Dawn broke.
The villagers, still shaken to the core, were clearing away the bandits' corpses and the snow stained red with blood.
What had happened last night would remain unforgettable for the rest of their lives—especially the feat of that armored man who had suddenly appeared and wiped out so many bandits.
The child called Xiaohu stood at the window, stretching up on tiptoe to peer inside, only for his mother to drag him away by the ear.
Uncle Guo, who had originally been wounded, was now squatting by the doorway and drinking strong liquor.
It was strange, really. Yesterday, he had thought he was surely doomed, but after taking a medicinal pill, his body had swiftly healed. Now, he was completely fine.
Inside the room.
Sister Qiao'er stood there at a loss.
Before her, the armored man had removed his mask.
It was Li Qingyang.
After leaving Little Cold Village, he had returned.
To be precise.
He could not let go of the woman he loved.
"Brother Qingyang..." Sister Qiao'er said, "Why are you in Northeast Luzhou?"
Li Qingyang turned around and looked at her. "That is what I should be asking you."
Sister Qiao'er did not dare meet his gaze. She lowered her head slightly and stammered, "I... I came to seek shelter with distant relatives."
The lie was far too clumsy.
Li Qingyang walked over and placed both hands on her fragrant shoulders. In a solemn voice, he said, "Come back to Southwest Yang Province with me. Come back to the Eternal Sect with me."
After experiencing the bandit attack, he had realized that it was simply too dangerous for a weak woman to live outside on her own. If he brought her back to the sect, the Sect Master surely would not refuse.
"I..."
Sister Qiao'er