Chapter 04: Survival in the Quagmire

Liu Shao never expected that there would be such a talkative person, turning pale in the face.

Du Mingchong readily picked up two buns and handed them to her

Liu Shao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quickly releasing his arm, feeling somewhat guilty. She did not expect that method to actually work; he was truly willing to take the punishment for her.

The truth of the matter could not be concealed from Minister Fang, as he had already seen through everything. However, contrary to the wishes of the crowd, he did not deal with Liu Shao as they had hoped. Instead, he cast a cold smile at Lu Li and ordered, "Eighty lashes."

Seeing Liu Shao with a face full of confusion, he coughed lightly and said: "Well, aren't you... towards Lu Li..."

Du Mingchong was caught off guard by the question; answering such a question would be self-degrading. Instead, he redirected his frustration towards Liu Shao, shoving the entire bun into her hand and commanding, "Here, you kiss me too!"

Reminded by the two girls, Du Mingchong coughed lightly and generously broke the bun in his hand into two halves, handing the smaller half to Liu Shao: "Here, take it."

The girls burst into laughter, and it is no wonder. Their hostility does not merely stem from disdain for Liu Shao's character; rather, Liu Shao's noble birth inherently establishes a gap between them. Furthermore, her fair and beautiful appearance inevitably stirs feelings of envy and jealousy among the girls, who seize the opportunity presented by the current situation to vent their emotions, wishing nothing more than to see her humiliated.

Bai Feng was surrounded by several girls who were inquiring about him, and he responded gently, his violet eyes sparkling with a smile, just as when he comforted her last night

"Liu Shao'er, you spineless bastard!" Bai Feng stomped her foot and scolded, "You will get him killed!"

He... he won't really die, will he

The handsome profile bore no distinct expression, with long eyelashes casting a faint shadow, and thin lips curved with a subtle hint of a smile

Liu Shao was so grateful that tears were about to flow from her eyes. She expressed her thanks and took the bun, taking a big bite out of it.

Gratitude and anger clashed in her heart, as Liu Shao tightly grasped the bun, stared at him for a moment, suddenly snorted, and reached out to embrace his neck

The girls have always been particular about cleanliness, forced to cleanse their faces at the fastest speed. They seemed to have conspired together, completely isolating Liu Shao, who deliberately put on an indifferent facade. The punishment was something Lu Li willingly accepted; he took the punishment for her, and she had even publicly kissed him, losing face in such a significant way. Moreover, if he hadn't suggested coming back, she might have run away!

The young man, taken aback, patted his chest and laughed, saying: "My name is Du Mingchong. If anyone bullies you in the future, just tell me, and I will help you!"

... ...

Lu Li! Du Mingchong felt insulted, as Liu Shaoning would rather be close to Lu Li than look at him. Moreover, some onlookers cast mocking glances at him. How could he swallow this humiliation? He jumped up and exclaimed, "Lu Li, what do you mean by this?"

Liu Shao suddenly realized, frightened, and hurriedly stuffed the remaining bread into her mouth

Those who are perceptive will naturally refrain from speaking further. At this moment, Liu Shao is almost starving and has no regard for anything else, mustering the courage to ask: "Could you share a little with me? Just a bit..."

Lu Li did not listen, but handed the bun to Liu Shao's hand

He raised his voice while intentionally or unintentionally casting his gaze towards a group of about ten boys not far away. Those children had all failed to complete their tasks and were already famished. Upon hearing his words, they seemed to have received a cue and rushed over to snatch.

It was the first time Du Mingchong had done something so opportunistic, and he felt a bit embarrassed, so he simply raised his neck and said, "Haven't you kissed Lu Li before? What's the harm in kissing a few more people!"

A girl said sourly: "Ming Chong Ge kindly helped her, and now she is clinging to him stubbornly!"

She would rather thank him for enduring the punishment; she does not want to owe him anything

Indeed, what is important is how Lu Li responds! Liu Shao suddenly realizes, barely concealing the panic within her heart, and clutches Lu Li's arm: "It is you, isn't it? It is you."

The girl named Bai Feng urged Lu Li anxiously: "She is harming you, yet you still help her!"

"Willow tips." A familiar voice echoed in my ears, somewhat low, somewhat enchanting, and somewhat tranquil, a sound that once heard would never be forgotten

The willow branches were somewhat sluggish, and before she could react, a hand reached out in front of her

At the first strike, Lu Li let out a soft grunt, and thereafter there was no further movement

His words made it clear to even the most foolish that he wanted her to kiss him just as she had kissed Lu Li before. A farce caused the children to forget their hunger, and they laughed uproariously, with the boys even cheering loudly. After what happened that night, no one found it shameful that Du Mingchong took advantage of the situation.

Liu Shao took a step back and glared at him: "What are you doing!"

The fight ended very quickly, so quickly that it was unbelievable. The children, realizing what had happened, all stared blankly at the scene before them

The fallen prince saves another distressed princess

Fang Weichang did not pay them any attention at all, while the executioner looked on with disdain, the black long whip cutting through the air and striking heavily against the youth's body

In an instant, the color drained from her small face, and Liu Shao stood frozen in place. She feared pain, hunger, and death, but after all, she was a girl, still possessing a shred of remaining dignity. The humiliation from Du Mingchong, the rejection from her companions, and the mocking laughter in her ears were all so clear!

Indeed, no one would engage in actions that yield no benefits, especially when the costs are so substantial

The girl hesitated to refuse, stammering: "But... I don't have much either..."

"Commander Wei, there are two more." The guards threw Liu Shao and Lu Li over.

Du Mingchong said nothing, but got up and lunged at him again

Everyone held back their laughter, waiting for the good show, while the girls were nervously sweating for Lu Li. In their eyes, Lu Li appeared thin and refined, how could he possibly compete against the robust Du Mingchong?

Fang Weichang remained silent, and this fight could hardly be deemed spectacular; it was truly a child's play. What is important is that Lu Li's performance showed no flaws. Previously, due to his unknown background, the Marquis had instructed to keep an eye on him. However, upon observation, it became clear that although he possessed exceptional talent, he had indeed never practiced martial arts and exhibited no characteristics of demons or monsters. A few days ago, someone was specifically sent to investigate his background, and it was confirmed that he was indeed from the Lu family of Lincheng, having fallen into this situation due to the family's decline. His performance aligns well with his identity. This young man possesses the qualities of an excellent assassin; he is unafraid of pain or death, understands how to exploit the thoughts of others at such a young age, remains calm in the face of danger, and strikes back swiftly, accurately, and ruthlessly while also being cunning. Although he possesses exceptional talent, he has indeed never practiced martial arts and shows no characteristics of demons or monsters. A few days ago, someone was specifically sent to investigate his background, and it was confirmed that he was indeed from the Lu family of Lincheng, having fallen into this situation due to the family's decline. His performance aligns well with his identity. This young man possesses the qualities of an excellent assassin; he is unafraid of pain or death, understands how to exploit the thoughts of others at such a young age, remains calm in the face of danger, and strikes back swiftly, accurately, and ruthlessly while also being cunning. He is indeed a talent worth cultivating.

Shameless!

Indeed, Lu Li, don't pay attention to her!" the girls echoed.

With such thoughts in her heart, Liu Shao could not help but secretly glance towards the boys.

Lu Li, for some reason, turned to his left side, raised his leg, and kicked with a swift and graceful motion

They thought she truly cherished him! She simply did not want to owe him anything and intended to exchange instead

He was a boy of similar size to Lu Li, slightly shorter but much sturdier. His thick eyebrows met at the bridge of his nose, and he had large eyes and a high nose, which gave him an overly spirited appearance that made him seem somewhat fierce.

Du Mingchong retracted his hand once again

... ...

In a moment of inexplicable impulse, Liu Shao recalled that person's words, and decisively reached out to hook her arm around his neck, compelling him to lean down, and then she made an effort to rise on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on those thin lips

Liu Shao, with a flat mouth, walked over to Du Mingchong's side and handed him back two buns

Looking again at Lu Li, he had already turned and walked away. Many boys and girls, including Bai Feng, surrounded him to talk, and he seemed to have completely forgotten her

Her actions instead aligned perfectly with Du Mingchong's intentions. Du Mingchong raised his eyebrows and coldly laughed at Lu Li: "Do you want to fight?"

The hand was so fair that it was almost translucent, faintly revealing the light blue veins beneath, with long fingers grasping a bun

Meeting her gaze, the girl instinctively grabbed the remaining bun and brought it to her mouth, but upon realizing it, she felt it was inappropriate and displayed an expression of embarrassment

The cultivation of martial arts is quite similar to that of the immortal path; however, the immortal sect absorbs the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into the body, first cleansing the muscles and bones to purify the constitution, cultivating the spiritual body, and then practicing spells. In other words, immortal techniques must be performed on the foundation of spiritual cultivation. The purer the spiritual body, the less mundane energy the physical body carries, resulting in greater power of the techniques, while also achieving the goal of extending life. Once one cultivates the immortal bones, they can attain longevity. Therefore, the immortal sect has very high requirements for the root and bone, and many people spend their entire lives without achieving immortality. In contrast, martial arts allow mortals to directly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for their own use, wielding energy to control martial skills, obtaining the strongest power in the shortest time. The lifespan of cultivators remains the same as that of ordinary people, and anyone can cultivate. Thus, in the initial stage of cultivation, when practitioners compete, the strength of human cultivators far surpasses that of the immortal sect, leading many to contemplate: rather than pursuing the unrealistic immortal path, it is better to live more powerfully within a limited lifespan. This is also a primary reason why the immortal sect has not been as prosperous as martial arts in recent years.

Du Mingchong's food in front of him is twice that of the other children. He is strong and completes tasks quickly, earning considerable praise from Captain Fang. No one dares to take his things, as there is enough food, and the number of people flattering him is increasing. Two girls have already surrounded him, and he is quite pleased with himself, speaking with a tone that carries a hint of a leader.

The tips of the willows turned red with shyness, and the feeling of gratitude instantly vanished, leaving only anger.

Liu Shao almost bit her lip, quietly shifting her gaze towards the gallows

Bai Feng and the others stared blankly at the scene, surprisingly refraining from mocking her, for they understood that it would yield the same result regardless of who went—after all, for the children who were still growing, that little bit of food was indeed not much; who would be willing to share it with others

Liu Shao stood up, feigning indifference, and said, "Then forget it"

From the very beginning, Liu Shao despised him, but as she listened to the continuous sounds, she did not feel any sense of satisfaction. Instead, she began to feel a surge of fear, losing even the courage to look. She could only make a concerted effort to avert her gaze, fully aware of how bloody and terrifying the scene was, and even more so, she understood how painful it was to have the whip strike her body

However, immediately afterwards, Liu Shao saw Lu Li take one of the only three buns and hand it to Bai Feng

Lu Li was taken aback, as this was clearly not the outcome he had anticipated

Pah, isn't it just that Bai Feng looks decent? Disgusting! Liu Shao let out a light snort, withdrew her gaze, and turned to leave, when suddenly a figure flashed out to block her path

The food that was hidden has unexpectedly disappeared

Pah! Liu Shao did not hesitate to throw the bun back.

"She caused you to be whipped, and you still help her!" Bai Feng could not help but shout loudly

The young man sat on a stone by the water's edge, bloodstains still visible on his body, yet unable to conceal the elegant demeanor that belonged to nobility. Leaning down, he cupped the water... The same action, he performed it with a grace that surpassed others.

Faced with such an excessively harsh demand, Lu Li surprisingly did not get angry. He looked at her with amusement and said, "Why should I do that?"

Letting you act! Liu Shao feels a sense of glee, but thinking about the taste of hunger and her own future situation, she finds it hard to smile. Hesitating whether to share a bun with her.

The lord has a discerning eye

This strange feeling grew stronger, and Liu Shao looked at that face with increasing hatred. It was almost an instantaneous decision; she walked up to him and forced out what she believed to be her most charming smile: "Lu Li, would you take the whip for me?"

Naughty, not a good person

You all! Liu Shao opened her mouth to scold, but knowing that no one would admit it, she had no choice but to swallow this silent grievance. Moreover, she lacked the strength to settle accounts with them, as she was on the verge of fainting from hunger. If she did not eat soon, she would certainly not survive the training tomorrow.

The girls helped Lu Li, and Du Mingchong felt his authority greatly diminished, filled with jealousy. He rolled up his sleeves and stepped forward to grab Lu Li's shoulder, saying: "Hiding behind the girls, what does that count for? Do you dare to fight?"

As soon as these words were spoken, it was as if a stone had been thrown into a lake, causing a commotion among the crowd. Not only were the girls angry, but even the boys cast strange glances.

He was a whole head taller than her, looking down at her at that moment, his beautiful eyes very close to her, devoid of any mockery and not a trace of pity, he simply gazed at her gently, offering his kindness

With each crack of the whip, the small body on the gallows trembled, followed by a hoarse and indistinct cry.

It turns out that a person can change so quickly and become so wicked

On the grass, the victorious children are enjoying their food, while the harsh environment has begun to make them selfish, reluctant to share with others.

He took her belongings to pose as a good person! This is truly excessive

As Lu Li, covered in wounds, walked into the room, the girls simultaneously turned their gazes towards Liu Shao, filled with anger, disgust, and even more so, jealousy

Fang Weichang turned his face and asked: "Lu Li?"

The greatest taboo for a killer is to be soft-hearted. This time, he truly intended to teach a harsh lesson. However, he found that this young man had a face like jade but a heart like a wolf. What was even more remarkable was his resilience, which made him view him in a different light. Men who are killers are inevitably greedy and lustful; having weaknesses makes them easy to control. As for the girl named Liu Shao, despite her young age, she understood how to use her looks to charm others. Such tactics are actually quite common and effective among female assassins, and thus deserve commendation. Therefore, he did not place any blame and left with his guards.

Thinking of the injury he sustained last night, Liu Shao ultimately did not have the courage to approach him. Moreover, she absolutely dared not use the same method as last night, as the cost was entirely beyond her expectations. Thus, Liu Shao turned her face to look at a girl beside her, who had not scorned her last night.

If it weren't for him, she wouldn't have become a joke! Hypocritical!

The whip is so heavy that enduring forty strikes would leave one barely alive, let alone eighty!

This time, Liu Shao still did not complete the task, but she was more vigilant. Yesterday, after completing the task, she obtained a considerable amount of food, and she secretly hid a portion of it, which proved to be useful.

Does it still hurt

The enchanting eyes are tightly closed, and the handsome face is splattered with several drops of fresh blood. The stark contrast of colors makes the youth's complexion appear even paler. His clothing remains intact, yet it is thoroughly soaked with blood, clinging to his slender body.

Lu Li looked at him strangely: "What happened?"

Lu Li did not take much, only receiving three buns

Lu Li evaded.

Enduring double punishment, not only did the children admire him greatly, but a flicker of surprise and satisfaction also flashed in Fang Weichang's gloomy eyes. He quickly concealed this expression, turned to the crowd, and spoke in a cold tone: "Anyone who attempts to escape will be shot on sight"

That night, the girls did not sleep well. Under the torment of fatigue, hunger, and pain, many girls could not help but moan and cry. Out of their kind nature, they comforted and cared for each other, forming friendships by sharing their names in small groups. However, no one paid attention to Liu Shao. Liu Shao was unwilling to admit her mistakes; she lay far away in the corner, pretending to doze with her eyes closed, listening attentively to the conversations around her, and before she knew it, she had fallen into a drowsy sleep.

Liu Shao raised her face in confusion, meeting those violet eyes

"No, no, I have some," Du Mingchong said, feeling a bit embarrassed as he declined.

Seeing her stand up for Lu Li, Liu Shao inexplicably felt angry and retorted: "What does it have to do with you!"

Lu Li, are you alright

Du Mingchong originally intended to teach his opponent a lesson, but unexpectedly, his own food was snatched away. Furious, he turned around to protect it, but unfortunately, he was still a step too late; the white bun had already vanished without a trace. In that instant, Du Mingchong could no longer care about anything else. Like a raging lion, he let out a roar and swung his fist at Lu Li

Only suffering superficial pain, without injuring the muscles and bones, this is also a testament to the executioner's skill

"You... you shameless person!" Du Mingchong, enraged and embarrassed, cursed with the coarse language he had learned, attempting to forcefully pull her.

The chief guard merely glanced at the two individuals, signaling them to continue

Lu Li seemed to understand what she was thinking and smiled: "Alright, you don't have to do that anymore"

"Oh, what's wrong with Liu Shao'er?" A girl mocked, as she had long been displeased since Du Mingchong and Lu Li were both supporting her.

In the center of the yard stood a gallows, with a child hanging from it, his skin torn and bloodied. On the ground lay dozens of tortured individuals, their blood mingling with the dust, leaving them in a pitiful state. As Lu Li had anticipated, none of the escaped children were spared; all were captured and brought back, each receiving forty lashes. The executioner wielded the whip with precise force, ensuring that the victims remained conscious long enough to endure the torment. All the children witnessing the punishment trembled in fear, as the harsh reality made it clear to them that their only option was to obey orders, absolute obedience.

Faced with such severe rejection, Liu Shao's face flushed red. She stubbornly raised her chin, deliberately displaying a proud expression and said, "He has to admit it himself; it has nothing to do with me!"

These are nothing, Liu Shao was horrified to discover that she was facing consequences more severe than punishment—if she did not complete the task, there would be no food, and without food, she would have no strength to run. If this continued, she would soon starve to death

Liu Shao turned her head and recognized that it was the young man Du Mingchong whom she had just met in the morning. In front of him were six buns, and he was waving at her.

It was not Lu Li, it was she who ran away on her own! The girl named Bai Feng stood up with righteous indignation to accuse.

Liu Shao was originally concerned about the injuries on his body and was about to ask him if it still hurt, but upon seeing the situation, she was almost choked with anger

Laughter erupted around.

Lu Li had long been prepared, and with a few swift moves, he knocked him down again, kindly reminding him: "Don't provoke me"

"Liu Shao'er." Du Mingchong no longer treated her with the same careful flattery as before

Fang Weichang indeed asked: "Is what she said true or false?"

After the suspicion had passed, Captain Fang's expression gradually improved. He signaled for someone to go over and use a whip to drive them away, muttering under his breath, "Useless things." He then waved his hand at the guards. The guards understood immediately and went up to drag the two children on the ground away, their movements rough, causing the injured child to scream incessantly. Although they did not know what their fate would ultimately be, the children had a general understanding of how Captain Fang dealt with "useless things" and vaguely guessed what might happen, leaving no one daring to speak up.

The execution process this time seemed particularly slow, so slow that I lost track of time, and finally, there was silence in my ears

In the distance, Bai Feng and others formed a circle to eat, while Lu Li sat in the middle listening to their conversation, a gentle smile on her lips

The more gentle he is, the louder the children's laughter becomes

The aroma of meat wafts into the nose, and the food before me is enough for a delightful feast. Liu Shao is filled with excitement, and with no one to assist, this is achieved through one's own efforts

Suppressing her anger and grievance, Liu Shao walked towards Du Mingchong

He was not afraid; she knew that he was not afraid of being whipped at all

Under the gaze of many, Liu Shao looked at him in disbelief: "You!"

Prompted by her reminder, the girls began to gather around those boys who had more buns, while only Bai Feng sat down, biting her lip, enduring her hunger, and steadfastly refusing to beg from others

The sky has not yet brightened, torches are burning by the mountain stream, and the stream water is cold and biting.

Seeing his fierce demeanor, Liu Shao was so frightened that she hid behind Lu Li and exclaimed, "What are you doing!"

In the face of provocation, Lu Li calmly evaded the hand and suddenly pointed at the bun on the ground, saying: "Be careful, someone is about to steal it—"

The chilling screams echoed throughout the courtyard, accompanied by the sound of whips striking flesh. Liu Shao heard it from a distance, and it felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over her head, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in her heart. Instinctively, she tightened her grip on Lu Li's hand, looking at him with full anticipation.

The willow branches stealthily slipped back into the room, arriving at the corner where she slept, and pulled aside the thatch.

As he approached the willow branches, the two girls beside him simultaneously displayed expressions of vigilance

"Um... can you lend me some food? I will return it to you tomorrow!" Liu Shao'er said shamelessly, as tomorrow's training would be her forte in forming energy formations, she just needed to get through tonight.

Thank you! Liu Shao was overjoyed and reached out to receive it

Liu Shao turned her face away in anger

Lu Li tilted his head, clearly in a dilemma. Before he could come up with a good solution, two guards discovered them and dragged them through the door

"Dare you laugh!" Du Ming, with his eyes already red, turned his anger towards those who mocked him. He was indeed much stronger than the other children. In his shame and fury, he struck even harder, quickly bringing two of them to the ground, unable to move.

Lu Li placed one foot on Du Mingchong's back and leaned down, asking: "Do you submit?"

A collective gasp immediately arose from the surroundings

Many children with a sense of justice joined in the call

Liu Shao alleviated her hunger with two buns and two bowls of water, allowing her spirit to be restored. This time, she gritted her teeth and persevered, likely due to her seriousness and a stroke of good luck, as she surprisingly became the second child to successfully pass the test. Therefore, at dinner, there was not only buns but also meat. Lu Li completed the task even earlier than she did, and Captain Fang was very pleased with this outcome. A total of five people received the same reward, including Bai Feng, Du Mingchong, and a boy named Zhu Yi.

From a young age, Liu Shao has been quite confident in her appearance, consistently earning the admiration of her guests. Young masters are particularly fond of surrounding her. This young man in front of her seems to like her as well, doesn't he? He noticed her from the very beginning and even followed her quietly. Although she finds it quite annoying, she has no choice but to resort to this method to escape the dreadful punishment.

Having broken into a sweat, Liu Shao felt an even more unbearable hunger. Her vision blurred intermittently, and as she watched the children devour their food, she swallowed hard, unable to resist glancing at Lu Li in the distance

Looking at the boy lying down, Du Ming felt that he had regained a bit of face. Ignoring the bruise on his left cheek, he casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and then kicked the boy at his feet heavily, glaring arrogantly at the others.

Liu Shao, hearing the feigned gentle tone trying to ingratiate itself, couldn't help but laugh. Initially, she was too impatient to respond, but upon catching sight of Bai Feng and Lu Li over there, she immediately changed her mind and replied: "My name is Liu Shao, and you?"

Liu Shao was genuinely grateful. Seeing that he loved meat, she forcibly stuffed a piece of meat into his hands, then strode over to Lu Li, casually picking up a piece of meat and handing it to him: "Hey, here you go!"

The straightforward and simple-minded youth has already begun to savor the taste of power in an environment characterized by the survival of the fittest

Pah! Bai Feng was the first to disdainfully spit on the ground, and the other girls followed suit, cursing along with her

Liu Shao hesitated and took two steps towards him, then stopped.

The victorious child received a reward—three white buns, a type of food that she would usually discard without a second glance. However, now, she would be content to eat just one... No, even a single bite would suffice

The ordinary bun is particularly fragrant and sweet at this moment, and the willow branches, disregarding their appearance, take a big bite, nearly consuming half of it, while tears still linger in their eyes

Not long after, the sound of scolding echoed in my ears

Several fast-running boys bravely seized two arrows, and Captain Fang did not punish them; instead, he ordered that they be given three additional buns. Because of this, many girls who did not manage to grab any had to go hungry

Having said that, she no longer looked at the other girls and went back to her room to sleep

What a foolish kindness! Not only do you not keep enough for yourself, but you also give to others, not fearing starvation! You flatter any girl who is a bit pretty, and if you starve, you deserve it

In the future, if you need someone to help you, just give him a kiss, and perhaps he will agree to assist you

In the days that followed, Commander Fang arranged various training sessions. Liu Shao also set aside her petulance and strived to excel. On fortunate occasions, she was able to complete the tasks, but most of the time she failed. She felt embarrassed to constantly seek help from Du Mingchong, only turning to him when she was truly starving. Fortunately, Du Mingchong was generous and often took the initiative to assist her, for which Liu Shao was very grateful

I just... the boy seemed a bit unnatural, glaring at the boys who were whispering and making a fuss, then mustered the courage to look at her and said, "I just want to know, what is your name?"

Only after being set down by the guard did he slowly open his eyes. His body swayed slightly, yet he did not fall to the ground like the other children before him. He merely frowned slightly and then proceeded to walk over as usual.

She is afraid of this haunted place! Why did her father sell her here? They gave her life, yet abandoned her in her most difficult times. Why won't even her moon save her?

Liu Shao was already cold and hungry, and even more afraid of being whipped. Her face turned pale, and she trembled as she wanted to retreat, but her legs felt weak and she could not move at all. She dared not cry out or scream, as extreme fear and despair enveloped her.

Liu Shao stared blankly at the crowd, looking at the faces that bore the same expression, desperately biting her lip to prevent tears from falling, her mind a complete blank, not knowing what to do.

You!" Bai Feng was so angry that she couldn't speak, and could only shout, "Liu Shao is wronging people!"

"Commander Wei, this young man is indeed impressive"

Liu Shao looked back at Du Mingchong with a sense of fear, the boy's face no longer bore the enthusiasm it once had, now appearing fierce and unfamiliar. Remembering his previous willingness to help, Liu Shao felt a sense of indescribable sadness.

The comatose boy did not return, no one went to look for him, nor did anyone care

Indeed, she looked at Lu Li... Gazing at those small pink lips, Du Mingchong couldn't help but swallow, his throat feeling a bit dry

The children quickly restrained their laughter, all displaying expressions of anger, and their admiration for Lu Li grew even stronger.

"Liu Shao'er!" someone called

Her lips felt a bit soft and somewhat cool... Liu Shao was momentarily taken aback, suddenly feeling extremely embarrassed. She hurriedly wiped her lips with the back of her hand. Seeing the guard approaching, she immediately pointed at Lu Li and exclaimed, "It was him! It was him who pulled me out!"

Damn it! Liu Shao jumped up in anger, clenched her fists, and rushed out.

You think he truly values your affection, but he merely sees you as pitiable

Only the strong can survive in this place; the fate of the weak is death

That method is indeed effective, but that person did not inform her that after using it, she would lose even more

As the food entered her stomach, her hunger was alleviated, yet she suddenly felt even more embarrassed, hesitating to take a second bite

The cold voice sounded in her ears like the sinister laughter of a demon, and Liu Shao shivered. Her fear of the whip ultimately outweighed everything else, and she shook her head repeatedly: "She is talking nonsense, I did not! It is true!"

Get up! Do you hear me? Get up!

A sudden pain jolted Liu Shao awake from her dream. As she opened her eyes, she saw a whip coming down upon her, scattering straw all over the room. Once she realized what was happening, she quickly turned over, got up, and ran towards the door, while another girl who was slower got hit a few times.

She eagerly picked up the meat and took a bite, then paused.

The once obedient compliance was all false, in the end, no one cared for her

In a person's life, good fortune is often the hardest to encounter

In fact, no one came up, the boys looked at Lu Li with awe. The victorious youth did not possess much imposing presence, yet inexplicably made them feel guilty. The girls were even more excited and filled with admiration, as Du Ming was so impressive among the boys, yet Lu Li was even more formidable than him

Liu Shao only thought that he was reluctant to part with it, and hurriedly assured: "Just lending one piece is fine, I will return it to you tomorrow!"

The several guards who were watching coldly from the side could not help but speak up

Lu Li let out an "oh" and casually took it, passing it to the boy next to her who had not received dinner. The girls admired her even more, and Bai Feng generously took out a bun to share with a girl.

Lu Li smiled faintly, not bothering to argue

Du Mingchong looked at the two girls beside him and said, "This..."

Today's practice was no different from yesterday's. Fang Weichang still shot out thirty-six arrows, while Liu Shao was working very hard. However, she was limited by her strength and, like most girls, had gone an entire day without food. The arrows landed in various places, and by the time she ran over, they had often been taken away. Two boys even fought over the last arrow, one of whom ended up with a broken head and collapsed on the ground

As expected, upon returning to the camp, the children who did not retrieve the arrows received another ten lashes

Liu Shao instinctively wanted to refuse, yet her hand was reluctant to let go of the food, which had already unconsciously been brought to her mouth, without any hesitation or concern in between—she indeed hated Lu Li, but compared to the current Du Mingchong, she would rather kiss Lu Li

The commotion here attracted several strange gazes. Most of the children are precocious and have a vague understanding of matters. Such public displays of intimacy are rarely seen, not only by them but even by adults.

Upon hearing this, Liu Shao's small face immediately became animated

All laughter vanished, and the surroundings fell into silence

Hmm..." Lu Li looked at the children covered in blood, then glanced at her, and finally nodded, "It is me."

"Let us go, it is time to practice." Liu Shao walked quickly.

Du Mingchong struggled several times but remained unable to move, feeling both ashamed and angry. He looked at the bun in Liu Shao's hand and shouted: "There is still food! Why aren't you going to grab it!"

Another girl lowered her head and smiled: "Helping her like this, I haven't seen her treat you any differently, it's not as good as how she treats Lu Li!"

"You were the one who made the first move," Lu Li said, stepping back a couple of paces and muttering to himself, "This fight is truly embarrassing"

The words that were on the tip of her tongue were forcefully swallowed, and Liu Shao bit into the meat with resentment, feeling that she could not bear to stay by his side for even a moment longer, and quickly walked away

Somehow, Liu Shao felt that the smile contained a hint of serious interest, as if it belonged to an observer, exuding a sense of detachment from the situation.

Bai Feng urgently said: "Liu Shao'er is the one who is enticing others, it has nothing to do with Lu Li, he is just being kind!"

As it was almost their turn, the abandoned girl, with her eyes reddened, clenched her cold hands tightly and looked at Lu Li

Liu Shao had actually long forgotten about him, and upon seeing this, she joyfully ran over: "You ... ... "

After lunch, Commander Fang began to teach the most basic method of energy condensation, which was quite tedious, and the children were all forcing themselves to practice diligently