Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Time passed slowly, with only the rustling wind around. Jiang Jinhuang kept adding branches to the fire, occasionally standing to walk around and check the direction of the scholars, wary of any bad intentions.

But Jiang Jinhuang worried too much. Those scholars were far less bold than Li Daniu and his group. The night remained calm.

Seeing Ye Qing sleeping soundly, Jiang Jinhuang didn’t plan to wake her. Though she disliked Ye Qing, Ye Qing had protected her and her sister these past days. Pushing the cart daily was exhausting, and Jiang Jinhuang wanted Ye Qing to rest more. If Ye Qing collapsed, she and her sister wouldn’t reach the south safely.

The system woke Ye Qing instead. The mountain forest was cold at night. Ye Qing sat up, hands on the ground, shivering slightly before looking at Jiang Jinhuang warming herself by the fire.

“Why didn’t you wake me?” Ye Qing said, scooting closer to the fire.

“You’ve been pushing the cart so far every day. It’s too hard. I wanted you to sleep more,” Jiang Jinhuang explained.

“I’m rested. Come sleep now, or you’ll have no energy tomorrow,” Ye Qing said, making space and moving to the fire’s edge.

Seeing Ye Qing up, Jiang Jinhuang nodded, then slipped into the blanket.

The blanket still held warmth, cozy and comforting. Too tired to think, Jiang Jinhuang fell asleep quickly.

The next morning, people around began packing, ready to move on.

Ye Qing cooked breakfast. The three ate before continuing south. The camp where the three scholars stayed now held only Zhang Chao; the other two were gone.

No one bothered with Zhang Chao. Ye Qing glanced briefly, then looked away. The three joined the flow of people heading south.

Having eaten well in the morning, Ye Qing didn’t stop at noon, pushing on. Many refugees on the road did the same.

Daily travel was grueling. Stopping could sap the will to continue, so everyone tried to go as far as possible.

As Ye Qing struggled to push the cart forward, hoofbeats echoed from afar. A group of men in soldier uniforms galloped over. Some refugees couldn’t dodge in time, knocked aside by the horses, their screams filling the road.

“My leg, my leg’s broken!” A middle-aged man, too slow to dodge, had his calf crushed by a horse’s hoof, snapping it.

He rolled aside, wailing in pain.

“My grain, it’s all spilled! How could you do this?” An old woman and her husband, dodging the horses, saw their cart’s luggage and grain scatter. She cried out loudly.

Seeing grain on the ground, refugees rushed to grab it, ignoring everything. The old woman nearly fainted.

Watching the refugees scramble for their grain, the old woman and her husband tried to push through, but no one listened.

“Don’t take it, please! It’s all we have left!” The old woman grabbed at people, only to be shoved away.

“Get lost! Grain on the ground belongs to whoever grabs it. Scram!” the refugees cursed, continuing their frenzy.

The five men dressed as soldiers laughed. The one who broke the man’s leg pulled out a whip, lashing at the refugees around.

“Get out of the way, you blind bastards! You think you can block my path?” the soldier cursed, swinging his whip hard.

The soldiers laughed, the other four drawing whips too, striking refugees to vent their anger, treating the pitiful refugees like toys.

Ye Qing had pushed the cart to the road’s edge early. She frowned at the soldiers lording over the road but said nothing. They carried knives, and in such chaotic times, standing out wasn’t wise. Ye Qing didn’t want trouble.

As she watched the chaos unfold, Jiang Jinhuang, holding the little one, loosened her grip. She took a few steps, as if wanting to approach the soldiers.

Ye Qing sensed her thoughts and grabbed her wrist, pulling the dazed Jiang Jinhuang back.

Frowning slightly, Ye Qing said softly, “You don’t think those beasts can help you find your family, do you? Soldiers now are barely better than bandits. Look at what they’re doing—hardly different from lunatics.”

Jiang Jinhuang composed herself, nodding slightly to Ye Qing, “Sorry, I was lost in thought. Thank you for stopping me.”

She shivered, realizing those soldiers were no good. Seeking their help could cost her life—or worse, public humiliation.

She hadn’t really meant to go over, just thought of her family and moved unconsciously. Thankfully, Ye Qing stopped her.

Ye Qing shook her head, releasing Jiang Jinhuang’s wrist, and said softly, “It’s fine. Let’s keep moving. Be careful not to draw their attention.”

“Okay,” Jiang Jinhuang nodded, holding the little oneしっかり.

Ye Qing pushed the cart forward, cries echoing behind.

“Don’t hit us, sir! We’re just common folk!”

“Get lost! I’m beating common folk. Hand over your grain, or I’ll whip you to death!”

“Please, sir, don’t take it! We’re poor. Without this grain, we’ll starve!”

A soldier lashed out, kicking a man in the chest, making him spit bl00d. “Starve then! Trash like you wastes grain by living.”

The soldier tossed the stolen grain onto his horse.

The soldiers acted like wolves among sheep, grabbing anyone’s grain and tossing it onto their horses. Spotting a pretty Kunze, they dragged her to their mounts.

“Sir, please spare my wife! She’s my wife!”

A square-faced soldier sneered, “We know she’s your wife. We’ll borrow her and return her tomorrow.”

The others burst into laughter.

The female Kunze, hands and feet bound, was dragged onto the horse, crying, “No, no! Save me, husband, save me!”

The male Qianyuan grabbed the soldier, blocking his path. The square-faced soldier elbowed his face, “Damn it, bad luck. Get lost, or I’ll kill you now!”

He drew his knife. The Qianyuan, desperate to save his wife, Tingfang, clung to the soldier’s waist. “Tingfang, no, sir, let her go!”

“Get lost!” The square-faced Qianyuan stabbed the man’s chest. Bl00d poured out, and he went limp, lifeless.

Tingfang, on the horse, watched her husband die, her eyes wild with grief. She screamed, “Let me go! Husband, how are you?”

“How is he? Your man’s dead. Behave, and you’ll suffer less,” the square-faced soldier sneered.

Tingfang, tears streaming over her husband’s death, spat in the soldier’s face. “I’d rather die than let beasts like you have your way.”

“Good! I’ll do you right here, in front of everyone, and make you wish for death.”

The square-faced soldier yanked her off the horse, trying to tear her clothes.

Some refugees froze in fear, others fled, and many felt a shared sorrow. In chaotic times, lives were cheap. A man, minding his own business, lost his wife and was stabbed to death.

Many had their grain and blankets stolen, crying hopelessly, feeling life wasn’t worth living.

Hearing the woman’s screams, Ye Qing couldn’t walk on. She glanced at Jiang Jinhuang and the little one ahead, weighed her options, and pulled the cart aside.

Jiang Jinhuang wanted to help but lacked the ability. She couldn’t force Ye Qing to act, nor did she want her to—it was too dangerous. If Ye Qing got hurt, she and her sister were done.

Seeing Ye Qing stop, Jiang Jinhuang turned, “What’s wrong?”

Ye Qing took the long knife from the cart. “I’m tired of pushing. I’m going to take their horses. Jinhuang, hold the dagger and protect Yangyang. I’ll be back soon.”

Jiang Jinhuang grabbed Ye Qing’s wrist, thinking of herself and her sister first. “That’s too dangerous.”

Ye Qing patted her hand, reassuring, “Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I’ll be back. You two be careful.”

Ye Qing gently moved Jiang Jinhuang’s hand, took her knife, and headed back.

The little one looked up, clinging to her sister, eyes full of worry. “Sis, will Sister Ye be in danger? Those bad guys are scary.”

Jiang Jinhuang bit her lip, anxious and helpless. “We can’t help her. We just have to trust her.”

Two of the five soldiers were still robbing grain, while the other three surrounded Tingfang. The square-faced one was already pulling at her clothes.

Their crude laughter showed no trace of proper soldiers.

Ye Qing’s eyes were cold, her steps firm as she rushed toward the three. The refugees were stunned by her actions, stepping aside silently, not daring to speak.

Since ancient times, commoners didn’t fight officials, especially not these fierce soldiers. No one thought to resist.

Two soldiers held Tingfang’s arms, while the square-faced one tugged her waistband, about to pull off her jacket.

Focused on Tingfang, whose cries never stopped, the three didn’t notice Ye Qing approaching. The other two, busy piling grain and whipping refugees, were distracted.

Ye Qing’s steps quickened, her knife gleaming in the sunlight.

Jiang Jinhuang saw Ye Qing nearing the soldiers, her heart tightening. She instinctively covered the little one’s eyes.

Ye Qing locked onto the three, determined to save the woman since she was diving into this mess.

Without a word, Ye Qing gripped her knife with both hands, slashing at the man pulling Tingfang’s skirt. She struck with full force, the blade whistling through the air.

The knife sliced into his back, bl00d spraying instantly. The square-faced man died almost immediately.

He felt a warm rush, then searing pain, before losing consciousness.

The other two soldiers, still holding Tingfang’s arms, hadn’t expected anyone to attack. They didn’t react in time.

Ye Qing swung at the man on the left. Such scum would only harm more innocents if left alive.

Her blade aimed for his neck, bl00d gushing instantly.

Bl00d splattered Ye Qing’s face. Ignoring it, she turned to the man on the right.

The soldier seemed stunned by her actions. Still holding Tingfang, his knife remained sheathed.

Seeing Ye Qing’s bloodied face and dripping blade, he fell to the ground, shouting and scooting back.

“Help! Save me! This lunatic dares kill soldiers! Catch her, catch her!”

He reached for his knife, but Ye Qing was faster, kicking his right hand.

His face paled visibly, trembling as he pointed at Ye Qing. “Who… who are you? You dare attack soldiers!”

Ye Qing looked at him coldly. “Attacking helpless commoners, you call yourselves soldiers? You’re worse than beasts.”

Without waiting for a response, she slashed, and he collapsed.

Silence fell around Ye Qing. The two soldiers robbing grain noticed the attack, drew their knives, and charged.

“Damn it, where’d this trash come from, daring to kill soldiers? I’ll kill you!”

“Get out of the way!”

Ye Qing wasn’t afraid. Having charged in, she wouldn’t back down. She wanted to see if the refugees would react, shouting, “These aren’t soldiers, just bandits! Only two left—everyone, fight back!”

There were only five soldiers. If the refugees united, they wouldn’t have been whipped and scattered earlier.

Sadly, Ye Qing’s shout didn’t spark resistance. She sighed. Even now, they wouldn’t fight back. They’d need immense luck to reach the south safely.

Ye Qing hadn’t counted on them anyway. She preferred controlling her own fate.

Two cowardly bullies—she’d seen plenty in the apocalypse. Facing the charging soldiers, Ye Qing advanced, her knife dancing like a silver dragon, flashing as she clashed with them.

One soldier swung at her shoulder. Ye Qing dodged, the blade grazing her clothes.

She kicked his knee, making him scream and collapse. Her knife flicked, sending his weapon flying like a kite with a cut string.

Meanwhile, the other soldier attacked her side, aiming to slice her waist.

Ye Qing spun, blocking with her knife, the clash ringing sharply.

Using the force, she twisted her wrist, sliding her blade along his, targeting his wrist. She spun, kicking his chest.

He stumbled back, but Ye Qing was faster. Her blade cut his wrist, bl00d staining his sleeve.

He cried out, dropping his knife. “My hand!”

Ye Qing gave no respite, kicking him down and slashing at his neck.

At that moment, the soldier she’d knocked down earlier sneaked behind her.

His eyes burned with venom. Suddenly, he drew a dagger, stabbing at Ye Qing’s back.

As Ye Qing finished the fourth soldier, she sensed a chill behind her. Instinctively, she dodged. The dagger sliced her jacket, cotton spilling out.

Narrowly escaping, Ye Qing spun, her knife resting on the soldier’s neck.

The blade bit into his flesh, freezing him. Cold sweat dripped from his forehead.

The soldier knelt, begging, “Spare me, heroine! I was wrong. We shouldn’t have robbed or killed. Please, let me live! I won’t do it again, I swear!”

He sobbed, but Ye Qing looked at him coldly. “Too late. I don’t like leaving threats. Better hit the road.”

As she spoke, her knife struck, and silence followed.

Seeing Ye Qing unharmed, Jiang Jinhuang sighed in relief.

During Ye Qing’s fight, Jiang Jinhuang’s heart nearly leapt out, not out of concern for Ye Qing, but because they were in this together. If Ye Qing fell, she and her sister wouldn’t survive long.

She uncovered Yangyang’s eyes. The little one looked, saw Ye Qing standing, and relaxed.

Sister Ye had been good to her lately, and she didn’t want her hurt by bad people.

Ye Qing went to help Tingfang, still collapsed on the ground. Tingfang instinctively scooted back, hands on the ground.

Ye Qing stopped, asking, “Are you okay?”

Tingfang, disheveled, took a moment to focus. Looking at Ye Qing, her voice trembled, “Th-thank you.”

Ye Qing shook her head. “I didn’t do it just to save you.”

She was honest. In the apocalypse, she’d seen too much. She didn’t act every time, only when the benefits outweighed the risks. She wasn’t a savior; she couldn’t save everyone.

She acted because the soldiers went too far, and she wanted their horses.

Ye Qing eyed Tingfang. She wasn’t pessimistic, but a lone Kunze like her would struggle to reach the south safely.

Tingfang crawled to her husband’s body, holding it and wailing loudly.

Ye Qing’s gaze shifted to the soldiers’ horses—five in total. She wouldn’t leave them for others, especially since the refugees hadn’t helped. She wasn’t a saint to give them away. The horses carried bags of luggage or grain. Ye Qing didn’t check them, deciding to take the horses first.

She grabbed the reins, pulling three with one hand and two with the other, leading them toward the woods.

They only needed one horse for supplies. The other four could go into her space as reserve food. In her space, livestock stayed preserved without feeding. But she couldn’t make them vanish in front of the refugees, so she led them to the woods.

Time was short. She needed to handle the horses and return to Jiang Jinhuang and Yangyang. Ye Qing quickened her pace.

From afar, Jiang Jinhuang saw Ye Qing’s actions. A bad feeling rose—would Ye Qing abandon her and Yangyang with the horses?

Panicked, she lifted Yangyang from the cart.

The little one, confused, asked, “Sis, where are we going?”

“To find Ye Qing,” Jiang Jinhuang said, carrying Yangyang to chase after her. Ye Qing’s earlier actions must have scared others, as no one touched the cart.

Jiang Jinhuang stumbled after Ye Qing, holding Yangyang. But her strength gave out, and she couldn’t keep running.