*Multiple POVs*
***
(MC POV)
Rushing over I stabbed one of the men in the back. My sword pierced through his chest and it was at that point that my fears were confirmed.
"Gaah!!"
Yao Ya, although able to hold on from these people's onslaught sustained a number of injuries. An arrow protruded from the right side of her abdomen and another was embedded into her left thigh. Of course those weren't the only wounds as there were several lacerations across her body ranging from minor to slightly worrying.
Twisting my blade inside the man he screamed even louder alerting the others who were too focused on Yao Ya.
"Ahhhhh!!!! H-hererrr"
Noticing the movement in his arms I pulled back, dodging the slow strike of the now heavily bleeding man. Slashing toward the man I managed to slice open his wrist, forcing him to drop his weapon. He was now merely a fading spectator as he had no offensive nor much life expectancy left.
Yao Ya with her haggard appearance still used this opportunity to stab one of the distracted men in the chest. Suddenly another arrow sailed through the air.
"Ah!"
There was a new addition to Yao Ya's current appearance now, another arrow was firmly planted in her left shoulder.The exhaustion on her face was clearly evident, but she still tried to stay strong.
'That goddamn archer!! He needs to die now!!'
As soon as I had that thought that woman from before appeared before the archer quickly dealing with them. It was like my prayer was answered.
The last uninjured guy stood by the man who was stabbed by Yao Ya. I rushed to him and we locked swords.
"Who set you up for this!?" I shouted toward the man.
He nervously looked at me and back to his dying teammate.
"I-I.. it was just a mercenary job! You can have the money and information just promise to let us go!"
There has to be a reason for this hit. So far this is my only lead. If I'm merciless now then I might not find anything on him. I could still kill him after he gives up the info, but the man had already surrendered would already have given what I would want. It's not like he's some kind of villain trope like a young master who has influence in the city to use against me again. Those prideful people would never fight with their own hands.
"...Okay" Backing up I gave the man some room to recuperate.
The man carried the arm of the other over his shoulder, "T-thank you, the person who hired us looked to be a middle-aged woman wh-"
*Shiiccc*
A sword was thrust through the man's chest and his eyes widened while looking at me.
"Y-y-y-you p-p-promised…."
All the while he looked wide eyed at me I looked wide eyed at the attacker. It was that oranged haired woman who saved me twice earlier.
"Why would you do that?! I was just about to get some vital information from him!"
"You can't trust these people, they were just trying to kill you. What if they're only stalling for time? Quickly we have to get out of here."
The injured man from before fell on the ground clutching his chest.
"No, no please! Ple-" With a swift stab she ended him.
I stared wide eyed at the woman in front of me before quickly hurrying over to Yao Ya.
She looked extremely fragile right now as she propped herself up with her sword. Heading to her left side I took her arm over my shoulder to lessen her burden. Her breath was faint, but at least for now she seems like she'll survive.
"It's okay, it's okay, I'm here for you. I won't let you die! Zheng Da?! Where are you? We have to go!"
"Hah, B-brother Cheng."
"Yao Ya?! What is it? Are you not comfortable? Don't worry, once this is over I'll let you do whatever you want!"
"No…listen to me…that woman… be wary of her." She pointed towards The orange haired woman before passing out.
"Yao Ya?"
*Tat* *Tat* *Tat*
"D-daddy I'm here! I-is mommy going to be okay?" She looked so scared with her little face.
"She'll be fine, but I can't hold your hand anymore ok? Be a big girl and walk by yourself."
"En, I understand daddy."
"Alright, let's go back to the city. Hopefully we can find some help."
"Wait!" Suddenly the voice of that woman spoke.
"I'm sorry Miss, but I have to find something to heal her with. I'll repay you another day."
"No, that's not what I mean. You can come back with me to my place. I can help your friend recover her health. I have a safe and comfortable place for her. Besides, your friend doesn't look so good, if she doesn't find help now I'm afraid that she might not make it."
'Yao Ya, I'm sorry but we need her help. I don't think we have enough money for anywhere else to heal you. Don't worry I'll keep an eye out, but you need to be healed.'
"Okay, we'll go with you, but please hurry."
At this time I saw more details of the dress she was wearing. She wore an embroidered red Cheongsam with thigh high slits. Her movement is quite incredible as she never once tripped or took a wrong step with the silk being barely above her ankles.
***
(Su Daji POV)
As I turned around to lead them back towards the city I hid the smile that gradually began to form. I knew I currently had quite a suggestive smile on my face so I made sure I was always a few steps ahead of them. If he saw my smile he might start to become a little bit more rational and alert to my actions.
He should currently be occupied by that dying woman in his hands so I have some time to plan out some loopholes in case they happen.
That "alchemist" should've disappeared from this city the moment they set foot outside. He was merely a commoner I had found in his little rundown building. The place resembled a shop, but just barely so I gave him a few low-grade herbs and that "request." I knew their search for a job would have quite a limited reach and this building just so happened to be a minute away.
10 Silver coins and he was ready to move out of the city; that piece of evidence should be gone, but those at the mercenary place might be a little more difficult. Fortunately I was wearing a disguise when I went there or else when he inevitably finds that place I might be in immense trouble. Surely at most they'll be able to point out is that I have the same body type as the one that ordered that hit.
We were in a rush all the way through town, it wasn't a full on sprint, but we were certainly at least around a jog level.
Reaching the second layer I showed the guards my token before heading in with the rest. I could feel the servants and members of my clan staring at me, or more specifically the three people I had brought back with me.
I was a little disappointed that neither my Beloved nor that child seem to be fascinated with the environment, but I only thought it was because of the situation.
I directly led them to a guest courtyard which happened to have three buildings. Directly entering the leftmost one I went to a bed.
"Over here! Quickly on this bed we can stabilize her condition."
As he did so I quickly went out and informed a nearby maid to retrieve a low leveled pill, one which should do only the bare minimum to keep a person alive.
He was in my territory now after all, I couldn't so easily let them go just like that! What better chance would I have then now, especially since that woman was out of commission and he was in my very walls!
Once he leaves, who knows how long I'll have to wait before I could even meet with him again?
'This is perfect! Fufu~ From the wounds on that woman he'll have to stay here for at least 7 whole days before she recovers enough to properly move around. Who knows she might "randomly" open up her wounds again as well which could cause her to have to stay even longer. It's a shame I can't just directly kill her though, but it would make all of this so much easier. I currently can't guarantee that my Beloved's personality is the exact same so if she dies here I won't know how he'll feel towards me or my Su family.'
When I walked back in, that woman was already on the bed, but my Beloved was kneeling on the side holding one of her hands even while she's unconscious.
I noticed his lips moving, but I couldn't really hear his mumblings. I could easily make a guess as to what he did say though.
"I've asked a servant to bring some healing pills." Hearing my voice seemed to wake him up from his minor trance. Standing up he came up to me and bowed his head.
"Thank you so much for all that you've done! I'm sorry I couldn't properly thank you earlier. Zheng Da come out, and thank this woman." The child, Zheng Da, peered at me from behind my Beloved and when he asked her to thank me she came out from behind him and bowed.
"T-thank you Big Sister!" After finishing she scurried back behind him.
At that moment a servant knocked on the door.
"Enter"
Hearing my voice she entered carrying a tray which contained a single pill bottle and a glass of water. I personally picked up both items and sat next to that unconscious woman to feed her. Popping open the pill bottle I took out a single pill and placed it within her mouth before making her drink some of the water too.
"How long will it take for her to recover?" My Beloved asked me worriedly, hearing his tone of voice I really wanted to strangle this woman right here and now, but I just came up with a better plan.
'Beloved, oh my beloved, soon you won't be worrying about her any longer. You'll think of me and only me, maybe we could even commit those acts in front of her. I wonder how she would react?'
"Don't worry, she'll recover in at least a week! In the meantime why don't you go and make yourselves at home here? I only ask that occasionally you will comply with a few of my measly requests."
"Of course! You've saved a person very close to me, it's the least I could do to repay you."