Chapter 8: Prince Qing

After hearing the bandits' words, Feng Xuanrui wanted to shout at the top of his lungs: "Only I am here, you guys are not allowed to cause trouble!"

But before he could shout, someone came over and rudely dragged Sui Sui out of the chicken coop.

By now, Old Four and the others had already relit the torches.

Earlier, to lure out the person hiding, they sent part of their group to handle other matters, leaving three behind, and they extinguished the torches.

Now that they've caught the person, they naturally need to relight the torches.

The torches lit up, illuminating this desolate courtyard.

Old Five, who was closest to Sui Sui, sharp-eyed, saw that this was a girl?

After seeing clearly, he couldn't help but laugh: "Hey, it's a girl!"

Old Four had originally been sizing up Feng Xuanrui's clothing, thinking he must be a young master from some wealthy family.

Keeping this person alive would be more useful than killing him.

Maybe they could get a decent ransom for him.

Hearing Old Five say that, Old Four gave Sui Sui a sideways glance, and after looking, he also laughed: "We've made it this time; this little thing, if we sell it to that brothel, should fetch a good price."

Old Seven, standing nearby, glanced at Sui Sui, stroked his chin, then quietly suggested: "How about we brothers have some fun first?"

While saying that, he lewdly loosened his own belt.

Sui Sui didn't understand what they were saying, but she could feel a strong icy malice emanating from them.

Realizing this, she instinctively grabbed Feng Xuanrui's cuff, shrank closer to him, pressing her little head low, not daring to look up.

Feng Xuanrui is young, and his residence has never given him education in this regard.

So he could sense that these bandits harbored ill intent and were targeting Sui Sui.

But he didn't know exactly what kind of malice it was.

Feeling Sui Sui's fear, he hoarsely comforted his sister: "Sui Sui, don't be scared, big brother is here."

As he said that, the young boy's voice trembled with tears.

Hearing Old Seven's suggestion, Old Four let out a cold snort: "You're the one with all the schemes."

Does that mean he doesn't object?

Old Seven grinned and agreed; he had just been loosening his waistband, but now he undid it completely, walking toward Sui Sui with a lecherous grin.

Feng Xuanrui instinctively stepped in front, not wanting that disgusting bandit to get near Sui Sui!

Old Seven was about to say: "At such a young age, you still know how to play hero and save the beauty?"

Or rather, first think about who will come to save you!

But before he could finish speaking, a sharp whistling sound came from the dark night.

The three of them hadn't even reacted when a cold, killing intent-laden blast struck straight at their vital points.

Of the three, Old Four was the most vigilant, yet he still didn't react in time; lifting his gaze, an arrow pierced his brow, going straight through his head.

Old Four strained to widen his eyes, trying to see who had come.

But before the newcomer could fall, his two companions beside him collapsed first.

Old Seven's pants had slipped down, revealing his dark, skinny calves, but he would never have the chance to pull them back up.

Old Four wanted to shout: "Do you know who I am?"

But his voice hoarsely caught in his throat, and before he could speak, he followed his two brothers into oblivion.

Everything happened too suddenly.

Feng Xuanrui even thought, if these bandits wanted to kill Sui Sui, he would step forward to meet them.

Father King had said: He is a male, and should bear his responsibility; when danger comes, he must first protect his mother, protect women and children.

His little sister is so young, he must protect her!

Feng Xuanrui's legs went weak from fear, yet he still steadfastly shielded Sui Sui behind him.

He thought he had prepared himself to die, but the bandits died first?

The three deaths were remarkably similar.

Each was pierced through the brow by a single arrow!

Seeing the precise arrow technique that conveyed terrifying killing intent, Feng Xuanrui was first stunned, then reacted and shouted at the top of his voice: "Prince Qing Uncle!!!"

Prince Qing, who had hurried over with his retinue, also hadn't expected to run into Feng Xuanrui here.

Upon hearing the voice, he even doubted whether he had heard wrong.

But when Prince Qing rushed over a few strides and saw Feng Xuanrui's miserable state, his brows knotted: "How did you end up here? Where are Qing Shan and Qing Shui? The guards? Why aren't they with you?"

Earlier, when they possibly encountered a wolf on the mountain, Feng Xuanrui didn't cry.

On the way down the mountain, stumbling all the way, Feng Xuanrui didn't cry.

Just now, when he directly faced the bandits' icy killing intent, Feng Xuanrui didn't cry.

But now, seeing Prince Qing Uncle, the usually steadfast young boy finally couldn't hold back, bursting into tears: "Waa… Prince Qing Uncle, I'm so miserable!"

Looking at his dirty, pitiful little nephew, Prince Qing squatted down, took off his outer robe and draped it over him, while frowning disapprovingly: "Don't let me catch you running around again next time!"

As he draped the robe, he noticed the cat behind him and Sui Sui; Prince Qing's previously relaxed brows furrowed again: "Little Six, what's going on here?"

Hearing the uncle ask about Sui Sui, Feng Xuanrui also stopped crying, hastily wiped his tears, and loudly said: "Uncle, this is my sister, Sui Sui; isn't she adorable?"

Prince Qing:?

Just this dirty-faced kid, like a little beggar.

Adorable?

Prince Qing was speechless, choked.

Feng Xuanrui sensed the disdain, and immediately, like a protective mother hen, he put his hands on his hips, puffed up his small frame, and huffed: "Sui Sui is just temporarily dirty; once washed, she'll be soft and fragrant, especially adorable!"

After saying that, he seemed unconvinced, imitating Old Four's cold snort from the bandits, and let out a heavy hum.

But he is a child, and when he hums, he is much cuter than a bandit.

It's kind of like...

The humming sound a suckling pig makes while eating.

Zhan Gao and Zhan Yuan, who were following behind Prince Qing, heard the sound and couldn't help turning their heads to laugh.

Feng Xuanrui couldn't be bothered with them, only arguing with Prince Qing Uncle: "You're just jealous I don't have a sister—look, where is my sister not cute?"

While speaking, Feng Xuanrui struggled to get down, tugged Sui Sui toward himself, then gently lifted her little face to show Prince Qing Uncle: "Look, isn't she pretty?"

After asking, he proudly lifted his head: "Hehe, sister, mine!"

At this point, Sui Sui was more than just dirty-faced.

That face covered in blood, plus the wound on her forehead, was frightening to look at.

Prince Qing really couldn't see where they were cute, but the two children had been frightened and were still injured; the most urgent thing was to take them to see a doctor.

But his mission tonight is to track down these bandits and dispose of them.

The people he brought have already gone into the village to deal with them, but Prince Qing still needs to wait here for the outcome—whether to capture or kill.

Only when everything is settled can he return.

But the children's condition cannot wait.

Realizing this, Prince Qing's brows furrowed again.