There’s a saying: The barefooted fear nothing, while the well-heeled have much to lose. When a person reaches the depths of despair, as long as there’s even the slimmest chance of survival, they’ll do anything to seize it.
Seeing the growing ferocity in the noblewoman’s gaze, Leng Chao hesitated for a long time before finally speaking.
“Officers, we are their neighbors. May I ask what crimes Uncle Chen and his wife have committed?”
One had to be careful with their words. Most of these soldiers bore ordinary ranks—not high-ranking officers—so it seemed they were merely carrying out orders. If even they were unclear about the family’s supposed crimes, then there might still be room for negotiation. However, if their stance was resolute…
Leng Chao subtly gestured toward Leng Yirou, who immediately understood and stepped aside, revealing her tear-filled face. At once, several younger soldiers shifted their gazes toward them.
The air grew oppressively heavy.
No one answered him, but neither did anyone order them to leave.
The noblewoman, as if spotting a glimmer of hope, immediately shouted, “We’ve done nothing wrong! We only wanted to try our luck and see if we could catch a glimpse of the legendary Marshal. Is that such a crime? We live honestly, do business legally, pay our taxes, and contribute to charity! What right do you have to barge into our home with guns…?”
Before she could finish, a hand clamped around her throat—cutting off her words completely.
Leng Yirou gasped, frozen in shock as she stared at the young officer before her. His features were youthful, even somewhat boyish, yet he regarded the noblewoman with nothing but disgust, allowing his subordinate to choke the life out of her without hesitation.
The sound of ragged breathing—like the wheezing of a broken fan—scraped through the suffocating silence.
Right before their eyes, the woman who had been speaking just moments ago was now filled with terror, her hands clawing desperately at the one strangling her throat. She looked like a helpless animal, teetering on the edge of a cliff, struggling in vain.
“You talk too much.” The young officer coldly watched as the noblewoman thrashed like a coiled spring at first, only to gradually weaken. As she neared the brink of death, her three daughters trembled uncontrollably, some even fainting from sheer fear. It was only then that he impatiently waved a hand.
Immediately, his subordinate released their grip.
“Cough, cough— cough, cough, cough!” The noblewoman hacked violently, as though she were about to cough her lungs out. Mucus streamed down her face, but she had no time to care about appearances—she clutched at her throat, desperately gasping for air.
“Please, calm down… don’t…” Leng Yirou bit her lip, whispering anxiously, fearing that one wrong breath might actually kill the woman.
“You talk too much as well.”
That icy gaze instantly nailed Leng Yirou to the spot.
For a moment, her face turned deathly pale. She almost believed that the moment the officer finished speaking, she would be the next to have her throat crushed.
Though they still hadn’t revealed what crime had been committed, their attitude made it clear—there was no turning back.
Leng Chao understood then. They had completely overstepped, and there was no hope for this family. Their fate had already been sealed.
“My apologies. We’ll take our leave now,” he said, tugging at Leng Yirou to prevent her from foolishly standing there any longer.
But as they turned to leave, having taken just a few steps, Leng Chao suddenly noticed something strange.
His peculiar little sister… hadn’t followed.
He turned back, only to see a sight that left him stunned—
The young officer, who had seemed so dismissive and cruel just moments ago, was now standing ramrod straight, his posture sharp and unwavering, as if suddenly struck by an invisible force.
Then, as if a silent signal had detonated, every soldier in the area—each one of them—suddenly straightened their spines, their eyes burning with fervour, all looking toward a single direction.
At that moment—
From the last traces of the setting sun, he emerged.
Bathed in crimson light, stepping forward beneath the weight of countless aspirations and reverence, he approached at an unhurried pace.
Leng Yiyao narrowed her eyes, gazing into the distance.
She couldn’t shake the feeling… that some things in this world had long since been destined.
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