Duke Xingguo’s rescue and the identity of the assailant.

To return kindness with kindness, to repay hatred with hatred—this was his creed!

PS: Thanks to Jia Ce and Bacaraka Meow for your generous support. Your humble servant, Lao Ba, bows in gratitude!