Chapter 17: On this journey of fleeing famine, staying alive is the most important thing

If it weren't for the inappropriate occasion, Li Shiyue would have certainly burst out laughing. Her father and Qin Tao truly were a matched pair; their shameless nature was identical.

Li Shiyue directly grabbed the refugee's waistband and had Li Qiutian help tie the unconscious man up like a pig.

Shitou was strong. Following Li Shiyue's instructions, he grabbed the feet of the knocked-out refugee and dragged him toward Li Mother.

Meanwhile, Li Shiyue picked up the kitchen knife she had thrown earlier. Gripping the blade, which was stained with someone's blood, she walked toward Li Mother.

Approaching them, Li Shiyue pointed the knife at Qin Tao, who was standing behind Li Mother. "Qin Tao, one life is worth ten taels of silver."

Not only was Qin Tao stunned, but even Li Mother herself was frozen in place.

"Shiyue, you..."

Li Shiyue raised her eyes, signaling Li Mother not to speak. Li Mother cooperated immediately and shut her mouth.

Keeping the knife close, Li Shiyue continued to point it at Qin Tao. "Do you acknowledge that I just saved your life?"

Before Qin Tao could speak, Li Shiyue continued, "You won't admit it? Do you think my price is too high? Do you think your life isn't worth ten taels?"

Whether it was because Li Shiyue looked terrifying holding the refugee's kitchen knife, or because the blood splattered on her face during the recent melee was genuinely frightening, Qin Tao simply stared at her, not daring to utter a single "no."

"It seems you think your life is valuable after all. Once things settle down, I'll come to you to collect the money. We have a deal—don't you dare forget."

As for why Li Shiyue said this?

It was primarily for the task given by the System. Up until now, she hadn't heard the "ding-ding" sound of the System.

This meant that Newbie Task Two—Protecting the Female Lead, Li Chunli—had not been completed.

Since her instinctive strike just now had technically saved the female lead, she had to see this task through to the end.

Furthermore, she couldn't drive Qin Tao's family away just yet. A person as shameless as Qin Tao would likely cling to Li Mother indefinitely.

To maximize her interests, she could only allow Qin Tao's family to stay at their place for the time being. However, she would still demand the money owed.

Seeing Qin Tao nod, Li Shiyue finally turned to check on Li Mother. "Mother, are you alright? Are you injured?"

Before Li Mother could respond, someone shouted as they approached. "Wangming? Wangming, how is your family? Is anyone hurt?"

Li Shiyue looked back and saw several people approaching with torches, led by Li Shiyang.

Li Shiyue scanned the surroundings. It seemed the refugees had either been killed or captured. The area where the Li Village people had camped had been pitch black just moments ago, but now many torches were lit. The sounds of wailing and mourning drifted through the wind; it was clear that many people in Li Village had died tonight.

By the time Li Shiyue realized this, Li Shiyang had already arrived with a torch.

He used the light to inspect the area. The several shirtless corpses lying disarrayed on the ground were easy to identify. As he turned the torch toward the Li family, he understood the situation.

Although Li Shiyang's face remained expressionless, he was inwardly quite shocked.

Looking at the Li family, only Li Shiyue and Li Qiutian had blood on their faces, and both were still holding knives. Li Wangming and Shitou had significant bloodstains on their clothes. The others appeared merely startled and clean, clearly having not participated in the fighting.

Based on his patrol of the various households to check for casualties, it was clear that the Li family women were not to be underestimated!

As for Li Shiyang seeing Li Father hiding behind Li Mother, and Qin Tao's family of three still standing by the Li family's donkey cart, he didn't bother asking.

"...That's how it is. This one is still alive, just knocked unconscious."

Li Wangming stepped forward to explain the situation to Li Shiyang, kicking the refugee that Shitou had thrown to the ground.

Li Shiyang knelt to check the refugee's breathing. Once he confirmed the man was alive, he stood up.

"Many people in the village have died. I came to check on the casualties of each household. Everyone, come to my place to talk later," Li Shiyang pointed to the unconscious refugee on the ground. "Take this man with you when you go. See if you can get any information out of him."

After giving these instructions, Li Shiyang and the men behind him headed toward the camps set up behind the Li and Zheng families.

As soon as Li Shiyang left, Li Shiyue pulled Li Mother and Zheng Meiniang toward another area; she didn't want Li Mother and Qin Tao to be so close to each other.

Li Wangming went to assist Grandmother Li. Looking at his eldest brother, though he said nothing, the look of disdain on Li Wangming's face spoke volumes.

However, as soon as Grandmother Li moved, Li Father moved as well.

"Brother, what are you doing? Shiyang already said it's safe now. You didn't step in front of Mother to protect her just now, but now you won't stop hiding behind her?"

"I didn't, Wangming, I just..."

Li Wangming had no intention of listening to Li Father's explanation. He shot him a glare and carefully assisted Grandmother Li toward Li Mother.

Once Li Mother and Grandmother Li were settled, Li Shiyue quickly lit a torch and searched the ground for the long saber dropped by the refugee named Dazhu; that was a valuable item.

Ignoring the dirt, once she found the long saber, Li Shiyue handed it to Li Qiutian, who was holding a torch to light her way. "Sister is strong; this saber is suitable for her. Later, we'll find some leather to make a belt so she can carry it on her back. That would be much more convenient."

After Li Shiyue had Shitou and Li Wangming work together to lay the three dead refugee corpses side-by-side, she began to search the bodies right under everyone's shocked gazes.

Li Qiutian was stunned when she saw Li Shiyue reaching for the refugee's waistband. "Shiyue, what are you doing? That's a man!"

"Sister, this man is shirtless; you can see everything from the waist up. But if he has a long saber like this, how could he not be hiding gold or silver on him? Therefore, that gold and silver must be hidden on his lower half, right? Get closer, Sister, let's not miss anything."

For a moment, Li Qiutian didn't know how to argue. But upon reflection, she actually thought Li Shiyue made sense. Gold and silver were precious; they would be useful on the road ahead.

"Wait then, I'll go to my house to get some gloves. Mother uses them at home for slaughtering pigs and cleaning intestines. This man is too dirty; let's wear those before we search."

Li Shiyue gave Li Qiutian a thumbs-up. Although Li Qiutian didn't know what it meant, seeing Li Shiyue's admiring expression, she understood it was a compliment.

Sitting nearby, Li Mother looked helpless. She wanted to say something, but thinking of the refugees' appearance just now, she kept her mouth shut.

"On this journey of escape, staying alive is the most important thing. Everything else can wait."