Transmigrating to Woo the Villainous Young Lady - Chapter 39

In the leaf-strewn forest, dry leaves carpeted the ground, their yellowed, withered hues perfectly matching the wolves’ fur, providing natural camouflage that made hunting even more challenging.

However, Fu Guiyi had been trained in hunting since childhood, making autumn hunts second nature to her. She patiently tracked the wolves’ movements, soon discovering paw prints and droppings nearby.

The pack was close. Having arrived on foot in tall boots, Fu Guiyi meticulously searched the forest inch by inch.

Before long, a Black Armor Army soldier spotted the wolves. He let out a low gasp, and the other soldiers swiftly drew their bows and arrows.

The wolf was instantly riddled with arrows, its bl00d staining the withered leaves in a gruesome spectacle.

The other wolves, hidden in the shadows, couldn’t remain still any longer. They bared their fangs and charged forward.

In an instant, the battlefield erupted into a chaotic melee of humans and wolves. Yet Fu Guiyi remained calm and composed. She nocked an arrow, drew back the bowstring, and aimed at the Wolf King, who stood on a nearby hillside.

The Wolf King’s fur was nearly purple, and he was twice the size of the other wolves.

Such fine fur would make a magnificent cloak for Shen Li, Fu Guiyi thought.

As if sensing he was being targeted, the Wolf King roared furiously and lunged down the slope.

His speed was so great that the arrow couldn’t possibly aim accurately. Seeing the Wolf King bearing down on them, Xu Wenqing panicked and moved to shield the Young Mistress from the wolf’s gaping, bloodstained jaws.

But in the next instant, an arrow pierced through the Wolf King’s heart.

Fu Guiyi lowered her bow.

Wen Qing, don’t you trust me?

Even without precise aim, she could predict the Wolf King’s movements based on his speed.

Fu Guiyi sighed as she watched the dying Wolf King twitch on the ground.

What a pity, she thought. This shot went straight through. The fur’s value will be diminished now.

No, I just worry about the Young Mistress’s safety, Xu Wenqing said, lowering his head.

You did well. Go collect your reward.

Fu Guiyi’s feelings toward Xu Wenqing, who had been by her side since childhood, were complex. If anyone else had pushed Shen Li, she would have immediately severed their hands.

But when it came to Xu Wenqing, Fu Guiyi couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Though ruthless, Fu Guiyi wasn’t heartless. Her mother’s treatment of her would have broken most people long ago.

Yet Fu Guiyi endured it all without complaint.

I don’t need a reward. Saving the Young Mistress is my duty.

Xu Wenqing clenched her fists tightly, resenting Fu Guiyi’s condescending treatment. In the past, she would have accepted it with a smile.

But after witnessing the Young Mistress’s special affection for Shen Li, her heart could no longer remain calm, nor could she continue to deceive herself.

Fu Guiyi wasn’t someone who allowed others to stand on equal footing with her.

She didn’t care about status or position; she simply had no interest in Xu Wenqing.

As you wish.

Fu Guiyi didn’t dwell on it. Watching the guards lift the Wolf King’s carcass, she turned to leave, ready to return home.

On the other side, everything had fallen into chaos after Fu Guiyi left.

Although Fu Guiyi had left behind a detachment of the Black Armor Army, their primary duty was guarding the supplies, so they paid little attention to their surroundings.

Besides, with the main force nearby, no one would be foolish enough to attempt a robbery.

Shen Li had just stepped down from the carriage when a maid approached her.

Sister Shen, I’m busy packing. Could you please take these dishes to the river to wash?

Shen Li recognized the maid. Over the past few days of travel, the maid had been deliberately seeking her out, and the two had developed a friendly rapport.

Consider it done! Shen Li declared, patting her chest confidently. She grabbed the small basket and headed to the riverbank. Being idle all day was rather dull; she preferred to lend a hand.

Placing the dishes in the water, Shen Li began washing them with a loofah sponge—the traditional dishwashing tool of the era. A gentle scrub was all it took to get them clean, making it surprisingly effective.

As she hummed a tune, she suddenly felt something loop around her waist.

Her fingers had barely touched the object when she was yanked violently backward, tumbling to the ground.

Shen Li looked up to find herself ensnared by a burly, muscular man.

The man’s face was covered in coarse, fleshy features, and his teeth were horribly yellow, making him look utterly terrifying.

System, what’s going on? Shen Li forced herself to remain calm, showing no outward signs of panic. But her frail frame was no match for the burly bandit, who easily dragged her onto his horse.

Host, you are not currently in mortal danger.

The System offered only this terse reassurance. Systems like theirs couldn’t directly influence the plot’s progression, so they often ended up merely observing the drama unfold.

Not now, but I will be soon! Shen Li’s panic surged.

The bandits galloped wildly with her for what felt like an eternity before finally tossing her into a mountain cave.

The cave was crowded with bandits, all dressed in short tunics that seemed strangely out of place in the autumn chill. Only one of them wore a wolf pelt draped over his shoulders.

Not bad-looking, eh? The man drew his long saber and lightly lifted Shen Li’s chin with the blade. No wonder you can even charm women.

He licked his lips, inching closer to her. Since you’re going to die anyway, might as well let this old man have some fun first!

At first, Shen Li felt a surge of panic and fear. After all, modern society was so safe; she had never encountered such lawless thugs before.

Encountering this situation now inevitably made her panic, but then she remembered the protective shield she had just exchanged for.

Her panic vanished instantly.

She simply stared coldly at the man before her.

I’d rather bite my tongue and die than be with an ugly freak like you!

These words struck with lethal force, infuriating the bandit leader so much that his hair nearly stood on end. His eyes bulged, glaring fiercely.

You!

I’ll teach you a lesson today!

He threw his sword aside, raised his hand, and prepared to slap her.

But no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t bring his hand down. The veins on his arm bulged, and his muscles trembled violently.

Oh really? How tough are you?

Shen Li sneered disdainfully. With the System at her disposal, why would she fear these mere bandits?

If they truly pushed her to the edge, she wouldn’t hesitate to accept the System’s suggestion and pull out an AK-47.

Shen Li and the bandits remained locked in a tense standoff. They were all astonished that their leader couldn’t even land a single slap.

However, Shen Li dared not recklessly use her protective shields. She only had ten, and once they were gone, they were gone for good.

She would have to rely on her wits and courage to outmaneuver these bandits.

Why are you trying to capture me?

Why should killing you concern you?

To her surprise, the bandit leader ignored her question. He withdrew his hand, picked up his longsword from the ground, and, refusing to believe in any supernatural resistance, slashed at her with renewed ferocity.

Shen Li frantically dodged, abandoning all caution as she bolted toward the cave’s exit.

Don’t let her escape! the bandit leader roared, hurling his longsword at Shen Li’s left leg. He still didn’t want to kill the maid—at least not before having his fun.

But what happened next defied all his expectations.

The longsword was repelled by an invisible force, sparks flying as the weapon ricocheted wildly off course. Instead of striking Shen Li, it slammed into the shoulder of one of his own men.

A bloodcurdling scream echoed through the cave as the man collapsed to his knees, unable to rise.