At midnight, the world lay in complete silence.
This was the hour when people were most exhausted, most drowsy—and it was the perfect time for a strike under the cover of darkness.
Tang Qingluo, half-asleep, was suddenly jolted awake by the system’s warning.
[Warning! Warning! Enemy forces will arrive in one minute. Host, prepare for combat! Host, prepare for combat!]
With a start, she leapt upright.
“What is it?” Xie Lanyi, who had been observing the outside, looked at her with a sharp, perceptive gaze.
“Nothing… probably just a dream. I… I dreamed of a killing scene,” she murmured, wiping the cold sweat from her forehead, avoiding his scrutinizing eyes.
She muttered inwardly: this guy’s gaze is too penetrating! Just one look into his eyes and he can see everything I’m thinking—what do I do?
“Ah—murder! Murder!” A scream rang from the next room.
It was Song Shishi.
Perfect timing! The scream was like a godsend, both relieving her immediate anxiety and waking everyone else.
“I’ll go check outside. Don’t come out. Wenzhang, Wenrui, protect everyone,” Xie Bozhi said, lifting his battle axe and charging out.
[Host, enemy forces have arrived. Quickly purchase weapons to participate in combat!]
Weapons… could she buy weapons now?
I thought the marketplace only sold four types of medicines! She hadn’t noticed any weapons for sale.
[Host, once your owed battle points turn positive, the marketplace opens all basic items. You simply didn’t notice.]
Tang Qingluo checked the marketplace in her mind. Sure enough, several new categories had appeared.
“System… why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
[Host, time is critical. Act immediately!]
The system had been strategic—it knew Tang Qingluo, if given free access, would buy only food and consumables, not weapons. This way, it ensured she wouldn’t fail in a crucial moment.
There was no time to dwell. Tang Qingluo quickly purchased every weapon available until her battle points ran out.
Torches lit up outside. The soldiers and guards had already engaged the black-clad intruders. Chaos erupted in the darkness.
Tang Qingluo pulled Xiao Shi (Xie Wanxiao) and Xiao Shi’er (Xie Wannian) close. “You two stay behind your eldest brother, no matter what. Do not move. Understand?”
The girls didn’t fully understand, but seeing Jiang and Ruan nod, they obediently hid behind Xie Lanyi.
Once the two girls were secured, Tang Qingluo whispered to Xie Lanyi: “I’m going to check outside.”
Wang Shi and the others wanted to stop her, but Xie Lanyi nodded. “Mother, let Qingluo go.”
Seeing the meaning in his eyes, Tang Qingluo felt a pang of guilt, quickly opened the door, and ran out.
Outside, chaos reigned. Fighting raged between the household guards and the black-clad attackers. Moving swiftly, Tang Qingluo returned to the room unnoticed, carrying a large bundle of weapons.
“Wenrui, Wenzhang, take these and help out.”
She handed two longbows and two swords to Xie Wenzhang and Xie Wenrui.
“Big sister, where did you get these bows and swords?” Xie Wenrui asked, marveling at the weaponry.
“Of course I stole them. Did you need to ask?” Tang Qingluo rolled her eyes—now was not the time for questions.
Xie Wenzhang, the elder brother, took them without hesitation. Xie Wenrui, feeling a little awkward, followed closely.
“Alright, everyone, take a mechanical crossbow. Small, but deadly. Range isn’t far, but enough to reach the doorway. If anyone charges in, we’ll make them look like hedgehogs.”
Tang Qingluo chose ranged weapons rather than melee. Those capable of fighting had gone out already. The rest were weak, so the only advantage was through arms—and mechanical crossbows were perfect.
Bang!
A heavy kick smashed the door down.
A dozen black-clad attackers charged as if they knew the Xie family was in the room.
“Fire!” Tang Qingluo pressed the trigger on the crossbow as they entered.
They hadn’t expected this. Overconfident, each of them was struck by arrows.
“Again!” Arrows rained down relentlessly.
As promised, the small crossbows had immense killing power at close range.
After three volleys, all the black-clad men were down except the leader.
“More!” Tang Qingluo saw that the leader still stood despite the arrows. Determined, she unleashed another volley.
The man, covered in blood, grimaced and raised his sword, ignoring the arrows, charging at Xie Lanyi with a “come to die with me” resolve.
But he didn’t understand why his sword couldn’t pierce Xie Lanyi.
“All thanks to heaven. You won’t succeed! Go!” Xie Lanyi’s sleeve dart pierced the black-clad man’s throat.
[Host killed 50 enemies, mission exceeded expectations. Reward: defensive mule cart; Battle Points +6,000; Title: Ten Slayers. Rewards auto-stored in reward backpack.]
Six thousand battle points in one go!
Tang Qingluo’s smile lit up the room.
At that moment, Xie Bozhi’s angry roar rang from outside.
“Wenzhang! Wenrui! How are you fighting out there? I told you to protect the family! Is this how you do it?”