Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow and deliberately put on a stern expression, his tone carrying a hint of displeasure:
"If I tell you to take them, then take them. Could it be that you look down on me, Xiao Yan?"
At his words, the mercenaries immediately panicked.
"Ah, we wouldn't dare!"
"Th-thank you so much!"
They hurriedly swallowed the pills, their hearts filled with gratitude toward Xiao Yan.
The effects of third-grade pills were immediate.
In just a few breaths, the mercenaries' wounds healed at a visible pace, their broken bones knitted back together, and the pallor drained from their faces as their color returned.
"Th-this is miraculous!"
A young mercenary moved the arm that had been broken earlier, his face filled with disbelief.
"Third-grade pills really do live up to their reputation!"
"Thank you, senior! Thank you, senior!"
They all rose to their feet and repeatedly cupped their hands toward Xiao Yan, overcome with gratitude.
Xiao Yan waved his hand, unconcerned.
To him, these pills were nothing more than a drop in the ocean.
Not to mention the mountain of pills piled up in his system storage space, even the ones Medicine Elder had casually refined over the past few days would last him a long time.
Using them to win people's hearts and raise Xiao Yi Xian's favorability was a deal that could only make him money.
Just as expected!
[Ding—]
The system's notification rang in Xiao Yan's mind.
[The host has spent lavishly, using third-grade pills to treat Xiao Yi Xian's friends and successfully won her favor! Xiao Yi Xian's favorability +80!]
[This action may cause this world's Destined Protagonist Xiao Yan to lose the chance to meet Xiao Yi Xian, a close friend! Destined Protagonist's luck -1000!]
[Host's luck +1000!]
[Obtained 3000 Super Villain Points!]
[Heh heh heh... As expected of the host, a master at wooing women. You certainly know how to spend!]
The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly.
Three thousand points. Not bad, not bad.
He had only just started and already earned three thousand.
Once he had completely won Xiao Yi Xian over, wouldn't those points come pouring in?
He turned to look at Xiao Yi Xian and saw the girl watching him with a complicated expression. Her clear eyes held gratitude, curiosity, and even a trace of... wariness.
"Senior Xiao..."
Xiao Yi Xian bit her lip, hesitated for a moment, then asked:
"Have we met before?"
She simply couldn't understand why an expert at the Dou Wang level would come to her rescue.
And—
Why he was treating her so well.
He had helped her take revenge, rescued her friends, and even brought out such precious pills...
There was no such thing as kindness without a reason.
Though Xiao Yi Xian was young, she wasn't naive.
She had spent so long in the Monster Mountain Range, seen too much of the cruelty in people's hearts, and knew that those who offered kindness for no reason usually had ulterior motives.
Looking at the girl's wary gaze, Xiao Yan silently nodded to himself.
As expected of Xiao Yi Xian, who could stand on her own in the original story. She really was perceptive.
"Met before?"
He smiled and shook his head.
"No."
"Then why are you helping me?"
Xiao Yi Xian pressed him, the wariness in her eyes growing stronger.
Xiao Yan looked at her, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.
"Because—"
He paused, his gaze settling on the girl's delicate face, and said each word clearly:
"There's something special about you, and I'm very interested in it."
Xiao Yi Xian froze slightly.
Something special?
What could possibly be special about her?
"Senior Xiao..."
She opened her mouth, wanting an explanation.
But Xiao Yan waved his hand and cut her off.
"No need to rush. You'll find out later."
He paused, swept his gaze across their surroundings, and said calmly:
"This place isn't safe to linger. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group will discover what happened here sooner or later. I'm not afraid of them, but you..."
He glanced at the mercenaries and didn't finish his sentence.
The mercenaries' expressions changed at once.
That was right!
Mu Li was dead. How could the Wolf Head Mercenary Group let this go?
They were the strongest mercenary group in the Monster Mountain Range, and their leader, Mu She, had hundreds of men under him!
If they found out the people from the Myriad Medicine Pavilion had killed Mu Li...
"Senior is right!"
The old mercenary's expression turned grave as he addressed Xiao Yi Xian:
"Xiao Yi Xian, we have to leave right away!"
"Let's return to Green Mountain Town first and report to the pavilion master. We'll decide what to do after that!"
Xiao Yi Xian nodded and was just about to speak.
But Xiao Yan suddenly said:
"Return to Green Mountain Town?"
He shook his head.
"That wouldn't be wise."
"The Wolf Head Mercenary Group has plenty of informants in Green Mountain Town. If you go back, you'll be walking right into a trap."
Xiao Yi Xian's face changed slightly.
"Th-then what should we do?"
Xiao Yan looked at her, a smile curving his lips.
"Come with me."
"I'll protect you. The Wolf Head Mercenary Group won't dare lay a finger on you."
His voice was calm, yet carried an unquestionable confidence.
Xiao Yi Xian stared at him, a jumble of emotions welling up in her heart.
Just who was this young man?
Why was he helping her?
"Senior Xiao..."
She bit her lip, wanting to say something.
But Xiao Yan waved his hand and smiled.
"Just call me Brother Xiao Yan. Don't keep calling me 'senior.' You're making me sound old."
Xiao Yi Xian froze slightly, then nodded.
"Br-Brother Xiao Yan."
She called him softly, a hint of shyness in her voice.
Xiao Yan nodded in satisfaction.
"That's more like it."
He turned to look at the mercenaries and said calmly:
"Head back to Green Mountain Town first. Also, tell the pavilion master that Xiao Yi Xian has left with me, so he doesn't need to worry."
"As for the Wolf Head Mercenary Group—"
He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.
"I'll take care of them."
The mercenaries exchanged glances, then finally nodded.
"Yes, senior!"
They cupped their hands to Xiao Yan, gave Xiao Yi Xian a few more words of advice, then hurried away.
They weren't worried about Xiao Yi Xian's safety. After all, if an expert at the Dou Wang level really wanted to harm her, he wouldn't need to go to all this trouble. He could simply abduct her by force, and no one would be able to stop him.
Only Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian remained in the clearing.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows over them.
A breeze swept past, bringing with it a faint floral fragrance.
Xiao Yi Xian lowered her head and twisted the hem of her clothes between her fingers, feeling a little nervous.
Though this young man had saved her, he was still a stranger.
And—
A stranger whose strength was unfathomable.
"Let's go."
Xiao Yan spoke calmly, then turned and headed deeper into the forest.
Xiao Yi Xian froze slightly, then hurried after him.
"Where are we going...?"
"Deeper into the Monster Mountain Range."
Xiao Yan spoke without turning around.
"There's something there that should suit you."
Xiao Yi Xian blinked.
Something that suited her?
What could possibly suit her?
But she didn't ask. She simply followed quietly behind Xiao Yan.
One walked ahead, the other followed, and soon they disappeared into the depths of the forest.
The breeze swept past, carrying away the last trace of blood in the clearing.
Only the two piles of ashes on the ground and the beast roars in the distance bore witness to what had happened there.
[Ding—]
The system's notification rang in Xiao Yan's mind.
[The host successfully lured Xiao Yi Xian into leaving with you, increasing her trust in you. Even if the Destined Protagonist meets Xiao Yi Xian again, it will be difficult for him to leave a lasting impression on her. Destined Protagonist's luck -5000!]
[Host's luck +5000!]
[Obtained 10000 Super Villain Points!]
Before you continue