The two silhouettes in the mist slowly came into focus.
They were men—both middle-aged, dressed in coarse black clothing that smelled faintly of sweat and smoke. Their steps were heavy, their posture confident, like men who knew this part of the forest well.
When they finally stepped into the cave's entrance, they paused. This was their usual hideout on the edge of the Black Pine Forest, a place where no traveler dared wander.
But tonight… Something was different.
In the dim glow of the firelight sat a young woman—ethereal and beautiful, her figure outlined in warm orange. Her long hair shimmered faintly under the flicker of the flames, her posture calm and unhurried as if she belonged there more than the shadows themselves.
For a moment, both men were frozen. The taller one's mouth hung slightly open, while the other's brows twitched in disbelief.
Then, their shock broke—replaced by raucous laughter.
"Hah! Brother Lu, we hit the jackpot today!" The man with a deep scar running across his forehead slapped his thigh. His voice was rough, dripping with excitement.
The tall man with a large mole on his cheek grinned back, his small eyes gleaming with greed.
In their minds, possibilities bloomed like poisonous flowers.
If they handed this girl over to their leader, they would be rewarded handsomely. If they smuggled her into the black market auction, the bids would soar. And if they sold her to some rich old man… Well, that would fetch an even greater fortune.
No matter how they looked at it, this girl was a treasure chest dropped into their laps.
They stared at her openly—eyes flickering with greed, joy, and an unmistakable lust that made their intentions clear.
Yue Zilan's lips twitched. Inwardly, she almost gagged.
What kind of hideous creatures are these? she thought, fighting the urge to wrinkle her nose. The sight of them was enough to ruin her mood completely. She had been enjoying a peaceful night, and now these… pests had arrived.
The man with the scar took a step forward, his smile widening in a way that made the firelight seem colder.
"Girl, what are you doing here?" His tone was falsely gentle, but the menace in his eyes was impossible to hide. "Are you lost in the forest? Don't worry… we'll take you home."
Zilan looked up at them, her expression changing in an instant. Her sharp gaze softened, her lips trembled just slightly, and her eyes glistened with what looked like unshed tears.
In a timid, wavering voice, she said, "Uncles… I had a fight with my grandmother. I… I ran into the forest and now… I don't know the way back." She lowered her head, her shoulders hunching in a picture of helplessness. "Please, uncles… help me find my grandmother."
The two men exchanged a quick glance. A slow, knowing smile passed between them.
Scar-forehead clicked his tongue. "Don't worry, girl. As long as you obediently listen to us…" His grin widened, showing yellowed teeth. "…we'll take you to your grandmother."
The tall man chuckled under his breath, the sound heavy with anticipation. Step by step, they began moving toward her.
The fire crackled. Shadows stretched long and thin across the cave walls.
They had taken only two steps when—
Thud.
Their vision blurred. The greedy light in their eyes faltered.
Scar-forehead blinked hard, swaying slightly, while the tall man's legs buckled beneath him. Confusion flickered in their expressions for only a second… and then darkness swallowed them whole.
Both collapsed to the cave floor with heavy, lifeless thumps.
The flames danced on, crackling merrily, as if mocking their sudden stillness. From the corner of the cave, a strange, low chuckle rose into the air.
"Fufufu… kekeke…" The eerie sound leaked outside into the forest, scattering the nearby animals into the forest as if driven by an unseen predator. Moments earlier, Zilan had tossed a pinch of her freshly made anaesthetic paste into the fire. The heat released an invisible, odourless smoke that coiled lazily through the cave—silent, deadly. It needed only a few breaths to sink its claws into their senses, shutting down their bodies before they even realized the danger.
Yue Zilan slowly stood, brushing invisible dust from her robes. Her eyes, no longer soft and teary, gleamed with amusement as a playful smile curled her lips. "Now… what will I do with these two creeps?" she murmured.
The night was far from over.