Chapter 280: Life or Death

Chapter 280: Life or Death

This is totally clueless about romance!

She was dressed in next to nothing in the middle of the night, and you acted like you didn’t see her. Now that she’s right in front of you, you actually close the window?

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun locked eyes, both feeling a mix of amusement and exasperation.

Hu Sandao, on the other hand, let out a sigh of relief. As soon as the window was closed, he lay back down.

But the next moment, he suddenly hesitated.

Could it be that Xiu Lan’s late-night visit had another reason behind it?

The thought had just crossed his mind when he heard the sound of muffled crying coming from outside the window.

The soft sound drifted into Hu Sandao’s ears, and he could no longer stay lying down.

Feeling uneasy, he kicked off the blanket and cracked the window open.

Looking outside, he saw Xiu Lan crying, her face soaked with tears, looking utterly fragile and helpless.

Although Hu Sandao’s lifelong ambition was to become a bandit king and carve out a name for himself in the martial world, deep down, he still had a knightly spirit.

Seeing her like this, he couldn’t help but ask in a low voice:

“Uh… miss, why are you crying? It’s not good to be heard in the middle of the night.”

“Big brother, I… I’ve had such bad luck.”

Xiu Lan looked up at Hu Sandao: “Can you… keep me company?”

“…”

What kind of request is this?

Hu Sandao didn’t know how to say no.

But Xiu Lan assumed his silence meant yes. She immediately stood up and, using the crack Hu Sandao had opened in the window, lifted the window and slipped in, pulling herself over the sill.

Hu Sandao was dumbfounded.

Not sleeping in the middle of the night, and now there’s a woman on the kang (a traditional Chinese heated bed)?

If word got out, it wouldn’t look good at all.

Especially since she was the wife of the head of the household. If Qi Dashan were to come out of his room and see this, what would happen?

Hu Sandao’s mind was racing, and he didn’t even notice that Xiu Lan had silently shut the window behind her.

By the time Hu Sandao snapped out of it, Xiu Lan was sitting on one end of the kang, while he was on the other.

“…Uh, miss, isn’t this… a little out of line?”

Although Hu Sandao had spent the first half of his life aspiring to become a bandit king, deep down, he still had a knightly nature.

This situation just didn’t seem right.

He instinctively tried to get up, but as soon as he moved, Xiu Lan hurriedly added:

"Brother... don’t go. Let’s just talk here on the kang, you on your side, me on mine, no need to touch."

"If we were outside and my husband saw us, it’d be trouble. If you leave now and make noise, I’d be in a bind... whether you go out the window or the door, it’d be the death of me."

"..."

This left Hu Sandao stuck, unsure of what to do.

He glanced at Xiu Lan, and her clothing caught his eye, making him even more uneasy:

"Uh... little sister... do you, uh, need to put on more clothes?"

"Brother, you’re being silly."

Xiu Lan couldn’t help but laugh: "Where would I find clothes here?"

"..."

That’s true...

Hu Sandao had no choice but to press himself further back, his back flat against the wall: "So... what did you want to talk about?"

"Just some idle chatter."

As she spoke, Xiu Lan’s eyes welled up again:

"Brother, let me tell you, my fate’s been nothing but bad luck."

"Truth is, I’m not from this village."

"My family was well-off, and I was well-read since I was a child."

"But who’d have thought, on a trip to visit family, I’d be ambushed by bandits..."

"They killed and robbed, did all sorts of evil, and I, I was taken to their mountain."

"That’s outrageous!"

Hu Sandao was immediately filled with righteous indignation: "Stealing’s bad enough, but killing without cause? These lawless types ruin the name of our greenwood brotherhood."

"???"

Xiu Lan was pouring her heart out, but hearing this, she was taken aback.

"Keep going."

Hu Sandao, though, was hooked, gesturing for Xiu Lan to go on.

Xiu Lan nodded, gathered herself, and continued:

"They took me to the mountain, and that very night, their leader... forced himself on me."

"After that, I became his seventh wife."

"Though I had food and drink, the daily life was unbearable."

"And many on the mountain looked at me with bad intentions..."

"In the end, I found a way to escape that mountain."

"It was also on that day when everyone in their village was dead drunk, which gave me the opportunity," she said.

At this point, Hu Sandao's face was filled with seriousness: "Wait, Xiu Lan, do you smell something? It seems like a scent..."

"Brother... could it be... my scent?"

Xiu Lan's face was flushed with embarrassment.

"Forget I mentioned it," Hu Sandao quickly waved his hand and then asked, "What happened next?"

"Later, I made my way to Tihu Village.

"I fainted in the woods... and was saved by the village chief.

"I had no one to rely on, and he saved my life.

"So, I had no choice but to give myself to him... but he is much older than me, and when it came to that, he just couldn’t manage..."

As she said this, her gaze towards Hu Sandao held a trace of uncertainty.

Hu Sandao widened his eyes, about to speak, but then hesitated.

After a moment’s hesitation, he nodded: "An old man with a young wife—that’s just how it goes."

Xiu Lan then slightly relaxed, though her soft expression had faded. Her voice was still soft and tender, but the corner of her mouth had curled up:

"You tell me, a beautiful woman like me, yet every night I’m stuck with a lifeless man."

No matter how she provoked him, he showed no reaction.

"How can I bear this?"

"Right! No one could bear it!"

Hu Sandao nodded vigorously.

"Then, Big Brother, would you be willing to keep me company tonight?"

Xiu Lan suddenly gently hooked her finger.

Hu Sandao paused for a moment, then crawled to Xiu Lan's side:

"I, of course, am willing."

"Then... if I give myself to you, will you treat me well in the future?"

"Of course, I will cherish you above all else."

"Will you listen to everything I say?"

"Yes, whatever you ask of me, I will do."

"Even if I asked you to kill your chief protector?"

"..."

Hu Sandao was instantly stunned, seeming somewhat hesitant.

But the next moment, Xiu Lan suddenly reached out and pushed him down onto the heated bed (a traditional Chinese kang), sitting on top of him. Her two fingers traced a line across Hu Sandao's face, eventually reaching his chest, where she gently drew circles:

"Would you kill your chief escort leader?"

Her voice, smooth and seductive, carried a unique rhythm that eroded all will to resist, leaving one completely entranced.

"Kill..."

Hu Sandao muttered in a daze.

"Giggle..."

A look of triumph appeared on Xiu Lan's face as she tapped Hu Sandao's forehead with her finger:

"Men, no matter the time, are always full of hot air.

"Do you honestly think you can take him on?

"Even if you sneak up on him unnoticed, using your status, you might have a chance to wound him, but killing him is completely out of the question.

"But luckily, I don’t actually need you to kill him. All you need to do is steal the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron for me."

"Alright."

Hu Sandao nodded and was about to get up.

But Xiu Lan pressed him down, smiling:

"No rush, you need to get a little taste of what’s in it for you first, so you’ll be fully on board with helping me..."

Her words didn’t sound entirely genuine.

As she spoke, she began to undo Old Hu’s clothes:

"The Ziyang Escort Agency isn’t all that impressive...

"I originally planned to deal with Su Mo directly, but he is, after all, the First of Donghuang, a top martial arts master. I’m a little concerned that my 【Charming Heart Technique】 might not work on him.

"Moreover, he has that sly fox guarding him, making it even more difficult to succeed.

"But, as they say, when one door closes, another opens. You’re a much easier target.

"Too bad... the goal this time is only the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron. Otherwise, I’d really like to experience what it’s like to be with the First of Donghuang.

"Even in bed, does he still hold the title of the First of Donghuang?"

She muttered to herself, quickly stripping off Hu Sandao’s shirt, not noticing that Hu Sandao was just as eager.

Just as she was about to lose control, the caw of a crow suddenly rang out.

Hearing this, Xiu Lan paused and halted her actions, turning to look out the window, her brows furrowed:

"The old ghost’s messenger crow? Did something happen?"

After a moment, she pouted: "With such a golden opportunity at hand, who has time to deal with you?"

As she spoke, she slipped off her thin gauze and was about to remove her undergarment when the crow’s cawing suddenly intensified.

It sounded like an unrelenting harbinger of doom.

Hearing the noise, Xiu Lan couldn’t keep going:

"The crows are going wild—something big must’ve happened in the village.

"Ah, whatever... I’ll check it out."

She sighed, grudgingly slipping the gauze back on, and glanced at Hu Sandao, who was at her mercy. Suddenly, she smiled, reached out, and hooked his stubbly chin:

"Wait for me, I’ll be back to have my fun."

With that, she spun around and leapt out the window.

She landed softly, caught the falling sash, and latched it shut. Then, with a light step, she ascended to the roof, only to find several black crow feathers scattered there. She froze for a moment:

"Old Ghost’s crow never loses its feathers—what’s got it so worked up?"

Without a second thought, she took off.

Hu Sandao didn’t move until Xiu Lan was gone. He sat up, taking deep breaths, his face pure relief, like he’d just dodged death.

He couldn’t help but look around and whisper:

"Chief Escort... where’s the Chief Escort?"

"You might wanna get dressed first."

Su Mo’s voice came from outside the room.

Hu Sandao snapped to it and scrambled to get dressed. He peeked out just as Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun walked in.

"Chief Escort."

Hu Sandao quickly stood up: "Thanks, Chief Escort, for saving my skin. That woman... she’s downright evil! What the hell was she even saying to me?"

"Wasn’t me who saved you—it was the crow. All I did was snag a few feathers."

Su Mo said with a half-smile: "Old Hu, you really hit the jackpot this time."

"..."

Hu Sandao’s face turned pale: "Chief Escort, this is no joke. She was using the Charm Heart Technique—this isn’t luck, it’s a death sentence."

"Oh?"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow: "Old Hu, do you know this woman’s background?"

"I don’t know her face. But I do know the Charm Heart Technique.

"Some evil master in the west is known for this technique. It’s said that once you’re under its influence, you’ll obey their every command.

"No matter what secrets you have that you can’t tell others, or what treasures you don’t want to share.

"Once you’re under it, you’ll spill your guts."

Hu Sandao said with lingering fear: "They call themselves the Heart Demon—here one second, gone the next, and no one has ever seen their true face. I never thought it’d be a woman... and such a brazen one at that!"

Hu Sandao, a respectable bandit, a greenwood hero, who unlike his lawless peers, never forced women up the mountain to dominate them.

Yet, he was nearly dominated by a woman...

If this gets out, how will he ever keep his dignity?

But as he spoke, he couldn’t help feeling puzzled:

"However, when I listened to her today, I found her words completely baffling, and I didn’t see anything particularly remarkable about the Heart Enchantment Technique.

"It just became more and more absurd... If it weren’t for the Chief Escort’s whispered advice, I might have already fought with her."

"That’s because you took the White Jade Pill in advance."

Su Mo smiled: "The scent she brought was quite peculiar. I suspect the so-called Heart Enchantment Technique uses this scent to achieve its effects. Luckily, the White Jade Pill can ward off all poisons, saving you from disaster..."

"I see."

Hu Sandao nodded, then snorted: "She’s completely shameless, even claiming it was her natural scent."

Having suffered this misfortune for no reason tonight, he was seething with righteous anger.

After speaking, he grabbed his weapon:

"Chief Escort, shouldn’t we be taking action now?"

"...Not so fast."

Su Mo waved his hand: "Wait here for now. Her plan is clear as day. She aimed to control you and steal the Star Sea Legacy Sand Iron. Now that she believes she’s succeeded, this night should pass without incident."

"Ah..."

Hu Sandao was stunned: "Then... what if that woman comes back and tries something... what should we do?"

"You’re a man of honor; how can you show weakness?"

Su Mo suppressed a laugh, his face serious.

"I..."

Hu Sandao was momentarily speechless, with a belly full of words but unsure what to say.

Yang Xiaoyun shot Su Mo a look: "Don’t listen to his nonsense. He wanted to save you earlier, but the so-called ghost crow suddenly appeared, clearly signaling something else is happening in this village.

"That’s why he paused briefly, signaled the crow, and led Xiu Lan away.

"Now it seems there’s real trouble in the village. Stay calm and wait here.

"We’ll go out and assess the situation, figure out what’s happening.

"Then the Chief Escort will make the decision."

"Understood."

Hearing this, Hu Sandao had no choice but to suppress his impatience for now.

To be cautious, Su Mo took out another White Jade Pill and handed it to Hu Sandao:

"If you see that woman return, take this pill. Just in case the one you took earlier wears off and you really fall under her spell."

"Thanks, Chief Escort."

Hu Sandao took the pill and carefully tucked it away.

Without another word, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun turned and left the room.

They glanced back at the main house, their brows furrowed slightly.

While Xiu Lan was tangled up with Hu Sandao, they had already snuck into the main house to investigate.

The old woman and man in the room had vanished without a trace.

Now, only a handful of Ziyang Escort Agency members were left in the courtyard.

Yang Xiaoyun roused Zhen Xiaoxiao, gave her some quick instructions, and then they took off into the night.

After getting their bearings, they set off in the direction Xiu Lan had gone.

The village was now cloaked in darkness, save for a lone light in the east.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun made their way to the light's source in no time.

The place was packed to the gills.

Yet the crowd stood in eerie silence, poised in the shadows as if waiting for something.

Facing them was another group, locked in a tense standoff.

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun shared a look, unable to tell who were locals and who were outsiders.

They stealthily avoided prying eyes and scaled the roof of the lit-up room.

Peeking under a tile, they saw light and heard voices from within.

Someone was saying, barely containing their anger:

"We slipped past Wusheng Hall's watchful eyes, infiltrated this place, and posed as villagers, all to lure Su Mo into our trap.

"Now that he's finally taken the bait, you want a cut of the action? Outrageous!"

The voice was familiar. Su Mo peered through the gap and saw a packed hall below.

A dozen or so people sat in the hall, including Xinmo Xiulan, who looked thoroughly fed up.

The man speaking from the head seat was the old man.

But the old man's face had shed its folksy simplicity and drunken stupor, now twisted with malice.

"Heh heh..."

A sly chuckle came from the side:

"Avoid? You think you've outsmarted Wusheng Hall? Are you underestimating Hall Master Wan or the Twelve Halls?"

"What are you getting at?"

The old man, known as the Mountain Lord, was stunned.

The man suddenly stood, clasped his fists, and said with mock respect:

"By order of the Tenth Hall's Deputy Hall Master, I have a message for the Mountain Lord..."

"...Ren Xiongfei? The Mountain Lord's face darkened. 'What did he say?'"

"He said, you can do business within the territory of Wusheng Hall, but you must make some gesture."

"What does he want?"

The Mountain Lord's voice deepened.

"Su Mo's life!"

Hearing this, the Mountain Lord paused, stunned, then clapped his hands and laughed:

"Well, well, it’s Ren Xiongfei, after all... Is he really after Su Mo's life?"

But as he spoke, his anger flared:

"I bet he’s after my life!!"