Early the next morning, Guo Baiyu returned to Sunrise Inn. Already, ten people waited in line ahead of him. He requested a table, selecting one tucked against the back wall. He settled in, a quiet hope settling in his chest as he waited to see if she would appear again.
When Xiong Lifeng came down to the restaurant, her eyes immediately found Guo Baiyu sitting alone by the wall. With a practiced smile, she approached him.
"You are alone today?" Xiong Lifeng asked, her voice carrying a hint of practiced charm. "Where are your friends?"
Guo Baiyu looked up, his expression serene. "They have a scholar meeting to attend."
"May I sit with you?" she inquired, her gaze lingering.
"Sure," he replied, offering a polite smile.
"You are not from here?" Xiong Lifeng probed gently, a note of curiosity in her voice.
"No, I am visiting family. I am from Capital City," Guo Baiyu affirmed.
"No wonder," she mused, a knowing look crossing her face. She paused for a moment, then gracefully poured tea for both of them. "Which family member are you related to among the four handsome young masters of the town?"
"Guo Longtong," Guo Baiyu stated.
Xiong Lifeng's smile widened, a hint of surprise and delight in her eyes. "Your surname is Guo?"
"Yes."
"Then you must be the famous Guo Baiyu. Am I correct?" she asked, her voice laced with admiration.
Guo Baiyu simply nodded.
Xiong Lifeng's smile grew even brighter. "Two months ago, Childe Guo told me that his cousin would visit him for the first time. He talked about you quite a bit." She met his gaze, a hint of coquetry in her eyes. "I do apologize for yesterday's stare. I merely wanted to know who could be more famous than Childe Guo himself."
Xiong Lifeng was indeed a beautiful lady, meticulously well-groomed. Her skin was as white as jade, and with only a touch of makeup, she radiated a captivating allure. All the guests in the main dining hall watched them, their gazes glued to the pair who seemed perfectly matched, like two heavenly immortals sitting at the table.
As people's eyes remained fixed on them, suddenly, a figure crashed through a nearby window, landing violently on a table, shattering it in half. The stranger, still on the floor, lunged, trying to grab Xiong Lifeng's hand. In a flash, Guo Baiyu's foot shot out, kicking the stranger's hand away as he pulled Xiong Lifeng protectively behind him. He then delivered another powerful kick that sent the stranger flying twenty feet away to land on another table, which also splintered under the impact. Ten law officers burst through the main entrance of the inn, unsheathing their swords and attacking the stranger. Screams erupted everywhere. The peaceful morning had abruptly transformed into a chaotic nightmare.
The ten officers swiftly surrounded the stranger.
"Lu Duyi, you have no place to go!" Officer Lo bellowed, pointing his sword menacingly at the man. "Surrender now!"
Lu Duyi laughed, a wild, guttural sound. "Ha... ha... ha... ha... ha... fuck you!" He spat on the floor, his eyes blazing with defiance. "I will never surrender! You think you can take me? I'll kill you all... you little fuckers!" He pointed his right index finger accusingly at Officer Lo.
Officer Lo's face flushed crimson with anger. "If I can't take you in alive, I will take you in dead!"
Lu Duyi stared at the officers with a cocky smirk. "Bring it on, you old bastards."
Officer Lo swung his sword furiously at Lu Duyi. Lu Duyi, surprisingly skilled, blocked all of Officer Lo's attacks with ease. He kicked one officer down to the floor, snatched the fallen officer's sword, and now armed, began to slash and attack everywhere like a madman, his movements a blur of dangerous intent.
Lu Duyi's swordsmanship was incredibly swift. He wounded two officers, stabbing one in the abdomen and the other on the shoulder. He then kicked both officers, sending them flying against the wall. As the injured officers slid down the wall, the two heavy paintings hanging there crashed down upon them. The two injured officers lay motionless on the floor, groaning in pain.
Seeing the situation was not in the officers' favor, Guo Baiyu lunched forward at Lu Duyi. As he attacked Lu Duyi again, Officer Lo tried to sneak up from behind, but Lu Duyi's elbow landed sharply on Officer Lo's abdomen. Lu Duyi dodged his next kick, then pivoted to kick Officer Lo, sending the lead officer three feet away, sprawling over the register desk. He seized the opportunity and pressed his attack on Lu Duyi again.
The remaining officers, noticing that Guo Baiyu had the upper hand, decided against joining the direct assault, choosing instead to surround the front door, preventing Lu Duyi's escape.
"Young master, do not let this monster escape!" a young officer shouted, his voice hoarse with urgency. "He has ruined many women's lives!"
"This monstrous individual is responsible for many innocent women taking their own lives!" another officer cried out, his face grim. "Don't let him escape! We have been hunting him for years!"
A customer gasped, "Oh heavens! This must be the famous rapist, Lu Duyi!"
"Yes," an officer confirmed, "We captured him, but he escaped late last night, and we chased him all night."
Guo Baiyu unleashed a flurry of powerful punches at Lu Duyi, driving him back through the kitchen door. Guo Baiyu rushed after him, relentless in pursuit. The remaining eight officers followed Guo Baiyu into the kitchen, their swords ready.
Lu Duyi, realizing he couldn't defeat Guo Baiyu, scrambled frantically through the kitchen, desperately searching for a way out through the inn's back door. He screamed, his voice strained with panic. Guo Baiyu caught up with him, and the two continued their fierce struggle amidst the cooking implements. Pots and pans went flying everywhere inside the kitchen, clanging loudly. Lu Duyi swung his sword at Guo Baiyu.
Guo Baiyu deftly blocked Lu Duyi's sword attack with his left hand, then twisted Lu Duyi's arm with his right. He struck Lu Duyi's right elbow once, then landed a blow on his right neck, before delivering a powerful kick directly to Lu Duyi's abdomen. The force of the kick sent Lu Duyi flying directly into the sheets hanging on the clothesline, entangling him.
When the eight law officers rushed into the kitchen, the terrified workers fled the scene, screaming. Guo Baiyu then noticed Ping'an rush toward Lu Duyi. He rushed over and grabbed Ping'an's left wrist, his grip firm.
"Stop," Guo Baiyu said softly, his voice a low command.
Ping'an looked at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of fear and determination.
Lu Duyi, seeing Xiong Grandma sitting on the wooden bench, suddenly lunged, taking her hostage. He pressed his sword to Xiong Grandma's neck, his eyes wild and desperate.
"Everyone stop! No one moves!" Lu Duyi shouted fiercely, his gaze, sharp and desperate, locked onto Guo Baiyu. "Especially you."
Boss Xiong rushed into the chaotic scene, his eyes widening in horror as he saw his beloved mother held hostage by a madman.
"Sir, please let my mother go," Boss Xiong pleaded, his voice trembling with desperation. "She is old. Whatever you need, I'll give it to you."
"Mister, please let my grandma go," Ping'an pleaded, her voice surprisingly steady despite the terror. She walked forward, stepping bravely toward Lu Duyi. "Take me as your hostage instead. My grandmother is blind; taking her as your hostage will only slow you down."
After a moment's consideration, Lu Duyi's eyes gleamed with a wicked plot as he looked at Ping'an. He would take her hostage. Once they were far away, he would have his way with her and then kill her.
"Walk over," Lu Duyi said with a wicked smile, licking his filthy lips, his gaze predatory.
Guo Baiyu looked at Ping'an, his jaw clenching, and tightened his grip on her left wrist.
"No..." Guo Baiyu's voice was a low growl, his grip tightening protectively on Ping'an's left wrist. "Please don't go."
"Let go of my hand," Ping'an pleaded again, her voice strained, turning to face him.
"No. Please don't go," Guo Baiyu insisted, the words raw with pain and urgency.
"Please, let me go," she insisted, pulling her hand away with a sudden, forceful yank, her eyes begging him to understand.
"Let her go to replace my mother!" Boss Xiong urged, his voice trembling with desperation, actually pushing Ping'an forward towards Lu Duyi. "Go replace your grandma!"
Guo Baiyu's eyes blazed with sudden fury at Boss Xiong's callousness. He grabbed Ping'an's left wrist once more, refusing to let go, his resolve hardening.
"Please let me go. I really want to do this," Ping'an pleaded again, turning to look at Guo Baiyu, tears blurring her vision, her resolve heartbreakingly clear.
Guo Baiyu slowly, reluctantly, let go of Ping'an's hand. With a deep breath, she walked towards Lu Duyi. Lu Duyi immediately pressed the sword to Ping'an's neck and shoved Xiong Grandma roughly onto the ground.
"Where is the back door?" Lu Duyi demanded.
"Behind you," Ping'an replied, her voice flat.
The two people slowly proceeded, with their backs toward the back door, Lu Duyi's sword a constant threat at Ping'an's throat.
Guo Baiyu clenched his teeth, his eyes blazing with a dangerous fury, fixed madly on Lu Duyi. "If you dare even touch a single strand of her hair," he snarled, "I will kill you."
"Everyone surrounding me! This is so unfair! Everyone bullies me!" Lu Duyi yelled, feigning the voice of a victim, his voice cracking with false indignation. "When I am out of danger, I'll let her go!" He protested his innocence, his eyes darting frantically around.
"You better," Guo Baiyu warned, his voice low and menacing, a promise of retribution.
"Stop following me, or I'll kill her!" Lu Duyi shouted, pointing his finger accusingly at Guo Baiyu. "You," he snarled, "close the door!"
Ping'an and Lu Duyi slowly backed out of the back door. Guo Baiyu, his jaw tight, closed the door. Lu Duyi then grabbed Ping'an's right hand, and they bolted down the busy street, disappearing quickly into the crowded thoroughfare.
When Guo Baiyu finally opened the door again, the street was already empty of their figures. He stood there, staring out at the crowded thoroughfare, a heavy weight of worry sinking deep inside his heart. He asked himself why he felt such profound concern for a person he had met only two days ago.
"Ping'an! Someone save my dear Ping'an!" Xiong Grandma cried, her voice filled with anguish, reaching out blindly.
"Mother, let her be," Boss Xiong snapped, turning away from his weeping mother. "As long as you are safe, that is all that matters."
"How could you say that?" Xiong Grandma cried, pulling away from him, her voice thick with despair. "How could you do this to your own daughter? I would rather die!" She continued to sob uncontrollably.
"Mother!" Boss Xiong roared, his face contorted in a furious snarl, his voice venomous. "That thing is not my daughter! That thing is the child of the devil!"
"Then you must be the devil himself," Guo Baiyu snarled, his voice laced with venom as he turned on Boss Xiong, his anger finally boiling over. He rushed out the back door, a determined pursuit in his eyes, chasing after Ping'an and Lu Duyi.
Officer Lo turned to his remaining officers. "Let us regroup," he commanded, his voice tired but firm, "and take the two injured officers to the doctor."
Up the mountain, Lu Duyi dragged Ping'an by her right wrist, leading the way. He used his sword to hack down the tall grass, clearing a path. The higher they climbed, the denser and taller the grass grew. After they reached the top of the mountain, Lu Duyi collapsed onto a log, releasing Ping'an's hand.
"If you move, I'll kill you," Lu Duyi warned, his eyes sharp and menacing.
Ping'an looked at Lu Duyi's wounded arm, watching the blood drip from his left arm onto the ground. Without a word, she tore a strip from her simple dress and walked toward Lu Duyi, her gaze steady.
"Let me stop that bleeding," Ping'an said, her voice surprisingly steady, "or you'll bleed out."
Ping'an quickly wrapped Lu Duyi's wound, her touch light and efficient, ignoring the raw edge of the cloth. Then, without a word, she retreated four steps, creating distance between them.
"You are not bad either," Lu Duyi said, his eyes raking over Ping'an with a lecherous gaze, a hungry smile twisting his lips. He rose, walking toward her, his intention clear. He pushed her down to the ground, his body heavy, and began to forcefully kiss and lick her face. He tore her robe open, his mouth moving to her neck, then lower, towards her left breast.
Ping'an fought as hard as she could, twisting and pushing, but his strength was overwhelming. "Please stop!" she begged, her voice raw, tears streaming down her face. She noticed, with a chilling realization, that the more she pleaded, the more forcefully he licked and kissed her, fueled by her despair. A desperate thought sparked. Ping'an decided to stop struggling completely, to lie very still and look directly into his eyes, her expression unreadable. This sudden stillness made Lu Duyi suspicious.
"I like it when women fight back," Lu Duyi sneered, pausing his assault, his eyes narrowing.
"The reason I asked you to stop is because I don't want you to die," Ping'an said, her voice chillingly calm, meeting his gaze.
"Why?" Lu Duyi questioned, a smirk twisting his lips. "Fucking you won't kill me."
"The last two men who had relations with me said the same thing," Ping'an replied, her voice flat, devoid of emotion, "but they ended up dead." She paused, then exhaled slowly, her eyes still on his. "Three months after they slept with me, I heard they died. I went to see the doctor, and he told me I had..."
Lu Duyi sprang up, his face paling, spitting repeatedly on the ground. He furiously wiped his mouth with his dirty hands. Even though she hadn't completed her sentence, Lu Duyi already knew what she was going to say next. He had just escaped from being sentenced to death; he would not die from some disease!
"The doctor told me I had about six months to live," Ping'an continued, her voice devoid of emotion, "and that was three months ago."
"Stop!" Lu Duyi snarled, the grin wiped from his face, replaced by pure disgust and fear. "I won't die from your disease. You are my hostage. Once we walk from this mountain to the other side, I will let you go. It's getting dark now; let us find a place to rest for tonight. Don't run away, or else I will shorten your life!"
The two walked another three miles up the mountain. The deeper they ventured into the woods, the darker it became, the shadows stretching long and menacing. The sun had completely set upon the horizon. They could only see a few feet ahead of them now.
"Let's rest here," Lu Duyi grunted, stopping abruptly.
Ping'an looked around, seeing only tall trees and dense, swaying grass in the fading light.
"We rest under that tree," he commanded, pointing to a large, ancient tree whose branches reached like skeletal fingers.
The two walked to the tree and sat down, their bodies aching from the day's arduous journey. Lu Duyi pulled out an extra belt and roughly tied Ping'an's right hand to his left. If she tried to escape, he would know instantly. Ping'an closed her eyes and, exhausted, fell asleep quickly. Before Lu Duyi finally closed his own eyes, he made sure Ping'an was truly asleep. The two fell asleep under the big tree, their forms barely visible in the deepening gloom. Not far away, a pair of malevolent red eyes stared at them from the shadows, their lips curling into a predatory smile.