Chapter Thirty-Seven: Threats

The young monk was tied to a pillar in the temple hall.

The abbot, accompanied by others, roused all the monks and was now explaining what had happened to them.

Though frightened, every monk chose to share the fate of the temple.

Watching this, Chu Bing was filled with emotion.

“This is really unlike you,” the system remarked dryly.

Chu Bing rolled her eyes. “What do you mean by that! I have a righteous and heroic spirit. If you won’t praise me, at least don’t mock me!”

“…Weren’t you always the one most afraid of death? Why would you risk yourself to save these people?”

Why indeed?

Chu Bing sighed. Perhaps it was because she had resigned herself to never returning home; she’d begun to see everyone around her as living, breathing people, not just quest NPCs.

She rested her hands behind her head, didn’t respond to the system, and headed toward the room where Li Haoran and the others were staying.

They had no idea what sort of people would come tomorrow, so they had to prepare in advance.

When Chu Bing woke Li Haoran and the shadow guards, they thought she’d had another whim and was about to force them into another training session.

Chu Bing quickly explained the situation.

Li Haoran’s expression changed. “It’s not safe here anymore, Miss Chu. Let’s leave!”

Chu Bing shook her head. “The abbot and the little monks refuse to go, and I can’t abandon them. If you don’t wish to stay, I won’t force you, but I do ask that you don’t let word of this get out.”

Li Haoran was taken aback, his face anxious, but seeing how resolute Chu Bing was, he clenched his jaw and said, “If you’re staying, then of course we’ll stay too!”

Chu Bing’s gaze fell on his face, and suddenly she smiled, her eyes bright as crystal. “Li Haoran, I was right about you!”

Li Haoran gave a helpless, slight smile.

Since they had decided to stay, they had to prepare thoroughly. All training for the day was canceled. Chu Bing arranged for some people to help her set up defensive formations, while the rest worked with the monks to dig traps.

Everyone was busy, tension running high—any stranger seen would be closely watched.

Chu Bing leaned against a tree, rubbing her sore arms. She hadn’t rested for a day and a night, and now exhaustion pressed heavily upon her.

Li Haoran handed her a cup of water. “Do you want to get some rest? I’ll keep watch here—if anything happens, I’ll call you.”

Chu Bing shook her head. “How could I sleep now?” She felt as though a sword was hanging over her head—until things were resolved, she couldn’t close her eyes.

Li Haoran didn’t press further, but instructed others to keep a closer watch on Chu Bing. If she seemed unwell, they were to make her rest.

The shadows of the trees danced, and a flash of silver—a mask—flitted across a branch.

Li Yuxi watched Chu Bing quietly from above. He hadn’t expected the temple to become so interesting in just one night.

His subordinate stood nearby, his expression troubled.

“My lord, why do you insist on coming here?”

The lord clearly had many urgent matters to attend to, but he chose to perch on this tree, staring only at that woman.

Could it be…?

Li Yuxi glanced at him coldly.

The subordinate immediately lowered his head, falling silent.

Night fell.

The lights in the temple gradually went out. Everyone returned to their rooms, creating the illusion of normalcy. In truth, most had gathered together, keeping watch in the main hall.

Chu Bing, feeling awkward as the only woman among so many men, returned to her room to rest.

Li Haoran and the shadow guards took turns standing watch, so there was no need to worry about safety.

Lying in bed, Chu Bing thought she wouldn’t be able to sleep, but the moment her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.

She slept soundly until a loud crash jolted her awake. Her eyes flew open—an icy blade was pressed against her throat.

The hand holding the dagger was clean, though the fingertips were calloused—a clear sign of a martial artist.

Following the hand upward, Chu Bing’s eyes landed on a familiar face.

Damn!

Chu Bing was on the verge of collapse.

Li Mohan! The very same man she’d seen in the bamboo grove last time, killing and setting fires before being pursued himself!

Was he here to silence her?

“Good sir, let’s talk this over!” Chu Bing was on the verge of tears, trembling as she pleaded.

“Don’t speak,” Li Mohan said, tightening his grip. Chu Bing felt a chill at her throat and quickly mimed zipping her lips.

Now that he was closer, Chu Bing noticed that Li Mohan’s face was deathly pale and his voice weak—he seemed injured.

But even so, killing her would be effortless for him!

“System, system, what do I do now!” On the outside, Chu Bing was obedient, but inside she was frantically calling for help.

The system had no intention of assisting. “Host, I warned you when he came in, but you were sleeping too deeply. Who else can you blame?”

“It’s my fault, my fault! Please, just help me survive this!”

“…He’s not going to kill you.”

Huh?

Chu Bing blinked, studying Li Mohan. He really didn’t seem intent on killing her. Instead, he acted as if he were hiding from someone, constantly alert to what was happening outside.

Chu Bing held her breath. Outside, chaos had erupted—the shouts and screams of battle echoed endlessly.

She parted her lips, wanting to speak, but was silenced by a sharp look from Li Mohan.

“Knock, knock. Miss Chu, there are a lot of people here,” Li Haoran’s voice suddenly called from outside the door.

With the blade at her throat, Chu Bing didn’t dare answer.

Sensing something was wrong, Li Haoran called again, “Miss Chu?”

“Miss Chu? Are you alright? I’m coming in!”

Feeling the blade at her throat press harder, Chu Bing quickly pointed at the door and whispered, “If I don’t speak, he’ll get suspicious!”

Li Mohan narrowed his eyes. “Then answer him.”

“…Li Haoran, don’t come in. I’m not dressed. Go help outside, I’ll be right there!”

“All right, Miss Chu. Be careful—there seems to be more than one group out here. If things get too dangerous, you should leave first.” The urgency of the situation was clear in Li Haoran’s voice. He sighed and, not waiting for Chu Bing’s reply, hurried off.

Only when no one was left outside did Li Mohan lower the blade from Chu Bing’s neck. She exhaled in relief, shrinking into the corner of her bed, watching him warily.

Li Mohan staggered from her struggles, barely steadying himself by gripping the bedpost.

Chu Bing’s gaze dropped to his leg—and saw a boar trap clamped around it!

She’d set those traps herself, with the monks, never imagining one would catch Li Mohan.

Could it be—Li Mohan was the person sent by the Imperial Consort?

But last time, the people he killed were from the court. He couldn’t be working for the emperor, could he?

Chu Bing frowned, unsure how to resolve this stalemate.