Chapter Seven: Offering Myself in Devotion

"Young Master Xiao, please have mercy, it's all a misunderstanding, truly just a misunderstanding." The bandit chief's voice trembled as he spoke. Though he was a ruthless killer, when his own life was at stake, his courage faltered.

"Misunderstanding, my foot!" Xiao Fei struck the back of the bandit's head fiercely with the butt of his pistol. "You lot are bandits—if I don't kill you, even Heaven won't forgive me."

"Father... Father..."

"Her father... her father..."

The family of three huddled around the old man's corpse, weeping uncontrollably.

"I'll kill you!" The girl's younger brother snatched a short knife from the ground and stabbed at the bandit in a frenzy. But he was only a boy in his early teens, his arms too weak to inflict harm.

Seeing this, Xiao Fei's hatred flared to its utmost. He quickly seized the knife from the boy's hand, wanting to avenge him. He felt his own strength might suffice, since his gun was already out of bullets—otherwise, he wouldn't have let this villainous bandit chief live this long.

But just then, the bandit chief, cornered and desperate, spun around and with a crack, knocked the pistol from Xiao Fei's grasp. By the time Xiao Fei lunged with the knife, the bandit chief had already dashed several meters away. Years of living by the sword had honed his survival instincts—he suspected Xiao Fei was out of ammunition, but dared not confirm it, so he wasted no time and fled.

Once he felt safe, the bandit chief hurled a threat over his shoulder: "I don't care who you are, or what ties you have to the Xiao family—you'll all be dead soon. I'll have my revenge!" With that, he disappeared into the night.

Xiao Fei knew he couldn't catch up, and even if he could, he wasn't a match for the man—he truly had no bullets left.

Just moments earlier, when the bandit chief tried to violate the young maiden, Xiao Fei's courage and strength had reached their zenith. At that critical instant, the intelligent system had rewarded him with thirty points of energy, and Ling’er, ever perceptive, immediately exchanged those for three bullets, relaying this to her master. That was how Xiao Fei managed to reverse the dire situation at the last possible moment. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unthinkable.

Human potential is often awakened in the most extreme circumstances. Xiao Fei's unwillingness to see such a beautiful girl humiliated, and his pity for the suffering family, had driven him to the edge, unleashing his latent abilities—hence, three shots, three hits.

Yet, Xiao Fei still felt a deep regret. The girl's father need not have died, but now it was too late. And if Ling’er had managed to exchange for just one more bullet, that wretched bandit chief would have met his end as well.

"Master, don't be disheartened. Because of your bravery and righteous spirit, the system has awarded you three hundred energy points," Ling’er said.

Even though he had been granted three hundred energy points at once, Xiao Fei couldn't muster any excitement.

"Benefactor, benefactor, thank you, benefactor!"

While Xiao Fei was still dejected, a pure and sweet voice sounded. The young maiden dropped to her knees before him with a thud.

"Oh, no, no, please, what are you doing?" Xiao Fei was flustered, not knowing how to respond, and hurried to help her up.

"Benefactor, you have saved our entire family. Please accept my deepest gratitude," the girl said, bowing her head again.

Her mother, still tearful, brought the boy over, and both knelt before Xiao Fei as well.

"Please, please, get up, all of you. There's no need for this. It was nothing, really... If you don't get up, I'll be upset," Xiao Fei pleaded helplessly.

Hearing this, the girl's mother and brother slowly rose to their feet.

Xiao Fei couldn't help but reach out to assist the girl. She whimpered softly, her slender shoulders trembling, a faint fragrance drifting from her, her hair flowing, brows arched, lips rosy—all the hallmarks of true beauty. With tears glistening in her eyes and a look of delicate sorrow, her appearance moved Xiao Fei deeply.

To think that such a lovely girl had just lost her father and nearly suffered at the hands of bandits was enough to break anyone's heart.

Always gentle and protective toward women, Xiao Fei's heart ached for her. He held her small hands tightly, reluctant to let go.

"Benefactor, you're hurting me," the girl murmured shyly, lowering her head.

"Oh... I'm sorry, truly sorry. But, please, stop calling me benefactor. My name is Xiao Fei, I'm eighteen this year. If you don't mind, you can call me brother, or little brother, depending on your age," he said with a chuckle.

"I wouldn't dare. You're the young master of the Xiao family—someone of my humble background could never presume such intimacy," the girl replied hastily.

"Come now, since you call me benefactor, shouldn't you listen to me? Then I command you not to call me benefactor again, understood?" Xiao Fei said seriously.

"Well... all right. My name is Cheng Hongyu, I'm seventeen, a year younger than you. If you don't mind, I'll call you Brother Xiao Fei," she said, her cheeks flushing crimson.

"That's wonderful, little sister Yu’er. From now on, just call me brother," Xiao Fei replied.

Hearing him call her "Yu’er," Cheng Hongyu blushed even deeper. Fearing he might say something even more embarrassing, she quickly slipped away to her mother's side.

"Thank you, Young Master Xiao, for accepting my daughter as your sister. I am truly grateful," her mother said.

"Madam, there's no need for such formality. No more words of thanks. The most important thing now is to bury Yu’er’s father and find a safe place for you all—otherwise, that bandit may return," Xiao Fei said earnestly.

The family turned back to gaze at the old man's body, tears welling up once more.

It wasn't yet time to leave, so Xiao Fei helped them bury Old Cheng nearby.

After a flurry of tense activity, it was already past nine in the evening.

Xiao Fei offered some words of comfort, then prepared to take his leave.

The Cheng family planned to seek refuge with distant relatives for now, to escape the bandits.

Xiao Fei wished he could always protect Cheng Hongyu’s family, or simply take them home with him. But given his current circumstances, he simply didn't have the means.

"Ling’er, now that I have three hundred energy points, can I exchange them for real silver?" Xiao Fei worried the Cheng family had nothing to live on and quickly sought a solution.

"Of course. Three hundred points can be exchanged for thirty taels of silver. Shall I make the trade?" Ling’er replied.

"Exchange it all," Xiao Fei ordered.

As soon as he spoke, thirty taels worth of silver notes appeared in his hand.

"Madam, please accept this small token. It may be of use to you," Xiao Fei said, pressing the silver into Cheng Hongyu’s mother’s hands.

"Oh no, we couldn’t possibly accept. You’ve already saved our lives—how could we take your money as well?" the old woman protested.

"Yes, Brother Xiao Fei, we absolutely cannot accept this," Cheng Hongyu echoed, her voice firm.

"Yu’er, be good. Accept this as my gift. If you refuse, I’ll be truly angry," Xiao Fei said, stepping forward to press the silver into her hands.

Finding herself once again addressed as Yu’er and having her hand grasped tightly, Cheng Hongyu was so flustered she quickly retreated, afraid he might say something even more forward. She hurriedly said, "All right, all right, we'll accept it."

"That’s better," Xiao Fei replied with satisfaction.

Cheng Hongyu’s mother was no fool. She could see the young master before her seemed taken with her daughter, and her daughter appeared to feel the same. She nodded discreetly.

"My friends, I have urgent matters at home. I must take my leave," Xiao Fei said, preparing to go.

"Take care, Young Master Xiao," Cheng Hongyu’s mother stepped forward. "You have been a great benefactor to our family, and you are a man of honor and feeling. If you do not mind, I entrust Yu’er’s future to you. To accept her as a concubine or maid would be our greatest blessing. If not, then let her serve you as a humble servant all her life and we would still have no complaint."

"Mother, what are you saying..." Cheng Hongyu hid behind her mother, cheeks scarlet.

Xiao Fei swallowed hard.

Could it be? Was this the famed ancient custom of betrothing oneself in gratitude? And with such an exquisite beauty? Such good fortune had fallen on him?

His heart rejoiced at the thought.

But after the initial excitement, Xiao Fei calmed himself. He had only just arrived in this era, his future uncertain and fraught with unknowns. He was in no position to love a girl now.

To give only the best to the woman he loved had always been his principle. But he had nothing to offer at present. Besides, to accept her at such a vulnerable moment would be taking advantage of her plight—a thing he could never do. Even if Cheng Hongyu was willing to follow him, it was likely out of gratitude, not love. He wanted a love untainted by obligation.

"Madam, I must decline. How could I take your beloved daughter at such a time? Wouldn't that make me no better than those bandits?" Xiao Fei replied solemnly.

"Brother Xiao Fei, I like you. Please be my brother-in-law; I support it," interjected Cheng Hongyu’s brother, Cheng Tiezhu.

"Young Master Xiao, I speak from my heart. And my daughter will only be safe with you," the old woman insisted.

"Madam, please, I truly can't..." Xiao Fei was at a loss.

"Enough, Mother. How could Young Master Xiao ever look upon someone like me? We are unworthy. Let's go," Cheng Hongyu said, wiping her tears and pulling her mother away. There was a trace of unspoken emotion in her words.

Xiao Fei understood. He could see Cheng Hongyu might truly like him, but he still couldn't bring himself to accept.

"Yu’er..." Watching her storm off, Xiao Fei felt a pang of regret.

"Brother Xiao Fei, I've decided—you'll be my brother-in-law. When I grow up, I want to be as strong as you," Cheng Tiezhu whispered before running after his family.

As Cheng Hongyu turned, tears streamed down her face. Though she had only known Xiao Fei for a few hours, his image was already etched deep in her heart. His kindness was immeasurable. Even if she had to serve him as a maid, she would do so willingly. Yet he had rejected her.

Her tears flowed uncontrollably. Suddenly she remembered the letter Xiao Fei had given her. She hurriedly took it out and called after him, "Brother Xiao Fei..."

But his figure had already vanished.

Xiao Fei had activated his Thunder Wings, soaring through the night sky. He had been away from home too long; his sister-in-law’s meal would have long been ready for him.

Sister-in-law, I’m coming home.