The southern province appeared somewhat desolate under the night sky, or rather, in winter, people were reluctant to venture out.
Ye Longlin walked alone on the silent streets, as if the city had been put on pause.
The street was deserted, even though it was a small road.
In truth, he hadn't fully decided on what to do today; leaving or staying was a problem for him.
"Perhaps life is multifaceted, with each aspect having its own brilliance."
He shook his head slightly, and a very small figure entered his sight.
Ahead of him, a tiny figure was crouched by the street, a broken bowl placed in front of her. Her eyes were covered with cloth, and for what reason, he didn't know.
"It's so late, what are you doing here?"
Ye Longlin walked up to her, swept away some snow from the steps with his hand, and sat down.
"Hello, big brother. Xiaoxiao is begging for money here. Brother Zhao said he would hit Xiaoxiao if she didn't get a thousand yuan today."
The little girl's voice was ethereal, like a lark's, very pleasant to hear. However, her tattered clothes and dirty little face were heartbreaking to see.
Her rosy cheeks looked as if a gentle pinch would draw out water.
Ye Longlin's brow immediately furrowed. "Begging for money," and "hitting people" – these words made him think of something, and his expression gradually turned grim.
"Big brother, are you still there?" Xiaoxiao's voice continued.
"I'm here."
Ye Longlin uttered only those two words, then sighed, exhaling a wisp of icy mist.
"Xiaoxiao doesn't want money, brother. Can you talk to Xiaoxiao?"
The clear voice, accompanied by childishness, also carried a hint of pleading.
It was hard to imagine that in this age of digital payments, such people still existed, or rather, they had always been in the darkness, unnoticed.
Abysses existed in every city, in every country, but Ye Longlin never expected to encounter such a situation.
"Of course. What do you want to talk about, little one? Brother is here."
It wasn't that he was being overly saintly, but he couldn't stand to see such things happen.
He had experienced it himself, so he wanted to offer shelter to others.
He knew that feeling of helplessness and bewilderment, as well as the fear of the unknown.
"Brother, Xiaoxiao is so scared! Xiaoxiao's friend didn't get enough money, and then Xiaoxiao never heard her voice again. Xiaoxiao..."
Before she could finish speaking, a person suddenly emerged from the shadows, shouting angrily, "You little brat, who told you to talk nonsense here? Are you looking for death?"
Upon hearing this voice, Xiaoxiao trembled all over, and a crying voice emerged: "Xiaoxiao wouldn't dare... Brother Zhao, spare me. Don't hit Xiaoxiao, Xiaoxiao is afraid of pain. Xiaoxiao won't dare again. Don't hit Xiaoxiao."
As the voice reached Xiaoxiao's ears, she immediately curled into a ball, lying down on the ground with practiced ease.
Ye Longlin stared at his feet, not looking at the side. The burly man sneered, cursing, "Useless! I thought I was already a beast, but I didn't expect you wouldn't even dare to speak when a child is being beaten next to you. Damn it!"
The man raised a foot and was about to kick Xiaoxiao when Ye Longlin gently looked up and clenched his hand, sending a shockwave into the man's chest!
Zhao Wuji's eyes widened, and he sprayed out a mouthful of blood, flying back more than ten meters into the snow. The entire back of his body was abraded by the cement road until it was bloody and mangled!
A shocking bloodstain was left on the ground!
Unexpectedly, Zhao Wuji sprang up like a carp, and his sinister gaze emanated intense killing intent.
The eyes of someone who had killed and someone who hadn't were different. Zhao Wuji's gaze clearly revealed that he had killed more than one person, otherwise, he wouldn't have such potent killing intent.
"Since you're looking for death, I'll send you to see the King of Hell! Coincidentally, I can still sell your organs for a good price!"
Ye Longlin looked at Zhao Wuji as if he were already a dead man.
He was already in a bad mood, and now, because of him, his mood worsened.
"Tell me who is behind you. This King can let you die more quickly."
Zhao Wuji sneered, "What the hell are you? You dog! Do you really think I'm alone?"
Saying that, he blew a whistle, and immediately, figures holding cleavers emerged from the shadows, approximately twelve in number.
"I just finished with a woman, and when I came back, this little thing was chatting with him. Damn it, kill him! We absolutely cannot let this information leak!"
The twelve men surrounded Ye Longlin. Xiaoxiao seemed to sense something, her curled-up body rising, and she knelt down on the ground unsteadily, crying, "Brother Zhao, please let this big brother go. Xiaoxiao will kowtow to you. It's Xiaoxiao's fault. Xiaoxiao wanted big brother to chat with her. I'm sorry, Xiaoxiao won't dare again. Please let big brother go."
Cold and fear pierced her bones simultaneously, making Xiaoxiao's small body appear so weak, pitiable, and helpless in the icy snow.
Ye Longlin's eyes gathered a glint of coldness, which eventually burst forth. With a surge of martial energy, the accumulated snow on the ground condensed into a snow-white battle saber.
"Die!"
Ye Longlin uttered only this word!
The anger in his heart was already surging!
He was wild and domineering in the snow. Long sabers fell upon his head, but none could advance an inch.
"Martial practitioner! High-level martial practitioner!!"
"Run!"
Upon witnessing this, Zhao Wuji's pupils trembled, and he turned to flee. But how could Ye Longlin let him escape? With one stride, he appeared before the figures in an instant. The snow-white battle saber in his hand had already transformed into a blood-colored saber during the battle, stained red with blood!
The entire ground began to flow with blood.
Xiaoxiao couldn't see outside, but her pleas continued.
"Brother Zhao, take Xiaoxiao's organs, but please don't hurt big brother. Big brother is the only one who chatted with Xiaoxiao. Please spare big brother, Brother Zhao..."
Centered around Xiaoxiao, the snowfield was dappled with bloodstains, and the steaming blood melted the accumulated snow.
Zhao Wuji turned his head, and Ye Longlin's palm struck the side of his head. With his other hand, he similarly struck the head of a person next to him, instantly shattering their skull!
Zhao Wuji staggered, collapsing to the ground, and instinctively looked towards the center of the action, his fear escalating to the point of madness.
"You... you... devil... you are the devil!"
In the dark night, accompanied by his wails and screams, the night sky appeared even more desolate.
At this moment, a bright headlight pierced the darkness.
Three figures descended from a car.
"Boss, what's going on? Are you alright? We had quite a search for you."