Yue Zilan's eyes sparkled as she turned her gaze toward Liu Feng. For once, her cold and distant expression softened, and a kind smile bloomed on her lips.
Wang Shun and Lu Rong, standing quietly to the side, both shivered.
That creepy smile again… She must be planning something dangerous, they thought in unison, but wisely kept their mouths shut.
Yue Zilan took a few graceful steps forward until she stood directly in front of Liu Feng. Her smile remained warm, her voice gentle.
"Since you and your sister have already decided to follow me, from now on you are my people. And for those who follow me, there will always be benefits."
Her words carried a strange weight, both reassuring and dangerous.
Liu Feng blinked, taken aback. He never expected someone like her to accept him and his sister so easily. His heart tightened, but at the same time, a small flame of hope flickered to life inside him.
Then Yue Zilan's smile deepened, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Tell me, Liu Feng," she asked softly, "do you want revenge against the man who destroyed your family? Since I am now your master, I will naturally seek justice for you. What do you think?"
Her words struck straight at his heart. For years, that desire had gnawed at him—revenge for his father, revenge against the greedy bastard who ruined everything. His throat tightened, and for a moment he could not speak. Finally, gratitude welled up in his chest, and he thought to himself, I was not wrong to follow her.
But hesitation quickly followed. His fists clenched and unclenched before he finally said, "Miss, if you target that person… will it not bring trouble for you? After all, he is the relative of the Assistant Magistrate."
Yue Zilan laughed lightly, the corners of her lips curling higher. Her smile was radiant yet terrifying.
"Trouble?" she repeated. "Don't worry about that. Since you chose to follow me, this will also become your test. I want to see how firm your resolve is."
Her words carried no room for refusal.
Liu Feng lowered his head, his voice trembling but firm. "Since Miss has decided, I will follow."
---
Time passed slowly, and by the time midnight arrived, the group was already prepared.
Four figures lurked in the shadows of a silent street, their faces covered, their bodies wrapped in black dress. Before them stood a grand courtyard residence surrounded by high walls, lanterns faintly glowing within.
The night was deathly still.
Yue Zilan's gaze swept over the residence. With calm steps, she leapt lightly over the wall and landed silently inside. Her voice, low and steady, drifted back to the others.
"Wait for my signal."
Then she vanished like a shadow.
Inside the courtyard, she moved like a ghost, her steps so light they left no trace. Her sharp eyes quickly noted eight guards stationed around the residence.
One after another, they collapsed as her ghost-like figure struck swiftly and soundlessly. She pried open their mouths and fed them her anesthetic pellets, ensuring none would wake too soon.
Her figure glided from room to room. Every servant she found was dealt with the same way, knocked out without noise. As she looked around the luxuriously furnished rooms, her lips curled into a smile.
This man truly is wealthy. A fat sheep ready for slaughter.
At last, she arrived at the main residence. With a gentle push, she slipped through the window.
Inside, on the wide bed, a pig-like man snored loudly, hugging a young lady in his sleep. His face was bloated, his body soft, and the sound of his snores filled the room.
Yue Zilan wrinkled her nose. "What a pig in heat. Tsk tsk."
Without sparing another glance, she turned and gave her signal.
---
Outside, Liu Feng, Wang Shun, and Lu Rong immediately climbed over the wall and crept into the courtyard. They followed the trail she had cleared, until they reached the residence where she waited.
Yue Zilan's expression was calm, but her eyes gleamed with mischief. She looked at Wang Shun and Lu Rong first.
"Wipe the house completely clean. Take everything of value. Leave nothing behind."
The two men bowed their heads and went to work without a word.
Then her gaze fell on Liu Feng. "You, follow me."
Together, they entered the pig's bedroom. Yue Zilan walked up to the bed and gave the snoring man a light kick. He stirred but did not wake, his face flushed from heavy drinking.
She sneered, then pried open his mouth and slipped in an anesthetic pellet. The young woman lying beside him blinked awake for a brief moment, but before she could scream, Yue Zilan struck her lightly on the neck, and she slumped back into unconsciousness.
Turning her head, Yue Zilan looked straight at Liu Feng. Her smile was bright.
"Tie this pig up. We're taking him with us. And don't forget to loot every last valuable in this room."
Liu Feng hesitated, staring at the unconscious man on the bed. His heart pounded as he thought, Are we really here to take revenge… or are we simply robbers following her will?
Yet, as Yue Zilan's gaze bore into him, he tightened his grip on the rope and nodded silently.