Chapter 58: The First Life Lost
In a battle against wild beasts, momentum is everything.
Just as a tiger’s roar can deter other animals, overwhelming presence can sometimes determine the outcome before the fight even begins.
That was the tactic Yu Tianqi had in mind.
His sudden roar made the lone wolf freeze for a split second. Taking advantage of the opening, Yu Tianqi plunged his dagger into the wolf’s throat.
“Howl—!”
The wolf howled in pain, its ferocity fully ignited. It twisted its head and snapped at Yu Tianqi’s throat.
Already prepared, Yu Tianqi shoved Yu Ling’s hiking boot into the wolf’s mouth.
With a swift motion, he pulled his dagger free and stabbed again.
Fresh blood sprayed into the night, bright and piercing.
He ducked and rolled under the wolf’s body, lifting his dagger high before stabbing it into the wolf’s belly.
The wolf howled again, its hind legs kicking against Yu Tianqi’s back as it leaped away.
Rip!
The wolf’s claws shredded Yu Tianqi’s thick jacket, leaving deep scratches on his back.
The force of the wolf’s retreat caused the dagger to rip through its abdomen.
Warm liquid poured from its open wound, drenching Yu Tianqi’s face and hair.
“Shit!”
He cursed, rolling away instinctively.
Dark red organs splattered onto the ground. A long, writhing intestine draped over his foot.
“Urgh—!”
The putrid smell nearly made him vomit.
Disgusted, Yu Tianqi kicked at the lifeless wolf to confirm its death.
Only then did he turn to Yu Ling.
“Are you okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.
“It hurts…” Yu Ling whimpered.
Yu Tianqi quickly examined her injuries. Her arm was a mess of torn flesh. Though her custom-made jacket was sturdy, it had been no match for the wolf’s sharp teeth.
Seeing the damage, his heart clenched.
He sliced open the sleeve of her jacket and carefully inspected the wound.
A breath of relief escaped him.
“Don’t worry. It’s just a flesh wound. We’ll patch it up once we get our supplies.”
Yu Ling, teary-eyed, nodded.
Gone was the spoiled princess act.
Yu Tianqi sheathed his dagger and lifted her in his arms.
Yu Ling clung to him tightly, like a frightened kitten.
They pushed through the bushes, retracing the trail of blood and dragged footprints.
Emerging from the underbrush, they were met with a shocking sight.
Xiao Chen… was dead.
“Aah—!”
Yu Ling’s terrified scream pierced the night.
The shrill cry startled a flock of birds into the air.
“Shh!” Yu Tianqi clamped a hand over her mouth. “It’s dangerous!”
Tears streamed down Yu Ling’s face as she stared at him, wide-eyed with terror.
“Don’t scream. Do you understand?”
She nodded quickly, though the fear in her eyes remained.
Yu Tianqi released his hold and gently set her down.
Panic surged through Yu Ling. She grabbed his sleeve desperately, pleading silently.
“Calm down.” He softened his voice. “I’ll protect you.”
“I need to get our bags. Then we can leave.”
Yu Ling hesitated, but childhood memories flashed through her mind.
The image of the older brother who had always shielded her overlapped with the man before her.
A sense of trust and reliance filled her.
She nodded, her big eyes glistening with unshed tears.
“Good girl. Stay here.”
Yu Tianqi ruffled her hair with a gentle smile.
She nodded again.
Handing her his dagger, he encouraged her with a look.
“Hold on to this. Protect yourself.”
With trembling hands, Yu Ling took the dagger.
Yu Tianqi smiled, giving her cheek a small pinch before walking toward Xiao Chen’s body.
The three backpacks lay untouched at her feet.
Clearly, this wasn’t a simple robbery.
His gaze landed on Xiao Chen.
Her clothes were in disarray. Her jacket was torn violently. Her waterproof hiking pants were bunched around her ankles.
“Bastard…”
Yu Tianqi gritted his teeth.
He sighed, kneeling to straighten her clothes.
Xiao Chen’s lifeless eyes stared into nothingness, frozen in horror and despair.
A deep, vicious wound slashed across her throat.
Yu Tianqi swallowed hard and closed her eyes.
Tearing a towel from her backpack, he gently covered her face.
“I’m sorry. I can’t bury you now.”
“If I make it out alive… I’ll come back for you.”
His voice was barely a whisper.
Standing up, he shouldered all three backpacks and returned to Yu Ling.
With her injured arm now wrapped in white bandages, Yu Ling followed closely behind, tethered to him by a long hiking rope around their waists.
Yu Tianqi led the way, slashing at the overgrown path with a machete.
Together, under the cover of night, they trekked forward into the unknown.
——
Meanwhile, in another part of the forest…
“We’ll rest here,” Zhi Qi announced.
At her words, everyone sighed in relief.
Su Wanqing, completely drained, flopped onto the ground without a care for appearances.
“Finally… I’m exhausted!” she groaned.
“Zhi Qi, set up camp with the others. Luo Shu and I will gather firewood,” Fang Xiaocao said.
“Alright, be careful,” Zhi Qi reminded her.
“Don’t worry, I have Luoshu with me.”
Fang Xiaocao grinned playfully.
“Just shout if anything happens,” Zhi Qi added.
“Got it!”
Fang Xiaocao flashed a cheeky smile.
“Luoshu, let’s go collect some firewood. Wen Shi, help Zhi Qi set up camp.”
“Understood!” Luoshu and Wen Shi responded in unison.
“What about me?” Su Wanqing piped up from the ground.
“You?”
Fang Xiaocao glanced at her and shook her head helplessly.
“Just stay alive.”
Su Wanqing: “…”
The group burst into laughter.
(End of Chapter 58)
