Chapter 131: Chapter 131
The Masked Soldiers found it incomprehensible. This was the outer perimeter of Qishan, already not far from Shu Mountain. With the mountainous terrain and dense forests, there were virtually no registered villages nearby—only countless bandit dens that rose and fell like waves. No merchant caravans dared pass through here without Messenger escorts.
The little girl in front of them didn’t even reach half their height. Her cheeks were plump and fair, and her attire was clearly extravagant—she was obviously of noble birth… What was she doing alone in a place ?
Anyone who had managed to become a Messenger within the Masked Soldier system might be utterly corrupt, but none of them were foolish enough to mistake a high card for a low one. When traveling outside, the most dangerous people to provoke were the elderly, sick, women, and children—because everyone thought they were easy targets, yet their continued survival proved they were anything but.
One of the Masked Soldiers raised a steel crossbow and fired, the bolt striking the ground by the girl’s foot. “The Lord of Heyang Commandery is pursuing a most-wanted traitor. Unauthorized persons are not allowed near!”
The little girl looked down at the bolt, then at the armored Masked Soldiers, and drew out her voice: “Ehh——”
“These three big sisters don’t look like criminals to me. What crimes did they commit?”
The squad leader was about to speak when something suddenly struck him as wrong: They had the area completely sealed off, the horses formed a wall, and the distance was significant. The girl was so short—how did she know the prisoners were three women?
“You little brat, looking to die?” another soldier snapped, already impatient. He raised his steel crossbow and aimed at her. “Scram!”
Had it been anyone else approaching, they would have killed them on the spot. But this girl's appearance, clothing, and bold behavior all raised suspicion that she had powerful backing. Normal people would’ve fled at the sight of them, not walked up and asked questions. They feared killing her might cause trouble, hence their 'courtesy.'
“My brother said, if you want to kill someone, you should also be prepared to be killed.” The little girl tilted her head and asked, “Are you prepared?”
“Haha, what a fierce little girl.”
“Definitely a noble child. No way a common family could raise such a brat.”
“If my kid dared talk to adults like that, I’d beat them to death. Kids these days, honestly.”
Several soldiers laughed, some even eager to rush over and teach her a lesson, but the squad leader stopped them. “Don’t move. No one moves!”
The leader was now convinced the girl was of noble birth, likely sneaking off while traveling with her family. Seeing them, she wasn’t afraid, and was imitating the speech of adults—clearly her family were the kind of powerful people who could command Masked Soldiers.
“This has nothing to do with you. If you want answers, go ask your elders,” said the leader. “Don’t stir up trouble.”
“My brother said, anyone who doesn’t speak to me properly is a demon.” The girl raised both hands and, after much effort, drew the longsword from her back. “I understand now. You’re demons wearing human skin.”
“If you still won’t talk nicely before I act, then this young heroine shall slay demons and purge evil.”
The soldiers burst out laughing. “Young heroine? Slaying demons? Like she’s ever seen a demon.”
“She’s probably always playing these ‘heroine’ games at home. Thinks demons are like the servants in her courtyard, free to hit whenever.”
“Wasn’t there that noble boy who came to the garrison town bragging like hell? Cried the moment he entered the Secret Realm.”
“Could her family be watching from nearby? Only the wealthy can raise such a spoiled, domineering child.”
At this comment, the soldiers exchanged looks, and the squad leader agreed—it was likely. Perhaps there were Second-Stage or even Third-Stage Messengers in the shadows, ready to protect her. They’d wait until one of them dared attack the girl, then kill them in return, giving her a real ‘heroine experience.’ Similar things had happened before in Zhou Kingdom.
They, as First-Stage Messengers, could abuse ordinary folks at will—but Second-Stage and Third-Stage Messengers could do the same to them. This world was a cruel food chain. Everyone had a place. No one escaped it.
As the girl neared, the squad leader had no choice but to raise his hands and loudly declare, “The Lord of Heyang Commandery acts on imperial decree to arrest the rebellious remnants of Duke of Jin. If you’re involved, both you and your family will be implicated in the treason case!”
This warning wasn’t meant for the girl—it was meant for any hidden escorts nearby, urging them to take the clueless girl away.
“Oh, so it’s court politics.” The girl stopped and lowered her sword. “My brother said, court politics is all just dogs biting each other—none of them are good. Not worth helping.”
Your brother finally said something sensible, the soldiers thought.
“But you said the big sister who looks like a monster is part of the rebel faction—I believe that.” She pointed at Wu Qiu and Shi Dong without hesitation. “But the other two sisters look like ordinary people. Did they commit crimes too?”
“The emperor has ordered the extermination of all Duke of Jin’s household, no exceptions,” the leader said. “These two were maids in his residence. They too must be taken.”
“So you’re saying—they’re innocent.”
“You little brat, don’t know what’s good for you,” one soldier cursed. “Already said they’re Duke of Jin’s servants—how could they be innocent? Keep this up and don’t blame us for being rude!”
“My brother once said, most people are like rootless duckweed, tossed about by wind and rain, unable to choose their fate.” The girl spoke calmly. “I’ve met many bandits on the road—just refugees with sickles and hoes. I didn’t blame them, even gave them some food… My brother said, true chivalry is just a bit of pity for the suffering dragged by the tides of the world.”
“I’m going in to rescue them now. You may hit me once to make it look good—but if anyone hits me a second time, I’ll kill them.”
With that, she leapt forward, dragging her longsword, heading straight into their formation.
The soldiers were dumbfounded by her audacity. The squad leader reflexively aimed his steel crossbow at her, but just as he was about to fire, her words flashed through his mind. He instinctively raised the crossbow a bit higher—the bolt whizzed past her braided hair.
The others opened fire as well. Some bolts struck the girl’s body and were deflected by an invisible barrier. Others missed her entirely—whether due to haste or some unknown force was unclear.
Meanwhile, the battle between Medicine Master Wen and Helan Que had reached its climax. Their weapons alone were creating craters in the ground. Gone was the ease from Helan Que's face—his golden aura flickered constantly, clearly using multiple Rare Tokens simultaneously.
The little girl’s appearance didn’t even register with them. Like wild beasts locked in a death match, a moment’s distraction would mean losing a chunk of flesh.
The other soldiers, however, weren’t so passive. Seeing the girl charge toward Wu Qiu and Shi Dong, they raised their crossbows without hesitation, loosing dozens of bolts that rained down toward her from all directions.
They weren’t worried about her rescuing the two maids—they feared she’d kill them. Before the operation began, Helan Que had explicitly ordered them not to kill the maids. Even during the hunt, they were only allowed to wound them in non-vital spots.
The maids were bait—to hold Medicine Master Wen down. Even if she chose to flee alone, Helan Que could still use their corpses to enrage her.
The weak never decided their own fate. A single thought from the strong could destroy their homeland, declare them traitors, and use them as disposable pawns.
Wu Qiu understood this perfectly. That’s why she had sought death. The moment she heard Duke of Jin’s house had fallen, she knew their lives were over. Medicine Master Wen could survive alone outside—but they had never even left Chang’an Main City.
They were like flowers inside a Secret Realm, utterly unfit for the wind and rain of the outside world. Without their young mistress’s protection, they would have long since perished.
Unfortunately, their mistress had too high standards—still hadn’t found a suitor… As her personal maids, her husband would naturally be their future master too. When their lady was indisposed, it would be their duty to serve the young master’s needs… If he was willing to indulge in pleasure with them when out of her sight, they’d be content. But not too often—lest it provoke the lady’s displeasure. That was the best love a maid could hope for.
Yet during idle hours, Wu Qiu sometimes fantasized: if she were ever in danger, would a handsome noble come galloping in with an army to rescue her? The most update n0vels are published on novęlfire.net
But when it truly happened—she saw not a nobleman, but a little girl who could be her younger sister. Not a grand army, but that same little girl charging alone into a rain of arrows and a sea of enemies!
The girl didn’t dodge the bolts. When they came within an inch of her body, they seemed to hit a soft, invisible wall, losing all momentum and falling to the ground harmlessly. Her shield was entirely unbreached.
With a flick of her left hand, two bottles of Healing Pills appeared: “Take these and follow me. I’ll get you out. Don’t be afraid. Just stay behind me—I’ll handle the rest.”