Upon learning Ye Ling's name, Beima respectfully bowed to him and said, "I will trouble Young Master Ye from now on. Once we reach the merchant guild, I will pay the agreed-upon reward in full."
"Mm, let's enter the city," Ye Ling nodded slightly, not refusing Beima. He entered Huoluo City with her.
As a border city of the Great Yan Kingdom, Huoluo City had extremely strict checks at its gates. Only those with a pass token were eligible to enter.
Fortunately, Beima possessed a pass token from the Sharlun Merchant Guild, so Ye Ling encountered no trouble entering the city.
However, the moment Ye Ling brought Beima into the city, he felt several gazes sweep over him, eventually settling on Beima.
Sensing those hidden gazes, Ye Ling couldn't help but smile at Beima, "Miss Beima, you seem to have quite a few enemies. We've been targeted the moment we entered the city."
"We've been targeted?" Hearing Ye Ling's words, Beima's eyes flickered, and she visibly became flustered.
Huoluo City was the last place she could possibly hide.
Ye Ling smiled, "But don't worry, with me here, at least you won't be in any danger on your way back to the merchant guild."
"Only on the way back..." Hearing Ye Ling's assurance, Beima's gaze dimmed.
After witnessing Ye Ling's prowess in slaughtering sand bandits in the desert, Beima understood that Ye Ling was the one person who could pull her out of the abyss at this moment.
However, she was a stranger to Ye Ling, and Ye Ling had already done her a favor. She truly couldn't think of any leverage she possessed to make Ye Ling protect her continuously.
She had traveled across the desert from Tianlun Kingdom in the west and fled to Huoluo City, encountering countless attacks along the way.
Her caravan in the desert had been her last line of defense. Even though there were still many who supported her within the Sharlun Merchant Guild, the number of people in her own family who wanted her dead was far greater!
She had thought that by escaping to Huoluo City, her family would leave her alone. But now, with assassins pursuing her even in Huoluo City, even if she sought the protection of the merchant guild, being assassinated was merely a matter of time.
Thinking of her bleak future, Beima's spirits sank.
The streets of Huoluo City were bustling, with vendors calling out their wares on both sides of the road and townsfolk going about their business. The entire city seemed vibrant and full of life.
In contrast, Beima appeared out of place amidst the lively atmosphere of Huoluo City.
Ye Ling observed Beima's demeanor but said nothing, riding his horse ahead.
Of course, Ye Ling wasn't entirely idle.
Upon entering the city, his divine sense had spread throughout Huoluo City. Anyone who looked at Beima with malicious intent was dealt with by him in secret.
Along the way, he had secretly eliminated over ten assassins!
Judging by the sheer number of assassins, Ye Ling could guess that Beima was at the center of some vortex, where a single misstep could lead to utter destruction.
If anyone else had become involved with Beima, they would likely have been devoured by the hidden vipers, leaving not even bones behind.
But Ye Ling was unconcerned. If he wished to save Beima, it would only take a thought.
Let alone the Great Yan Kingdom, even everyone on the entire Baiyu Continent combined could not withstand a single finger from Ye Ling.
Of course, while saving Beima was effortless for Ye Ling, whether he would ultimately act depended on his mood.
Huoluo City was not large. After about ten minutes of riding on horseback, the two quickly arrived at a shop bearing the sign of the Sharlun Merchant Guild.
"We've arrived, Miss Beima," Ye Ling stopped at the entrance of the merchant guild and dismounted, speaking to Beima.
Beima, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to attention upon hearing Ye Ling's words. She dismounted and thanked Ye Ling, "Th-thank you, Young Master Ye. Please go inside and rest. I will prepare your reward."
"Very well," Ye Ling replied readily and followed Beima into the merchant guild.
There were many guests in the guild at the time, and the shop assistants were busy. Beima and Ye Ling did not attract much attention upon entering.
"Miss?"
At that moment, a well-dressed old man holding an abacus behind the guild's counter noticed Beima, who was wearing a veil, entering. His expression changed slightly, and he immediately put away his abacus, walked out from behind the counter, and hurried to Beima's side, asking with concern, "Miss, why have you suddenly come to Huoluo City?"
Beima quickly replied to the old man, "Uncle Ning, there has been some trouble in the family."
"They've started making their move?" Hearing Beima's words, the old man instantly understood. His expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice to ask Beima, "Have assassins even come to Huoluo City?"
"Yes, it seems even Huoluo City has assassins," Beima said.
"Even Huoluo City has assassins?" The old man's expression changed again. "This is becoming rather troublesome."
He pondered for a moment, then said to Beima, "Rest assured, Miss. Even if I have to risk this old life, I will protect you!"
Hearing the old man's words, Beima seemed to find support again. Her eyes instantly welled up, and with a tearful voice, she said, "Uncle Ning, I can only rely on you now."
"It's alright, Miss. With Old Ning here, no one in Huoluo City can harm you."
With that, Old Ning loudly announced to the customers in the shop, "Esteemed guests, I apologize... The Sharlun Merchant Guild has urgent matters today and needs to close early. Assistants, please escort our guests out!"
Old Ning's words caused quite a stir within the guild. However, the guild's assistants, disregarding whether they offended the customers, forcefully escorted everyone out.
Soon, the main hall was cleared, and the shop's doors were shut.
After clearing out the guests, Old Ning asked Beima, "Miss, where are your personal guards?"
"We were attacked by sand bandits in the desert, and he died in the desert," Beima said dejectedly.
"Then how did you survive, Miss?" Old Ning pressed further.
Beima seemed to trust Old Ning implicitly and hid nothing from him, introducing Ye Ling, "It was this benefactor who saved me."
Hearing Beima's words, Old Ning finally looked at Ye Ling behind her.
He sized Ye Ling up from head to toe, then bowed slightly to Ye Ling and apologized, "My apologies, young sir. I was remiss."
"It's nothing."
Ye Ling gave Old Ning a deep look, then smiled and said, "I'm essentially hired. You give me the reward, and I'll leave."
"No problem, I'll have an assistant prepare your reward right away."
Old Ning smiled, then instructed the surrounding assistants, "Assistants, kill him!"
*Swish!*
As Old Ning's words fell, the surrounding assistants all drew their knives and surrounded Ye Ling and Beima.
"Uncle Ning?" Seeing all the assistants draw their blades, Beima looked at Old Ning in shock, unable to comprehend his actions.
"Miss, I apologize..." Old Ning apologized to Beima. "They only want you. Apart from you, I cannot let anyone else stay!"
"Why even you..."
Realizing that Old Ning had also betrayed her, Beima was instantly filled with despair and collapsed to the ground.
"Miss, I'm sorry..."
Old Ning sighed slightly, then pointed at Ye Ling and instructed the assistants, "Kill him."
"Yes!"
The assistants responded loudly, drawing their knives and slashing towards Ye Ling!
Seeing the assistants rush towards him, Ye Ling shook his head and sighed, "Alas... I didn't want to play games with you all. I was prepared to take the money and leave."
"Why... why must you do this?"