Chen Tang lay at the door of the woodshed and glanced inside. Through the crack in the door, he could vaguely see the situation inside.
The little girl was inside, leaning against a stack of firewood, holding that yellow dog, keeping each other warm.
Chen Tang hesitated for a moment, then pushed open the door to the shed.
When he saw the situation in the woodshed, he frowned slightly, and a murderous intent flashed through his eyes and disappeared.
The little girl's ankle was locked with shackles, the other end of the chain tied to a pillar in the shed.
In this way, the little girl could not escape and was forced to remain trapped in this woodshed.
It was as if the owner of this house was keeping her like a dog!
The yellow dog in the girl's arms seemed to sense the murderous aura from Chen Tang and suddenly broke free from the girl's embrace, crouching down with its wounded body and growling at Chen Tang!
The wounds on the yellow dog were from the whip lashes during the day, still looking bloody.
Hmm?
Chen Tang's expression showed a hint of surprise.
He stared at the yellow dog, taking a step forward!
The yellow dog sniffed Chen Tang's scent, clearly feeling fear, but it still did not retreat, guarding the girl, baring its teeth at Chen Tang!
"Good dog."
Chen Tang silently praised in his heart.
Even those two fierce wolves from the Evil Wolf Gang would avoid him when they sensed his presence, not daring to come close.
The dog wouldn't even bark at its owner.
This seemingly ordinary village dog, not very big, just reaching his knee, was clearly afraid, its body trembling slightly.
Yet it did not retreat to protect the little girl.
"Xiao Huang, don't be aggressive, this is Brother Atang, he's a good person."
At this moment, the little girl spoke up, her voice clear and sweet.
The yellow dog, hearing this, immediately dropped its menacing stance, whimpered, retreated back into the girl's arms, shivering, occasionally turning its head to sneak a peek at Chen Tang with one eye.
Hmm?
Chen Tang instinctively reached up to touch his face. The face mask was still there, completely covering his face.
How did this little girl recognize him?
In the dim light, it was impossible to recognize him just from his exposed eyes.
"What Brother Atang, you've got the wrong person."
Chen Tang kept his voice low, speaking in a deep voice.
The little girl, hearing this, laughed and said, "Brother Atang, it doesn't matter if you don't acknowledge me, knowing you're alive makes me relieved."
Even though the girl's cheeks were swollen and bruised, making her original appearance unrecognizable, when she smiled, her eyes curved up like crescent moons, full of joy.
Chen Tang heaved a gentle sigh.
He initially didn't intend to recognize the little girl.
Mainly because he hadn't thought about how to arrange things.
If he took the girl to his home now, the County Government Office's Chief Constable would surely follow the trail back to him.
Taking her to Snow Mountain wasn't realistic either.
Mentioning outsiders wasn't allowed, and the Mountain Guest wouldn't permit him to mention anything about Snow Mountain.
Chen Tang's plan was to first deal with the owner of this house, temporarily freeing the girl from her misery and preventing further beatings and torture.
As for the arrangements afterward, he could only wait for the government office to conclude the case, for the girl to regain her freedom, and then try to help her find a good place to go.
Maybe Plum Blossom Martial Arts Hall would be a good option.
But Chen Tang hadn't expected the little girl would recognize him.
And with such certainty and such a genuine smile.
Continuing to pretend didn't seem worthwhile.
Chen Tang walked in, crouched down, removed the mask from his face, and asked, "How did you recognize me?"
The little girl smiled and said, "During the day, I heard your voice. I thought it was an illusion and didn't think much of it."
"Just now, when I heard movements coming from that room, I guessed someone was coming to save me."
Saying this, the girl lowered her head slightly and said, "If anyone in this world is still thinking of me, willing to come and rescue me at all costs, it would only be Brother Atang."
Chen Tang remained silent.
The little girl didn't actually recognize him.
She guessed it was him.
Chen Tang asked, "What about your family?"
"I don't know."
The girl shook her head slightly, a trace of confusion flashing in her eyes, and said, "I got separated from them when I was very young. After that, I was taken away and sold as a servant, I escaped, and then I was caught and sold again... These past few years, I lost count of how many times I was sold, how many times I escaped."
Chen Tang was silent.
In such a troubled world, the little girl suffered countless hardships alone.
"How old are you?"
Chen Tang asked.
"I should be ten, I think."
The little girl was a bit unsure.
"Xiao Huang, I picked it up while escaping."
The girl gently stroked the yellow dog, "At that time, it was injured, barely alive. I gave it a little food and drink, and slowly it recovered. We relied on each other, it's been many years."
The yellow dog seemed to understand the girl's words, gently nudging her palm.
"Xiao Huang, this is Brother Atang, my lifesaver. You should remember him and not be mean to him." The little girl reminded again.
Hearing this, the yellow dog gradually lowered its guard against Chen Tang, started wagging its tail, showing a hint of flattery.
It tried to get closer to Chen Tang, carefully sniffing the scent on him.
Chen Tang took out the half roast chicken and several buns he had wrapped up at the restaurant earlier and gently opened the oil paper, the fragrance wafting in the air.
The little girl's eyes lit up upon seeing this.
"Eat slowly, don't choke."
Chen Tang handed over the roast chicken and buns.
"Mmm-hmm."
The girl took them, eyes curving into crescents, and said cheerfully, "They're still warm."
...
The two people on the rooftop, using the moonlight, clearly saw the fight inside the house.
Qingmu said softly, "After such a turn of events, almost losing everything, but not extinguishing his passionate spirit, instead becoming so mature, I have a bit of admiration for him."
The chubby old man resumed his usual jovial look, murmuring, "A meticulous mind, a calm head, coupled with ruthless methods, truly a rare good seedling in a hundred years."
"So, Master, are you planning to take him as your disciple?" Qingmu smiled, pursing her lips.
Her master had high standards and rarely praised a younger person this way.
"What do you think?"
The chubby old man rubbed his chubby hands, a little expectantly asking.
Qingmu laughed, "I'll naturally be delighted, that way I'll have another junior brother."
Hmm... henceforth, bullying him becomes more legitimate.
"When does Master plan to take him in?"
Qingmu asked.
The chubby old man said, "This matter needs an appropriate opportunity, I can't just speak up myself. After all, as a First Grade Grandmaster, I need to maintain some reserve."
Qingmu chuckled, "Do you want me to give him a hint?"
"No need."
The chubby old man said, "When the time comes, I'll slightly show some skills, paired with my knowledge and experience, won't it be enough to impress him?"
"Then, once he's greatly surprised and sincerely convinced, I'll take advantage of the momentum to bring him under my tutelage, then you'll have one more junior brother."
At this moment, the two also noticed the roast chicken and buns Chen Tang took out from his arms in the woodshed.
Qingmu's expression became clear, a hint of softness passing through her eyes, and she said, "During the day, when he heard this family was going to let the little girl go hungry, he packed those meals at the restaurant."
"Otherwise, with his appetite, how could there be half a roast chicken left over?"
The chubby old man said, "He's quite a decent person, I had misunderstood him before."