Chapter 144: Trouble Magnet

As soon as the old man finished speaking, the villagers around him immediately grabbed their knives and axes, aiming them at Chu Bing. They looked as if they would charge at her the moment the old man gave the order.

Chu Bing realized that the old man was the soul of this village. If she could take him down, the villagers would naturally submit.

Her eyes continually assessed the old man, seeking his weakness.

But the old man was surrounded by villagers, making it far from easy for her to break through.

What worried Chu Bing most was that if she left the door behind her, the villagers would rush inside. Any one of the children inside could become her Achilles’ heel.

She couldn’t afford to take that risk.

“Miss, coming here alone, you must have underestimated us,” the old man shook his head regretfully, then suddenly raised his hand. “Go ahead, don’t kill her. This young girl is quite a catch; she could fetch a good price.”

“Alright, Uncle Wang, rest assured!”

Upon hearing the old man’s words, the villagers revealed ferocious smiles and charged at Chu Bing.

Perhaps because she was young and a girl, they hadn’t taken her seriously.

Chu Bing raised her leg, kicking down several of the leading men, causing them to halt and grow serious.

The old man’s eyes flickered, but then noticed Chu Bing leaning against the wooden door, not moving an inch—clearly worried about the safety of the kids inside—and he chuckled softly. “Young lady, we did underestimate you. But there are over a thousand people in this village. You can’t keep up this fight forever. I advise you to surrender obediently. We might spare your life…and provide those little ones with a better fate.”

“Enough nonsense!”

Chu Bing’s eyes turned icy as she whipped her long whip toward the old man.

Caught off guard, he was struck across the face and let out a sharp cry.

“Grab her! Capture that wretch!”

The villagers hesitated for a moment, then lunged at Chu Bing with fierce determination.

Though they lacked martial skills, their numbers were overwhelming, and Chu Bing couldn’t leave the door behind her, fighting with one hand tied.

Her limbs soon began to ache; if this continued, she would inevitably be caught.

Her breathing grew heavy when one villager seized the chance and struck her knee with a vicious blow.

The pain forced Chu Bing to her knees.

The villagers pounced on her like starving wolves.

Pain flickered in Chu Bing’s eyes. Was this filthy place truly where she would meet her end?

At that moment, a flash of red descended from above.

“Li Yuxi!” Chu Bing stared in disbelief at the man standing before her. His expression solemn, the long sword in his hand moved fluidly like a swimming dragon, each stroke claiming a life.

Soon the yard was soaked in the scent of blood, droplets splattering across Li Yuxi’s face, enhancing his sinister allure.

Chu Bing’s heart suddenly thumped uncontrollably.

Her hand instinctively touched her chest—strangely, she found this version of Li Yuxi quite handsome.

“Who are you?” the old man glared darkly at Li Yuxi.

This man’s features were so striking that even the old man, a man himself, felt a pang of unease. More importantly, his aura clearly belonged to someone long accustomed to power. Why would such a man appear in their small village?

Li Yuxi smirked faintly, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes.

He gripped his long sword and strode toward the old man.

Each step seemed to press upon the old man’s heart.

The old man’s face turned pale. He tried to call for protection but saw, to his horror, that all the villagers around him were already dead.

“No, no…”

With a flick of his wrist, Li Yuxi beheaded the old man.

The severed head rolled twice on the ground, its unclosed eyes locking with Chu Bing’s.

Chu Bing stiffened, her strength instantly drained, and she collapsed awkwardly onto the ground.

Li Haoran turned around, his gaze shifting as he saw Chu Bing fall. He quickly rushed to her side and helped her up.

“I was wondering why my heart was pounding so hard all this way. Turns out it’s because of you causing trouble again,” Li Yuxi said with a hint of complaint, but his eyes remained fixed on Chu Bing, his movements cautious.

Chu Bing was utterly weak, leaning against him, panting, “I didn’t.”

She paused, then looked up at him, “What are you doing here? Have you been following me?”

This was the only explanation she could think of.

Otherwise, what were the chances of meeting Li Haoran in this desert… Hah, this man truly was relentless.

Yet, strangely, this time Chu Bing found herself less repelled by Li Haoran than before.

Li Haoran chuckled, tapping her head lightly. “I’m not following you, don’t slander me. I was…”

He stopped mid-sentence, his eyes flashing.

“What are you?” Chu Bing teased triumphantly. “You’re definitely following me—admit it!”

“Alright, alright, whatever you say,” Li Haoran said, rarely seeing Chu Bing so vivid when facing him. For a moment, he was reluctant to look away, his tone unusually indulgent.

Feeling his gaze, Chu Bing suddenly blushed.

She pushed him away and tried to stand.

But Li Haoran grabbed her wrist tightly, pulling her into his embrace.

“This time, you won’t escape.”

Chu Bing struggled fiercely, but the harder she fought, the tighter his hold became.

“Creak.”

Suddenly, the door behind them opened.

A small head peeked out.

“Sister, are you okay?”

“Ah!” Realizing this, Chu Bing’s face flushed deeply. She swiftly stomped on Li Haoran’s foot.

“Ouch,” he gasped in pain.

Chu Bing seized the moment to free herself and slipped inside the room.

The children inside stared at her with burning eyes. “Sister, did you really chase away those bad people?”

Chu Bing recalled the corpses scattered throughout the yard, her face stiffening. She forced a dry smile. “Yes, the bad people have been driven away. But you still can’t go outside yet. If they come back, it would be dangerous. I’ll go check outside first. Once I’m sure it’s safe, I’ll come get you, okay?”

She needed to clear the yard before letting the children out.