Chapter 238: Originally, I Didn’t Want to Get Involved in This

Xiao Li didn’t know which stage of Lu Nianqing’s soul had been reborn in Xu Nianqing’s body, but she knew the Niu father and daughter were definitely not his match.

Sure enough, he never mentioned the previous night’s incident, where he had nearly been assaulted. Upon seeing Niu Jiahua, he remained composed, respectful, and courteous.

It left Niu Jiahua at a complete loss for how to act.

He spoke eloquently with Niu Tianhu, revealing his identity as the son of the new County Magistrate of Kunyu County.

He claimed his father was different from the previous County Magistrate. He said his father knew about Tianhu Village, admired its heroes, and understood that they had been forced into their current circumstances. He even went on to denounce the former magistrate. Finally, he declared that since Tianhu Village had saved his life, he would absolutely have his father resolve all of their difficulties.

Such as household registrations, land deeds, and so on.

Xiao Li was getting a firsthand lesson in what it meant to be silver-tongued. The man was clearly stone-faced, without a hint of a smile, yet he spoke with such conviction that just a few sentences had Niu Tianhu and his men clapping in admiration.

But Xiao Li was positive he was just making it all up on the spot.

Although Niu Tianhu was big and burly, he was no brainless brute. While he was tempted by everything Xu Nianqing said, he remained on his guard.

But just because he was cautious didn’t mean the others were.

No one wanted to be a mountain bandit forever; they all wanted to live normal lives. And having saved the life of the County Magistrate’s son—what a golden opportunity this was!

If they had household registrations, they could enter the cities to trade goods legally. They would no longer have to risk life and limb for a little salt.

Sensing something was wrong, Niu Jiahua quickly told Niu Tianhu how she had come across Xu Nianqing. The moment Niu Tianhu heard, the color drained from his face.

’This isn’t some blessing from the heavens; this is an absolute disaster!’

After a moment of thought, he decided to escort the man out with the utmost respect.

As long as the other party wasn’t looking for a confrontation, there was room for negotiation. If they waited until the County Magistrate came demanding his son back, Tianhu Village would be utterly finished.

Niu Tianhu treated him to the best food and drink. Xu Nianqing offered his verbal thanks, his expression placid, showing no intention of holding a grudge.

Meanwhile, a group of young girls from the village ran over to sneak a peek at him, every one of them utterly captivated.

Fang’er excitedly grabbed Niu Jiahua’s hand. "Jiahua, that scholar is just gorgeous! No wonder you want to have his baby. And he’s the County Magistrate’s son! What kind of woman could possibly be good enough for him?"

Niu Jiahua forced an awkward smile. ’Don’t even mention it,’ she thought. Right now, she just wanted to go back in time and bury the person she was two days ago.

’Have his baby? She wouldn’t dare have a child with this man. She wished she could just crawl into a hole and disappear.’

The next day, Niu Tianhu and about a dozen of his men prepared to escort Xu Nianqing from the village.

Xiao Li quickly followed along. ’Once I get to the city, I can gather more information and figure out how to return.’

Tianhu Village was hidden deep in the mountains. The terrain was treacherous, and leaving was no easy task.

The group wound their way through the mountain paths, bypassing numerous traps, before finally reaching the main road.

Just then, someone, on a sudden impulse, glanced back. They saw thick smoke billowing from the tree-shaded mountain hollow, birds scattering in a panic. The sight made everyone’s face pale with shock.

"What is that?"

"Why is there so much smoke? Could something have happened back at the village?"

Niu Tianhu, without a second thought, grabbed one of his men. "You wait here with Mr. Xu. We’re going back to check."

Without another word to Xu Nianqing, he led his men in a frantic dash back toward the village.

Xu Nianqing watched them retreat in a panic. He tilted his head slightly, gazing at the thick smoke on the mountaintop, and a faint smile finally touched his lips.

"Those fools. It’s about time they showed up."

Xiao Li knew this bastard was up to no good. For a moment, she forgot she was just a small point of light and shot toward the mountain with all her might, moving more than ten times faster than Niu Tianhu and his men.

She reached the mountain in an instant and saw government soldiers in the distance.

’This is bad.’ When she got closer and saw the scene, her fears were confirmed.

The soldiers were burning and killing their way through the village, leaving a trail of bodies.

After years of peace, the village’s young and able-bodied men were either out raiding for supplies or working the fields. The dozen or so leaders were with Niu Tianhu, escorting Xu Nianqing. That meant the village was now filled with only the old, the weak, women, and children, completely defenseless.

"Please, spare us."

"I’m begging you."

An old woman knelt on the ground, clutching her grandson and pleading for her life, but the descending blade showed no mercy.

"Fang’er!"

Xiao Li heard Niu Jiahua’s piercing shriek and turned. Not far away, she saw a soldier slash Fang’er across the back. Her friend fell stiffly to the ground.

Niu Jiahua was fighting two soldiers with a large blade. She was strong and knew some martial arts, which was more than enough for a weak scholar, but against two trained soldiers, she was clearly outmatched.

The pair forced her back step by step, and she was soon wounded. Another soldier joined in, grabbing her leg to stop her from moving while the other two pounced, pinning her to the ground.

They groped her wantonly, their faces twisted in lewd grins as they spewed vulgarities.

"This wench is ugly as sin, but her body is damn fine. Never had one like this before."

"Heard she’s the bandit chief’s only daughter. I’m gonna have a taste of a bandit’s girl."

"Out of the way, I’m first..."

They dragged her toward a nearby thatched hut as they spoke. Niu Jiahua struggled with all her might, but could not stop them from tearing her clothes.

"Get off! Get the hell off me!"

She thrashed, kicked, and punched, managing to shove one man away, but another came up from behind and smashed a stool over her head, knocking her unconscious.

’Why did I come back to watch this?’ Xiao Li cursed herself. She was just a small point of light, completely powerless.

But as she watched them descend on Niu Jiahua, she found she couldn’t just stand by and do nothing.

She surged into Niu Jiahua’s body with all her might, mobilizing her entire energy. The instant she took control, she snatched up a soldier’s blade she had spotted nearby.

SHLICK!

An arm flew through the air, sending blood spattering.

"AHH..."

The soldier only had time for a single scream before Xiao Li’s blade silenced him, slitting his throat.

The other two trembled in fear. Xiao Li smiled, a bloodthirsty demon. "I wasn’t going to get involved," she said, "but you’ve all gone a little too far."

Screams echoed from outside. Not wanting to waste any more time, Xiao Li finished them off with two quick slashes and rushed out.

She cut down a soldier who was about to harm a child, then sent another flying with a swift kick.

Then she charged toward the others.

Seeing their comrade fall, the other soldiers raised their blades and rushed to help. Xiao Li cut them down one by one.

’Niu Jiahua’s martial arts are mediocre, but this body is incredible,’ Xiao Li thought. It was powerful and agile, allowing her to unleash her skills to their full potential.

In an instant, soldiers swarmed her, only to fall one after another.

She ripped off a piece of her torn sleeve and used it to bind the blade’s hilt to her palm, her eyes surging with killing intent.

She was drenched in blood. Behind her lay a field of corpses; before her were the terrified, retreating soldiers.

In their eyes, this woman, bathed in blood with the black birthmark on her face, was no different from a Yama Evil Ghost.

Finally, the people from the back of the mountain rushed back, charging in with wood axes and hoes. At the same time, Niu Tianhu and his men fought their way back into the village.

Their morale already broken, the soldiers fell back and began to flee in disarray.

Xiao Li didn’t give chase. She simply surveyed the scene, her expression grim.

’Oh, crap,’ she thought. ’The crisis is over. Now how do I get out of this body?’