"Stupid donkey, stop right there—there—there—there!"
Bai Shuo chased after the Martial Virtue Donkey through the dense forest, her voice echoing off the ancient trees. Meanwhile, Mu Fan lazily trailed behind them both, moving with unhurried grace. Though merely walking at a leisurely pace, he somehow always managed to keep Bai Shuo within his line of sight, maintaining a distance neither too far nor too close—like a shadow she couldn't shake.
"Ugh, I'm exhausted..."
After all, Bai Shuo was a pampered young miss who had never done a day of hard labor in her privileged life. Two human legs could never hope to outrun four swift hooves. "Y-you just wait..." she panted heavily, pointing at the relentless donkey with eyes wide as saucers. "If I ever see you again, I swear on my ancestors I'll roast you into suckling donkey meat..."
Halfway through her vindictive threat, Bai Shuo suddenly heard the donkey's hooves pounding the earth several times faster than before, the sound growing more frantic.
Puzzled, she looked up—and saw the donkey charging straight back toward her at full gallop, its eyes wild with terror.
Why's it coming back? Did this stubborn beast suddenly grow a conscience? Before Bai Shuo could finish processing the thought, understanding crashed over her like a bucket of ice water.
Deep in the shadowy forest, a pack of over a dozen wild wolves was hot on the donkey's heels, racing toward them like harbingers of death itself. Their eyes gleamed with predatory hunger, their snarls cutting through the air.
"Holy—holy—holy—! Wolves! Aaaaaah!"
Without a moment's hesitation, Bai Shuo turned on her heel and fled for her life, her heart hammering against her ribs. But if she couldn't even outrun a donkey, how could she possibly outrun wolves? The only thing she managed before tripping over a treacherous branch was to summon every ounce of her remaining strength to grab the tail of that cowardly donkey—who was trying to abandon her yet again!
The Martial Virtue Donkey never dreamed that this woman, even in the face of imminent death, would drag someone down with her! What kind of shameless survival instinct was this?!
Both human and donkey tumbled over the branch and crashed into each other in a tangle of limbs and hooves. In that split second of unfortunate delay, the wolf pack closed in with terrifying speed, surrounding them in a tightening circle of death.
"Damn it, you crazy woman! If you're gonna die, die alone—why drag me into this hell?!" The donkey's eyes bulged grotesquely, practically spitting fire with indignation.
Bai Shuo's eyes widened even larger in response. "Haven't you heard the old saying? Even ghosts need company on the road to the afterlife! I'm not walking the Yellow Springs alone, you selfish beast!"
Electric sparks of mutual loathing flew between their locked gazes—until a heavy panting sound reached their ears, and a massive shadow loomed over them both. They turned in unison to see the wolves, eyes glowing an eerie green and breath reeking of blood and death, now mere inches away from their throats.
Suddenly, human and donkey clung to each other in a desperate death grip, trembling in perfect synchronization like leaves in a storm.
Three wolves bared their razor-sharp claws and lunged at Bai Shuo and the terrified donkey with murderous intent.
"Aaaaaah! Help! Earth God! Kitchen God! Matchmaker God! Any god listening—save meeeee!"
Bai Shuo squeezed her eyes shut tight and buried her face in the donkey's filthy neck, bracing for the end.
I'm gonna die! I haven't even become an immortal yet! Is there really an underworld waiting? Is it cold down there? No way—I haven't even eaten my fill in this life! Starving ghosts are so pitiful... What a waste of a life!
"Thud!" A heavy, sickening impact echoed through the forest, followed by furious wolf howls that pierced the air.
A thousand panicked thoughts raced through Bai Shuo's mind like stampeding horses, yet the expected agony of wolf fangs tearing into her flesh never materialized. She cautiously peeked through one tightly squeezed eye—only to see a young man standing protectively in front of her, wielding a crude wooden club. It was Mu Fan.
One wolf lay writhing on the ground, blinded and howling, while the rest of the pack growled even more savagely, their fury doubled.
"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo's eyes instantly welled up with tears of relief, nearly calling him "Dad" in her overwhelming gratitude.
"Little Bai, don't be afraid. Stay behind me—I'll protect you!" Mu Fan declared firmly, gripping a thick tree stump he'd somehow snapped off from somewhere. Despite the crimson blood already staining his shoulder, he stood firm as a mountain, shielding Bai Shuo without retreating even a single step.
"You're hurt?!" Bai Shuo gasped, her heart leaping straight into her throat with fear for him.
"It's nothing!" Mu Fan's lips pressed into a tight, determined line. "I'll distract them. Little Bai, run when you get the chance!"
With a sharp battle cry, Mu Fan charged directly at the wolves, swinging his makeshift club with reckless abandon. Bai Shuo froze completely, as if stunned into paralysis by the fact that Mu Fan—this near-stranger—had actually come to her rescue.
"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo couldn't stop him in time. Mu Fan was already entangled in brutal combat with the savage pack. Though just a youth, barely grown, he fought with extraordinary ferocity and courage, stubbornly shielding Bai Shuo without retreating a single step. The wolves tore at him viciously with claws and fangs, and within mere moments, he was covered head to toe in bleeding wounds.
The Martial Virtue Donkey tried to flee the instant Mu Fan blocked the wolves' path, but Bai Shuo clung desperately to its tail with iron determination. Despite Mu Fan buying her a golden opportunity to escape, she didn't run. Instead, she watched Mu Fan with anxious, tear-filled eyes, stubbornly gripping the donkey's tail as if her life depended on it.
The Martial Virtue Donkey nearly wept tears of frustration. Was this woman completely insane? Given a precious chance to live, she chose to stay and play the righteous saint?
"Xiao Bai! Run now!" Mu Fan swung his wooden stake with all his strength, knocking away the alpha wolf's snapping jaws, only to have his shoulder viciously bitten by another wolf, blood gushing like a fountain.
"I won't go!" Bai Shuo's eyes turned red as autumn leaves, her voice choked with emotion. "If we leave, we leave together! I won't abandon you!"
"Hee-haw! Hee-haw!"
Die together then, you foolish woman! Just don't drag me into your noble death wish! The donkey brayed loudly in absolute panic, so frantic it might as well have been speaking human words of protest. But Bai Shuo didn't spare it even a glance, her entire focus fixed unwaveringly on Mu Fan's desperate fight.
Human strength has its limits, no matter how brave the heart. Though the young man fought valiantly, he couldn't hold out indefinitely against the relentless wolves. Mu Fan's wooden stake was finally bitten clean in half by the alpha wolf, which then kicked out viciously with its front legs, sending him crashing heavily to the ground.
Mu Fan rolled across the forest floor and came to rest at Bai Shuo's feet, now little more than a bloodied, broken figure barely clinging to consciousness.
"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo screamed in anguish, catching him in her arms.
Seizing what it thought was its chance, the Martial Virtue Donkey tried desperately to bolt—only to stumble and fall flat. It turned back in confusion, its donkey eyes filled with indescribable despair and rage—Damn woman! Are you completely out of your mind?!
Unbeknownst to the donkey, Bai Shuo had secretly tied its tail to her waist with her silk sash. When it tried to run, Bai Shuo was holding Mu Fan's weight, and the combined burden of two humans firmly anchored it far from any hope of freedom.
"Xiao Bai... go... don't worry about me..." Mu Fan lay dying in her arms, his face devoid of all color, pale as fresh snow.
"No, I won't abandon you." Bai Shuo shielded Mu Fan with her entire body, glaring fiercely at the approaching wolves with newfound courage. "Come at me, you filthy beasts!"
The wolves howled in unison and lunged at the pair and the trapped donkey. Bai Shuo's vision filled with the wolves' deadly claws descending, pure terror gripping her heart, yet she stood her ground with trembling legs, fearless and resolute. Mu Fan watched the small figure shielding him in stunned silence, something profound flickering in his fading eyes.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! A dozen arrows sliced through the air with whistling precision. Agonized howls pierced the sky as the wolves were struck down one after another, collapsing lifeless to the forest floor.
Who? Who arrived just in time like avenging angels? Did the gods actually hear my desperate prayers?!
Bai Shuo looked up with reverent hope—only to see an all-too-familiar face. The bandits of Mu Xiao Mountain, who had chased her relentlessly all night like demons, now surrounded them with gleaming sabers and axes, quivers bristling with arrows on their backs, looking ten times more menacing than the wolves ever had.
Suddenly, Bai Shuo felt an odd, resigned sense of calm wash over her. She must have picked the absolute worst day to leave home—this was just too damn unlucky for words.
"Big Brother! You've finally come!" Bai Shuo sprang up with theatrical energy, clutching Zhang Chao's pant leg with feigned gratitude that would shame any court actor. "I knew you still cared about your little brother! You risked your life to save me from certain death. From this day forward, I'll serve you faithfully, even if it means dying for the glorious Mu Family Stronghold!"
Opportunities favor the prepared mind, and Bai Shuo was always ready to fight tooth and nail for survival!
Watching Bai Shuo's tearful, over-the-top performance, Zhang Chao's lips twitched with barely suppressed irritation. He tried to pull his leg free but couldn't manage it, his brow twitching in growing annoyance.
Just as Bai Shuo was putting on her most enthusiastic performance, a figure suddenly darted out from behind Zhang Chao like a striking snake. Without warning, they lifted Mu Fan roughly from the ground and threw him down harshly, placing a large saber with deadly precision against his vulnerable neck.
"Brother Mu!" Bai Shuo instantly fell silent, releasing Zhang Chao and rushing frantically toward Mu Fan, only to be blocked by Zhang Chao's raised axe.
"I heard there was a grand celebration in the capital yesterday," Wu Yong said smoothly, restraining Mu Fan while casting a scrutinizing and deeply amused glance at Bai Shuo. "The son of the Prime Minister was to marry the daughter of the Supreme General in a union of great houses. But it's said that Young Miss Bai suddenly fell gravely ill and took to her bed, forcing a delay of the wedding."
Bai Shuo, still blocked by Zhang Chao's weapon, stiffened visibly and lowered her eyes in defeat. The forest fell into heavy silence, broken only by the wind through leaves.
Earlier that morning, just as Zhang Chao was about to leave the stronghold, Wu Yong had called out to him with urgency.
"Chief."
"What is it?"
Wu Yong pulled something from within his robe and handed it to Zhang Chao with a meaningful look. "I sent the brothers to search the woods thoroughly again this morning, and they found this."
It was a jade pendant, smooth and pure to the touch—clearly a treasure of significant value. On its polished back was carved a small, elegant character: "Bai." Zhang Chao's expression shifted dramatically, his face instantly darkening with understanding.
"Bai? The Bai family? That kid is..." Wei City was close to the capital, and even as bandits living in the mountains, they knew only one noble family near the capital bore the prestigious surname Bai—the Supreme General's household.
"Chief, she might be..." Wu Yong whispered a few calculated words into Zhang Chao's ear. "This matter has caused quite a stir throughout the city. Everyone in the capital knows about it."
Zhang Chao glanced toward the deep mountains, visibly torn between conflicting impulses. "If she's of such high status, we can't afford to harm her..."
"Chief, you're being foolish!" Wu Yong hissed urgently. "That's all the more reason we can't let her leave Mu Xiao Mountain alive. If the Bai family learns we kidnapped the Supreme General's daughter, our entire stronghold will be utterly doomed!"
"You mean..." Zhang Chao made a cutting gesture with his axe, his expression turning cold and vicious.
Wu Yong nodded grimly. "Only the dead keep permanent silence. But since she's such a valuable figure, fleeing an arranged marriage alone, she must have brought treasures with her to secure her future independence. Now that she's fallen into our hands, we can't let this golden opportunity go to waste!"
Zhang Chao clenched the translucent jade pendant tightly in his rough hand and gave a firm nod of agreement. "You're absolutely right. Let's go!"
Zhang Chao hurried into the mountains with purpose, while behind him, Wu Yong's eyes flashed with a calculating silvery glint.
"Who would've thought our little barren mountain would host such an esteemed guest of noble blood. Isn't that right, Miss Bai?"
A jade pendant was tossed carelessly to the ground, spinning to rest at Bai Shuo's feet. She paled visibly at the sight, picking it up with trembling hands and stepping back instinctively.
"Xiao Bai, you..." Mu Fan stared at her in shocked disbelief, blood still dripping from his wounds. Bai Shuo's eyes were filled with guilt, but she stubbornly lifted her chin and met Zhang Chao's gaze directly.
"Chief, let Brother Mu go. He knows nothing of my identity or circumstances."
Before Zhang Chao could respond, Wu Yong sneered mockingly. "Who knew Miss Bai was so righteously noble? Truly befitting a general's daughter. Rest assured, Miss Bai, we only seek material wealth. We wouldn't dare offend the Supreme General's powerful household lightly. Whether this young man lives or dies depends entirely on you and your cooperation!"
"I only have this much of value on my person. If the two chiefs fancy it, take it freely," Bai Shuo said earnestly, holding up the pendant with both hands in offering.
"You jest, Young Miss. Since you fled your arranged marriage so dramatically, you must have planned carefully for a carefree life ahead. A small jade pendant like this can hardly be enough to secure your future comfort and independence."
Before Bai Shuo could formulate a response, Wu Yong struck Mu Fan viciously with the flat of his heavy saber. Mu Fan spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his chest crimson, his face becoming as pale as paper.
"Brother Mu! What exactly do you want from me?" Bai Shuo's eyes burned with righteous fury. Even a clay figurine has some temper—no matter how much she feared death in her heart, she couldn't stand by and watch an innocent person suffer because of her choices.
"What else would mountain bandits want but gold, silver, and rare treasures? As long as Young Miss Bai shows sincerity and generosity that satisfies our leader, we'll release this young man down the mountain immediately and unharmed!"
"Fine! I'll give it to you! Isn't it my treasure you're after?" Bai Shuo shouted, clenching her fists so tightly her nails bit into her palms.
Wu Yong's calculating expression changed subtly, and his tight grip on the large saber loosened involuntarily with interest.
"But you must promise me that once I hand everything over, you'll let him go!" Bai Shuo pointed directly at Mu Fan with fierce determination. "You must not harm him in the slightest—swear it!"
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