Chapter 110: First Kill
Waking again, everything before her was pitch black.
Yun Chu instinctively reached out beside her, touching a soft little body.
After her eyes adjusted to the darkness of the room, she could gradually make out some outlines. She carefully examined the child from head to toe, confirming he wasn't injured, and only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.
She stood up and noticed a small window high above.
Faint starlight filtered through the window, and she could vaguely hear voices speaking.
Looking around the small room, she spotted a broken basket. She brought it over, turned it upside down, and using the wall for support, stepped onto it.
Peering through the window, she saw mountains outside, several wooden houses, and seven or eight men gathered around a campfire—the same group they had encountered on the street during the day.
Of the seven or eight men, five were injured, continuously cursing Prince Pingxi.
"We haven't killed or burned anyone in these mountains, just occasionally robbed some passing rich folks for a decent meal. What right does he have to wipe us out completely?"
"So many brothers have died by Prince Pingxi's hand. We must use the blood of the Young Son to honor our fallen brothers!"
"Don't be rash!" a man who appeared to be the leader spoke up. "We took such a huge risk capturing the Young Son and lost two more brothers—it wasn't just for revenge. Prince Pingxi's crackdown on bandits is too fierce. How many bandit strongholds have been wiped out? We definitely can't continue as bandits! I captured the Young Son to exchange this precious heir for a large sum of money. We'll split the money among us, go our separate ways, find places to become landowners, and live carefree lives. Isn't that better?"
The seven or eight men immediately nodded in agreement.
Given a better choice, who would want to live with their heads constantly at risk?
Two burly men stood up: "Third Chief, we'll go cut off the Young Son's arm and send it to the Prince of Pacifying the West Manor. Prince Pingxi will surely comply with our demands."
The leader nodded and tossed a knife over: "Be careful not to kill him, or we'll all pay with our lives."
The two burly men took the knife and headed toward the wooden house.
Yun Chu had been observing the terrain, but these words frightened her into breaking out in a cold sweat.
She quickly climbed down from the basket and vigorously shook the sleeping child: "Yu Ge'er, wake up! Stop sleeping, Yu Ge'er!"
The little one slowly opened his eyes. Seeing Yun Chu, his face broke into a smile: "It's Mother! It feels so good to open my eyes and see you. Huh, why is it so dark in here? Why hasn't Mother lit a lamp..."
Yun Chu had no time to correct his form of address. She picked up the child, removed her belt, and tied it around his waist.
"Listen to me," she said, already hoisting him onto her back. "I'll lift you up, and you climb out through this window. The wall is high, but I'll hold the belt and lower you down slowly." As she spoke, she positioned him on her back. "Once you land, don't run around. Hide in that house to the southeast..."
That house was directly in front of the bandits' campfire. If he circled around from the back to hide there—the most dangerous place being the safest...
Before she could finish her instructions, she heard footsteps approaching the door.
Sending Yu Ge'er out through the window now was impossible. It would only block their last escape route.Yun Chu moved with the fastest speed she had ever mustered in her life. She leaped down from the bamboo basket, kicked it into a corner, and then huddled with the child in another spot.
The lock clicked, and the door was kicked open.
"Oh, awake!" one of the burly men strode over, grabbing Chu Hongyu by the shoulder and yanking the child harshly.
He swiftly rolled up the child’s sleeve.
Another man drew his blade, spitting on the edge of the knife.
No matter how composed Chu Hongyu was, he was still just a four-year-old child. He immediately burst into terrified sobs.
"Young Son, don’t blame us," the man patted his arm, as if contemplating where to make the cut. "Trading one of your arms for our lifelong wealth and glory—it’s worth it."
"No, please don’t!" Yun Chu threw herself forward, clutching the child, tears welling in her eyes. "Take my arm, use mine instead..."
"You maid sure are loyal!" one of the men grabbed Yun Chu by the collar. "But your attire doesn’t quite look like a maid’s..."
"Can’t you see? She’s a young married woman! And such a beauty—it’s the first time I’ve seen one like her! She must be Prince Pingxi’s woman!" the other man leered. "Look, her belt is already undone—she’s waiting for us to have some fun!"
Yun Chu’s belt had been tied around Chu Hongyu’s waist earlier, leaving her robes loose and revealing a glimpse of her slender waist.
She shrank back, shoulders trembling, and pleaded pitifully, "I can serve you... I beg you, spare the Young Son..."
The two men exchanged glances, both visibly tempted.
They had been on the run, relentlessly pursued by Prince Pingxi, with no time to rest or indulge. It had been too long since they last enjoyed a woman’s company.
Such a stunning woman, and one belonging to Prince Pingxi—any man would be tempted...
They glanced back and saw their leader, the third chief, still drinking and feasting. Quietly, they closed the door, tossed the child aside, and dragged Yun Chu onto the straw pile.
Yun Chu offered no resistance, letting them both pounce on her.
She locked eyes with Chu Hongyu, and they nodded in unison.
In an instant, Chu Hongyu produced a short dagger—the one Yun Chu kept for self-defense, which she had just passed to the child.
Meanwhile, Yun Chu pulled a hairpin from her updo.
She raised her hand and drove the pin deep into the neck of the man pinning her shoulder.
Thwack!
Warm blood splattered across her face. The man collapsed without even a cry of pain.
The other man stared in disbelief, then backhanded Yun Chu with a kick. "You bitch! How dare you ambush our bro—"
Before he could finish, a sharp pain shot through his lower back. He turned to see the child he had tossed aside moments earlier, now driving a blade into his waist.
The child’s strength was limited, and the wound wasn’t fatal. Enraged, the man turned to grab Chu Hongyu.
In one fluid motion, Yun Chu rolled aside, snatched the long blade the man had dropped, and brought it down squarely on his head.
Thud.
The man crumpled to the ground.
This was Yun Chu’s first time killing someone.
Gasping for air, she quickly dropped the long blade, her voice trembling. "Yu... Yu Ge’er, quick, let me lift you up..."
Chu Hongyu was shaking uncontrollably from fear, but he forced himself to steady his nerves. He climbed onto Yun Chu and made it to the windowsill. "Mother, don’t be afraid. I’ll find a way to save you..."Yun Chu deliberately put on a stern face: "Just hide well, don't cause trouble. Protecting yourself is most important. I have a way to save myself—hurry down!"
Chu Hongyu sniffled, gripping the belt as he slowly descended, finally landing on the ground.
He glanced at Yun Chu, then dashed off in the direction she had indicated.
Yun Chu breathed a sigh of relief.
She climbed down from the windowsill, pondering how to make her escape.
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