Saving System: Calm Down, My Fleeing Host!

Chapter 395 - 387: Dark Pavilion Assassin

"Host, it seems like the level is not low. I wonder how many civilians have died this time."

Indeed, it’s always the common people who suffer in natural disasters. Anyway, system rewards don’t differentiate between nations; as long as I can save someone, I will. Who would refuse System Coins?

In a flash of white light, Cheng Xiaoxiao arrived at Dayan City, the site of the earthquake. She stood one kilometer away from the city gate, at the outskirts. She wasn’t foolish enough to teleport to the center; encountering aftershocks, landslides, or ground collapse could be fatal.

With her current cultivation, how could she contend against nature?

In the distance, the tall, majestic city walls had collapsed by half. Countless residential buildings were destroyed. The sky had fallen, the ground had sunk, the casualties among the civilians were severe, and the losses were incalculable.

Cheng Xiaoxiao took a deep breath. Seeing the devastation before her, she couldn’t help but recall the earthquake she had personally experienced in her past life.

In the face of natural disasters, humans are always insignificant. Even in this world, where people have much greater strength, they still are like ants before nature.

According to the information gathered by the System, the Prefectural Governor of Dayan City is much better than the officials of Tianqi. He has ordered the city’s Guard Army, City Guard, Government Office constables to participate in the rescue, summoning city doctors to treat the injured, and purchasing grain and medicine.

Just as Cheng Xiaoxiao lifted her foot to enter the city, she heard shouting and killing from behind.

Half an hour ago...

In the mountains directly facing the gate of Dayan City, a group of people was cooking together. All of them were armed with swords or knives, fitting the style of those who frequent the Jianghu.

Among the group was a highly capable woman, clad in a tight-fitting outfit, her hair tied in a male fashion. Her originally delicate face was covered with dust, diminishing her softness while adding a different kind of charm.

Most of the dozen or so people were as disheveled as her. Some were even seriously injured, with dried blood soaking through their clothes.

Beside the woman in fitted clothes was a child, six or seven years old, with bright eyes and white teeth. His fair face also had a thin layer of soot. His hair was a bit messy, and he was curled up, shivering in the cold.

The little boy seemed to remember something, clinging to the sleeve of the woman in tight clothes, his body a bit stiff.

He looked up at her, worry and fear in his eyes, tears silently sliding down his face.

"Xiao Yu, don’t be afraid."

The woman gently patted the boy’s head, saying, "Don’t worry, Big Sister will make sure you find your father. It will definitely be okay then."

The boy called Xiao Yu was a bit anxious and timidly asked, "Sister Bingbing, my, my father, will he protect me and my mother? I, I don’t even know him."

"You are your father’s own flesh and blood; he will certainly protect you, rest assured?"

The woman smiled, but she couldn’t help thinking of the pitiful woman who had been abandoned in a farmer’s household. Spending a hefty sum to hire their Escort Agency, the boy would surely live a life of comfort, but luck might not be the same for the mother he mentioned.

The dark secrets of manor houses are not unheard of, so she didn’t hold too much hope.

This woman in tight clothes was Yang Bingbing, the eldest daughter of the Yang Yuan Escort Agency in Han Zhong. This Yang Yuan Escort Agency was renowned in Han Zhong, and Leader Yang Zhiyuan was a powerful Void Mirror expert.

In his youth, he had established the Yang Yuan Escort Agency, and for twenty years, he had thrived in Han Zhong.

Yang Zhiyuan was known for his generosity and easygoing nature, with many friends and a decent reputation in the Jianghu.

The only flaw was that Yang Zhiyuan had never managed to have a son, which was a bitter pill for him to swallow. Despite many attempts at seeking medical help, it was eventually confirmed to be his problem. This burden weighed on his chest, but his wife’s comfort and companionship helped him gradually emerge from that dark period.

He eventually poured all his energy into running the Escort Agency and teaching his daughter, lessening the burden on his heart significantly.

As his daughter gradually grew up, the knot in his heart slowly unraveled. His daughter was very capable, inheriting his cheerful disposition, and became somewhat famous in Han Zhong at a young age.

Her abilities and talent were excellent. From an early age, she was groomed as a successor, handling affairs within the Escort Agency adeptly, becoming a Ming Strength Martial Artist in her teens.

At such a young age, with such strength, she was outstanding even among major sects.

However, staying indoors is never as enlightening as traveling thousands of miles. Yang Zhiyuan intended for his daughter to go out and experience more, and Yang Bingbing had the same thought.

Just at this time, the Yang Yuan Escort Agency received an escort mission to escort a child to the Commandery Mansion of Dayan City.

So, he entrusted this not-too-difficult task to his daughter as a training opportunity.

However, what was thought to be a simple mission turned out to be fraught with obstacles. Barely out of Han Zhong, the escort team faced multiple ambushes. Several people from the Yang Yuan Escort Agency were killed before they managed to reach the outskirts of Dayan City.

Although this mission seemed easy, out of concern for his daughter’s safety, Yang Zhiyuan specifically sent one of the Escort Agency’s top Void Realm experts, Yang Hua, to accompany them. Otherwise, with continual ambushes, they might have been wiped out long ago.

After enduring wave after wave of assaults, they kept fleeing, yet their pursuers relentlessly pursued them, showing a never-ending determination to wipe them out, leaving them struggling all the way.

With great difficulty, they reached the mountainous area not far from Dayan City, thinking they could be safe as long as they entered the city.

No one expected the earth dragon to turn over in Dayan City.

They had no choice but to temporarily set up camp here.

They planned to move forward once conditions improved, but their situation was very precarious, as assassins might catch up to them.

It was truly a dilemma on all sides.

While they were resting, a middle-aged man carrying a large blade walked over. He was one of the only two Void Realm experts in the Escort Agency.

Yang Hua pulled Yang Bingbing aside and spoke softly, "Young Miss, I have something I want to discuss with you."

"What’s wrong, Uncle Hua?" Yang Bingbing stood up and asked.

Yang Hua glanced at the child, a trace of guilt flashing in his eyes, indicating they should move further away to talk. So, Yang Bingbing and Yang Hua distanced themselves from the fire, stepped into the darkness, and said, "Bingbing, I fear we can’t complete the escort. Those people won’t let us go."

Yang Bingbing was taken aback, "Uncle Hua, how can this be? In the Jianghu, our Escort Agency is built on trust. I know this journey has cost us dearly and isn’t worth it, but we can’t just let it go like this. How will the Yang Yuan Escort Agency stand in the Jianghu in the future?"

Yang Hua sighed and said, "Do you think life is more important or credit?"

"Uncle Hua, what do you mean?" Yang Bingbing asked urgently.

Yang Hua pulled out a Mystic Iron Token with black edges from his chest. On the front, there was a large, striking "kill" character. The two characters "Dark Pavilion" in calligraphy at the bottom made her soul tremble.

The other side was engraved with "Third-Class Executioner."

Yang Bingbing’s heart tightened abruptly, her breath quickened, and she said uncertainly, "Dark Pavilion, Uncle Hua, you can’t be mistaken, can you? Isn’t it...?"

"These assassins in recent days were all sent by the Dark Pavilion, right?"