"Please… our village was attacked by bandits a few days ago. I need that money to hire guards so they can protect our village."
The girl knelt on the ground, her voice trembling. Tears kept falling from her eyes, mixing with the blood running down her forehead, staining the dirt beneath her. She kept begging the three men standing in front of her.
"I don't care."
A burly man stepped forward. His muscles bulged beneath his clothes, and his gaze was cold and disgusting. He looked her up and down while slowly licking his lips.
"A month ago, you borrowed money from us. Today is the deadline," he said flatly, his tone cruel."You have to pay back the debt along with the interest. But this money isn't even close— it's not enough for the principal, let alone the interest."
The girl trembled in fear.
"I-I promise I'll pay it back! But right now, I really need this money to hire guards!"She screamed in despair, then smashed her forehead into the ground, again and again.
The commotion drew attention. People nearby slowly gathered, forming a small crowd. Whispers spread in every direction.
I stood among them, calmly observing, judging the situation without stepping in.
The burly man glanced at the surrounding crowd and frowned impatiently.
"What are you all staring at?" he barked."This woman borrowed money from us a month ago. Today, we're collecting it."
He walked up to her and grabbed her hair roughly, forcing her head up.
"Since she can't repay her debt, starting today she'll work as a prostitute to pay it off."He turned toward the crowd."This applies to all of you who owe us money. Make sure you have the cash before the deadline."
"Now get lost."
The crowd, which had been whispering moments ago, quickly dispersed. I turned away as well.
Even though I could see a faint golden glow around the girl—clear proof of a female lead template—I chose not to interfere. A protagonist would probably show up soon to save her anyway. If I stepped in now, the trouble she carried might drag me down with her.
Heroine equals trouble.
I walked away.
But suddenly—
A figure rushed past me, accompanied by the clinking sound of a pouch being held tightly.
"Hurry! Catch that girl!"
Shouts came from behind. Several people chased after her, and in no time at all, the girl was caught.
"Please!" She collapsed onto the ground, crying uncontrollably."I have to bring help to my village right away! If I don't, they'll die!"
"Don't hurt her," a man's voice said from a distance."We need her in good condition to serve customers."
I glanced at her briefly. Somehow, the clothes that had been clean before were now stained red, as if soaked in blood. Our eyes met for an instant—I immediately looked away.
Just as I was about to pass them, I felt someone stop me. When I turned around, I saw the girl gripping my robe tightly.
"Master… I'm willing to be your servant." She looked at me. Her eyes were filled with tears, her face pale, blood still flowing from her forehead. Yet beneath the despair, a faint spark of hope still burned, making her gaze feel alive.
The two men holding her froze in shock. One of them immediately slapped her hard.
"Young master!"The man quickly bowed."Please forgive us for failing to control this slave. We'll cut off her hand as an apology for dirtying your robe."
"That won't be necessary," I said calmly.
I tried to pull my robe back, but her grip was too tight—like she refused to let go.
"I'll do anything you want," she said, her voice shaking but firm."I'll serve you for the rest of my life. I'm only fifteen, so I can serve you for a very long time."
I looked into her eyes.I could feel the determination there.
I let out a soft sigh.
This world was truly cruel. They casually turned a fifteen-year-old girl into a prostitute—and no one stopped them.
"She's only fifteen," I said to the man in front of me."Are there really customers who'd want her, considering she's so young and inexperienced?"
"Of course there are."
Another burly man approached with a lecherous smile.
"Plenty of people like young girls, especially virgins. It all depends on taste."
He clasped his hands together and bowed slightly."My name is Li Wen. Greetings, young master."
"From what I can tell," he continued, "young master seems to prefer mature, experienced women. If you're interested, you can visit the Moon Night Pavilion. For your first time, the service will be free."
From his answer, I immediately realized that this was completely normal practice here.
Even though I had no intention of getting involved with this girl, I could at least help her escape this situation.
"How much does she owe?" I asked."I'll pay it."
"One gold coin," Li Wen replied with a smile."But for you, only half is enough."
I searched my storage ring, but there were no mundane items like that inside. So I tossed out one low-grade spirit stone.
Everyone froze.
I could already guess why.
"Keep the change," I said.
"Thank you for your generosity, young master," the three men said as they bowed deeply before leaving us alone.
I took the girl by the arm and led her toward the City Guard Hall.
"Sir… thank you for saving me," she said as she bowed."My name is Lin Xiaoyu. I'm willing to serve you for the rest of my life."
I glanced at her and noticed the bloodstains on her clothes spreading further.
"Don't worry. Take this. It should help your injuries heal."
I tossed her a pill.
"Sir, may I go to the City Guard Hall?""I need to hire protection for my village," she said, lowering her head.
"That was my destination from the start," I replied."Take the pill and follow me."
Hearing that, she lifted her head, her face filled with joy, and smiled.
"Thank you, Master."
I turned around, and we continued on our way until we arrived at the City Guard Hall.
"Do what you need to do," I said."I have my own business here."
With that, I stepped inside.
The moment I entered, several people noticed me. A man in armor walked over politely. Judging by his aura, he was fairly strong.
"From your attire, you must be from the Chu Family," he said warmly."What brings you here today?"
"I'd like to ask," I replied,"do you have any criminals scheduled for execution? One woman and one man."
The guard looked confused."Yes, we do. But is there a specific reason you're looking for them?"
"The path of cultivation is filled with blood and killing," I said casually."But my heart isn't ready for that yet. I came here to fix that."
The guard nodded, as if he understood."Indeed, killing people isn't easy. I struggled with it the first time too."
"By the way," he added,"my name is Yan Fei. The commander isn't around, so I'm in charge here."
"Chu Haoyu," I replied."From the Chu Family."
He smiled and guided me to the holding cells, preparing two prisoners just as I requested.
"I've made sure they can't resist," he warned."But still, be careful."
He then left, leaving me alone with the two prisoners.
I turned to them. Their eyes were filled with wariness as I approached.
"Relax," I said."I have a request. If you're willing, I'll help you get out of here."
The two exchanged confused looks. Finally, a middle-aged woman spoke.
"What could a young master from such a prestigious family want from people like us?"
I took a breath and spoke as if reminiscing about the past.
"Even though I come from a great family, the truth is I've always been lonely. At home, there was no one except the servants who raised me since childhood."
"My parents went off to a great battle," I continued, my expression turning sad."After that, I was raised by servants. And how painful it was when I learned… I would never see my parents again."
I lifted my head and looked at them both.
"That's why," I said slowly,"I hope… you're willing to become my parents."