Editor: Areth Kyntaul

Primary Principle. Beat Him to Death.

　　"Miss Li. Miss…"

　　From my arms, Princess Hongzhuang's eyebrows formed a pretty line. She gently sniffled and slowly came to. She gently curled up her body, as though she couldn't stand the warm breath I emitted as I spoke. She revealed the smooth white back of her neck, causing my heart to palpitate.

　　"You've finally come to, Miss. You were out for a long time. I was worried for you."

　　"Brother… Brother Ming, why are you here?"

　　The Princess had just gotten hit hard with a rod by my Third Martial Brother. She didn't suffer any wounds. She gently shook her head, taking her black hair along for the ride, and releasing a mellow scent. Her eyes were already clear, so it was obvious she was fully alert. She wore a long face, that showed a hint of bewilderment.

　　"I remember that I came here to eradicate the bandits' den, and then encountered three Indians. They attacked me without saying anything prior. They weren't weak. I couldn't defeat them… Wh… -What's wrong with me? Why are you here, Brother Ming…?"

　　The Princess gently ran her fingers through her hair and then frowned a little. Her eyes showed a hint of pain, which she was resisting, but that hint was hard to detect.

　　It was obvious that she felt the lump on her head.

　　'What a cute girl.'

　　"I also ran into some gangsters, not long after splitting up with you. They weren't skilled, but you know that I lack in the martial arts department, so it took me some effort to deal with them. After I questioned them, I found out that they were hired muscle, out for us. I was worried about your safety, so I followed the path you took here."

　　Then I went and explained to her how I caught Pickled Salted Fish and found out the address to this place through him.

　　"What happened to the Indians?"

　　"I did not see any Indians. You must have imagined it, Miss."

　　She silently frowned. It was clear her thoughts didn't coincide with that claim.

　　"I couldn't have mistaken it. It's just that they left for whatever reason." Suddenly, a valiant look appeared in her eyes, "They might still be hiding here, and are just lying in ambush."

　　Her suspicion spewed into her tone.

　　My back was sweating because I was startled. Those three Indians were actually hiding at the top of the pile of goods behind us.

　　We were less than fifteen metres away from them.

　　After exchanging a few words with my juniors, I noticed that it was getting late. We couldn't continue putting things off forever. Even the bandits would've woken up, had we kept on talking, so I had them hide somewhere nearby and then figured we would decide on our next move, after sending the Princess away.

　　The Princess being so sharp-witted was outside of my predictions.

　　"I remember now. I did indeed see a few people when I entered the warehouse, but I didn't get a clear view of their appearance and clothing, so I am not sure if they are the Indians you spoke of. I remember that one of them was quite tall, another was muttering as if he was chanting some drivel."

　　"That's right. That's how they looked."

　　But then, after a short pause, the Princess looked at me with a gaze of suspicion.

　　"Why did you deny it if you saw them?"

　　'Oh, wow. s.h.i.+t! Our Princess isn't stupid! She's not as easy to fool as Su Xiao!'

　　"Err, well, that was because they suddenly vanished when I entered. I genuinely suspected they were phantoms. I was wondering if I imagined it, and was, therefore, afraid you would make fun of me if I said it. Had you not said you also encountered the three of them, I would've thought I had a hallucination, due to fatigue."

　　"The three of them were very skilled. They might be people with profound Qinggong, or perhaps they sealed your meridians. Also, one of them kept chanting a curse. I suspect that he can use unorthodox mind-control techniques. It couldn't be helped that we couldn't defeat them. Had you not frightened them with your arrival, I may be at the netherworld already."