As she felt Lin Mao’s gaze fall on her, Qian Yuxuan steadied herself and quickly walked over to his side.
“Lin Mao… thank you so much this time. If you hadn’t saved us, we probably would’ve already died beneath those people’s blades… or been torn apart by zombies.”
The four remaining members of the merchant caravan stepped forward as well, repeatedly expressing their gratitude.
Even the petite girl who had previously doubted Lin Mao lowered her head with guilt written across her face.
“Thank you, Mr. Lin…”
Lin Mao merely glanced at them with an indifferent expression.
“I hate people who stab others in the back or repay kindness with betrayal. You should feel lucky that none of you actually tried to run away during the fight. Otherwise… there would probably be a few more piles of charcoal lying on the ground right now.”
His words struck them like thunder.
Qian Yuxuan and the others instantly turned pale, their bodies stiffening unconsciously.
They had never imagined that the quiet conversation they held so far away in the corner of the valley had still been heard clearly by Lin Mao.
Especially the girl who suggested escaping—her head lowered even further in fear.
Qian Yuxuan bit her dry lips and prepared to explain, but Lin Mao casually waved his hand and interrupted her.
“Enough. I don’t want to hear useless excuses.”
His cold gaze settled on her.
“When are you going to give me the reward we agreed on?”
The moment she heard the word “reward,” Qian Yuxuan’s eyes immediately became evasive. She avoided his gaze entirely, her fingers nervously twisting together.
Lin Mao instantly noticed her reaction.
His brows slowly furrowed.
“Don’t tell me… the reward you promised me was fake from the very beginning?”
Although his tone remained calm, Qian Yuxuan felt a chilling pressure behind his words that made her entire body grow cold.
She bit her lip before finally taking a deep breath and forcing herself to meet his eyes.
“Mr. Lin Mao, I didn’t lie to you!”
“It’s just… the situation back then was too dangerous. Those black-clothed men were chasing us too closely. In order to survive, we had no choice but to abandon most of our supplies and only carry essential items.”
Her voice gradually softened, filled with guilt.
“At the time, I had no other choice. I could only say those things so you’d be willing to save us. But don’t worry—I’ll definitely pay you back. I won’t go back on my word.”
She hesitated briefly before continuing in a quieter voice.
“It’s just that… It may take some time. Once my companions return and gather enough resources, they’ll bring everything to you.”
By the time she finished speaking, her voice was barely above a whisper.
Then she tightly shut her mouth and nervously waited for Lin Mao’s response.
Lin Mao’s expression immediately darkened.
He stepped forward until he stood directly in front of her, lowering his head slightly as his sharp eyes locked onto hers.
The distance between them was so close that they could practically feel each other’s breathing.
“Give you time?” he said softly, his voice carrying faint ridicule.
“And what if you and your companions disappear afterward? Where exactly am I supposed to go to collect my payment?”
Being stared at from such close range made Qian Yuxuan’s cheeks flush red instantly, her heartbeat speeding up uncontrollably.
She subconsciously turned her face slightly away from his intense gaze.
“I can come with you,” she quickly said.
“Just give your shelter address to my companions. Once they deliver the resources, I’ll leave afterward. That should be enough to reassure you, right?”
Lin Mao straightened up and rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“Hmm… I suppose that works.”
He studied her for a moment.
Although she looked nervous, her eyes were firm and sincere.
She didn’t seem to be lying.
Finally, he nodded.
“Fine. We’ll do it that way.”
Qian Yuxuan instantly let out a long breath of relief.
Her back had already been soaked with cold sweat.
After all, the terrifying image of Lin Mao crushing the black-clothed leader to death was still fresh in her mind. She simply couldn’t muster the courage to resist him.
Besides, she knew very well that with their current strength, escaping from Lin Mao was impossible anyway.
The other caravan members immediately became anxious after hearing their conversation.
One burly middle-aged man stepped forward.
He glanced at Qian Yuxuan before looking toward Lin Mao with a pleading expression.
“Sir… Yuxuan is still young. She’s just a girl. We really can’t feel at ease letting her follow you alone.”
“How about this instead? Let me stay behind as the hostage in her place.”
The others quickly voiced their agreement, all volunteering to remain behind instead of her.
Lin Mao shrugged indifferently.
“It doesn’t matter who stays behind. As long as I get what I’m owed.”
However, Qian Yuxuan immediately rejected the middle-aged man’s offer.
“No need, Brother Zhang.”
She shook her head firmly.
“I think Mr. Lin is a reasonable person. He won’t do anything to me. I’ll go with him.”
In truth, the reason she insisted so strongly was simple:
She was curious.
Far too curious.
She desperately wanted to know just how strong Lin Mao truly was—to be able to kill two Level 2 ability users so effortlessly.
She wanted to stay by his side and uncover the secrets behind his strength.
And if Lin Mao really was powerful enough…
Perhaps in the future…
At that thought, Qian Yuxuan raised her head decisively.
“It’s settled. Stop trying to persuade me.”
Seeing how firm her attitude was, the others could only sigh helplessly and give up.
After obtaining the exact location of Lin Mao’s shelter, they repeatedly reminded Qian Yuxuan to stay safe and find a way to contact them if anything happened.
Only then did they finally leave the valley and head back toward their shelter to gather the promised resources.
As Qian Yuxuan watched her companions disappear into the depths of the forest, the worry on her face instantly vanished.
In its place was pure curiosity.
Blinking her large eyes, she turned toward Lin Mao.
“So, Lin Mao… are we heading to the abandoned city now?”
Lin Mao shook his head and replied teasingly,
“Heading there for what? We’re not going anywhere until your people deliver the payment you promised me.”
Hearing his answer, Qian Yuxuan rolled her eyes.
Then she lightly punched his arm in annoyance.
“Seriously? I’m already your hostage now, and you still think we’d run away without paying? You really underestimate me, Qian Yuxuan!”
Lin Mao merely chuckled without answering.
Then he turned and walked deeper into the forest.
Seeing that he ignored her completely, Qian Yuxuan puffed out her cheeks angrily like a furious little hamster.
She stomped her foot before hurriedly chasing after him.
“Hey! Lin Mao!”
“Where are we going now?!”
“Don’t walk so fast! Wait for me!”