"Heh." Li Daoqiang let out another laugh, but this smile held no warmth—it was more mocking. The laughter ceased, and he spoke unhurriedly: "Big brother, I really didn't kill you. The one holding the dagger was sister-in-law. Didn't you see?"
He paused, then added: "Besides, since you're already crippled, dying like this is for the best. It saves you from enduring more pain and humiliation later. Don't you think so, sister-in-law?"
Liu Si trembled all over, her eyes tightly shut, nodding quickly: "Mm-hmm, mm-hmm."
"Big brother, even sister-in-law agrees," Li Daoqiang said, looking seriously at Lin Sanlong.
Lin Sanlong breathed heavily, as if facing reality again, rage and hatred erupting in a torrent of curses: "Li Daoqiang, you're not human, you bastard! You've been deceiving me all along, deliberately tricking me. You're nothing but a petty man. Kill me if you dare, but mark my words—you won't last more than a few days."
Hearing the curses, Li Daoqiang's face broke into another smile. Only when the tirade ended did he say calmly: "Big brother, had your fill of cursing? Go on, I can wait."
Lin Sanlong looked at that smile, and fear once again overwhelmed his anger, as if he were staring at a demon. He averted his gaze.
Seeing this, Li Daoqiang shook his head with a sigh: "Big brother, big brother, why have you become so muddled at the very end? What are we? We're bandits, outlaws—devoid of humanity. Kindness, loyalty, pity—none of that has anything to do with us. Big brother, you taught me all this. How could you forget?"
His face showed disappointment and confusion as he looked at Lin Sanlong, as if genuinely puzzled.
But Lin Sanlong grew even more terrified. He fully understood now that this man, who called him "big brother," had been pretending all along. Suppressing his rage, he gritted his teeth and asked: "You... you've been lying to me the whole time?"
The coldness in Li Daoqiang's eyes deepened, any trace of a smile gone, his voice growing more elusive: "Big brother, you taught me yourself, yet you never understood it yourself? We're bandits and outlaws, and you talk to me about brotherly bonds? Big brother, you're too naive—are you dreaming? 'Dear big brother'—do you even deserve those three words?"
Lin Sanlong trembled even more, regret gnawing at his heart like a festering wound. After decades of dominance, he'd been fooled by a young man, stripped of everything. He bitterly regretted not killing him back then.
Li Daoqiang saw the regret that seemed to tear him apart, feeling a surge of satisfaction. He said coldly: "You've been living a daydream for over two years. Time to wake up, big brother. Let your second brother personally rouse you. Remember, if there's a next life, don't be so naive, and don't overestimate yourself. You're nothing—how could you ever have brothers?"
As the words fell, Lin Sanlong spat out a mouthful of blood. Li Daoqiang had no more patience for games. With a flick of his wrist, the dagger plunged deeper.
Lin Sanlong's eyes bulged, staring fixedly at Li Daoqiang, who met his gaze calmly and openly. In an instant, Lin Sanlong's last breath faded away. A cold, satisfied smirk curled at the corner of Li Daoqiang's mouth, a feeling of unprecedented relief washing over him.
Over two years—he had endured for over two years. Finally, he had personally killed that wretched man.
"Heh, hahaha."
The laughter, suppressed for more than two years, finally burst forth.
He released his grip, stood up, glanced at Liu Si, who had collapsed to the floor, and turned toward the inner room. His voice, neither loud nor soft but resolute, rang out: "Sister-in-law, come in."
Liu Si shuddered violently, snapped out of her daze, and without any hesitation, responded and forced herself to follow.
On the fragrant embroidered bed, Li Daoqiang sat with legs spread wide, watching Liu Si enter with a fearful yet ingratiating expression. Her face was still pale, but her figure was alluring, her features pretty enough. Li Daoqiang didn't mind.
With a composed demeanor, he said: "Sister-in-law, do you know what to do?"
Liu Si hesitated briefly, then replied weakly: "I'll do whatever you say, second brother."
"Mm, good girl." Li Daoqiang nodded calmly. "Strip yourself."
Liu Si froze again, a hint of embarrassment flickering across her face, but she offered no resistance. Raising her hands, she began to undress.
Clouds and rain intertwined, yin and yang harmonized.
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When all was quiet, Li Daoqiang held the soft body in his arms, his mind at peace. The oppression and countless negative emotions of the past two years had been vented a little more. For the first time in a long while, he felt calm inside.
He had to admit, this feeling was quite satisfying.
In his past life, before experiencing it, he had placed great importance on matters between men and women. But after going through it that way, his perspective had shifted. For women he didn't care about, it was a fair exchange—neither side lost anything. It was just that.
Ultimately, if something wasn't yours, there was no need to care, let alone cherish. Just like Liu Si in his arms.
Still, glancing at the information panel showing no change in his bandit points, Li Daoqiang felt a twinge of disappointment. Liu Si wasn't qualified enough.
After lying there for a while, he got up without hesitation, dressed, and said coldly: "Get dressed."
"Mm-hmm." Liu Si immediately complied, much of her fear gone. As she dressed, she began to think about the future. Li Daoqiang was younger, stronger—maybe this wasn't so bad. With her skills, she could still live comfortably.
Once both were dressed, Li Daoqiang asked Liu Si a few questions—about her knowledge of Ling Tuisi, the various strongholds on Fuyun Mountain, and so on.
When he finished and showed no sign of continuing, Liu Si said with a hint of sincerity: "Second brother—no, chieftain—don't worry. I'll handle Lord Ling. I guarantee there won't be any problems."
Li Daoqiang looked at her, his gaze utterly calm, and said flatly: "No need to trouble you, sister-in-law."
"No trouble at all. It's what a sister-in-law should do," Liu Si said with a fawning smile.
"There's only one thing a sister-in-law should do now," Li Daoqiang said firmly.
"What is it?" Liu Si asked, puzzled.
The next moment, Li Daoqiang's hand shot out like lightning, gripping Liu Si's slender neck.
"Second... brother!" In an instant, Liu Si's face twisted, her breathing labored, staring at him in disbelief.
Li Daoqiang's expression remained unchanged, still calm: "Sister-in-law, big brother has passed on. As his younger brother, it's only right to send you to join him."
Liu Si struggled with both hands to pry off that iron grip, but it was useless. Her breathing grew more strained.
Li Daoqiang seemed unhurried, speaking quietly: "Sister-in-law, you were taken by force up the mountain back then, and you've harbored resentment ever since. That's why today you tried to kill me and big brother. Big brother died a miserable death. I had no choice but to avenge him with my own hands and kill you, this venomous woman. Sister-in-law, do you think this story is enough to satisfy the stronghold?"