Don't Be Afraid, Little One. Your Big Brother's Here

Just as Ningguang was at a loss,

Fang Xun stood in front of her like a mountain, leaving her with only his towering back to look at.

Little Girl, Don't Be Afraid. Your Big Brother's Here

Looking at Fang Xun standing protectively in front of her,

Ningguang immediately felt the pressure from the Treasure Hoarders ease considerably.

The little girl raised her head,

and her clear, bright eyes couldn't help but turn toward Fang Xun's profile.

Little Ningguang's eyes suddenly grew a little moist,

because before this, no one had ever protected her.

So this

was what it felt like to have someone protect you.

It gave her a sense of security she couldn't put into words.

"Hey, hey! What valuables do you have on you? Hurry up and hand them over."

"If you cooperate, I'll grant you a quick death. Understand?"

Just then,

the Treasure Hoarders' leader spoke.

His tone was arrogant and overbearing, his face full of conceit.

The Treasure Hoarders' leader hadn't taken Fang Xun seriously at all.

After all, there were only two people on Fang Xun's side, and one of them was a little girl with absolutely no fighting ability.

Meanwhile, they had strength in numbers. If it came to a fight, the outcome would be a foregone conclusion.

Hearing the Treasure Hoarders' leader, Ningguang was so frightened that terror filled her face, and her frail body trembled slightly.

Though she was young, she had sold goods for years and knew what the Treasure Hoarders were.

Little Ningguang was so scared she was on the verge of tears.

She was too young to bear this kind of fear and pressure.

In that instant, all sorts of scenes flashed through Ningguang's mind.

Her mother was still sick, waiting for her to come home...

She hadn't grown up yet or married the person she loved...

There were still so many things she wanted to do...

Noticing Ningguang's fear, Fang Xun gently took her hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid, little one. Your big brother's here."

Fang Xun's voice was firm,

and a warm current passed through Ningguang's heart, filling her with a sense of security she couldn't put into words.

"Why are you taking so long? We told you to hand over your money!"

The Treasure Hoarders clearly had no patience.

They drew their weapons, intending to kill them and take their belongings.

As the Treasure Hoarders approached, Ningguang was terrified, and Fang Xun immediately shielded her behind him.

Fang Xun, on the other hand, felt no fear. If anything, he was eager to give it a try.

That was right—eager to give it a try.

He'd previously obtained Ganyu's skill, "Trail of the Qilin."

At last, he had a chance to test its damage!

But

Fang Xun was worried that using the skill might hurt Little Ningguang.

So he rubbed the top of her head and lowered his voice. "Little one, if a fight breaks out, find a chance to run. The farther away, the better. Got it?"

Ningguang thought Fang Xun planned to sacrifice himself to buy her time to escape.

Her beautiful eyes immediately reddened,

and tears welled up in them, making her look utterly pitiful.

"No! If Brother Fang Xun won't leave, I won't leave either! I'd never abandon you!"

Ningguang's voice was resolute. She clutched Fang Xun's clothes tightly and refused to let go.

The little girl was clearly terrified,

yet she summoned tremendous courage to stand with Fang Xun through thick and thin.

Ningguang's pretty face was still very young, but it was full of determination.

Fang Xun was deeply moved.

After all,

he was staying to face the Treasure Hoarders because he had a trump card up his sleeve

and was confident he could deal with them and get away safely.

But Ningguang was willing to stay and face them alongside him without knowing anything at all.

That was no small thing!

Fang Xun couldn't help but sigh.

He'd only helped Ningguang with a few small things,

yet she was willing to risk her life alongside him.

The little girl was truly so, so foolish.

How could Fang Xun bear to see a silly girl like her get hurt?

Fang Xun smiled and clasped Ningguang's little hand tightly. "All right. Then we'll face this together."

Just as Fang Xun was about to use his skill,

a deep, powerful voice came from behind him.

"Captain, we found them! They're over here!"

"Those are Treasure Hoarders! Hurry over and help! We must protect the people!"

Fang Xun turned around.

A squad of Millelith soldiers in armor came into view!

The soldiers marched in formation, spears in hand,

striding toward them.

When the Millelith arrived, the Treasure Hoarders' leader's expression changed at once, turning terribly grim.

The Treasure Hoarders might throw their weight around in front of ordinary people, but how could they stand against the regular army?

The Treasure Hoarders instinctively retreated, looking ready to run.

The Millelith captain noticed this, too, and barked an order. "These Treasure Hoarders have been running amok and harming countless people!"

"Don't let them get away! Arrest every last one of them!"

At the captain's command, the other Millelith sprang into action.

The Treasure Hoarders were vicious, but the Millelith were far better trained.

Before long, the Treasure Hoarders had been routed and were in complete disarray.

Their leader, who had been swaggering around just moments ago, was the first to be pinned to the ground and restrained, unable to move.

The other Treasure Hoarders fared no better. They were all forced to the ground.

Seeing this, Ningguang couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The Millelith's arrival meant they were safe.

"Brother Fang Xun, we're all right now." The little girl raised her head and smiled at Fang Xun.

The Millelith captain said earnestly, "Don't worry. With the Millelith here, you won't be harmed."

As soon as the words left his mouth, a sudden, thunderous crash made the captain's expression change dramatically.

The deafening crash rang out like thunder, and everyone turned toward the sound in unison.

A huge figure clad in purple armor, with an iron hammer on his shoulder, had appeared there at some point.

Looking at the giant before him, Fang Xun recognized him immediately.

It was a Fatui Electrohammer Vanguard!

Fang Xun remembered this Electrohammer guy all too well.

Back when he was still a beginner, he'd been chased around by Electrohammer Vanguards more times than he could count.

Why were the Fatui here?

But Fang Xun had no time to think.

The Electrohammer Vanguard had already started moving.

He charged forward with the Electrohammer on his shoulder,

his massive weight making the earth tremble!

The Electrohammer Vanguard raised his weapon high. Purple lightning surged from his body, and the stray sparks that fell seemed capable of piercing the earth!

Compared with the Treasure Hoarders, the Fatui brought an incomparably greater sense of oppression!

In the next moment, the Electrohammer Vanguard swung his hammer,