"Master Aric, Master Aric... Please help me" The cries of a teenage girl rang out from outside the library halls
Aric's emerald eyes wavered as he strode toward the library entrance, Li Hua's desperate cries piercing the air. The panic laced in her voice did not give him a great feeling
"Please, you have to help me!" Li Hua sobbed, her chest heaving with exertion as she clutched at Aric's arm, desperation etched on her face. "My mother... Li Shan has taken her away. You must save her!"
Su Jing crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing as she regarded Li Hua with a mix of annoyance and distrust. "We've already helped you two once, but you shameless people do not appreciate any of it. You even left without saying a single word. Why should we meddle with your lives again?"
"Because... Because...!" Li Hua choked, unable to form coherent words., Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her voice cracking under the weight of her fear.
Aric's heart clenched at the sight of her vulnerability. Despite Su Jing's skepticism, he couldn't ignore the grim emotions emanating from Li Hua. His empathy refused to let him turn away from someone in need.
"Li Hua," he said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder, "we'll do what we can."
"Thank you, Master Aric," Li Hua whispered, slightly consoled at Aric's words.
As they followed Li Hua through the chaotic streets, Aric observed the tense set of Su Jing's shoulders. He could sense the swirling tempest of her emotions, but he remained focused on their mission.
The small villa loomed ahead, its walls adorned with creeping ivy that seemed to choke the very life out of the building itself. Aric's pulse quickened as he caught sight of a tall, imposing figure with cold, calculating eyes discussing with a slave merchant. Li Fei was standing behind the imposing man saying nothing
"Aric, I know that you want to save her, but I simply cannot forget that these people simply left us. I will not go in with you, but I will be standing outside just in case something happens" Su Jing said with a firm tone, leaving Aric's side to stand near the door.
With that Aric was left to confront the situation alone.
"Wait!" Aric called out, stepping into the fray. "What is going on here?!"
Both the tall man and the slave merchant were surprised at the sound of the uninvited guest.
"Who are you?" The tall man asked, his anger slightly evident
"I am Aric, who are you?"
Before the tall man could answer, Li Hua suddenly came forward and interjected "This bastard is Li Shan, he was the one who sold me and my mother to slavers a few weeks back!!"
Li Shan's expression darkened at being called a bastard by his own daughter."Li Hua you dare speak to your father like this?"
"I don't know how you managed to run away, but I would have come for you sooner or later. Now, come to daddy. Daddy will take you to a better place."
As for Aric, Li Shan completely ignored his presence.
As for Aric, he did not mind him at all.
Aric was enraged listening to Li Shan's words. He could not believe that a father could speak like that to his daughter.
"What are you doing? Release Li Fei at once." Aric demanded
"Li Fei? Brat, who are you? How do you know this slut? Are you perhaps her hidden lover?" Li Shan roared.
He got an inkling that Li Fei and Aric might be close, triggering his male instincts.
But Li Hua once again interjected.
"Master Aric knows us because Master Aric purchased us from the slave market."
"What?"
"Is this true?" For the first time, the slave merchant opened his mouth
"Of course, you can ask the merchants at the slave market near the Mercenary guild. If not for this bastard Li Shan entering our room and threatening to kill us, we would never have left!!" Li Hua spoke in one breath, taking out all of her anguish
Aric eyes gleamed with realization, while the slave merchant's eyes narrowed. This was not what he was expecting.
Reselling slaves without consent from the owner was a very severe crime and was punished just like other kidnapping cases. The slave merchant wanted to have nothing to do with it.
"Mr. Shan, Sorry but let us conclude our talks for now. We will continue another time." Saying this, the slave merchant left.
Li Shan's face twisted into a malevolent sneer as he decided to play his trump card. "You should know who you're dealing with before you stick your nose in someone else's business," he threatened, the air around him rippling with energy. "I'm a Stage 1 evolver, and you are nothing but a low-ranked mercenary"
'An Evolver,' Aric thought. This was his first encounter with an evolver in this world
Aric felt a brief moment of apprehension, but he refused to let Li Shan's words intimidate him.
"Being a Stage 1 evolver doesn't give you the right to harm innocent people," Aric declared, his voice steady and firm. "We won't back down, no matter what threats you throw at us."
Li Shan glared at Aric, clearly vexed by their unwavering determination. He balled his hands into fists, the power within him surging like a tempest. But despite his bravado, he could see that Aric wasn't willing to back down.
"Your threats mean nothing to me. I will not leave without Li Fei and Li Hua." Aric repeated, his fears diminishing when he saw Li Shan not doing anything
"Fine!" Li Shan spat, his anger radiating from him like heat. "Take these sluts and go. But remember this: You've made an enemy today, and I won't forget it."
"An enemy who preys on the weak is not worth our concern," Suddenly, Su Jing's voice rang out her piercing blue eyes emitting rage. She turned to Li Fei and Li Hua, offering them a reassuring smile. "Let's get out of here. This bastard cannot do anything in broad daylight"
As they walked away from Li Shan, Aric could feel the anger of the evolver behind him, but he could not back out now. If he had to face an evolver, so be it.
After all, in this world he had a small cheat as well.
Together, Aric and Su Jing led Li Fei and Li Hua away from the small villa, and the four of them headed back toward their inn
Upon their return to the inn, Li Hua's relief quickly turned to anger as she rounded on Aric, tears in her eyes.
"Master Aric, Why did you leave us alone?" she demanded, her voice trembling. "If you had placed the slave collars on us, Li Shan could never have taken us away!"
Aric shook his head, regret etching itself into his features. "I wanted to give you both a chance at freedom," he admitted softly. "But I see now that my actions only put you in greater danger."
Despite his reluctance, he took the collars he had received from the slave merchant and fastened them securely around Li Hua and Li Fei's necks, ensuring their protection from future threats.
As the metallic clasps clicked into place, Li Fei suddenly got up and bowed low before Aric, her eyes filled with gratitude too immense for words to describe.
"Master Aric, Thank you for saving us twice," she said, her voice husky. "Even though you had no relationship with us, you saved us twice, even going out of your way to spend a lot of money and going against an Evolver."
From today onwards, this Li Fei is yours to command, and I will do anything you desire. Just please don't do anything to my daughter"
Her suggestive bow revealed ample cleavage, the deep ravine and the jiggle causing a flush to rise in Aric's cheeks at the overt display. But suddenly when Aric remembered the dick-biting scene and words, his lust cooled down in an instant/
"No problem. It was what I should have done" Aric said in a flat tone.
But Su Jing couldn't help but notice that small glimpse of lust, and her eyes narrowed as she took in the scene.
"Enough of this," she snapped, her voice laced with irritation. "Aric, why don't you take Li Hua out for a treat?"
"Good idea, Su Jing. I am very hungry myself. Shall we all go?"
"I am not that hungry yet. Just go, I'll have a nice 'chat' with Li Fei here. I don't think Li Fei is very hungry as well, right?" Su Jing asked while glancing in a threatening manner at Li Fei.
Li Fei did not dare look at Su Jing's eyes at this point.
"Please go, Master Aric. I am not hungry yet," Li Fei replied with a timid voice.
And thus, Aric and Li Hua left, leaving Li Fei and Su Jing alone.