56 Closing In, Step by Step II (1/2)

Meng Fuyao shook her head, cursing, ”Proud and unruly? More like bullying the weak and fearing the strong.”

Nevertheless, she no longer paid much attention to it and followed Zong Yue up the mountains. When the sun set, they made their way down. As they were a still a distance away from the old Han couple's home, Zong Yue, who was leading the way, stopped suddenly.

From afar, they could hear cries traveling from the old couple's house. The cries were sharp and mournful, and the next moment, sounds of drawers flipping and collapsing could be heard. Bodies were banging against furniture, producing dull thuds amid crude laughter and words. Women and children's frightful weeping blended together awfully as the surrounding neighbors listened on with rapt attention, their faces full of sympathy and anger. Yet, when that was done, they scuttled back into their own houses and secured the locks.

Rong men were howling with laughter, and someone conveniently grabbed a wine pot from a tavern, greedily gulping its content down. With still some remaining wine left within, he slammed it onto the couple's roof, cackling, ”Burn! Burn!”

As if awoken by his voice, more people gathered around, pulling up their sleeves, and dancing and shouting excitedly.

'Burn! Burn!”

Meng Fuyao stood in the center of the street, her pupils shrinking. A colored ribbon had been hung on the old Han couple's door.

The couple was honest and kind, so how did they have offended the Rong people? Meng Fuyao quietly stopped a neighbor and asked, ”What happened?”

”Three years ago, a Rong man bumped into the young fellow in that family and was called a fool. Look now, they're here for revenge.” The neighbor answered furtively before running off.

”D*mn, is that a valid reason?” Meng Fuyao uttered.

”Looks like the Rong people in this city are out of control and looking for trouble,” Zong Yue commented, approaching her. ”You're not fully recovered so don't butt in. If their house gets burned, we can gather some silver and find new accommodation for them. The Rong people here are powerful and merely seeking reasons to start a fight. Don't cause more trouble.”

Meng Fuyao sucked in a deep breath, tightly clenching both fists and reluctantly suppressing the urge to take action. Historically, the struggles between different ethnicities brought far-reaching repercussions, but it wasn't something that could easily be resolved. She was familiar with history, and understood that loyalty would not work, especially in situations like these. Rescuing someone on impulse might be alright, but if she were to agitate every Rong man in the process and blow things up, more deaths would be inevitable.

She gripped Xiao Dao's hand tightly and took a step back, causing the child to turn around. Her lips were pursed tightly, and a zealous sort of excitement was evident in her eyes. Meng Fuyao lowered her head and looked into the girl's eyes, frowning. ”Xiao Dao?”

Xiao Dao's eyes were devilish, when she enunciated her words clearly, ”They deserve it.”

Stunned by her words, Meng Fuyao clarified, somewhat unbelievably, ”Who?”

”All,” she stated, pointing at the old Han couple's house.

Her voice contained a viciousness that shouldn't belong to any child her age. It sounded like a steel nail being hammered into a crow-black coffin, bloody and hardened.

”Sss,” Yao Xun let out. ”What doll...”

Zong Yue shot Xiao Dao a faint glance, his expression pensive. ”Oh yeah?”

A slight smile appeared on his face as he reached out to pat Xiao Dao's shoulder.

Not knowing why, the girl looked at him, as he calmly and warmly extended his hand.

His fair, slender hand was quickly stopped by another hand. Meng Fuyao had grabbed him, and she raised her brows, looking straight into his eyes.

”Just a slip of the tongue, not deserving of a death sentence.”

”One's words reflect one's thinking,” Zong Yue replied unwaveringly. ”She's too dangerous.”

His tone was simple, but his expression meaningful. Meng Fuyao looked up, feeling her chest tightened. His face read, ”Too dangerous to keep by your side.”

This evil-tongued man actually cared about her, and Meng Fuyao was moved. Nevertheless, she did not let go of his hands and simply kept her willful eyes on him.

Zong Yue's snow-white sleeves slid down slowly as sweat trickled down Meng Fuyao's forehead. Meng Fuyao's hands were still in midair as she added, ”She's still a child and has no strength. I can't do it.”

”Just let me do it then,” Zong Yue said, his eyes cold. ”You're strong, intelligent and decisive, but you're too kind and soft-hearted. Haven't you gotten yourself into trouble for trusting Qiao Ling? You know the dangers of saving her so why did you do it? How are you going to survive in this predatory world?”

After a long pause, Meng Fuyao responded, ”Some things must be done and things that mustn't be done. For this, I'll die without regrets.”

The streets were quiet, and the girl's back was straightened. The wind blew through her hair, taking her metallic voice far away with it. Like an awl, the words belonging to the hot-blooded, the faithful and the unyielding, penetrated the solid cold and the bright sunlight.

Zong Yue waved his sleeves a little as he gazed into her eyes, lost in thought. With a layer of ceramic glaze in his eyes, he half-smiled and put his hand down. ”I hope you don't regret this one day.”

Meng Fuyao brought her hands down as well, before turning to look at Xiao Dao. She smiled. ”I believe that people are kind in nature. Fate might lead them astray, but if given a chance, they will be guided back onto the right path. If we don't even give them this opportunity, and only use violence as a solution, won't we be the ones turning evil?”