BTTH : Emperor Yang

After getting a good night's rest, Wei Yang woke up around noon the next day.

Stretching lazily, he felt incredibly refreshed.

This was the best sleep he'd had since arriving in this world nearly ten years ago.

Perhaps it was because he finally had some confidence in himself—his mindset had changed, if only slightly.

He got up, went through his daily cultivation routine, then washed up and had lunch.

After eating, Wei Yang decided to take a stroll around town, both to relax and to sell off some of the lower-grade herbs and first-rank Magic Cores he'd collected in the Magic Beast Mountain Range. No need to let them take up space.

He also figured he might get lucky and stumble upon a hidden treasure.

Of course, the chances of that happening were slim to none.

Wei Yang wandered leisurely through the streets, occasionally stopping to look around and ask about things. He was in no hurry—just enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.

After all, he'd struggled for nearly ten years. Now that he finally had some strength and confidence, why shouldn't he allow himself to enjoy life a little?

Before he knew it, he had arrived near the Thousand Medicine House. The town wasn't that big to begin with, and there were only a few bustling streets.

Up ahead, a delicate figure dressed in white caught his eye.

Hmm?

Wei Yang's footsteps paused.

Meeting her again so soon?

However, this time, Xiao Yixian was in a difficult situation.

She was being harassed by three burly mercenaries with lecherous smiles on their faces.

"What a pretty little beauty."

"Heh heh, where are you headed, sweetheart? I like you. Why don't you come home with me?"

"Don't listen to him, little beauty. Come with me instead. I'll treat you real nice."

"Yeah, come with me…"

"Sweetheart, why pick one of us when you could have all three? Hahaha!"

The three mercenaries surrounded Xiao Yixian in a triangle formation, their vulgar words making their intentions clear.

By now, she had washed away the dust and grime from yesterday.

She was dressed in a simple white dress, with a light green sash accentuating her slender waist. Her long hair cascaded down her back, and she stood there with an air of purity and elegance. She was the kind of beauty that made people take a second look.

Faced with their harassment, Xiao Yixian looked flustered. Her face was pale, her hands tightly clutching the fabric of her dress. She kept her head down, not speaking, yet there was a trace of stubbornness in her expression.

Her delicate, pitiful appearance made her even more captivating, stirring up a protective instinct in onlookers.

Naturally, the three mercenaries were even more tempted, their eyes burning with desire as they grew bolder.

"This is too much! Bullying a defenseless girl like that."

"Hmph, they're from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group. Arrogant as always."

Some of the bystanders frowned at the scene, looking displeased.

But most of them simply watched from the sidelines, not wanting to get involved.

No one stepped forward to stop it.

Seeing this, the three mercenaries became even more brazen, smirking arrogantly.

The Wolf Head Mercenary Group was one of the top forces in Qingshan Town. They were used to throwing their weight around.

Wei Yang frowned at the sight, an inexplicable irritation rising in his heart.

Annoyance.

Damn it, she was one of my biggest regrets back in the day!

Who the hell do you nobodies think you are, daring to harass her?

Even if I wasn't particularly attached to her, it's not your place to bully her!

"Classic damsel-in-distress scenario," Wei Yang muttered to himself, shaking his head before stepping forward.

"Little girl, come with big bro—"

Smack!

Before the mercenary could finish his sentence, Wei Yang swung his palm from behind, slapping him hard across the face.

The man was sent flying and crashed onto the ground, unconscious.

Wei Yang hadn't even used Dou Qi. His sheer physical strength alone was enough to knock out a mere two- or three-star Dou Zhe.

The surrounding crowd froze for a moment before erupting into an uproar.

"Who is this kid? He actually dared to provoke the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!"

"Playing the hero is fine, but you have to pick your battles."

"He's in trouble now. Offending the Wolf Head Mercenary Group—no one in Qingshan Town will dare protect him."

Xiao Yixian was also startled. She looked up at Wei Yang, but a warmth spread in her heart.

Out of all the people present, he was the only one who stepped in to help her.

"Come here," Wei Yang beckoned.

"Ah?" Xiao Yixian was momentarily stunned, but she quickly reacted and hurriedly ran behind Wei Yang for cover.

"Kid, who the hell are you? How dare you meddle in our business? Do you even know who we are? We're from the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!" one of the mercenaries growled, his face dark after glancing at his unconscious comrade.

"Offending our Wolf Head Mercenary Group—aren't you afraid of death?" another mercenary shouted angrily.

"Annoying." Wei Yang's expression turned cold as he took a step forward. Without hesitation, he kicked them both, sending them flying several meters.

The two mercenaries who had been so arrogant moments ago now lay curled up on the ground like shrimps. Their faces turned from red to pale, then to a sickly blue. Large beads of sweat dripped from their foreheads, and they were in so much pain that they couldn't even speak.

The surrounding onlookers fell silent at the scene.

"I'm staying at the inn. If your leader has the guts, he can come find me. But the price will be very steep," Wei Yang said calmly.

With that, he turned around. Glancing at Xiao Yixian, who looked as startled as a frightened fawn, he spoke gently, "Let's go."

Then, he walked toward the inn. After this little incident, he had lost all interest in wandering around town.

Behind him, Xiao Yixian quickly followed.

As they walked, she would occasionally steal glances at Wei Yang's back. After a few times, her face grew slightly red.

At this moment, Xiao Yixian was only twelve years old. Having just suffered a great upheaval in her life, losing her loved ones and being left all alone, she was in her most fragile and helpless state—desperately in need of a sense of security.

She was far from the woman she would become in four years—the renowned goddess of Qingshan Town, admired by countless mercenaries.

...

"What should I do?" Wei Yang pondered as he walked.

In the end, he made a decision.

I can't let her slip away!

Since we've already met, why push her away?

So what if she has the Woeful Poison Body?

Sure, it's troublesome, but it's not unsolvable.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Yang firmed his resolve.

"What's your name?" he asked, tilting his head slightly.

He was genuinely curious about this.

In the original novel, her real name was never mentioned. She was always just called "Xiao Yixian."

"Ah?" Xiao Yixian had been walking with her head lowered, lost in thought, her face slightly flushed.

Hearing Wei Yang's question, she abruptly looked up, a blank expression on her face, as if she hadn't processed what he said.

"Hmm?" Wei Yang turned around and, seeing her dazed look, found it amusing. Unable to resist, he reached out and ruffled her soft hair.

She looked so cute like this.

A sense of fondness welled up in his heart.

She was such a strong girl—gentle, kind, yet independent and resilient.

Thinking about all the hardships she had gone through in the original story, Wei Yang's expression softened even more, and a trace of pity flickered in his eyes.

Before, he had approached this with a detached mindset. After all, to him, Xiao Yixian was just a fictional character.

But now that he had made up his mind—and was standing face to face with the real, living her—his perspective had unconsciously begun to shift.

Xiao Yixian stood frozen in place, feeling the warmth from the palm on her head.

She looked up and met Wei Yang's gaze.

His face was handsome, his smile gentle, and his eyes filled with a hint of tenderness.

At that moment, she felt as if her heart, which had been growing cold, was beginning to thaw.

The walls she had built around herself crumbled instantly, and a thin mist of tears welled up in her eyes.