Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
Since the decision had been made, Ye Xiaohan would not suddenly change her mind.
"Since you've already decided, even if I'm unwilling, I suppose you won't listen," Ye Xiaohan said. She didn't agree immediately; that would feel too unnatural and might raise suspicions.
She first expressed her reluctance and then continued, "I've thought about it for a while now. My brother is dead, and I have no relatives left. Since you are my savior, marrying you isn't out of the question."
"So you're agreeing?" Zhao Ren said with a broad smile. "It would have been better if you had come to this conclusion sooner instead of sulking as if I were forcing you into marriage."
Isn't that exactly what you're doing? Do you even understand the meaning of coercion? Ye Xiaohan silently mocked him in her heart.
On the surface, she maintained a calm and indifferent expression. "However, I have one condition. If you agree to this condition, then I will marry you."
As soon as Ye Xiaohan finished speaking, she secretly observed Zhao Ren's change in expression. Sure enough, she noticed a flicker of wariness in his eyes.
She knew that someone who could rise to the position of Second-in-Command in a Bandit Stronghold relied on more than just brute force. This Zhao Ren was likely very different from his name and his brutal nature; his intelligence was probably not as crude as he appeared.
"Oh?" Zhao Ren looked at Ye Xiaohan and asked, "What is your condition? We're going to be family now; whatever it is, I will fulfill it."
Ye Xiaohan let some tears well up in her eyes, making her look somewhat threatening. "Really? Anything at all? I don't need much; I just hope you can give my brother a proper burial. He always took care of me and died for my sake..."
Thinking of Qi, who would never have a future at such a young age, Ye Xiaohan felt both gratitude and guilt. Even if she hadn't been there at that moment, Qi wouldn't have escaped those men in black alone.
But no matter what, he had bought her time to escape, and he had done so sincerely. Ye Xiaohan knew it was because they were already friends. Even without Gu Bei's orders, Qi would have acted the same way.
This was the first time someone had died because of her. Ye Xiaohan's heart was filled with pain; she began to empathize with Gu Bei when he witnessed so many soldiers die on the battlefield and saw his subordinates sacrifice themselves as bait to give him a chance to survive. Gu Bei must have felt a thousand times more anguish than she did now.
Her emotions were genuine, and Zhao Ren certainly noticed them. He didn't know the details; he only assumed that it was Ye Xiaohan's brother who had died. Hearing her request for a proper burial for him made him relax immediately.
"I thought it was going to be a big deal, but don't worry. I've already brought your brother's body back with my men. Once we find a good spot, we can bury him."
Zhao Ren's words took Ye Xiaohan by surprise; this time her astonishment was genuine. "You really are willing to do that? And you've already found his body?"
It was truly unexpected. She never thought this bandit would actually keep his promise. When he had captured her, he had indeed mentioned burying Qi, but she hadn't expected him to follow through.
Moreover, he did this before she even agreed to marry him.
Was Zhao Ren overly confident, thinking Ye Xiaohan wouldn't escape?
Regardless, Qi's body had been properly retrieved for burial, which eased some of the guilt in Ye Xiaohan's heart. If he had been left to rot in the wilderness even after death, she would never have been able to forgive herself.
"Thank you." Her gratitude was heartfelt.
Zhao Ren laughed heartily. "You're my wife now; your brother is my brother. No need for thanks."
After Ye Xiaohan pretended to agree to the marriage and following the results of his tests, Zhao Ren had lowered his guard around her. She no longer had to be confined to a room but could walk around freely.
"That area over there is off-limits for the bandits; no one can go there. Anyone who disobeys will be executed!" Zhao Ren pointed in a direction and informed Ye Xiaohan, "Aside from that forbidden area, you can go wherever you like. It's good to familiarize yourself and greet everyone."
Ye Xiaohan silently noted the location. Since it was a forbidden area, it must hold some hidden truths. She wouldn't recklessly charge in, but she certainly wouldn't let this opportunity slip by.
She had to find a chance to sneak in and see what was inside.
At first, Ye Xiaohan remained on high alert; after all, this was the bandits' stronghold. Anyone she encountered could easily have blood on their hands and might kill her without a second thought.
However, after wandering around half of the village, Ye Xiaohan realized that things were turning out completely differently than she had imagined.
The Bandit Hideout, being the lair of the Bandits, was in Ye Xiaohan's imagination a place filled with violence and bloodshed. It was the kind of place where even the flowers and grass growing in the surrounding mountains would be nourished by blood, carrying a scent of carnage.
However, to her surprise, this Bandit Hideout was not only picturesque but also, astonishingly, home to many elderly, women, and children.
How could a notorious bandit den, where even the imperial army dared not tread, harbor so many defenseless individuals? This was highly unusual.
"Ah, it's the bride!"
Someone spotted Ye Xiaohan and called out to her. Soon, more people gathered around, staring intently at her.
"I never expected that the Second-in-Command would actually have a woman he likes. We introduced him to so many girls before, but none caught his eye. Turns out he prefers this type!"
An Aunt Zhang, with her sleeves rolled up, teased Ye Xiaohan while holding a basket filled with freshly washed clothes.
Another younger person looked at Ye Xiaohan curiously and echoed Aunt Zhang's words, saying, "Exactly! We thought he would never find a wife! Who knew he would bring one back so soon?"
Ye Xiaohan merely smiled lightly, appearing shy.
Yet in her heart, doubts swirled like the mist over Huangshan Mountain, layer upon layer, unpredictable and tumultuous.
She observed quietly; there were not only elderly people but also young women and quite a few children living here.
These individuals carried out their daily lives in this Bandit Hideout—washing clothes, cooking meals, chatting, and joking with one another—making it seem just like an ordinary, harmonious village.
Just by looking at these people, no one would believe that this is the infamous Hell of Shura.
Suppressing the turmoil within her, Ye Xiaohan continued to stroll around the Village, seemingly familiarizing herself with the terrain.
After their last encounter, Zhao Ren seemed to have completely trusted Ye Xiaohan and held no suspicion towards her. Occasionally, Ye Xiaohan would skillfully ask a few questions, and she always received the answers she sought.
Thus, Ye Xiaohan decided to see if she could gather any information about Gu Bei from Zhao Ren.
Feigning surprise—though she was genuinely astonished—she smiled at Zhao Ren and said, "I've heard so much about your Village; the rumors outside are quite sensational. You all seem terrifying! When you brought me here before, I was truly scared, thinking I would encounter monsters and demons!"
She patted her chest and tentatively remarked, "I didn't expect that the Village is completely different from what I've heard. Everyone here is really nice; it feels just like anywhere else."
Zhao Ren laughed heartily. "Those incompetent villains can only gossip! People in the Village are just like anyone else; what's so different?"
He glanced at Ye Xiaohan with satisfaction and said, "I'm glad you weren't swayed by those fools' words. You truly are someone I can appreciate; you're not like ordinary women."
No, no, no, Ye Xiaohan thought to herself. With your methods of killing, even an average man wouldn't be able to accept that.
Of course, Zhao Ren didn't hear Ye Xiaohan's inner thoughts. He was pleased that she had quickly integrated into the Village. After all, she would be living here from now on, and it would be troublesome if she couldn't get along with others.
Taking advantage of Zhao Ren's good mood, Ye Xiaohan asked, "Are all the rumors from outside false? Is there any truth to them? I heard that not long ago, you all defeated the Army sent by the court. Is that also a lie?"
Comment 0 Comment Count