Chapter 39: Such a Powerful Woman

Translator: Tim Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

“There’s no other way here but this road. If you enter the mountains, you’ll reach the Gui Xiang mountain range. While there are a few tourist spots, it’s mostly primitive forest. If you get off here, there’s really nowhere to go…” a kind middle-aged man said from the car.

The woman was silent a moment before returning to her seat. Whether she agreed with the man or not remained unclear, but Ye Mo’s heart stirred. While getting off here wouldn't benefit others, it suited him perfectly.

He knew the Gui Xiang mountain range well; its expanse spanned the three provinces of Hu Zhong, Xiang Huai, and Gui Nan, named after one of China’s three greatest mountain ranges. Gui Nan province bordered Vietnam, and his destination, Gui Lin, was its southernmost city.

Traveling by car required multiple vehicle changes through Hu Zhong, Xiang Huai, and Gui Nan, a risky proposition without his identity papers. Leaving from the Gui Xiang mountain range was much safer, albeit slower. Plus, many trains passed through the range—an escape route, though he wasn't pressed; he could cultivate while walking.

“Driver, stop. I’m getting off; a friend’s car is coming,” Ye Mo said, heading to the front.

The driver and passengers were stunned, even the woman, who regarded Ye Mo curiously. She hadn't gotten off because she feared arousing suspicion. A woman alone in the wilderness was unusual. However, someone else wanting to leave was perfectly convenient.

The driver remained silent; the claim of another car clearly indicated Ye Mo’s intention to leave the bus. The bus stopped. Ye Mo exited first, followed by the woman. To everyone’s surprise, two more men disembarked, clearly following Ye Mo and the woman. The driver, however, avoided interfering and quickly drove away.

Ye Mo understood the woman’s intention; she'd signaled her desire to leave earlier. He was puzzled, however, by the two men. Their purpose quickly became apparent as they surrounded the woman. One glared at Ye Mo and sneered, “Punk, if you want to live, get lost! This isn't your concern!”

Ye Mo had stumbled upon a robbery, a situation that amused him. Though the men looked tough, he doubted they were a match for the woman. She stared coldly at them, remaining silent.

“Little girl, hand over your money! Don’t lie; I saw you using your phone. At least ten thousand! Hehe, we were going to rob the bus, but you’re easier,” the man who’d threatened Ye Mo said, leering at the woman.

Ye Mo smiled; he didn't care; both parties were unsavory.

Just as he was about to leave, the woman called, “Wait!”

“What?” Ye Mo asked, unconcerned. Her surprise was evident; she found nothing unusual about him—his appearance, even his shoes, were unremarkable, leading her to suspect he might be mentally unstable.

“Help me with something, and…” The fierce, buxom woman smiled, removing her glasses. Her face transformed; it was like two different people. Ye Mo had never seen such a dramatic change from a simple smile.

“I don’t like fighting,” Ye Mo refused before she finished.

“Haha…” She was momentarily stunned, then laughed. “I don’t need you to fight. I need you to bury these two in the trees later.”

The men, initially focused on Ye Mo, became wary. People usually fled robberies; his fearlessness was unusual. Hearing the woman’s request, the taller man, seizing his knife, lunged at her.

“Crack… Argh…” Two sounds, and the man was down. The shorter man hadn’t reacted, but Ye Mo saw it all. The woman had quickly grabbed the man’s wrist, forcing it upward as he stabbed, then using her hand to deflect the knife into his throat.

Such a powerful woman! The entire sequence took only seconds. If Ye Mo weren't in his second stage of cultivation, he wouldn't have seen it. He reflected that a month prior, in his first stage, the odds would have been unpredictable. This sense of vulnerability spurred him; he needed to grow stronger.

The shorter man finally reacted. He understood they’d met their match. He fled, but the woman kicked the knife from the dead man’s throat, sending it flying into the fleeing man’s back, piercing his heart.

“You’ve got guts. You didn’t have to fight, and you didn’t. Just bury them, and all their money is yours,” she smiled at Ye Mo.

“What if they have no money?” Ye Mo asked calmly. She was surprised; a normal person wouldn’t dare question her.

“If not, this is yours,” she pulled out a wad of cash, keeping about half and giving the rest to Ye Mo—approximately 4,000 to 5,000 dollars.

Ye Mo took the money. It was generous. He smiled, “Deal.”

He casually dragged the bodies into the forest. Watching his ease, a flicker of approval crossed her face. She muttered, “Strong and brave, just not…manly enough.”