Unlike before, this time Zhong Ling didn’t give Duan Yu her shoes. Instead, she took off a hair ribbon from her head and handed it to him.
Gu Han Yuan felt a slight sense of relief.
Shoes were too suggestive for a girl.
Not giving Duan Yu her shoes meant she didn’t have feelings for him. They were probably just friends.
After Duan Yu left, Gu Han Yuan saw that Zhong Ling still looked defiant as she addressed Si Kong Xuan, the leader of the Shennong Gang:
“You better let me go. Otherwise, when my Wu Tian brother comes back, you’re finished.”
Having met Gu Han Yuan and learned of his strength, Zhong Ling gained a lot of confidence.
She believed that even if Duan Yu couldn't come back to rescue her in time, she didn’t have to worry about her own safety.
Gu Han Yuan felt somewhat amused by Zhong Ling's words.
He had finally managed to hide in the shadows, and yet you’re going around announcing my existence. What is wrong with you?
Although the identity of Wu Tian was now well-known in the Ming kingdom, with almost all the major sects searching for him, this was Song kingdom. The news hadn’t spread as quickly.
Therefore, Si Kong Xuan had no idea who Wu Tian was, and naturally he wasn’t afraid of him. Instead, he thought Zhong Ling was foolish and reckless, and wanted to teach her a lesson.
Suddenly, Gu Han Yuan felt a movement at his feet. The lightning ferret had quietly crept up to him and was now biting his pants leg, signaling for him to rescue its mistress.
He sighed in annoyance.
At this moment, Si Kong Xuan's slap was about to land on Zhong Ling's face.
Zhong Ling cowered in fear, closing her eyes.
She thought to herself:
“Big Brother Wu Tian, hurry and come save me.”
She didn't know if her prayer had been answered, but she didn't feel any pain on her face.
Instead, she heard Si Kong Xuan scream, and she opened her eyes in fright.
She saw that one of his arms was hanging limp, while the other covered his shoulder, his face filled with pain and fear.
Zhong Ling finally came to her senses and saw the figure beside her.
He was still wearing the same dark-colored outfit, the Asura mask hiding his face, his aura growing even colder.
Yet, Zhong Ling only felt warmth.
He was like a black sun, profound yet warm to the heart.
Without realizing it, she changed her address, wanting to be more intimate.
“Brother Wu Tian! Hee hee. I knew you would come save Ling'er.”
Gu Han Yuan handed the lightning ferret, which he had been holding in his arms, to Zhong Ling.
“It came to me for help.”
Of course, he wouldn't admit that he had actually been following them all along. He blamed it all on the lightning ferret.
Fortunately, the lightning ferret wasn't that intelligent. It was now happily frolicking in Zhong Ling’s arms.
Zhong Ling didn't take Gu Han Yuan's words seriously. She thought he was just being stubborn.
He clearly cared about her, yet he always acted so cold.
“Lightning ferret, you’re so good. I’ll catch you some poisonous snakes to eat later.”
After calming the lightning ferret down, Zhong Ling blinked her big eyes and complained to Gu Han Yuan.
“Brother Wu Tian, they bullied Ling'er.”
Si Kong Xuan was already terrified of Gu Han Yuan.
Earlier, he had only seen a black shadow flash before his arm was broken. He hadn't even had time to react.
Now, hearing Zhong Ling’s complaint, he was sweating profusely.
“Senior, I didn’t know this lady was your sister before. Please forgive us for not hurting her. Spare our lives.”
Gu Han Yuan coldly looked at him. Now that he had made his appearance, he had no more reservations.
“You injured her arm when you captured her earlier. One arm is not enough. Break another, and I'll spare your life. The same goes for the rest of the Shennong Gang. Break your own arms, and you'll be allowed to live.”
Zhong Ling was moved to hear his words, but she secretly grumbled:
He said it was the lightning ferret who asked for help, but he even knew that my arm was injured. He's so stubborn.
“The Shennong Gang serves the Lingjiu Palace. Please, Senior, have mercy on us for the sake of the Heavenly Mountain Child Lady.”
Si Kong Xuan tried to use the Lingjiu Palace to save himself.
In reality, the Heavenly Mountain Child Lady wouldn’t care about a minor character like him.
“Don’t try to use the Heavenly Mountain Child Lady to intimidate me. I'll eventually go to the Lingjiu Palace and meet her.”
When Gu Han Yuan heard the name Heavenly Mountain Child Lady, a glint of light flashed in his eyes.
The Lingjiu Palace was already in his grasp.
“Since you’re not willing to break your own arms, I'll help you.”
Si Kong Xuan wanted to plead for mercy, but suddenly everything went blurry. His remaining shoulder felt heavy.
With a “rip,” Gu Han Yuan had torn his entire arm off.
As soon as his scream came out, he heard similar cries echoing throughout the area.
All of his gang members and disciples had their arms broken.
The ground was covered in severed arms and flowing blood.
It was a terrifying sight.
Even Zhong Ling looked uncomfortable.
Gu Han Yuan walked up to Zhong Ling and lifted her dislocated left hand. With a pull and a push, he set it back in place.
After moving her hand a few times and finding that it was fine, a pure smile spread across her face. She wrapped her arms around Gu Han Yuan’s arm, her small body pressed against him without any hesitation.
“Let’s go.”
Ignoring the cries of pain all around him, Gu Han Yuan took Zhong Ling and left.
They hadn't gone far before Zhong Ling, still shaken by what she had seen, hesitated for a moment and then asked:
“Brother Wu Tian, although the Shennong Gang people bullied Ling'er, wasn’t it a bit too cruel to break all their arms?”
“I’m a bad person. Isn't it normal for me to be cruel? If you’re scared, then just stay away from me.”
Zhong Ling hesitated for a moment after hearing Gu Han Yuan's words, then blushed and tightened her grip on his arm.
The pleasant sensation made Gu Han Yuan stiff for a moment.
“Ling'er isn’t afraid. Ling'er doesn’t believe that Brother Wu Tian would hurt her.”
Gu Han Yuan chuckled under his mask.
He regretted it a little.
As for what exactly he regretted, even he couldn't figure it out.
“Little sister Ling’er, since you’re already free, why don’t you just go back home? It's too dangerous outside.”
There was a lot going on in Dali recently. If Zhong Ling was willing to go back home quietly, it would be the best outcome.
Unfortunately, after what she had just gone through, she didn't want to leave Gu Han Yuan’s side at all.
“No way. Can Brother Wu Tian take Ling'er with him? Ling’er promises not to cause trouble.”
Zhong Ling begged with a coquettish tone.
Gu Han Yuan pondered for a moment and said helplessly:
“You can follow me, but you’re not allowed to act on your own. Don't do anything you're not supposed to do, just watch quietly. If you can’t do that, I’ll just leave you behind.”
“Okay! Ling'er will listen to your instructions, don't worry. Hee hee.”
Zhong Ling's smile grew even brighter after Gu Han Yuan agreed.
“Where are we going now?”
“Just follow me.”
Gu Han Yuan took Zhong Ling back to the Wuliang Sword Sect.
They avoided everyone and went directly to the cliff edge of the forbidden area.
“Hold on tight. I’m taking you down.”
Gu Han Yuan picked her up and held her in his arms.
Zhong Ling obediently wrapped her arms around Gu Han Yuan's neck.
She comfortably breathed in Gu Han Yuan's masculine scent.
She listened to the rustling of the wind as they fell off the cliff.
She couldn't think of anything more beautiful than this moment.