Unable to convey

Hmm?

The sound of galloping hooves in the distance shattered Bai Ci’s thoughts—and the strangely intimate atmosphere between him and the girl.

Following the noise, Bai Ci saw a cavalry unit charging toward them. As he got a closer look, one thing became clear:

Their armor was identical to that of the two soldiers who had died beside him upon waking.

Are they here for revenge?

Bai Ci winced inwardly.

But I didn’t even kill those two…

“It’s the Holy Heaven Army,” the girl said, noticing Bai Ci’s confusion. Her crystalline lips revealed the identity of the approaching force.

“The Holy Heaven Army?” Bai Ci had never heard the term before.

“The imperial army directly under Yundu Empire—basically the strongest military power in this nation,” the girl explained calmly.

Hearing that, Bai Ci studied the approaching troops. Fortunately, their numbers were small. If conflict broke out, he could at least escape unscathed.

“They won’t cause us trouble, right?” Bai Ci asked.

“Who knows?”

In my experience, they’re just lazy good-for-nothings who love causing chaos.

The girl sighed, her assessment of the Holy Heaven Army utterly merciless.

Lazy and malicious?

That’s quite a contradiction.

“You’ve never heard of them?” The girl seemed genuinely surprised.

“No.”

Now it was the girl’s turn to be speechless. She couldn’t fathom how someone could grow up knowing so little—his common knowledge level was like that of an infant.

“Still… they’re probably here for me.”

Her lashes trembled slightly as she let out a delicate sigh.

“For you? Did you do something wrong?” Bai Ci asked, startled.

So the saying “beauty brings disaster” is true after all.

If he got arrested for harboring a criminal on his very first day in this world, that’d be a terrible start.

“Maybe because I’m dangerous,” the girl said with a bitter smile.

Then Bai Ci remembered—when they first met, she had asked, You aren’t afraid of me?

She looked resigned, spreading her arms helplessly.

“The bird craving freedom… is about to be caged again.”

Is that so…

Was it because she reminded him of Yue Ling? Or was it simply that he couldn’t stand seeing a beautiful girl suffer?

“I understand.”

“If they’re after you, then you should leave immediately…”

“I’ll hold them off.”

Bai Ci didn’t know why he said it.

He only knew—this was what he had to do.

“Uh… why would you help me…?” The girl stared at him, bewildered by his sudden heroism.

“Well… actually…” She began, but Bai Ci cut her off:

“Consider it repayment for telling me about demons, demon lords, and the Demon King. Quite the story.”

Bai Ci flashed what he thought was a cool, confident smile.

…….

The girl couldn’t help but burst into laughter at his adorably earnest expression.

“Alright then…”

“But don’t you dare tell them you saw me!”

Suppressing her giggles, she waved cheerfully:

“We’ll definitely meet again!”

“And next time, be sure to tell me your name…”

Before Bai Ci could finish, the girl dashed away at impossible speed—vanishing in the opposite direction.

Bai Ci stood there, stunned.

She’s gone already?

Wait—how could she leave so abruptly?

In every story he’d read, this moment should’ve had a lingering gaze, a passionate kiss, a bittersweet farewell…

And at least let me finish my sentence!

He completely failed to realize he was the one who interrupted her with his “cool” act.

His throat suddenly dry, Bai Ci swallowed hard—trying to moisten it.

Human interactions on Earth were so much simpler…

What a stubborn kid…

But… kind of manly, huh?

Far away, the girl recalled Bai Ci’s actions and couldn’t help but laugh again.

Hmph… being protected by a human…

Then, where no one could see, she stopped, unfolded two pairs of butterfly-like wings glowing with demonic energy—yet shimmering with dreamlike light—and soared into the azure sky.

From above, she silently watched what was about to unfold.

Bai Ci…

Let me see it once more…
that power of yours.

“Hey, you there.”

A cold voice came from the approaching cavalry. Clearly, it was directed at Bai Ci, still standing dumbfounded.

Bai Ci knew—he was now targeted by the Holy Heaven Army. Wasting time on useless thoughts wouldn’t help.

His priority was fulfilling his promise to the girl—at the very least, ensuring she wouldn’t be caught.

As the unwelcome guests drew nearer, Bai Ci considered how best to deflect them.

Soon, soldiers clad in polished silver heavy armor surrounded him on horseback, weapons drawn.

“Why didn’t you answer when I called you, brat?” Soldier A sneered down at Bai Ci.

“Sorry. What do you want?”

Bai Ci replied flatly. Anyone could see these men meant no good.

He had no intention of getting involved with them.

As a newcomer to this world, caution was key—especially without understanding the local power dynamics.

“Let me take a look… oh? Not bad-looking, huh?”

Soldier B grinned lewdly upon seeing Bai Ci.

They acted like street thugs. Hard to believe they belonged to the empire’s elite imperial army.

……

Bai Ci felt disgusted. Sure, by normal standards, he wasn’t ugly.

But hearing it from these guys? It just felt slimy.

His first impression of the Holy Heaven Army was abysmal.

“I’ll be going now.” Bai Ci turned to leave, pretending to ignore Soldier B’s provocation.

“Who said you could go?” Soldier A rode in front, blocking his path.

………

So in this world, strength trumps reason…

Bai Ci gave Soldier A a cold, silent glare.

“You—asking for death!”

Seeing Bai Ci’s indifferent stare, Soldier A exploded in rage.

And not without reason. As a soldier dispatched from the capital to this backwater town, he was used to absolute authority. No one dared to challenge him—let alone look at him like that.

Now this nobody had the nerve to act so calm, even glaring back?

In front of his comrades, his pride was wounded. He had to humiliate Bai Ci and reclaim his dignity.

Seeing Soldier A’s fury, an officer nearby waved him back, signaling restraint.

Then the officer stepped forward, towering over Bai Ci on horseback.

“I ask you—have you seen the Saintess?”

Saintess…?

Could that girl really be the nation’s Saintess?

No way…

For some reason, the moment he heard “Saintess,” his mind instantly linked it to the mysterious girl from moments ago.

Bai Ci scrambled for words to conceal her escape—buying her every second he could.

“Who?”
“In such a remote place, what Saintess?”
“Never seen her.” Bai Ci brushed it off casually.

……

Seeing Bai Ci play dumb, the officer patiently tried describing her with a barrage of adjectives, hoping something might jog his memory:

“She’s about your age.”
“Golden eyes… a face so beautiful it could blind you…”

“Sorry, I really don’t know.” Bai Ci shook his head, playing the role of an unshakable fool perfectly.

“You’d better think harder,” the officer warned, his patience vanishing. His tone dropped, thick with threat.

The High Priest in the capital had clearly sensed a powerful surge of light-element energy here.

Yet when they arrived, all they found was this ordinary youth.

How could they not suspect him?

Bai Ci noticed the shift in the officer’s demeanor and changed tactics.

“Instead of chasing the Saintess, maybe focus on the demons here.”

“If I hadn’t been around, that demon would’ve killed countless people.”

He gestured to the scattered remains of the demon nearby—proof of his claim.

“You expect us to believe you killed that?”

The Holy Heaven Army burst into mocking laughter. No one took him seriously.

The officer sighed, exchanged a glance with Soldier A—and the message was clear.

“Kid, you picked the wrong day to die.” Soldier A sneered, drawing his silver sword.

I already said I don’t know anything—what’s their problem?!

“I saved lives. Shouldn’t I be rewarded? Now I’m the one in danger?”

Three dark lines appeared on Bai Ci’s forehead.

Are humans in this world really this unreasonable?

Compared to these so-called humans, even Earth’s scumbags seemed like gentlemen.

“The Saintess is top-level classified.”
“Anyone unauthorized who gains knowledge… will be executed on sight.”
“As for your reward—go collect it in hell!”

With a wicked grin, Soldier A raised his sword, ready to strike down the unfortunate Bai Ci.