Mysterious Little Loli

The forest was silent. Looking up, sunlight filtered through the canopy, twinkling like stars in the sky. It was dazzling, yet crystal clear and beautiful, exuding an unfathomable tranquility.

A wild rabbit, hiding beneath the bushes, cautiously surveyed its surroundings with timid eyes. It remained alert to potential dangers while also appreciating the scenery.

On the main road where the rabbit grazed, a carriage slowly emerged from the path ahead.

"Miss, we're almost at Wutan City. It'll only take another half hour before we enter!"

The coachman, a middle-aged man, glanced back at his passenger. His eyes, however, darted nervously to the surrounding bushes like a cornered rat.

Sensing the coachman's tension, a melodious voice, like a warbler's song, came from inside the carriage.

"Uncle, what's wrong?"

The passenger inside seemed young, her voice filled with a childlike innocence.

"Miss, this place is called Luofeng Slope. It's the only way into Wutan City. Normally, there wouldn't be any problems. But I heard bandits have been appearing here recently. It's broad daylight, I just hope we don't have the bad luck of running into them!"

The coachman prayed inwardly, his anxious gaze scanning the bushes on either side like the vigilant rabbit.

However, just as the coachman finished speaking, the rabbit grazing ahead was startled and darted back into the bushes.

"Huh?"

The coachman frowned. Immediately, eight youths emerged from the surrounding bushes.

Four in front and four behind, they blocked the carriage's path and its retreat.

"This road belongs to me, this tree was planted by me. If you want to pass, leave your toll!"

The leader, a youth, slammed his spear onto the ground, his sharp eyes fixed on the coachman. He sneered, "Less nonsense, ten gold coins per head!"

"Ten coins?"

The coachman's face darkened. Ten gold coins could support a family of four for an entire year. Not only could he not afford it, but even if he could, he would never part with it!

Ten gold coins was his entire year's hard-earned income!

"Damn it, we actually ran into these cursed bastards!"

The coachman's expression grew grave. He whispered to the carriage, "Miss, hold on tight, we're going to charge through! Once we're in Wutan City, we'll be safe."

He flicked the reins, whipping the horses fiercely. The startled horses bolted, galloping forward like flying swallows, kicking up clouds of dust.

At such a rapid speed, the bandits blocking the road scattered, dodging aside. Only the scarred bandit with the spear didn't move, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

Seeing this, the coachman, seemingly experienced with such encounters, produced a silver needle from somewhere. He then… he actually plunged it fiercely into the horse's hindquarters.

Hiss!

The horse, stung by the needle, widened its eyes in pain. It didn't care about any obstacles ahead, its speed increasing as it charged madly forward, going berserk.

"Trying to run?"

The scarred bandit leader's lips curled slightly. He showed no fear as he watched the startled carriage. When it reached him, he sidestepped with incredible agility, narrowly avoiding the charging horse.

Then, the scarred bandit swung his silver spear. The galloping horse's front leg was struck, and it stumbled before falling to the ground. The entire carriage behind it overturned.

"Ugh!"

The coachman gasped, stunned by what he witnessed. His usually effective method had failed today. He looked at the horse, its front leg severed by the scarred bandit's silver spear, lying on the ground twitching.

"Say it again, hand over ten gold coins. We want money, not lives," the scarred bandit said, his sharp eyes fixed on the coachman.

Just a glance was enough. Beads of sweat formed on the coachman's forehead, his palms grew cold. The bandit's gaze was filled with murderous intent.

The coachman hesitated for a moment, then glanced at the other seven bandits. Finally, with no other choice, he took out a money pouch, wrapped in many layers of cloth, from his embrace. He took out ten gold coins and trembling, handed them over.

Just then, a little girl emerged from the overturned carriage.

She wore a purple dress, her demeanor cool and detached, like a lotus in the mundane world. Her light blue eyes held a childlike innocence. Her slender waist was like a willow leaf, perfectly graspable. Three thousand strands of dark hair were casually tied with a light purple ribbon, falling smoothly along her graceful curves to her waist. Two small green bells hung from her delicate wrists, making her look like a figure from a painting.

"Whoa, a little