Chapter 10: The Fate of the Hunter Boy

Yang Luo’s life had been granted a second chance.

She didn’t know how to tell her mother—to say she had nightmares, to say she had divined the future, to insist on dragging her mother away to escape. But perhaps it sounded too preposterous; her mother refused to leave with her, instead forcing a bowl of calming herbal medicine down her throat to make her sleep.

Death arrived just as it had the time before.

She still hadn’t been able to save her mother.

Yet, upon closer reflection, there were differences from the previous life.

In her past life, it wasn't until her entire household had been slaughtered that a maidservant took her through a secret passage to escape. This time, she had been escorted by more servants and had left the house a step earlier.

The fire in the manor had also started earlier than before.

Yang Luo clenched her hands. So, this time, her mother had made arrangements to give her a better chance at survival...

It was just that her mother hadn't anticipated, and she hadn't known, that the entire Baima Town had been surrounded by those people; there was simply no way to escape.

Fortunately, she had encountered the hunter boy again, just as in her past life, and was saved by him.

And this time, she made a different choice than before.

Yang Luo looked up at the hunter boy sitting across from her.

Last time, the hunter boy had escorted her back to Baima Town. The authorities only allowed residents of Baima Town to enter. Back then, she had rushed in without hesitation, reporting not only her name but also that she was a relative of the Duke of Ding'an. She was then taken under the care of the authorities and parted ways with the hunter boy.

She remembered bowing to thank the hunter boy at the time.

"What is your name?"

"I want to give you money to thank you."

The hunter boy had said, "My name is A-Sheng," refused the money, given her a faint smile, and turned to leave.

Later, her eldest uncle came to pick her up personally. Traumatized by the loss of her mother and in a state of panic, she had forgotten to look for her savior.

After going to the capital and entering the Duke’s household, she was a timid orphan, busy learning to adapt to a new life. The nightmare of Baima Town, including the hunter boy, had been deliberately forgotten.

It wasn't until she was betrothed and went to a temple to offer incense and prayers that she saw the hunter boy on the street once more.

...

...

Mo Zheng watched as the girl went from weeping to being lost in thought, then suddenly looked at him with an even stranger expression—one that seemed to be pity...

Logically, this pampered young lady’s plight was the most pitiable; why did she keep looking at him with pity?

At first, he guessed it was because he had told her he was an orphan, but ever since she let slip that he would die in the future...

It seemed he died a miserable death in her prophecies.

Mo Zheng gave a light cough. "Since your mother created the appearance of your death, you are safe now. Do you want to wait for the people from the Duke of Ding'an’s manor to arrive, quietly tell them your identity, and then hide your status while traveling to the capital?"

Yang Luo sneered. "No, I don't trust them."

Mo Zheng thought, it seems this young lady has some unfavorable views of her maternal grandfather's family. Was that also from her prophecies?

Seeing the hunter boy’s raised eyebrows and thoughtful expression, Yang Luo took a deep breath.

She could tell her mother about living a second life, but she couldn't tell anyone else; such an unbelievable thing would not be believed.

If they did believe it, it wouldn't necessarily be a good thing; she would only be in more danger.

Her mother had thought of protecting her until the very end. This time, she must protect herself well and never throw her life away easily again.

"In any case, A-Sheng, I only trust you," Yang Luo said. "I still ask you to escort me to the capital."

At this, her eyes welled up with tears again.

"I cannot let down my mother’s intention to shield me even in death."

Mo Zheng, as before, did not ask too many questions. He said, "Oh, alright. I can do that." He raised an eyebrow. "By then, I’ll be your benefactor. Your grandfather’s family will reward me, right? Maybe they’ll give me an official post."

An official post. Yang Luo’s expression grew complex again. She hurriedly said, "A-Sheng, don't think about being an official. Being an official is not good at all. When the time comes, I’ll give you plenty of money. You can take the money, open a shop, do something, and live a peaceful, carefree life."

In truth, he was just changing the subject. He hadn't expected this girl to be so nervous about his future career. *Hmm, it seems my death must be related to the imperial court,* Mo Zheng thought. He smiled inwardly; that result wouldn't be strange at all—it was only natural.

"Take the money, open a shop, and live a peaceful, carefree life," he murmured softly. "I’d like that too."

His voice was a low mutter. Yang Luo didn't hear him clearly and asked, "What did you say? What else do you want? Just tell me."

Mo Zheng smiled, finished the food in his bowl, and stood up. "Miss, don't say anything for now. Let’s wait until we arrive safely."

With that, he walked outside.

"I’m going to buy a carriage and horses."

Yang Luo watched the boy walk out with nimble, decisive steps, lost in thought for a moment.

They would definitely reach the capital safely. She believed in the hunter boy, A-Sheng, and she believed even more in the leader of the Yunling rebels, A-Sheng.

In her past life, she had thought she had forgotten the hunter boy who saved her life, but she hadn't expected to recognize him immediately when she saw him again.

Even if it was just a severed head.

Five years later, the hunter boy had become the leader of the rebels. The vibrant youth was reduced to nothing but a head, hanging from a flagpole outside the capital’s city gate.

The Yunling bandits—even Yang Luo, living in the deep, secluded halls of the Duke of Ding'an’s manor in the capital, had heard of their fearsome reputation. They had nearly ten thousand followers, dominated a region, and even dared to attack cities and occupy government offices; they were unstoppable.

Nearby prefectures couldn't handle them, and the imperial court sent the Earl of Yongwu to lead troops, but he still couldn't wipe them out. In the end, it was the Great General of Longxi, Wei Cui, who took action. Attacking from both sides, he forced the Yunling bandits into a canyon. Then, a heavy snowfall hit, and after most of them froze or starved to death, they were finally wiped out.

That day, she and her aunt, cousins, and others went to the temple to pray. Passing by the city gate, she saw the imperial court displaying the heads of the Yunling rebel leaders.

Curious, she went to look. Those heads had disheveled hair and ferocious expressions, but one of them had neat hair. Although his face was pale and blue, there was no blood, his eyes were closed, his expression was calm, and there was even a hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth. He looked surprisingly handsome. She couldn't help but look twice, and then he merged with the memory of the hunter boy who had saved her life.

She couldn't believe it and couldn't help but ask her cousin what the name of the youngest rebel leader was and where he was from.

"These rebel leaders all abandoned their pasts to become outlaws; their names are likely fake. How could anyone know where they came from?" her cousin said. But upon hearing her mention the youngest leader, he spoke with great excitement, "This kid is called A-Sheng. He’s formidable—the leader of the thieves."

A-Sheng. It really was A-Sheng. At that moment, she was shocked, terrified, and heartbroken.

Five years later, the hunter boy who saved her life had actually died.

And she never expected that not long after, she would die too.

Thinking of this, Yang Luo gave a self-deprecating smile.

She didn't know what had happened to the hunter boy after they parted ways in Baima Town, or how he had ended up becoming a rebel leader. But one thing was certain: the hunter boy was a very capable person. He could save her life, and he could also become the leader of the rebels.

Someone so capable would surely have no problem escorting her to the capital.

And...

Yang Luo gripped her chopsticks tightly.

She could also use A-Sheng to kill those who had harmed her.

The rebel leader A-Sheng killed without blinking; killing a few more wouldn't matter.