Dongfang Yingcai walked through the wooden huts, her mood somewhat heavy.
When she reached the last one, her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Still alive!"
Sensing the faint breath coming from within the hut, Dongfang Yingcai hurried inside to investigate.
The moment she pushed open the door, two bandit corpses lying one before the other on the floor came into view.
The one in front had had his neck snapped, while the one behind had his chest smashed in.
Seeing that both had died from fatal external wounds, Dongfang Yingcai could not help feeling surprised.
Because aside from those two bandits, the only one left in the hut was a small figure curled up in the corner.
"Don't be afraid. I'm not a bad person. I'm a cultivator passing through, here to save you."
Dongfang Yingcai saw the lingering terror in those wary eyes. As she soothed him, she carefully moved closer.
"It's all right. Those bastard bandits outside are already dead."
Once she came close, Dongfang Yingcai could clearly see the child's face.
His skin was dark, and his frame looked sturdy. He must have often helped his family with farmwork in the fields.
"You're hungry, aren't you? Here, eat this first."
With a flip of her palm, Dongfang Yingcai summoned a piece of sweet cake. The boy snatched it up and swallowed it in two or three bites.
"Th... thank you..."
"It's nothing. I'm glad you like it."
Seeing that he had lowered his guard around her, Dongfang Yingcai continued, "What's your name?"
"Chen... My surname is Chen. Everyone in the village calls me Shitou."
The fear in the boy's eyes faded considerably as he answered honestly.
"Chen Shitou, hello! My name is Dongfang Yingcai!"
Looking at the hand she extended toward him, the boy who called himself Chen