Villain Lady

She had listened to their conversation and naturally knew that Shan Yi would not want to let Ji Shu sat on the throne peacefully.

She might be young and there were many things the others chose not to divulge to her, but she would not let other people walk to their death just like that.

Shan Yi looked at the young girl beside him as he let out a dry laugh. For the past few years, he had been staying as the leader of Shan Xi Gang and also tried to court her. He knew that if he were to leave, she would be alone once more.

However… he couldn't give this up.

If not because of Prince Ji Sheng, Yang Xian, and even Shi Yan, Shan Yi knew that his life would be completely different. From the moment he had gained so much help from them... Shan Yi knew that he could never repaid this debt even if he worked for his entire life.

It was just like that. 

"Many of my brothers have died for the sake of our livelihood, so I won't drag them to follow me if they didn't want to and find a way to settle them down in some remote place." Shan Yi was still a leader and he understood his responsibility. However, he was also someone who appreciate his brothers and friends.

Should Prince Ji Sheng and the others died unjustly… he would never be able to rest in peace without avenging them. It would not sit well for him.

"I can't possibly abandon them." Shan Yi held an apologetic tone. He wanted to give her a good life but as a bandit, how could it be possible?

He could roam freely so far because Prince Ji Sheng had worked his hand behind the scene to allow him to be free. If the one in charge was someone else, Shan Yi would never be able to experience all of this and might instead be caught for being an outlaw.

At that time, he would not even be able to live peacefully with Shi Lu Wen.

Shi Lu Wen's eyes flickered as she sighed. Both her brother and… should she call him boyfriend? Hmm, the term sounded strange but anyway, both her brother and Shan Yi held ideals and goals they wanted to fulfill.

They all came from ordinary background and it was only thanks to Prince Ji Sheng giving them the opportunity could they reach this far. Should Prince Ji Sheng fail, their path would not be as smooth as before.

And they also couldn't possibly abandon His Highness' goal.

They would do their best to fight for many reasons.

"Lu Wen."

"Just… promise me that you won't throw your life away." Shi Lu Wen turned her body around, refusing to look at Shan Yi.

Shan Yi took a deep breath. His mind was replaying the scene of when Huang River flooded and drowned his entire village. Everything came without warning and it was hard for him to be able to survive on his own.

He was already a teenager back then and with his strength, he managed to gain a hold of the strong trees, pushing himself out of the water way. 

Many other villages who were staying near Huang River were also washed away. The survivors were barely able to survive as they lacked food, shelter, and clean water. It took them everything to reach the nearest city.

At that time, Shan Yi took the role as the leader for some reasons but because of his inexperience, he arrived late to the city.

Probably, that was for the best.

When he arrived there, what he saw was not salvation. 

…It was hell. 

The one in charge at that time didn't bother with those who came and ordered the soldiers to kill every survivor from the flood.

The area was filled with blood.

Shan Yi and his villagers were alive because they were late and Shan Yi watched everything from the back. How those soldiers killed everyone in the camp ruthlessly, not allowing even a single one of them to survive.

When the daylight come, the entire area was already cleaned. Not even any trace was left.

Thus, Shan Yi knew that he and his villagers would be reported dead. They would no longer have any identity left and his decision from afterwards was for them to become a bandit group in order to live.

When he met with Prince Ji Sheng, his agreement was only collaboration.

Collaboration that Prince Ji Sheng would help him to build his village once more and allowed him to roam freely. In addition, if possible, Shan Yi wished for the one to sit on the throne to be Prince Ji Sheng.

But he knew that Prince Ji Sheng never aimed for the throne for himself. 

"I promise, Lu Wen." Shan Yi looked at the young girl and solemnly promised. He would make sure that he would be able to stay alive. It was the only way he could perfectly fulfill his revenge.

Shi Lu Wen stopped and turned her head around and smiled.

While both Shan Yi and Shi Lu Wen were talking, Wei Liuying made her way to Yang Xian's temporary room. The guards allowed her to come inside from the moment they saw her face. 

"How's your condition today, Yang Xian?" Wei Liuying asked as she entered his room while carrying a tray.

Yang Xian was wearing his outer robe as he nodded. If one didn't know better, they wouldn't think that he was injured with the way he behaved. "I'm better. Has that person come?"

"Yes. He'll tag along while hiding within the soldiers," Wei Liuying responded. She looked at Yang Xian and furrowed her brows. "Please avoid any direct confrontation with anyone, Strategist Yang. Your presence is important in the battle."

"I can say the same to you."

"I'm not the one wounded in the battle."

This time, Yang Xian couldn't refute again. He picked his sword then looked at the cup of tea on the tray that Wei Liuying brought in. Seeing the dark liquid and that awfully familiar herb's smell, his brows creased.

"Is that my medicine?"

"Lu Wen had prepared more than enough for our journey. Please make sure to drink your medicine in time, Yang Xian."

Yang Xian looked at the cup then sighed. It seemed that he still needed to drink this annoying medicine for a longer period of time. And here he was hoping that he could finally escape from this torture.

Enduring the bitter taste, he drank the entire medicine in one gulp. If one was not close to him, they wouldn't be able to see the faint crease on his eyebrows when he drank the medicine. He disliked it, but it was nothing for him to eat something like this.

"Let's go."

"I'll be staying beside you during the journey, Yang Xian."

"Hm?" Yang Xian paused for a moment then looked at Wei Liuying. Their dark eyes were conveying messages even without them talking. He turned his head around and raised his hand to pat her head. "You don't need to worry so much, I'll be fine."

"En, you better be."

Yang Xian merely smiled as the two of them walked out of the residence and to the gate. Prince Ji Sheng and the others were also getting prepared.

It was time for the last battle.

"ONWARD!"