Transmigrated Into an Ancient Famine Novel as a Scumbag Alpha (ABO, GL) - Chapter 66

Chapter 66

A new group entered the ruined temple, but it didn’t affect Ye Qing’s group much. Ye Qing wasn’t sleepy anymore. She took over from Jiang Jinhuang and let her rest with the little one. She sat by the fire, watching it closely, and occasionally added a few pieces of firewood.

As the sun neared setting, noises came from outside the temple door. Several male Qianyuan voices approached.

“Hurry up. This damn weather will freeze us to death outside. Good thing we found a ruined temple,” one voice said.

“Big Brother, there are footprints. Someone’s in the temple,” another voice noted.

“So what if someone’s there? We’re three male Qianyuan. What’s to fear?” the first voice replied.

The three spoke loudly. Soon, the leader pushed open the temple door. They saw two groups inside, one on each side.

The leader walked straight to the open space before the statue. He threw his heavy bundle onto the ground. “I’m exhausted. Let’s stay here,” he declared.

“Alright, Big Brother. Wait a bit. I’ll go gather some branches,” the man with a mustache said.

“Go quickly,” the leader urged. He looked at the tall, thin man. “Second Brother, tidy up and start a fire. It’s much better in here than outside.”

“Okay, I’ll start the fire now,” the thin man said. He organized their bundles and took out flint and a knife.

Ye Qing saw the three men. She frowned slightly but wasn’t worried. If they had bad intentions, she wouldn’t let them off easily.

On the other side, Zhou Shilong whispered to his father. “Father, those three new guys look tough. They’re male Qianyuan and seem fierce.”

“Shh, keep your voice down. Don’t look their way. Don’t cause trouble,” the older man warned quietly.

“Got it,” Zhou Shilong replied. Compared to Ye Qing, these three male Qianyuan seemed much more dangerous. He wouldn’t provoke them.

Soon, the second brother returned with many branches. The three started a fire in the middle and sat down to warm themselves.

The mustached man, Second Brother, secretly observed the other two groups. He first looked at Ye Qing’s side. He saw two people sleeping behind her, one a child, and a female Qianyuan lying on the ground.

He shifted his gaze to the older man’s group. He saw two male Qianyuan, one older and one younger Kunze, and a small boy.

The mustached man understood the situation. He assessed the strength of the other two groups roughly. He whispered, “Big Brother, both groups are weak—old, frail, or injured.”

“I see. Let’s wait and observe first,” the leader whispered.

“Okay,” the mustached man replied quickly.

The thin man, Third Brother, took some potatoes from their bundle. He tossed them into the fire to roast.

At Ye Qing’s side, Jiang Jinhuang and the little one woke up. Jiang Jinhuang saw three more people by the statue and asked, “More people came?”

Ye Qing nodded. “Yes, ignore them. You and Yangyang rest a bit. I’ll make dinner.”

Ye Qing took out the horse offal from lunch. She washed it thoroughly several times and put it in the iron pot. She planned to make horse offal soup. For the meal, they’d soak the leftover oil naan in the soup.

Thinking this, Ye Qing added various seasonings and some liquor to remove the smell.

Soon, the meaty aroma spread through the temple. The little one was thrilled. She rubbed her hands and stood by Ye Qing, asking excitedly, “Sister Ye, is this yummy?”

Ye Qing smiled and said, “It’s yummy. You’ll know when you try it.”

She played with the little one for a bit. She took a cutting board and chopped plenty of green onions to sprinkle in the bowls when the soup was ready to cut the grease.

On the other side, the mustached man whispered, “Big Brother, that female Qianyuan has meat? Looks like a fat sheep.”

“That old man’s family isn’t simple either. I saw earlier—they cooked rice porridge. They’re not short on food,” the thin man added.

The leader nodded. “Our luck’s good, brothers. Two fat sheep at once. But which one do we hit first?”

“Big Brother, that female Qianyuan’s woman is really pretty. I’ve never seen such a beautiful Kunze in our town,” the mustached man whispered.

The thin man agreed. “Yeah, Big Brother, it’s like a gift from heaven. We’d be fools not to take it.”

The leader thought for a moment and frowned. “That female Qianyuan has a sword. She might be tough.”

“Big Brother, she’s alone. We’re three. The female Qianyuan on the ground is injured. She can’t help,” the mustached man continued.

The leader felt tempted by the mustached man’s words. He laughed and scolded, “You’re too lustful. You can’t resist a pretty Kunze. Fine, I’ll go test her. You two act when you see a chance.”

“Got it, Big Brother,” the mustached man said eagerly.

The man called Big Brother stood up and walked toward Ye Qing’s group.

Meanwhile, Zhou Shilong whispered to his father. “Father, that man’s heading to the female Qianyuan’s side. Will they fight?”

The older man frowned and scolded, “Fool, you think a fight benefits us? That female Qianyuan seems reasonable and has no ill will toward us. But those three men by the statue don’t look like good people. If they harm her, we’re next.”

“What do we do, Father? Should we leave now?” Zhou Shilong asked, panicking. He and his father were only two against three big men. They’d likely lose.

“Wait and see,” the older man said, clenching his fists. He felt Ye Qing wasn’t ordinary. With his years of experience, he trusted his judgment. Leaving now would draw those men’s attention, which was as good as suicide.

Ye Qing sat by the fire, watching the pot. The little one saw the man approaching and tugged Ye Qing’s sleeve. “Sister Ye, a bad guy’s coming,” she said.

Ye Qing gave Jiang Jinhuang a look, signaling her to hold the little one tightly.

“Yangyang, stay good. I’m here. Don’t be scared,” Ye Qing said.

Ye Qing stood up with her sword and pointed it at the man. “Don’t come closer. One more step, and I won’t be polite,” she warned.

The leader saw Ye Qing draw her sword. Her grip was steady. He guessed she had some skill and didn’t dare approach recklessly. He smiled and said, “No misunderstanding. I smelled meat and just wanted to check.”

Ye Qing looked at him coldly. “Curiosity kills the cat. I advise you not to be too curious, or you won’t know how you died.”

The man lost face from Ye Qing’s words. With his brothers watching, he felt embarrassed. He retorted stubbornly, “You’re so overbearing. This temple isn’t yours. Why can’t I walk around?”

Ye Qing’s lips curved into a smile. “Try it,” she challenged.

Her smile made the leader step back twice. This woman didn’t seem to be bluffing. She might have real skill. He snorted coldly and returned to the statue.

The mustached man asked eagerly, “Big Brother, what happened?”

“That woman’s not simple. Her grip on the sword is steady. She’s not scared of us three male Qianyuan. I didn’t dare act,” the leader explained.

The mustached man looked back at Ye Qing, surprised. Their leader wasn’t cowardly. A few days ago, they ambushed some refugees and stole their food. He’d never seen his leader fear anyone.

“What now, Big Brother? Should we target the other group?” the thin man asked.

The leader nodded. The family of five looked useless despite their numbers. After losing face with Ye Qing, he needed to regain it. “Fine, they don’t know that female Qianyuan. Let’s hit them.”

The leader stood up again. He gave a look, and the mustached man and thin man followed him.

Zhou Shilong met the leader’s sinister grin and broke into a cold sweat. “Father, they’re coming. What do we do?” he asked.

“Protect your sister. Go!” the older man urged.

Zhou Shilong grabbed the kitchen knife and stood in front of Zhou Erqing. Her face was smeared with ash, likely to avoid trouble.

The older man stood up too. He bowed to the three men and smiled nervously. “Sirs, is something up? It’s hard to survive out here. Let’s be peaceful and prosper.”

“Get lost, you old fool. Peaceful? Hand over your food, and we’ll be peaceful. Oh, and that girl with ash on her face—your daughter, right? Give her to us, and we’ll all be peaceful,” the leader sneered.

“Exactly. Be smart and hand it over. We’re not unreasonable,” the mustached man added.

“Sirs, it’s not that I don’t want to. We really don’t have much food left. I’ll share some with you. Please spare us,” the older man said, bowing repeatedly. The mustached man kicked him to the ground.

“Scram. You think we’re beggars? A bit of food to dismiss us? Your daughter’s probably pretty under that ash, right, father-in-law?” the mustached man laughed, moving to grab her.

Zhou Shilong waved the kitchen knife in front of Zhou Erqing. “Don’t come closer, or I’ll use this,” he warned.

With no choice, Zhou Shilong swung the knife forward. The mustached man couldn’t approach easily.

The mustached man went back for weapons. He pulled three knives of different lengths from their bundle. “Big Brother, Third Brother, catch,” he said.

He kept one knife and tossed the long ones to the leader and thin man.

The leader pointed his knife at the older man and laughed. “You’ve got some guts, huh? Can’t stand your daughter being insulted? I’ll make you watch. Second Brother, Third Brother, tie her up. We’ll show this old man what happens to his daughter right in front of him.”

“Got it, Big Brother,” the mustached man and thin man said. They moved toward Zhou Shilong, whose hand trembled with the knife.

“Don’t come closer. I’ll chop you, you bastards,” Zhou Shilong said boldly, but his shaking hand betrayed him.

The mustached man saw Zhou Shilong was all talk. He tapped the knife’s back lightly, and Zhou Shilong’s knife fell to the ground.

Zhou Shilong didn’t expect the sudden move. He froze in fear.

The older man covered his face, thinking he’d lose his life today. Death was one thing, but he couldn’t let his wife and daughter be humiliated. Tears streamed down his face.

Song Zhao had woken earlier when the man approached Ye Qing. She opened her eyes, thinking she was a burden with her injuries. If the three men attacked her Master, she’d fight to hold them off, letting her Master escape.

Thankfully, her Master intimidated them. But now they bullied the family of five on the left. Song Zhao frowned but couldn’t help. She’d risk her life for her Master, not strangers.

Ye Qing sat by the fire, her brow furrowed. The men’s words grew filthier. When she heard them threaten to insult the daughter in front of her family, she couldn’t stay silent.

She figured if these men finished with the family, her group would be next.

Thinking this, Ye Qing grabbed her sword and walked over. Song Zhao saw her go and, ignoring her wounds, propped herself up with her arms.

Jiang Jinhuang saw the men had knives and worried for Ye Qing. Seeing Song Zhao try to rise, she asked, “What are you doing?”

“I’m going to help Master,” Song Zhao said. She forced herself to sit up.

Jiang Jinhuang held the little one and stopped her. “In your state, you’d only hinder her. Listen to me. Stay down and rest. Don’t move, or Ye Qing’s efforts to save you will be wasted.”

Song Zhao wilted at her words. She couldn’t even stand properly, let alone help. But she didn’t lie down immediately. If those men came over, she’d protect her Master’s wife and sister with her life.

Ye Qing rushed over with her sword. Without a word, she kicked the mustached man, who was about to grab someone, to the ground. Then, she swung her sword at the leader.

The leader hadn’t expected Ye Qing to intervene and attack without warning. He hurriedly blocked her strike with his sword.

Meanwhile, the thin man behind Ye Qing attacked. He swung his machete at her back.

Ye Qing noticed him. She sensed his move, sidestepped the blade, and swung her sword back. She slashed the man’s neck, and warm bl00d spurted out. The thin man fell to the ground.

The mustached man, just getting up after Ye Qing’s kick, saw his third brother dead. Ye Qing remained calm, showing no panic after killing. The mustached man panicked. This woman didn’t even blink when killing. He didn’t dare approach.

He retreated to the leader and whispered, “Big Brother, we’ve met a tough one. Let’s retreat.”

The leader, having lost a brother, refused to let it go. He pointed his sword at Ye Qing. “You killed my brother without a word. What’s the reason? We didn’t touch you. Why meddle?”

“You were too noisy. I didn’t want you scaring my sister,” Ye Qing said calmly. After her display of skill, no one dared underestimate her.

“You’re a lunatic!” the leader shouted.

“Am I? Compared to you scum, I’m a saint,” Ye Qing said. Her lips curved into a smile. She didn’t waste more words and swung her sword at them.

The leader blocked with his sword. The mustached man, while Ye Qing was busy with the leader, swung his knife hard at her shoulder. If she didn’t dodge, her shoulder would be split open.

Ye Qing saw it coming. She kicked the leader back, blocked the mustached man’s knife, and slid her blade down. With an incredible arc, she flicked her arm. The mustached man screamed, dropped his knife, and Ye Qing caught it. In one fluid motion, she finished him off, showing real skill.

The leader saw both brothers dead. He didn’t dare face Ye Qing and turned to run. Ye Qing chased him. “Running? Weren’t you tough earlier?”

She swung her sword at him. The man reached the doorway and turned to block her strike. Ye Qing’s right sword clashed with his, while her left hand deftly swung another sword, striking his shoulder and neck.

He collapsed, howling in pain, and could only beg. “Miss, spare me! I was blind to offend you. I won’t do it again. Spare me, please!”

Ye Qing saw he could no longer fight. She swung her right sword, and the temple, inside and out, fell silent.

When Ye Qing returned with her bl00d-stained sword, the older man’s family trembled in fear. Zhou Shilong, who had mocked Ye Qing before, sat on the ground, terrified.

Ye Qing walked toward them with her sword. The older man kowtowed three times. “Miss, don’t be angry. It’s our fault. If you’re upset, take it out on me. Spare my family, please. Have pity.”

Zhou Shilong saw the bl00d dripping from Ye Qing’s sword. Tears streamed down his face. He no longer dared to disrespect his father. His father could still kowtow and beg, but he couldn’t even speak.

Ye Qing frowned and said, “What are you talking about? I didn’t plan to harm you. Go throw the bodies far away so they don’t attract wolves.”

Ye Qing turned back. She had helped this family and didn’t bother with the bodies, leaving them to handle it.

When Ye Qing returned, she saw Song Zhao sitting up. She frowned. “Why are you up? It’s only been two days. Your back wounds aren’t healed. Lie down and rest.”

Seeing Ye Qing’s frown, Song Zhao lowered her eyes. Like a scolded puppy, she drooped her tail, looking pitiful.

Jiang Jinhuang quickly explained, “She was worried about you and wanted to help. I stopped her.”

Ye Qing’s expression softened. “Don’t worry, I’m fine. If I act, I’m confident. Thank you for thinking of me, but take care of yourself. Lie down.”

Hearing Ye Qing’s caring words, Song Zhao’s eyes brightened. She sneaked a glance at Ye Qing’s face, confirming she wasn’t angry. She whispered, “I’ll be careful. I’ll listen to Master.”

Ye Qing nodded slightly and helped her lie down again.

“Oh, the horse offal soup should be ready,” Jiang Jinhuang said. She handed the little one to Ye Qing and checked the pot. The soup was done, and it smelled great.

The older man’s side calmed down after a while. He took deep breaths and stood steadily, though his legs still trembled.

He looked at his son, still dazed on the ground. He kicked him. “Still sitting there? Get up and listen to our benefactor. Help me move the bodies.”

Zhou Shilong snapped out of it, wiped his tears, and clutched his chest. “Father, are we safe now?”

“Nonsense. Our benefactor doesn’t kill innocents. Get up, you useless thing,” the older man said. He stumbled and kicked Zhou Shilong again.

After two kicks from his father, Zhou Shilong felt better. He looked at his sister, who was still shaken. He comforted her. “It’s okay, Erqing. The bad guys are dead. We’re safe.”

The older man nearly kicked him again, annoyed. “Hurry up. Stop talking.”

“Alright, Father. I won’t doubt you again. You really read people well,” Zhou Shilong said. He stood up and gave his father a thumbs-up.

He hadn’t seen anything special in the frail female Qianyuan. But when she fought, she didn’t blink. It terrified him.

“Hmph, you don’t need to tell me. You’ve got a lot to learn,” the older man said, exasperated. He urged Zhou Shilong to drag the mustached man’s body out. “Hurry, no nonsense.”

They dragged the body far from the temple. Zhou Shilong finally breathed deeply. “Father, will that female Qianyuan turn on us?”

The older man shook his head. “No. She didn’t have to help, but she did. We owe her. We can’t just say it. If we can follow her group, we’d be safer. But I don’t know if she’d accept us.”

“No way. She’s so strong,” Zhou Shilong muttered, earning another kick.

“Enough. Stop talking. Search the body. If there’s silver, we’ll give it to our benefactor,” the older man urged.

“Got it,” Zhou Shilong said. He bent down and searched, finding three taels of silver. “Found it. Here.”

He placed the silver in his father’s hand, reluctantly. Three taels could buy a lot.

“Get lost, you short-sighted fool,” the older man said, annoyed at his son’s reluctance.