Zhe Huo sneered through gritted teeth. “Let’s see which of us will be walking away from this! You want to take him from me? Why don’t you just try it!”
The man in black arched an eyebrow at her. His eyes lit up with cruel amusement. With a slow, leisurely movement, he waved his hand at her. “Attack.”
At his command, the men gathered behind him surged forward.
Hugging Qinghan tightly to herself, Zhe Huo lashed her whip mightily, sending multiple shockwaves slicing forth through the air. With the hooked blade at the end, she caught the leg of the table and yanked hard, hurling it at the oncoming attackers. Glass cups shattered on the floor in a clatter even as the table itself burst apart in a shower of splinters.
Zhe Huo knew that meant things were going badly for her, but she stood her ground regardless. One versus many, it would be a tough fight in any case, but here she was holding Qinghan in one arm as well. The men in black were using feints to bait her attacks and tire her out, before moving in for the kill. No, she couldn’t allow the bad guys to overcome her like this!
She looked around desperately, and used her whip to catch a wooden bench nearby, and then pull it over to her. With a sweep of her legs, she alighted upon it, so she could look down upon her foes and announce, “This is going nowhere. Let’s change things up a bit.”
The leader seemed to have already seen through her ploy. “Lady, there’s no use trying to stall for time,” he chided with amusement.
“No use? Hardly.” Zhe Huo twirled her whip through the air, a rapidly spiraling coil. The attackers in front immediately dodged aside as her whip lashed out towards the door, the hooked blade finding the door latch with unerring precision, allowing her to throw the door open. As a violent draft rushed in, Zhe Huo demonstrated her new strategy and began shrieking, “Help! Save me! These fiends are after my life!”
The men in black were stunned speechless.
Although not the most honorable display, it was undeniably effective. Soon, the other guests began hurrying over from nearby rooms. Here came a man now, fiercely brandishing a Demonbane Sword. “Fear not, my lady! This one is Gu Mingtian, Demon Slayer! Where are these fiends?”
There was a moment of silence.
Even Zhe Huo was lost for words. Surely this was too convenient! It couldn’t be! One cry for help, and a demon slayer had come to her rescue? Right away, without delay?
Not daring to believe this stroke of good fortune, it was a moment before Zhe Huo came to and pointed at her aggressors, tears streaming down her face. “Save me, good sir! These thugs are ganging up to have their way with me… even my precious little brother has been marked as prey for their villainy!”
Eyebrows rising into his hairline, Gu Mingtian surged forward without hesitation, sword raised. Battle was joined, and a crowd was swiftly gathering. Everyone saw a frail young woman, cradling a comatose child in her arms, being set upon by a whole band of unsavory brutes. Faced with such a scene, who could stand idly by!
A veritable flood of heroes and warriors arrived to join the fray. Seeing that the tables had turned against them, the men in black strafed the assembled crowd with menacing glares for a moment, then disappeared in a sudden cloud of dense smoke.
Zhe Huo blustered her thanks to her host of saviors. As they took their leave of her, she couldn’t help calling out to Mingtian, “Mr Gu! I can’t thank you enough for lending me your aid, here!”
Mingtian waved off her gratitude. “Think nothing of it, my lady. Just call me Mingtian. I’m right next door. If those scoundrels should dare return—one word and I’ll come running.”
So he was staying just next door. That explained his speedy arrival. Zhe Huo looked down at the child lying limp in her arms, and a fresh pang of agony pierced her heart. She looked back up to the demon slayer. “Sir Mingtian, I think my little brother’s been poisoned. Could I trouble you to find a healer for him?”
It was one thing after another from her, but she simply couldn’t bear the thought of running out into the cold, dark night carrying Qinghan in this state. What if it made his condition worse? And she couldn’t leave him alone here without her, either—what if the men in black came back?
Fortunately, Mingtian had no objections, and ran off to summon a doctor straight away.