Lin Shishu never imagined the chieftain would ambush her. As the chieftain walked towards her, she retreated.
But the room was so small, how could she escape?
She used to be afraid, but after these experiences, she knew escape was paramount.
If she didn't return soon, Miss Shu would surely notice something amiss. As long as she could hold on until Miss Shu came to her rescue, she would be fine.
With this thought, she quieted down.
"Chieftain, please sit down and have a cup of tea!" Lin Shishu said, trying to sound composed.
The chieftain stared intently at her. She felt like a wild beast eyeing its prey, unwilling to let go.
She did her best to appear unafraid. Approaching the table, she picked up the teapot and poured a cup of tea, pushing it towards him. "Chieftain, please have some tea."
The chieftain glanced at the tea, a smile gracing his lips. "Don't think stalling for time will bring anyone to save you. No one will save you."
"Chieftain misunderstands. I'm not stalling for time, I simply wanted to share a cup of tea with you. If you're unwilling, so be it, but there's no need for such words."
"A beauty invites me for tea, how could I refuse?" The chieftain smiled, picked up the teacup, and drained it in one gulp.
He placed the teacup on the table, then looked at her. "I've had the tea. Miss Lin, do you have anything else?"
"This cup of tea, I wish the chieftain success in all your endeavors."
The chieftain smiled, his smile laced with a hint of coldness. "Very well. Let's see how many reasons Miss Lin has to toast me."
After the first cup, the second, and then the tenth, the twentieth, Lin Shishu felt for the first time that she too had reached the end of her rope. She once thought herself learned and refined, but now she saw it was all quite ordinary.
"Miss Lin, I've drunk all the tea you offered. Now it's my turn." The chieftain's laughter was unrestrained.
Lin Shishu retreated step by step. "Chieftain, please let me go!"
"Since you've come to my Fengling Village, do you think you can remain unscathed?" The chieftain advanced towards her, step by step.
She ran towards the opposite side of the chieftain, but how could a frail woman outrun a chieftain skilled in martial arts?
Soon, the chieftain caught her and lifted her by the waist. "Let go of me, let go of me..."
Lin Shishu struggled, scratching and biting, but her strength was like child's play to the chieftain; it didn't even register as pain.
He threw her onto the bed and loomed over her. "Tonight, you will become my Xu Yangshuo's woman!"
Unable to break free, Lin Shishu wept tears of humiliation. Had she truly been defiled by this man?
Who would save her, who would save her?
"Chieftain, is my maid here?" a voice suddenly called from outside the door.
Lin Shishu opened her eyes, a flicker of joy crossing her gaze.
The chieftain said, "Third sister, I want your person."
Lin Shishu's gaze turned to despair.
"Chieftain, you cannot touch my maid," Xue Zining said coldly from outside the door.
"Third sister, don't meddle in my affairs," the second chieftain advised her.
Xue Zining looked at the second chieftain and said coldly, "If you won't step in, then don't manage me."
The chieftain's eyes darkened, and he sneered. "No one has ever stopped me from obtaining what I desire."
With that, the chieftain tore at Lin Shishu's clothes. Lin Shishu cried out.
Xue Zining frowned, took a dart from her waist, and shot it into the room.
Lin Shishu felt a gust of cold wind brush past her face, and the chieftain pinning her suddenly got up.
She opened her eyes, got off the bed, and tried to run out.
However, someone grabbed her collar and dragged her back.
"Let go of me, let go of me, Miss Shu save me..." Lin Shishu shouted, her voice hoarse.
Suddenly, the door was kicked open. In her struggle, Lin Shishu saw the light of her life. Emerging from the light was not the heroic figure she longed for, nor the beloved she yearned for, but a maiden who seemed not much older than herself.
"Chieftain, did you get my consent before touching my person?" Xue Zining said coldly.
A coercive aura emanated from her, so powerful that even the chieftain, who had taken countless lives, was forced to retreat.
Xue Zining helped Lin Shishu up and shielded her behind her. For the first time, Lin Shishu felt that such a slender back could provide her with a sense of security.
"Third chieftain, are you sure you want to oppose me?" the chieftain said coldly.
"I never intended to oppose you, but you intended to oppose me."
"This Fengling Village belongs to me, and I can do as I please with everyone here."
"Indeed, it is yours. Then I shall leave," Xue Zining said coldly.
"Third sister, what nonsense are you spouting?" the second chieftain said urgently, flustered.
"You want to leave?" The chieftain's smile was chillingly sinister.
"Yes, this place is no longer suitable for me. It's better to leave."
The chieftain laughed wildly, but when he reined in his smile, his expression turned grim. "Shugen, do you think Fengling Village is a place you can come and go as you please?"
"Is the chieftain acting inhumanely?" Xue Zining asked coldly.
The chieftain sneered. "Once you enter Fengling Village, you cannot leave. To leave is to court death."
Xue Zining frowned. "Chieftain, are you trying to take my life?"
The chieftain sneered. "I had people investigate you secretly. The place you mentioned knows no one by your name. Who are you really?"
"Does it matter who I am? If the chieftain no longer trusts me, what use is it knowing who I am?" Xue Zining replied.
"Third sister, don't be rash..." the second chieftain stepped forward to persuade her.
Xue Zining turned to look at the second chieftain. "Do you still intend to stay here?"
The second chieftain froze, looking up at her. "If you don't want to, then come with me."
The chieftain's anger flared. "Guards, seize her!"
Soon, the people of the village surrounded Xue Zining and her companions.
"Second chieftain, come here. This has nothing to do with you," the chieftain said, extending his hand, waiting for the second chieftain to approach.
The second chieftain lowered his gaze. "Chieftain, I am sorry."
The chieftain's gaze darkened, and he said coldly, "Second chieftain, are you also going to betray me?"
The second chieftain turned his head away. The chieftain sneered. "Fine, fine. Shugen, you are truly formidable. But today, you will not leave Fengling Village."
"Whether I leave or not, we have to try, don't we?" Xue Zining's hand moved towards her waist, waiting for the optimal moment to strike.
"You take your people and go first, I'll hold off the chieftain," the second chieftain suddenly said.
Xue Zining blinked, then saw the second chieftain charge towards the chieftain. The chieftain roared, "Second chieftain, you are truly courting death."
Seeing this, Xue Zining grabbed Lin Shishu and prepared to break through.
She kicked away the person in front of her and snatched the knife from his hand for defense.