006 Rescue You? First, I'll Kick Your Face!

Chapter Title: 006 Rescue You? First, Kick Your Face!

The moment the word "husband" escaped her lips, dozens of voices echoed in response.

"Miss Guan, I’m here to save you!"

A beauty in peril, and the heroes—those officers, including Captain Xing—could no longer care about Fang Rulai. Each drew their official blades and rushed madly toward the masked figure in black who was about to harm Guan Shiyin.

The masked man in black snorted coldly, clearly unimpressed by the officers. Using an unknown movement technique, he slipped through their encirclement with a few deft turns, then lunged again toward Guan Shiyin.

First came a surge of murderous intent, and Fang Rulai’s instinct was to retreat. First, he had no martial skills; second, he was still bound by chains. If he didn’t flee, he’d soon end up like the pork from the Zhu Xishi case, ready for slaughter.

Fang Rulai spun his body fast, but his feet failed to move an inch.

Looking down, he saw Guan Shiyin clinging to his leg, raising a smile full of sorrow and asked, "Husband, can you outrun the assassin?"

Fang Rulai sent his other foot flying at her, "I only need to outrun you!" He could tell at a glance she was playing some masochistic game again. Though he couldn’t quite grasp why she pretended to be weak despite her martial arts, since she was pretending, he’d cooperate—use her supposed disability to stay alive for now.

"Husband, how heartless you are!" Guan Shiyin cried out in anguish, and with a fierce twist of her hands, Fang Rulai’s flying leg was stopped midair by a sharp pain in his calf, sending him crashing to the ground.

Fang Rulai winced in pain, ready to curse. But just as he looked up, a dagger whistled past his scalp.

Captain Xing shouted, charging at the masked man, "Scoundrel, if you have guts, come for me!" The two clashed fiercely.

"Husband, I just saved your life," Guan Shiyin crawled forward, seeking praise.

Fang Rulai narrowed his eyes, bent his knee, and aimed another kick at Guan Shiyin’s face. He quickly retracted his leg, just as an official blade stabbed into the spot Guan Shiyin was about to crawl to.

Captain Xing roared, "Stealing my blade?! I can take you down bare-handed!" The two resumed their fight.

Guan Shiyin lifted her mud-stained face in resentment, while Fang Rulai arched his brows and returned her gaze with a smile, "Amitabha, benefactor, no need to thank me."

He pinched himself, then kicked back—now they were even.

Feeling rather pleased, Fang Rulai climbed to his feet, ready to escape again.

Guan Shiyin rattled the chains, "Husband, are you leaving me behind again?"

Her voice was mournful, her expression full of grievance, as pitiful as Meng Jiangnu weeping at the Great Wall for her lost husband.

Fang Rulai’s brow twitched; he raised his foot once more—if this lunatic didn’t let go, he’d kick her again without hesitation.

"Husband!" Guan Shiyin screamed, appearing hysterical.

Fang Rulai froze, startled, his gaze drifting over to her. Guan Shiyin grinned, mouthing the word "wife!"

His foot hung awkwardly in the air; she really would use his secret to threaten him.

Guan Shiyin curled her lips into a smile and crooked her finger: come here.

Fang Rulai ground his teeth, but could only obediently squat back down.

Guan Shiyin grabbed his collar, pulling him close, and whispered with a laugh, "Is wife now demonstrating to her husband the Zen of preferring force over gentleness?"

Fang Rulai had no time to spar verbally, "If you have something to say, say it! If you have gas, don’t release it!" Judging by the officers dwindling in the distance, the masked man would soon return.

Guan Shiyin didn’t waste words, pointing at the masked assailant, "Simple. I want his life!"

Fang Rulai almost spat his drink, "Brother, you’re the one with martial skills, not me!"

"But I can’t risk exposing my abilities just to kill him," Guan Shiyin explained.

"So you want me, a non-fighter, to risk my life for this?" Fang Rulai was furious—was this lunatic truly so shameless?

Guan Shiyin smiled slyly, "You don’t need to do it yourself."

"Then how?" Fang Rulai didn’t understand.

Guan Shiyin extended her finger, gently tapping his lower lip, "What do you think?" Though she had no internal energy, she’d somehow heard his private words—she must possess some hidden ability, though he couldn’t yet confirm it.

Fang Rulai trembled inside but feigned ignorance, "I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Guan Shiyin glanced at the butcher’s knife chained to them both, "You understand, and you can do it. Moreover, you must!"

Fang Rulai followed her gaze to the knife, and a sudden realization flashed through him—a thought previously fleeting now returned.

The masked man, who could have left silently, chose instead to stir up trouble, drawing Zhu Xishi’s attention before vaulting over the wall.

And this weapon—the butcher’s knife. Such an important piece of evidence, if it was anything illicit, should never have been left behind. But it was, for a reason: to prompt someone to pick it up.

And that "someone" was her—the unlucky one.

Fang Rulai’s face changed drastically. If the initial target was her, then the motive was...

"It’s not me!" Guan Shiyin shook her head firmly.

"If not you, then who?" Fang Rulai didn’t believe it, "If you hadn’t demanded to marry me this morning, I wouldn’t have drawn any enmity."

"It truly isn’t me," Guan Shiyin’s expression turned serious, "You’ll understand why later. For now, the most important thing is to capture that man."

Fang Rulai glanced at the struggling officers, "Fine, I’ll do it."

He flipped his wrist, gripping the butcher’s knife tightly, closed his eyes, and distant voices echoed faintly in his mind.

Commander, isn’t it just retrieving the deed for an old house and a monastery? Why bother with tricks and framing with a butcher’s knife? I alone, with a flying dagger, could have those deeds in your hands in the time it takes for a cup of tea.

Yes, yes, I was wrong, Commander. Please don’t be angry, I’ll take care of it right away. By midnight tonight, I’ll have the deeds and meet you as ordered.

Hey, old lady, you’re in luck—someone’s decided to buy your old house. Here, ten taels of silver. That old house at the foot of the hill, the only one for miles around! Bring out the deed.

What? Not selling? Old lady, you’re forcing me to use the tricks taught by the boss...

...

The latter words matched what she’d sensed earlier at the murder scene.

Piecing it all together, she realized she truly was part of the motive for murder.

Fang Rulai opened her eyes, drenched in sweat, staring remorsefully at the masked man at the center of the chaotic fight. Lately, many had come to the back hill, trying to force Zhu Xishi to sell her butcher shop and the Fahua Temple. Fang Rulai had even advised Zhu Xishi to hide the deed in her mother-in-law’s house in the city. The old woman, though harsh and solitary, understood reason, but this had brought disaster.

How could she ever forgive herself?

Suddenly, Fang Rulai stomped her foot, twisted her waist, and with a swirl, the chain wrapped around Guan Shiyin’s neck.

As Guan Shiyin screamed for help, Fang Rulai shouted at the masked man, "Brother! The deeds are in hand—Commander orders us to retreat!"

Yesterday was such a wonderful day!

Yes, all thanks to you, Beloved in Red!

This is an old friend met long ago through Zhao Jiqing, now reunited thanks to Guan Shiyin. The surprise was even greater—Beloved in Red brought little friends along as well… I was deeply moved, at a loss for words, and can only promise to work hard and write more in gratitude.

Also, to all the generous patrons (allow me to name names): White Hair Bathes in Red, Seeking Beauty, Night Sky Lets the Heart Wander, Ke LK, Wind Spirit Tasteless, Smelly Egg Haha, Storm 191 (in no particular order), thank you all for your kindness. In the future, let’s not waste gifts. Beloved in Red knows I’ve always held the same conviction: if the work goes VIP, please support the official edition; if not (maybe this is Crow’s own rhythm? Just ignore it), then you can save your coins for other VIP works.

So, once again, I bow and thank everyone for your comments and favorites!

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