Saving Her or Not

Li Xingluo raced through the woods. He hadn't gone far when an enraged roar sounded behind him.

He could tell from the sound that it was the Flame Demon Ape. It seemed to have discovered that the Fire Cloud Crystal had been stolen. Thinking of the old man taking the blame for him, Li Xingluo felt a rush of satisfaction.

Judging by the Flame Demon Ape's fighting strength, Li Xingluo didn't believe it could take down the old man. To shake off the old man's pursuit for good, he chose to take a detour.

Three days later, Li Xingluo appeared on a small road leading to Ink Cloud City. As he walked along, the sound of hoofbeats came from up ahead.

The sound was drawing closer. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Li Xingluo hid behind a large boulder jutting out from the ground.

"Hey, little beauty, stop running! Your lord here hasn't had a chance to show you a good time yet."

Lecherous laughter echoed through the short canyon. Perhaps the horse had been spooked, or perhaps it had been run ragged after galloping for so long. A young woman in a purple dress fell from its back.

Two arrows stuck out of the horse's hind legs. The girl clutched her shoulder, her face smeared with dust, and struggled to her feet.

A dozen or so riders came up behind her and reined in. The burly man at their head rode forward and stopped less than three paces from the girl.

Eyeing the delicate-looking girl, whose eyes brimmed with hostility, the burly man let out a lecherous laugh.

"Little beauty, there's no escaping my grasp. Why not come quietly with me? I promise you'll have the finest food and drink."

The burly man's words made the girl turn livid. Her chest heaved, and the sight made him drool.

"Not a chance! The Song Clan has only those who die in battle, never cowards who bend the knee and cling to life."

With that, the girl raised her whip and lashed it at the burly man. He didn't take her attack seriously.

He reached out and caught the other end of the whip with ease. No matter how hard the girl struggled, she couldn't wrench it free.

Seeing this, the girl simply abandoned the whip and launched herself at the burly man with a flying kick.

Li Xingluo, watching the scene from the sidelines, couldn't help shaking his head. The gap in their strength was obvious. The girl didn't stand a chance.

Sure enough, the burly man caught her flying kick in one hand and gave her a lecherous smile.

The girl felt sick. With a mere twist, her whole body spun helplessly through the air.

He gave her a light shove, sending her flying. She tumbled through the air several times before crashing down with a "smack."

The girl struggled to her feet and glared at the burly man, her beautiful eyes fixed on him. Her refusal to yield, even unto death, was plain to see. Li Xingluo couldn't help admiring her grit.

Unwilling to admit defeat, the girl charged at the burly man again without hesitation. She knew she was outmatched, yet she still dared to fight. Li Xingluo's heart gave a sudden lurch.

Perhaps the burly man had had enough of playing around. This time, he used noticeably more force.

The girl "thumped" to the ground, but this time she landed in an awkward spot.

Turning her face to the side, she spotted Li Xingluo hiding behind the boulder. He looked a little awkward.

When the girl saw Li Xingluo, it was as if she'd found her savior. A glimmer of light returned to her dim eyes.

She struggled to her feet and tossed something toward Li Xingluo. He reflexively reached out and caught it. Seeing that he'd caught what she threw, the girl smiled—a radiant, happy smile.

"Could you take this to the Song Clan in Ink Cloud City for me?"

Li Xingluo wanted to chop off his own hand. Why had he caught it?

As a dozen or so riders closed in on her, Song Xue faced them with a death-defying resolve. She stole a glance at Li Xingluo, seeming to await her death without a hint of regret.

Li Xingluo let out a long sigh. What a mess. There was no need to think twice: these people were probably after the hot potato in his hand, too.

After that shout of yours, did you really think I could stay hidden?

"Who's there? Show yourself!"

The girl's eyes flicked back toward the spot where Li Xingluo was hiding. Honestly, this woman didn't seem to have much sense.

Knowing there was no point in hiding any longer, Li Xingluo slowly stepped out from behind the boulder.

"Why did you come out?"

Li Xingluo's face went blank. Looking at the girl, so maddeningly naive and pitifully simple, he felt that his luck couldn't get any worse.

Was she seriously asking him that? Li Xingluo shook his head slightly. There was no saving this woman.

When the burly man saw Li Xingluo emerge, he sized him up. Li Xingluo hadn't disguised himself, and he looked especially young.

After a good look, the burly man couldn't help bursting into laughter.

"I thought some big shot had shown up. Turns out he's just a pretty boy. Song Xue, have you lost your mind? You really think he can help you?"

Li Xingluo was annoyed by the burly man's insult. But one thing he'd said was right: this young lady of the Song Clan really didn't seem to have much sense.

The lackeys behind him laughed even more brazenly. Their unchecked laughter rang through the canyon.

The burly man raised a hand, and every one of his lackeys fell silent.

"Kid, hand over what she gave you, and maybe I'll let you die with a little dignity."

At those words, a chill welled up inside Li Xingluo, who hadn't wanted to help Song Xue in the first place.

I'm just passing through. Go after her if you want—but now you're threatening to kill me? That's a bit much.

Li Xingluo lifted the object in his hand, then suddenly raised his head. A thick killing intent showed between his brows.

"You want it? Come and take it if you've got the guts."

Seeing the burly man's arrogant manner, Li Xingluo felt like giving him a good beating.

"Kid, you're asking for death! Brothers, hack him to pieces!"

The burly man waved his hand, and three riders charged at Li Xingluo with sabers drawn.

Song Xue struggled to inch forward. Each small step sent waves of pain through her body.

Seeing Song Xue in such a state and still trying to shield him, Li Xingluo said calmly, "Stand aside."

Song Xue looked surprised. Her eyes were as clear and adorably innocent as a college student's.

"You—the man leading them is a Da Dou Shi, and the others are Dou Shi. You..."

Song Xue didn't believe Li Xingluo could defeat a Da Dou Shi. He was far too young.

Li Xingluo ignored her. As the three men charged, he stood motionless.

Their sabers were about to fall. The blades' reflections were even clear enough to show Li Xingluo's face.

Song Xue was so frightened that she went pale. Was he just handing them his head? The three men wore triumphant smiles, already claiming the credit for themselves.

The burly man folded his arms and raised his brows, savoring the spectacle.

But he hadn't enjoyed it for long when, in the next instant, the three men and their horses were sent flying in three different directions, their bodies a bloody mess.

Song Xue couldn't believe her eyes. She rubbed them and looked again. Three corpses lay in different places, and the horses sprawled on the ground, lifeless.

Song Xue was stunned, staring fixedly at the young man standing in front of her.

At that moment, Li Xingluo seemed like a towering mountain, filling Song Xue with a powerful sense of security.

The burly man looked just as incredulous. With a single move, Li Xingluo had taken the lives of three Dou Shi who had lived by the blade.

Even he couldn't have done that. Just how strong was this young-looking boy?

The burly man swallowed, but as a bandit who had preyed on others for years, he wasn't frightened by what he'd just seen.