Chapter 413: Acting

Chapter 413: Acting

The bandits, seeing this situation, also realized something.

Immediately, they all looked thoughtfully at Huang Fei.

Huang Fei's face turned as dark as a storm cloud.

Before Shen Lian approached, he suppressed the anger in his heart.

"Well, look who we have here—another beauty."

"Perfect to take back as my mountain fortress wife!" Huang Fei exaggeratedly performed.

"Men, grab her and take her away!" he ordered in an instant.

The bandits exchanged glances, then all smirked lecherously as they advanced on Shen Lian.

Shen Lian's face showed terror.

"How dare you! Do you know who you're dealing with?!" she then loudly pretended to be calm.

Song Rui frowned, turning back to look at Shen Lian.

He saw Shen Lian straighten her back and continue loudly, "This gentleman is Master Song, a Langzhong in the Ministry of Personnel!"

"And I am the Prime Minister’s adopted daughter!"

"You'd better leave now, or the court and the Prime Minister’s residence will come after you!"

Hearing this, the bandits exchanged uneasy glances.

Then, Huang Fei quickly shouted, "What are you all waiting for? Move it!"

"Are we really going to wait until someone finds out and the court comes after us?!"

Shen Lian's eyes widened.

She hadn't expected that even after revealing her identity, they still wouldn't let them go.

Huang Fei, seeing Shen Lian's expression, grinned wickedly.

He spoke, "One's an official, the other's an official's daughter. If we let you go, you'd definitely come back to make trouble for me."

"Might as well just take you with us."

"This way, no one knows you're with me. The court and the Prime Minister’s residence won't be able to touch me."

Hearing this, Shen Lian turned pale and glanced at Song Rui.

Song Rui was also frowning deeply as he gazed at her.

Shen Lian instantly regretted what she had done. She hadn't expected that her earlier actions were just half-baked cleverness.

Now not only was she in danger, but she had also dragged Master Song into it.

At this thought, Shen Lian's eyes immediately filled with tears.

Her look at Song Rui was full of resentment.

Song Rui felt a wave of disgust upon seeing the situation.

Being clueless was one thing.

But making mistakes and only knowing how to act pitiful was another.

The bandits quickly closed in.

Song Rui did not resist, allowing the bandits to tie him up.

He even wore a look of resignation.

Seeing this, Shen Lian's desire to escape also faded.

She trembled, watching as the bandits approached her.

Just as the bandits were about to tie her up, a commanding voice suddenly rang out from ahead.

"Stop!" The voice was clear and resonant, undoubtedly Qin Xiaoyao.

Everyone turned to see Qin Xiaoyao riding a fine horse towards them.

Dressed sharply, she radiated a heroic presence.

Shen Lian, who had initially felt a glimmer of hope, saw Qin Xiaoyao and her hope instantly faded.

She thought this person might come to their rescue with a group of people.

But to her dismay, there was only one person.

Moreover, the person was slender and didn't appear to be a man.

It seemed not only would they not be saved, but this person might also be putting herself in danger.

Upon hearing Qin Xiaoyao's voice, Song Rui's eyes brightened.

At the same time, Huang Fei and the others were equally delighted.

They then put on an even more dramatic performance.

"Who are you? How dare you interfere with our plans?" Huang Fei shouted at Qin Xiaoyao.

He didn't dare to use the word 'I,' so he switched to 'us.'

Qin Xiaoyao's lips curved into a smile.

"In the midst of ten thousand soldiers, I can take the head of a general. Who do you think I am?" she teased, looking at Huang Fei.

Shen Lian was instantly stunned.

Then, she stared at Qin Xiaoyao in disbelief.

In the midst of ten thousand soldiers, taking the head of a general, and referring to herself as 'Marquis of Xiaoyao.'

Who else could it be but the renowned Marquis of Xiaoyao?

Even though she rarely ventured out, she had heard of this person's reputation.

Could this person truly be the Marquis of Xiaoyao?

Shen Lian's eyes lit up with excitement.

If this person really was Qin Xiaoyao, then they would be safe.

Huang Fei and the others were taken aback by Qin Xiaoyao's words.

"You—how can you prove yourself?" Huang Fei immediately asked Qin Xiaoyao.

After asking, he glanced at Song Rui and Shen Lian, his face betraying his reluctance.

As if he was hesitating whether to abandon the two and flee.

"Hmph, step forward and fight me, and you'll see," Qin Xiaoyao said with disdain, eyeing Huang Fei.

The bandits were a bit panicked.

They exchanged glances, seemingly wanting to retreat but not fully committed.

"Boss, I think she's probably bluffing."

"If she really were the 'God of Slaughter,' why would she talk to us so nicely?" one bandit said, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes.

"Yeah, boss! She's probably faking it. Just trying to spook us!" another bandit chimed in, his eyes also flashing with malice.

"Boss, go and fight her," a third bandit added.

"If we can't win, we'll bail. If we can, hehe, we can nab one more."

Huang Fei, hearing this, cursed under his breath.

These little brats, are they all asking for a beating? Throwing him under the bus now.

The bandits, catching Huang Fei's glare, smiled innocently.

They were bandits now! What kind of bandits would just bolt?

Fighting their boss and retreating if they lost was the smart move, right?

Huang Fei had no choice but to keep up the act.

He could only heft his hammer and face Qin Xiaoyao.

"Then let's give it a shot!" he said, trying to sound as cocky as possible.

He really didn't want to fight the boss—wasn't that just begging for trouble?

But what choice did he have?

If the pretty boy and the delicate lady caught on, the boss would definitely give him hell.

Fine. No matter how hard the boss beat him later, he'd pay those brats back double when they got back.

Qin Xiaoyao's lips twisted into a smirk as she eyed Huang Fei.

"You brought this on yourself," she said casually.

As soon as she spoke, she leaped down from her horse.

Then, she kicked out at Huang Fei.

Huang Fei quickly dodged.

But the leg seemed to track him like it had eyes, following him like a shadow, and in a flash, it kicked the hand holding the hammer.

The kick sent a sharp pain shooting through his hand.

At the same time, it sent the hammer flying out of his grasp.

Shen Lian, watching from the side, was stunned.

This person who called herself Qin Xiaoyao had tremendous strength.

When the bandit's hammer was placed on the ground, it could stir up dust.

Yet, she sent it flying with a single, effortless kick.

Right then, Shen Lian was convinced.

This person was undoubtedly the real Qin Xiaoyao.

Truly worthy of being Great Jin's War God, so badass!

Song Rui, seeing his wife's display of power, his eyes filled with admiration.

That’s my wife!

His wife was indeed this powerful!

Qin Xiaoyao spared a glance at Song Rui.

Seeing the admiration in her husband's eyes, she couldn’t help but feel pleased.

She pushed aside the thought of letting Huang Fei go.

She then stepped forward and landed another stylish kick to Huang Fei.

The kick launched Huang Fei into the air, sending him sprawling far away.