Chapter 9, Little Devil.

When did I ever play a trick on you? I never said I couldn't fight. It's you, little devil, who said you wanted to protect me. With such kindness, how can I refuse? This left me speechless for a moment.

Don't be foolish, it's useless to recite poetry. I said to him with a hint of pity, he has grown up, yet remains so ignorant.

Just at this moment, the sound of horse hooves grew louder. Could it be that the bandits have returned? It seems like they have no regard for their lives. My heart skipped a beat, and I jumped up.

"Little Ghost--" The sound of hooves behind me, I turned my head and saw that the young man was rushing towards me. In the thick twilight, his eyes, like cold stars, were particularly dazzling.

As the fierce bandit leader approached me, I raised my hand and pierced his horse's eye with two embroidered needles. The horse screamed in pain and lifted its front hooves. He hurriedly pulled the reins, but in that moment of distraction, I plunged my long sword into his chest without hesitation. He let out a miserable scream and fell to the ground. I quickly withdrew my sword, and blood gushed from his chest. Life and death can be decided in an instant.

Are you playing me? I frowned. Clearly, you have exceptional skills, yet just now you didn't move at all and hid behind me, making me flustered and confused.

As his long sword pierced the throat of the bandit leader, the remaining few fierce bandits panicked and fled like encountering ghosts. My mouth opened wide and I forgot to close it.

How many times have I told you not to call me a kid? I shouted at him in anger, but he didn't get mad. He mounted his horse and rode away, then suddenly turned back and gave me a smile. His smile was as brilliant as the morning sun, and it left me stunned for a long time. Why did he look back and bewitch my soul?

"Gold is mine, I won't give it to anyone. If you want to die, come and fight for it. If you don't want to die, then get lost." I hold a long sword in my hand, standing proudly. What my master said is that even in the face of death, I must not lose my momentum.

He turned his horse's head and slowly walked towards me. His tall figure stood straight like a pine tree, as steady as a mountain, making it impossible for people to look up to him. His white clothes were stained with blood under the moonlight, and the contours on his face were exceptionally resolute and vigorous. In that moment, I had a kind of illusion that he was like a war god from ancient times.

"No, they said, I started practicing since I could crawl." I answered him drowsily, not knowing why, that night I let go of all defenses and fell asleep in a moment.

Chu Hanjian said, "If I don't speak again, I will be punished with sixty military beatings." As a result, I was beaten with sixty military beatings that day, my skin was torn and I lay in bed for half a month. I hate this guy so much."

This time they have targeted me to protect the man behind me. They are all surrounding me from behind. Fortunately, my hearing is excellent. Even without turning back, I can still sense the direction where the swords are piercing. There is no problem in protecting him completely.

Little ghost, this time I'll protect you, don't be afraid. He suddenly smiled at me, his smile warm like a spring breeze, his calm and composed demeanor as if he was just strolling down the street.

My arm and thigh wounds are simply due to my momentary hesitation caused by my soft heart. If it weren't for my physical exhaustion today, they would have been lying down long ago. How dare they run wild here?

When the dawn of the second day shines on me, warming my body, I feel like crying a little.

"Dead girl, indeed has some skills." The leader of the welding gang who had been sitting on the horse watching the show all along saw that the situation was not good. He lifted his big knife and rushed towards me with a fierce and terrifying momentum.

The door of the inn was still closed. I stood outside with my bundle, waiting for him. As soon as his gold arrives, I will rush towards Gucheng as fast as a flying bird.

I took a deep breath and wondered if I was going to die here. It seems that I have to give up the gold and try to save my life. After I have rested, I will come back and take it back. I have made up my mind. I swallowed and prepared to act pitiful and weak, hoping to persuade these people to let me go.

Well, give it a few more years. Right now, other than your face, I don't feel like you resemble a woman in any way. He said as he changed into a clean and refreshing robe, completely ignoring my presence.

"Is the little ghost awake?" he asked me, with a warm smile.

But this gold doesn't seem to be as comfortable in his arms. His breath is just like his brother's, so fresh and warm. I suddenly feel a little regretful. It would have been better if I had pretended to be asleep and hugged him instead of the gold.

Men and women should not touch each other. Let go. My older brother said this to me. I should not be easily touched by men, unless that person is my husband.

Little ghost, I'm scared. He said to me, and I sighed. It turns out it's just a paper tiger. I thought he was brave. But in a situation like this, he's trembling and crying for his parents. That's considered brave. Towards this young man who looks so beautiful, I am filled with a desire to protect him.

Little devil, take a break. You are now at the end of your rope. He said to me, with bright and friendly eyes, a kind and good-hearted person.

"Kill this girl for me. Whoever dares to retreat, I will break his hands and feet when we go back," the fierce bandit leader spat and charged towards me. The bandit who had just retreated a little, upon hearing this, gathered his courage and charged towards me again.

"Little devil, I'll give you ten more gold bars, how about that?" Seeing my hesitation, he promised me ten gold bars.

Now I really have to act like a little devil. I told you not to call me like that anymore, you jinx. All of a sudden, I was surrounded by people, and I felt panicked. When I panic, I curse at them.

Well, in a few more years, in a few more years, you will tell me that men and women should not be intimate. Right now, you're just a little kid. If you insist on identifying yourself as a girl, I'll consider you my daughter. Isn't the little kid already eight years old?

Anyway, it's fine. You will soon turn into a dead crow. I looked at him with pity. In fact, he was really wronged. If he hadn't met me, he wouldn't have to die, so I let go of my anger towards him.

The dead girl has quite a temper, quite flavorful. Now I've changed my mind, I want the gold, and I want this dead girl too. I'll snatch her back and keep her for three or four years to be the woman of our village. When I get tired of playing with her, I'll share her with my brothers. I reckon after three years, she'll taste good. I just like this kind of spicy pepper.

You protect me once, I protect you once, no debts between us, no need for thanks. Little devil, I'm leaving. Next time, remember not to show off your wealth.

After speaking, I dismounted and found a vacant spot to lie down. The long journey and daily battles have left me utterly exhausted. I have no strength left in my body.

However, on the third day, he still had not appeared, and I began to feel anxious. Could it be that this guy has deceived me out of my gold? It shouldn't be the case; if he wanted to take my gold, he had plenty of opportunities that day.

This time, you'll have to fend for yourself. I'll soon become a little devil and won't be able to protect you anymore. I nervously scanned the surroundings with my eyes, and the sword in my hand emitted a chilling aura under the moonlight.

I stood in front of the door and watched the entrance of the inn, but as the night grew deeper, the small tavern downstairs had closed and I still couldn't see him. He will definitely come back, I told myself.

Having grown accustomed to this life of pursuit and plunder, I can never sleep soundly. At the slightest rustle, I am jolted awake. Yet, upon opening my eyes, I find that I am being held in the embrace of this young man

Little brat, even if your family runs a gold mine, there is no need to be so ostentatious. Who wouldn't be envious of two large bags of gold? Do you really think every household is paved with gold? The boy's words carried a tone of reproach, yet a smile lingered on his face, but at that moment, I had no mood to joke with him

"Definitely, pinky promise, it will never change for a hundred years." As he spoke, he extended his little finger towards me, and we intertwined our pinkies firmly. Throughout this journey, whenever others approached the gold, I fought fiercely to stay close to him. When he said he needed to borrow for three days, I didn't even consider refusing.

He stood by and watched, with a faint smile on his face. He said, "Kid, aren't you afraid this pillow is too hard?" He also asked me where I came from, and if I had been practicing martial arts since I was in my mother's womb.

My head really hurts, and it's so cold. I murmured to myself, then curled up into a ball and fell into a daze. In a state between dreaming and waking, I suddenly felt as if I had plunged into warm water, and my whole body became warm.

Don't be afraid. You may have nightmares when you go back tonight, and you may have nightmares for a month. I used to be like this too, but after a while, I would forget about it. How about reading a book at night and only go to sleep when you feel very tired? Then you won't have nightmares. I turned around and gently patted his shoulder to comfort him.

I stared at him blankly, as if the whole world revolved around him alone.

After a night of rest, the horse appeared spirited and was leisurely grazing on the grass. I nimbly mounted the horse's back and gave a few low commands. The horse surged forward like an arrow released from its bow. The following three days were quite peaceful, perhaps because I had already instilled fear in the bandits along the way.

"I just happen to be going to Drum City. Little ghost, let's go together. There are many bad people on the way, and you can protect me too," he said to me with a smile, his smile still as radiant as ever. Why do I feel that he is not afraid at all of the bloody scene we just witnessed?

Young brother, the world is treacherous and people's hearts are inscrutable. Don't travel alone late at night in the future, as you won't always be lucky enough to meet me. I said this to him seriously, but after saying it, I felt like there was something wrong with my words. It seemed like it was him who was unlucky to have met me.

Can't run away. The handsome young man said to me. I followed his gaze and looked back, only to find that there were also twenty or thirty men on horseback with knives, rushing towards us aggressively from behind. We were suddenly surrounded.

After kicking these several men off their horses, my long sword continued to stab towards the bandit leader like a long snake. I understand the strategy of capturing the ringleader first, but unfortunately, this leader has some skill and has dodged several of my attacks. He is truly a troublesome opponent. I was already fatigued, and after such a fight, I was a bit out of breath. I cannot afford to prolong this any further; I must seek a swift resolution. If I cannot kill them, I must at least scare them away.

The dead thief, the bad man, the stinking crow, I cursed as I walked

I didn't go to Gu City again because I knew that even if I had the gold in my hands now, I would be too late. It was a painstaking effort to bring two bags of gold here, and I experienced so many hardships and dangers along the way. It's heartbreaking to have come so close to success and yet fail. My heart is truly filled with sadness and the urge to cry.

Back to Liangzhou, because not only did I fail to complete the mission, but also lost the gold, so I was automatically punished with fifty military sticks. Chu Hanjian asked me how I lost the gold? No matter how he asked, I refused to say.

Dead crow, you protect me? I didn't hear wrong, a weak scholar like him protects me? He was just scared to death a moment ago, pulling my sleeve and saying he was afraid.

"If I were to steal now, could you protect me?" He smiled, my gentle and refined brother, and casually removed his robe without any hesitation towards me. Under the moonlight, his sturdy chest radiated a wheat-colored glow, making it hard to look away.

Return in three days? Will I be able to deliver it to the wealthy merchant Liu Gongqin in time? I am feeling a bit hesitant, after all, military orders are as heavy as a mountain; if I am late, those fifty military canes will surely beat me to death

East Lake is located in the east of the city, Dongwu is in the west of a city. He couldn't find me in Dongwu, and heard that there is another East Lake Inn. He rushed here overnight, but when he arrived, I had already left.

Well, I nodded. Now I'm not far from Gucheng, and I still have plenty of time. I've been staying awake, not because I'm afraid of being late, but because I'm afraid of dying in my sleep.

Do you not plan to steal my gold? I hesitantly asked.

Quickly run--I lifted two large bags of gold and mounted the handsome young man's horse. My body is almost exhausted now, and I am completely powerless to fight against these hundred people. All I can do now is to escape.

With a fierce stroke of my long sword against their swords, sparks flew in all directions. Either their swords were shattered by my Qingfrost sword, or my strength shook their hands and caused them pain. Their swords fell from their hands, and as they were stunned, I propped up my horse with one hand and kicked several of them in a row. The ones who came close to me were immediately kicked off their horses, writhing in pain and clutching their stomachs.

Actually, I misheard that day. He said "East Wu Inn".

I am a woman, I said to him

As soon as these words were spoken, cheers erupted all around, and over one hundred people surged forward. The hooves of the horses thundered, and dust billowed. I quickly leaped onto the back of a man's horse, gripping the reins. Being short, my disadvantage would be even more pronounced without the horse.

Do not be afraid, nothing will happen, I am here! As I comforted him, I raised my hand, and dozens of plum blossom needles shot towards them like fine rain. After a few whooshing sounds, cries of agony erupted. However, there were many of them; while a dozen were writhing in pain on the ground, another group surrounded us, their gleaming swords thrusting directly at me

"It is still not too late to roll away now; I will spare your lives, otherwise, I will send you to hell." As I spoke these words with a sinister tone, I scanned the surroundings, looking for the best opportunity to strike. I estimated that my gaze was particularly chilling, as their horses unconsciously took a step back.

However, tonight, facing his calm gaze, I felt particularly at ease. For safety, I rested my head on a bag of gold and held another bag in my arms. As the saying goes, one should always be wary of others; it is better to be cautious.

I am ten years old, if you touch me again, I will chop off your hand. Who do you think you are to call me your daughter? How old are you yourself? Aren't you ashamed?" After saying this, I got up from his arms and went back to hugging my gold to sleep.

This sword is a birthday gift from my brother. If he were to know that I have killed so many people and stained my hands with so much blood, would he still hold my hand?

At this moment, I remembered that my horse had been poisoned, and the bandits' horses, frightened, had also disappeared without a trace. Without a horse, I would definitely not reach Gucheng in ten days. Just thinking about those fifty military sticks made my heart cold

"The small hill over there blocks the wind, let's lie down there for a night." After changing his clothes, he said to me.

"You despicable man!" I glared at him fiercely, then pulled a chestnut horse belonging to the bandit closer to me. While speaking, I tied two bags of gold onto the horse's back. After everything was ready, I felt a bit exhausted. This horse was particularly tall, making it somewhat difficult to mount.

As he burst in, the morale of the bandits surged, and they all rushed towards me with a fierce determination to make a comeback. A few of the ruthless thugs, who had been struck in the eyes by my plum blossom needles, came at me with blood dripping from their eye sockets, seemingly intent on chopping me into minced meat and swallowing me whole, which was truly terrifying

I console myself, yet no matter how I try to comfort myself, my heart grows increasingly anxious, for the sun has already set today, and dusk gradually envelops the earth. If he does not come soon, I will not be able to make it.

Just return it to me on time, I do not need your ten gold bars. Remember, you must do it within three days, otherwise I will be beaten, I said to him

In the moment when the bandits were momentarily stunned, I swiftly delivered a series of kicks to their chests, the speed was astonishing, followed by several cries of agony, and they fell to the ground again. This experience has taught me that when facing assailants who wish to take your life, one must act quickly and decisively, without the slightest hesitation, otherwise, it is you who will end up dead

Are you alright? I asked the handsome young man behind me, whose white clothes were stained with splotches of blood, but fortunately, his complexion remained normal and did not appear particularly panicked

However, my brother, no matter what happens tonight, I will protect you. How about lending me your horse? I have an urgent matter to attend to

This young brother, thank you for last night, but I do not know your esteemed surname or where you reside, so that I may visit to express my gratitude in the future. I deliberately emphasized the word 'young' in 'young brother,' and he laughed, saying that I truly am a little rascal

"Little ghost, my clothes are dirty, what should I do?" He suddenly smiled at me, gentle and pleasant, as if he had transformed back into that delicate and frail young nobleman who was incapable of harming even a chicken.

"Little ghost, you can go play, I will protect you," he said with a smile. However, before his smile could fully bloom, the second group of bandits had already arrived. The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind; this group of bandits intends to be that oriole.

The next day, I woke up feeling invigorated and swiftly tied the gold onto the horse's back

I first countered with a sword strike, neutralizing the threat posed by the man behind me. Then, I leaped into the air, stepping on the swords of the crowd, and aimed directly at the throat of their bandit leader. The bandit chief swayed, hurriedly leaning back; although he managed to evade my strike, a lock of his hair was severed, causing several of his henchmen to scream in fright

In seven days, we will reach our destination, two days earlier than the time agreed upon with Chu Hanjian. Thinking of this, my heart is particularly elated

"You little brat, if you don't want to die, put down the gold." The leader of the bandits was tall and ugly, with a face full of flesh and a pair of blood-red eyes that exuded ferocity. For some reason, I felt that his eyes were stained red with the blood of others; otherwise, how could they be so fierce and cold?

After the young man left, I went to the Donghu Inn he mentioned. Without any gold by my side, I felt light and relaxed, wandering around after waking up, and spent two leisurely days.

"Little ghost, you go to the East Lake Inn and wait for me. Sleep well for three days. I will definitely return within three days and will not let you be beaten." After saying this, he took my two large bags of gold and left. It was only after he left that I realized I didn't even know his name.

I looked around, the moonlight shimmering like silver, and many bodies lay sprawled across the swaying grass in disarray. My Qing Shuang sword dripped with blood under the moonlight, emitting a chilling glow, and I suddenly felt a shiver run through me

"Little ghost, could I borrow two bags of gold for a while, and I will return them within three days?" He asked me, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, clearly in a hurry, yet his eyes were calm and forthright

But the scene that followed left me speechless. The man who had just clutched my sleeve in fear, after drawing his long sword, had a gaze that became as sharp as a blade, exuding a chilling aura from head to toe. His strikes were ruthless and precise, moving with the speed of lightning. Under the moonlight, wherever that flash of white passed, screams erupted, blood gushed forth, and almost every strike was a fatal blow

The wind in the wilderness is strong, and I woke up cold in the middle of the night. Opening my eyes, I saw him resting with his eyes closed. Under the moonlight, his face was exceptionally handsome. It turns out that beyond Liangzhou, there are also beautiful men, and they can be so good-looking.

The bandits are numerous and fierce, but along this journey, I have experienced countless battles, so I do not appear panicked. However, today is somewhat different; behind me is a powerless young boy, who is waiting for my protection

Indeed, thick smoke billowed from a distance, and upon closer inspection, there were no fewer than one hundred people. It is unclear which den of thieves has come out in full force. Damn it, is it just two bags of gold? Why are they all risking their lives? The saying "birds die for food, and people perish for wealth" is truly accurate.

Suddenly, I feel a bit of pain in my head, probably because the back of my head was struck by a hard object made of gold

"Do you want gold, or do you want your lives?" I raised the bloodied sword and asked them. Upon seeing their leader dead, the group scattered in fear like a pack of wild beasts. After a flurry of hoofbeats, the people vanished without a trace.

What do you call me

I stared intently ahead, my eyes unblinking, yet they grew weary and teared up, but I still could not see his figure. The cold wind blew all night, my clothes became chilly, and my heart felt equally cold.