005 Never Sympathize with Men.
Nan Yao stood with sword in hand, her lively eyes now tinged with anger, lending her delicate features a touch of heroic spirit, like a chivalrous woman ready to draw her blade against injustice.
Of course, for Nan Yao to truly be a chivalrous heroine, she’d have to be mute.
She waited a moment, but the surroundings remained silent.
No one confessing, huh?
No matter. Based on the characteristics of that little finger and applying the parabolic function formula with rigorous calculation, she quickly identified the culprit.
The situation was clear.
Nan Yao pointed at the group of Gray-robed Assassins who lay scattered and mutilated beyond recognition: “The instigators of this trouble and the owner of the little finger!”
Then she turned to the black-robed youth who was calmly pinning someone’s head against the table, watching them struggle with composure: “And the criminal who threw the little finger into my soup!”
Xiao Huang had already given up struggling. It was sitting on the table stealthily eating peanuts from the kung pao chicken, so calm that even if someone told it Nan Yao was the Evil Seed, it could accept it with equanimity.
The black-robed youth being accused didn’t lose his temper. He looked up at Nan Yao with curiosity, his pitch-black pupils clear as mirrors, reflecting her image perfectly.
Yet his hands never stopped moving. With a twist of his wrist, a crisp snap echoed as he broke the person’s neck.
His face appeared clean and bright, yet he treated life with such disregard.
Before the criminal could speak, the owner of the little finger started cursing: “Where did this brat come from who doesn’t know her place? If you don’t scram now, we’ll kill you along with him!”
Kill her too?
Arguments aside, Nan Yao believed one should base their words on facts: “Don’t be so arrogant. All thirteen of you combined only have seven intact arms left after being beaten. Is it possible, just maybe, that not only can’t you kill anyone, but you’ll all be slaughtered instead?”
“…”
Adding insult to injury.
That day would remain etched in the memory of the waiter who’d been watching the drama unfold.
Though he worked in Nameless City where bloodshed was common and had seen countless martial artists fight to the death, it was the first time he witnessed a young girl reduce several grown men to wailing sobs with just two sentences.
Nan Yao didn’t understand why her kind suggestion of a possibility made these men cry so pitifully. But if they thought they could evade paying through such tactics, they were sorely mistaken. A lesson from days ago had taught her one profound truth—
Never sympathize with men.
So she offered them some perfunctory comfort before getting down to business: “There, there, no crying. But we need to settle accounts. You started the fight, so you’re civilly liable. You’re fully responsible for these tables, chairs, and damaged walls. The other party acted in self-defense and doesn’t owe compensation.”
“As for my pork heart and lotus root soup, considering you’re the ones who got beaten, you only need to pay half. That comes to… three hundred taels of silver and seventeen copper coins.”
Before the Gray-robed Assassins could respond, she heard someone chuckle softly beside her.
Nan Yao turned toward the sound.
The black-robed youth had long since released his victim and now leaned against a table with arms crossed, watching the scene unfold with amusement.
Nan Yao distributed the blame fairly: “Don’t just focus on watching the show. You also need to cover half the soup cost since you’re the main culprit who destroyed the pork heart and lotus root soup.”
The black-robed youth raised an eyebrow, studying Nan Yao carefully – not as one would examine a person, but rather like observing some novel curiosity.
A scholar would choose death over humiliation.
The Gray-robed Assassins had been weeping while clutching their heads when they suddenly realized something was wrong. How could these terrifying killers appear so pathetic before a young girl? They cared nothing about civil liability or supernatural responsibility – since they couldn’t understand a word of it, it surely couldn’t be anything good.
Thus they issued their threat: “You impudent child, how dare you act so recklessly before us! Even if we cannot capture this death row prisoner alive today, we’ll still chop you into mincemeat.”
Just as they say, battlefield situations change in the blink of an eye. The assassins who had lost all fighting spirit moments ago now quickly united their front, their long swords simultaneously pointing at Nan Yao.
Nan Yao: “…”
Why is it my turn now? I was just reasonably protecting my rights. And I didn’t see you this spirited when you were chasing that death row prisoner earlier.
But clearly, these people weren’t giving anyone a chance to reason.
Sword Qi gathered on the numerous blades as a chilling wind rose from nowhere, making one’s hair stand on end. The Sword Qi converged into a massive vortex, trapping the trio and the squirrel at the storm’s center.
The waiter looked worried. Though he had never met this young girl before, she had remembered to claim compensation for his tavern’s tables and chairs when demanding payment earlier. Though reckless, she meant well – it would be too unjust if she were killed for this.
Meanwhile, Xiao Huang at the storm’s center showed no concern, having finished the peanuts on his own table before sneaking over to nibble from the Crown Prince and death row prisoner’s table.
Crown Prince Qi Guyuan, who had been hiding nearby avoiding work, witnessed everything and fell into deep thought. He had never seen such an absurd scene in his life – a death row prisoner killing people, assassins shouting curses, a young girl demanding money, and a little squirrel eating peanuts.
He, a dignified Crown Prince, appeared utterly ordinary in this moment.
Nan Yao, having failed to protect her rights, sighed. It seemed her mother was right – men in this world never like hearing the truth.
In such circumstances, only compulsory measures remained.
She tossed her sword forward, raised two fingers with hands overlapping, and gently closed her eyes. The jade bracelet on her wrist glowed with a faint purple light while the Purple Bell at her waist rang on its own without any wind.
The suspended sword multiplied into countless sword shadows. The sword shadows slowly turned, their blades aimed at the Gray-robed Assassins. Nan Yao opened her eyes, and the Sword swarm shot forth like a storm of pear blossoms, piercing through the Sword Qi vortex and embedding themselves in the gray-robed figures’ bodies.
“Boom—”
The Sword swarm was violently shattered, raining down upon the ground like actual rain.
Though this move appeared spectacular, not a single strike proved fatal – it merely sufficed to disable most of these people’s combat abilities, preventing them from causing further trouble.
The sword returned to Nan Yao’s hand. She sheathed it and walked toward the gray-robed leader lying on the ground and spitting blood.
The gray-robed leader saw Nan Yao as if beholding some terrifying monster, scrambling backward repeatedly.
How could this be? Were they truly going to die today at the hands of this seemingly fragile young girl?
However—
Nan Yao stretched out her hand and stated succinctly: “Pay up.”
How terrifying!
The shop assistant: “…Although she seems reasonable, why do I still feel insulted?”
The gray-robed man didn’t dare utter another word, immediately trembling as he pulled a silver pouch from his waist and shakily handed it over.
Having successfully defended her rights, Nan Yao was satisfied, but she hadn’t forgotten one last escapee. She turned back to the black-robed youth: “Excuse me, you owe me seventeen coppers too.”
The youth, who had just watched the spectacle, didn’t respond. His gaze swept past the Purple Bell at Nan Yao’s waist before he set his sword on the table, pulled out a chair to sit down, and picked up his chopsticks to pluck a peanut.
Nan Yao: Ignoring me?
What’s going on?
Why are there so many stingy men?
“Pay up.” Nan Yao wouldn’t indulge these rotten men.
The youth chuckled, using his chopsticks to point at the pickled radishes on the plate: “Want some?”
“I do.” Nan Yao indeed loved pickled radishes, “But you still need to pay.”
Crown Prince Qi Guyuan nearby wanted to interject, but after several attempts to speak, he ultimately held his tongue. He realized he simply couldn’t insert himself into their conversation. There seemed to be some strange dynamic between these two – though their exchange appeared casual, it felt like a life-and-death struggle.
While the two were locked in their unresolved dispute, the gray-robed men behind them had begun moving stealthily. They pulled out Shadow Transfer Talismans from their chests, murmuring incantations as if preparing to teleport away.
However, the gray-robed leader didn’t flee. He fixed a hateful stare on the back of Nan Yao’s head, his heart boiling with resentment. Seizing the moment when she was distracted, he launched a sneak attack with his sword.
This strike contained his full power, aimed directly at Nan Yao’s vital point: “Witch, die—!”
Witnessing this, Qi Guyuan turned pale with fear: “Miss, watch out!”
Nan Yao turned her head at the sound.
The black-robed youth didn’t even look up. His chopsticks spun in his hand as he flicked his wrist, sending them flying. They shot straight into the gray-robed man’s eye socket, pierced through the back of his skull, and embedded firmly in the wall.
“Thud”
The gray-robed man collapsed heavily to the ground, twitched twice, and went still.
Blood dripped from the chopsticks, splattering onto the floor.
Simultaneously, numerous screams erupted around them. All those who had been preparing to escape using Shadow Transfer Talismans were now suffering magical backlash, their chests bursting open with bloody flowers as they vomited blood.
They lay on the ground, thrashing like dying fish.
“Tell me, how much is a life worth?”
The youth crunched the peanut between his teeth, his tone like that of a mischievous child. Seemingly unable to arrive at a reasonable answer, he finally gave up: “Forget it, let’s say ten taels of gold per person. Pay up and you can leave. No credit.”
“……”
Nan Yao knew this person was extraordinary, but she hadn’t expected him to be even stronger than she imagined.
Powerful experts like Uncle Ye Yin typically didn’t need weapons when facing enemies – the sheer pressure of their Spiritual power alone could crush opposing forces.
Seeing the youth carrying a sword, she had assumed that no matter how strong he was, he still needed a weapon to channel his power. But that single attack made her realize he might not need blades at all.
Even while sitting here drinking tea, he could perceive every change in his surroundings. Nan Yao hadn’t even seen clearly what power he used to instantly burn over a dozen people’s talismans, forcing them to suffer backlash from their own spells.
So from the beginning, though he wielded a sword, he didn’t rely on it. He was simply enjoying the pleasure of tormenting these people with his own hands.
This person is definitely not a good sort.
Thus, Nan Yao decided to appropriately flatter him: “Fine, I’ll only charge you ten coins.”
Xiao Huang: Cannot quite understand your flattery.
“Ten coins?” The youth, holding the gold he had just confiscated, weighed it in his hand, then propped his chin and smiled at her, “Of course I’ll repay it. But how should we account for the fact that I just saved your life?”
Nan Yao had a foreboding feeling.
Sure enough—
“Let’s do it this way: saving your life is worth five taels of gold. You can deduct the ten coins and then give me the rest.”
What’s going on?
Forced transaction?
Nan Yao choked up, momentarily unable to think of a retort.
Wait, that’s not right.
Whether he intervened or not, she had nothing to fear from that sword strike. Not to mention it was obvious to anyone that her strength far surpassed this group’s, just the Spiritual power contained within the Mystic Treasure Purple Bell she carried could directly cause the swordsman to suffer a backlash so severe it would shatter his liver and gall.
At this moment, the black-robed youth looked at her with a smiling gaze, a hint of mockery in his eyes.
Nan Yao suddenly understood.
He clearly knew! He had deliberately taken extra glances at her Purple Bell earlier! He was absolutely forcing this transaction!
Damn it, this cunning dog of a man.
Nan Yao said, “You’re being unreasonable!”
“I’m a death row inmate. Not only am I unreasonable,” the black-robed youth said flippantly, “I also have no conscience.”
Nan Yao fell silent.
She was truly speechless.
How could someone speak so shamelessly with such self-righteousness?
But Nan Yao refused to admit defeat: “This isn’t right. My mother said that those who engage in unrighteous business will face great misfortune.”
“Is that so?” The youth pondered, then sighed as if regretful, “I had no mother to teach me, so I’m generally unrighteous.”
Brilliant.
This is more entertaining than a fight.
Xiao Huang even stopped eating peanuts, perking up his ears and squatting nearby to watch the show.
Nan Yao didn’t believe him and attempted to reform him with love and tolerance: “Don’t underestimate yourself, don’t hide behind a cold facade. If you weren’t inherently good, how could you have saved the currently wanted crown prince?”
Hearing this, Qi Guyuan, who had also been watching the drama while snacking, chimed in: “To be honest, it’s because I told him I’d pay him one hundred taels of gold per day to protect me that he agreed to help me escape from the death row prison. Otherwise, he would’ve killed me along with the others. Good thing I’m rich.”
“…”
Alright, overestimated him.
Then, Xiao Huang witnessed the usually lawless, sharp-tongued Nan Yao, who never let herself be wronged, suffering repeated setbacks before this youth.
Nan Yao deployed a reasoning attack: “We must have morals.”
The youth said, “I have no morals.”
Nan Yao deployed a coquettish attack: “I’m going to cry now.”
The youth said, “That’ll be an additional tael of gold.”
Nan Yao deployed a stubborn attack: “I have no money, I won’t pay.”
The youth said, “You can write an IOU.”
Fuming with righteous indignation, Nan Yao paced furiously around the second floor, while Xiao Huang, avenged by the naming grudge, rolled laughing across the table.
She briefly considered drawing her sword to fight the youth, but Xiao Huang wrapped his arms around her waist to stop her: “You can’t, you’re no match for him. We have important duties ahead, we can’t die here over five taels of gold and ten coins.”
Nan Yao thought the little squirrel was right—she truly wasn’t a match for the youth before her.
But then, she suddenly remembered the package her mother had given her before their parting.
That was no ordinary package—it was a priceless treasure forged over decades by the female lead who transmigrated into the book. To put it simply, it was a golden finger capable of shaking heaven and earth.
And now, Nan Yao was about to unveil this golden finger.
This wasn’t overkill—it was a battle of dignity. If she couldn’t even overcome this minor setback, how could she ever hope to slay the Evil Seeds and save her three uncles in the future?
So Nan Yao began her act. She looked at the young man and feigned profundity: “You can still back out.”
The young man sipped his tea while raising his price: “Seven taels of gold.”
“?”
Was it time to bring out that item after all?
Nan Yao put on an expression of someone making an agonizing decision. With great solemnity, she retrieved the package from her spiritual pouch. Before opening it, she kindly gave the black-robed young man one last chance: “Think carefully. If you insist on this path, I’ll have no choice but to use this treasure against you. Even I can’t predict what terrifying consequences may follow.”
Xiao Huang, seizing the chance to act tough, chimed in gleefully: “Yeah, yeah!”
Wow.
Now everyone was even more curious.
The shop assistant crept closer to sneak a peek, Qi Guyuan—who’d been slacking off nearby—drifted over to look, and even the crowd of assassins lying “dead” on the ground pricked up their ears.
What kind of treasure could possibly be this formidable!
The black-robed young man said, “Be my guest.”
Nan Yao couldn’t tolerate this any longer.
And so, under the watchful eyes of all present, she lifted the package in her palm and carefully unwrapped it.
Author’s Note:
Didn’t send red envelopes last chapter because I couldn’t decide what to give.
Thought of it this time—sending 100 shop assistant “mwahs”.