Chapter 4: The Adorable Baby Attacks

Six years later.

Sunset City, on the border of the Beining Kingdom. Situated between Nanzhao and Beining, this small city bears the title of a commercial hub, carrying the heavy burden of economic trade between the two nations!

This is the only city on the Longhua Continent without a city lord, or even any government officials to manage it. The Emperor of Beining dispatches ten thousand soldiers to guard the city’s safety day and night. Beyond that, many mercenaries who walk the line between life and death are stationed here. Most of them are experts in the cultivation of profound energy, with sturdy bodies and eyes of varying colors, making them stand out sharply among ordinary people.

No one dares to cause trouble in Sunset City, except for...

"Damn it! Ling Xiaobai, you little brat! Give back my night-luminescent pearl!" A roar erupted from an antique shop. The next second, a black shadow smashed through the window and appeared in the bustling market.

"I don't want to! If you have the ability, come and catch me. If you catch me, I'll consider giving the pearl back to you." The speaker was a ridiculously cute little toddler. His chubby, pink face wore an evil grin, and his large, bright eyes flickered with cunning glints from time to time. A single cowlick on the top of his head swayed left and right in the wind.

He was the kind of toddler who would make anyone want to kiss him on sight, but the words coming out of his mouth made people stomp their feet in rage.

The shopkeeper rushed out of the store wielding a scimitar, howling as he prepared to slash at Ling Xiaobai. However, his moves were all bark and no bite, restrained to a level that the toddler could easily dodge.

"Oh my, my clothes!" Ling Xiaobai shrieked while narrowly avoiding the blade.

"Don't you run!" The shopkeeper stomped his feet in anger.

"Only a fool wouldn't run." Ling Xiaobai stuck out his tongue with a grin and dodged the descending blade once more.

This scene left many newcomers to Sunset City dumbfounded. Wasn't it said that private armed conflicts were forbidden within the city? Could someone tell them what this was supposed to be?

Those who frequented Sunset City would surely know that although there were no officials in charge, there was a little tyrant here. For the past three years, any treasure he set his eyes on would be looted clean before long. After committing his crimes, he would rely on his adorable, innocent face, and no one could bring themselves to do anything to him. The antique shop, in particular, had suffered the most.

The shopkeeper slashed for a long time without even grazing a hair on Ling Xiaobai, ending up exhausted himself. His arm went limp, and the scimitar clattered into the ground. Panting, he pointed at Ling Xiaobai, "You little brat, aren't you going to return the night-luminescent pearl to me? That’s the treasure of my shop!"

"But..." Ling Xiaobai blinked his watery, pitiful eyes. "Last time, Uncle said that as long as it’s something the baby likes, Uncle would give it to the baby."

Damn it! How was he supposed to know back then that this little brat was a wolf in sheep's clothing?

The shopkeeper’s face twisted in anger. "Don't you dare bring that up! You claimed you were new here, deliberately got me drunk, and tricked me into making such an absurd promise! You’ve been looting my shop every single day, and you still have the nerve to mention it!"

Tears welled up in Ling Xiaobai’s eyes, ready to fall at any moment. "But, a promise is a promise. How can Uncle go back on his word?"

He had set his sights on this pearl a long time ago. Now that he had finally gotten his hands on it, how could he easily return it? Once it was in Ling Xiaobai’s pocket, it was his—he wouldn't give it back even if he died!

Just as the shopkeeper was considering whether to teach this toddler a lesson, a black-clad figure appeared at the end of the market street.

The onlookers revealed expressions of anticipation for a good show, and even the previously furious shopkeeper smiled instantly.

Ling Xiaobai felt a vague, ominous premonition, especially when that familiar chill emanated from behind him. The feeling intensified, and a bead of cold sweat slid down his forehead.

"I recall that at this hour, someone should be studying at the academy." A smiling voice drifted down from above. Ling Xiaobai shuddered, his neck cracking as he turned his head. When he saw who it was, his cute little face instantly turned a bit resentful.

"Mother..."

It was a voice that would soften anyone’s heart, yet Ling Ruoxi remained unmoved.

Many people blinked, looking at the woman who had suddenly appeared, wanting to know what kind of woman could raise such an arrogant, yet adorable little brat.

Her brows were like crescent moons, her skin like mutton-fat jade. Her eyes were like autumn water, her bones like white jade; she was breathtakingly beautiful.

Dressed in black, she stood alone, isolated from the world, peerless.

Just one glance made many men stare in a daze, their breathing subconsciously held.

Wasn't this the former number one beauty of the Beining Kingdom?

"Hmm?" The dangerous tone rose slightly, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Good little Xiaobai, can you tell Mother, how many times have you skipped school this month?"

Damn it! Who on earth tipped off Mother? Ling Xiaobai felt like going crazy inside. Don't let him find out which bastard did it, or else—he-he-he—a sinister smile crept onto the corner of his mouth.

Inside the academy, the teacher who was giving a lecture suddenly sneezed. He looked strangely at the sky outside the window. It wasn't winter yet; could he have caught a cold?

"Mother, actually, Baby was just..." Before the ingratiating words could be finished, a sharp pain shot through his ear. "Ouch! Mother, let go, it’s going to fall off! Baby’s ear is going to be pulled off!"