Chapter 2: Saving People

“Giddy up, giddy up…”

“Giddy up…”

“Lian'er, it is getting late. Let us find an inn for the night first.”

Dusk was approaching, and the birds were returning to their nests. The sky was filled with the setting sun, and under the afterglow, everything was exceptionally tranquil.

“Alright. Are there any inns nearby?” Mo Lian gazed at the vast scenery. It was currently springtime, and a hundred flowers were in full bloom. Waves of fragrance drifted through the air, refreshing the mind and soul.

“There is one not far ahead.” Qi Shuang was also gazing at the scenery, his expression indifferent.

The two people on their two horses moved slowly, in no hurry to arrive. It was just that… something seemed incomplete.

*Clang… Bang… Crack…*

“Ah… Help… Help me…”

“Father… Mother… *sob*…”

Noisy sounds drifted from ahead, sounding like the clash of weapons, interspersed with the wailing of a child.

Mo Lian frowned visibly, her eyes filled with extreme annoyance; the tranquility of the twilight had been broken.

“I beg you, please spare my child, I beg you…”

“Father, Mother, *sob*… Xixi is so scared, *sob*…” The child's crying drifted into their ears, laden with too many emotions: sadness, helplessness, resentment, and panic…

“What kind of heroes do you think you are? If you have the guts, come at me! What glory is there in killing a descendant of the Song clan?” A man spoke forcefully; despite facing death, he was filled with righteous indignation and passion.

Mo Lian was not naturally a meddler, but she could not stand the behavior of villains. She exchanged a glance with Qi Shuang, and in the blink of an eye, the area was empty of the attackers.

“Tsk tsk… Bullying the weak? Truly disgraceful.” Mo Lian’s mocking voice rang out in the clear sky, filled with disdain.

“Where did this wild girl come from, daring to lecture your grandad?” A man with a disheveled, greasy appearance and a mouth full of scruffy beard spoke, looking quite unpleasant.

“Two children… you all, leave! The Song clan cannot implicate the innocent!” Seeing that the newcomers were merely two children in their teens, Old Man Song was filled with worry. These heartless beasts.

“Old man Song, you talk way too damn much. Then just go die!” The man brandished his precious sword and lunged toward Old Man Song. Simultaneously, Mo Lian and Qi Shuang flicked pebbles from their fingertips. Their targets were simply different: Mo Lian’s struck the blade to interrupt it, while Qi Shuang’s hit the man directly in the head, killing him on the spot.

Seeing their leader dead, the remaining men scattered, and they were cleaned up in an instant.

“Thank you both for saving my life. I, Song, have no way to repay you. I hope you two can help me look after my daughter; she is the one I worry about most. I have little time left. I ask you, young heroes, to save my daughter's life. Her life belongs to you; I only hope she can live peacefully in this world. Is that alright?”

Old Man Song was full of expectation. Although the ones before him were merely two children in their teens, he believed they had sufficient ability to protect Mo'er.

Mo Lian gave a nearly imperceptible nod.

“Thank you. Madam, Song Qiao is coming to accompany you.” Song Qiao’s eyes were full of happiness; perhaps he died content.

“Father… Father… Father, don't leave Xixi… *sob*… Xixi doesn't want to leave Father and Mother… *sob*…”

“Child, live… well… don’t… don’t… think about… seeking… seeking revenge… for… for Father and Mother… just… just live… well…” After finishing this sentence in broken gasps, Song Qiao passed away.

“Father… Mother… do you not want Xixi anymore? Xixi is so scared. *sob*…”

“Shut up, you're noisy!” Looking at the inconsolable, weeping Song Xixi, Mo Lian expressed her annoyance. Of course, she was also being truthful; although she had saved her, if things became truly difficult, she wouldn't mind being the villain. Mo Lian was never a soft-hearted person. Perhaps Mo Lian’s coldness frightened Song Xixi, as the girl stopped crying, though her trembling shoulders betrayed her emotions. What a pitiful sight! Mo Lian glanced at her without speaking, only looking toward Qi Shuang.

“Take her and let's go!” With a swift movement, he mounted his steed. Qi Shuang looked at Song Xixi with no expression.

“Get on the horse!”

“I don't know how.” Song Xixi looked at Qi Shuang—the boy who looked younger than her—and then at Mo Lian. Tears swirled incessantly in her eyes, but she ultimately refused to let them fall. Song Xixi made a silent vow: *I will follow them. One day, I will be just like you both, absolutely!*

When Mo Lian looked back, she saw the stubbornness and confidence in Song Xixi's eyes, and her lips curled up slightly. As expected, she hadn't misjudged her. She then flicked her whip and rode off with the wind. Seeing Mo Lian's departing figure, Qi Shuang quickly picked up Song Xixi, seated her in front of him, and lashed his whip to follow Mo Lian.

In the evening breeze, their silhouettes were extraordinary and transcendent.