Chapter 604: Less Than Strangers

“You misunderstood me, senior.”

Wang Shengkui saluted Elder Miao and said in a sincere tone, “This Stranger is no evil Stranger. Not only is it kind and gentle, it has done a lot of good for the people and especially for us traveling merchants. I hope you can release it—if only because the heavens don’t enjoy killing.”

It took Wang Shengkui little to no effort to piece the clues together. The little Stranger had to be the mythical celestial of the Celestial Spring.

He was a bit surprised that the celestial of the legends was really a Stranger, but then again, he wasn’t really.

Celestials were a rare breed after all.

From the moment he figured out the little Stranger’s identity, he had been wrestling with indecision: Should he step forward and stop the group from kidnapping the little Stranger, or should he stick to a horse caravan’s cardinal rule and minded his own business?

Normally, he could have hardened his heart and ignored the plight happening in front of him. But not this time.

Even if he could pretend that the little Stranger hadn’t helped countless traveling merchants, soldiers and travelers across the years, he could not ignore the fact that he owed it his life.

Three years ago, his daughter caught a rare disease that required a certain main ingredient to be cured. Unfortunately, the main ingredient was equally rare and could only be found deep within the Gobi Desert.

To save his daughter, he valiantly ventured into the deepest depths of the Gobi Desert. It was a long and arduous journey, but he ultimately succeeded.

Unfortunately, reality was a cruel mistress. On his way back, he was ambushed by a powerful Stranger. He was able to slay the Stranger with all his might, but he also suffered grievous injuries as a result. He knew he didn’t have much longer to live.

Wang Shengkui was reluctant to die in the Gobi Desert as his death would also mean the death of his daughter. Through sheer grit and determination, he was able to trek over fifty kilometers of distance and make it to the edge of the Celestial Spring.

Unfortunately, that was as far as he went before he finally collapsed to the ground and fainted. He thought it would be the last time he saw the world and his beloved daughter.

He was wrong. The next day, not only did he wake up from what he thought would be his final slumber, he discovered that his injuries were completely healed as well. Thanks to this, he was able to bring the main ingredient back to his home and treat his daughter’s illness.

At the time, he thought that the celestial living in the Celestial Spring had sensed his fervent wish and decided to save his life. That was why he took his daughter to the Celestial Spring so that they could thank him in person.

While they were praying, his daughter whispered to him that a little friend was laughing and watching them from the waters. Of course, he saw nothing.

He thought his daughter was either blinded by a trick of the light or allowing her overactive imagination to run wild, but later, her daughter told him that she spent the day playing with the little friend and enjoyed a great time.

It was only then he thought that something was off, but he still didn’t give it much attention because his daughter seemed fine.

But now that he saw the little Stranger with his own eyes and heard the group’s conversation, he finally understood that the little friend his daughter saw and played with back then was the Stranger before his eyes.

It could only be the one who saved his life as well.

Therefore, he didn’t just owe the little Stranger his life. His precious daughter owed it her life as well.

He just couldn’t stay aloof and do nothing no matter what. That was why he spoke up.

He was well aware that his action was going to land his caravan in deep trouble. If things went poorly, it might result in death. But still, he spoke up.

He was a human. He could not be lesser than a Stranger.

“A human who’s pleading for a Stranger? That’s rare.” Elder Miao chuckled.

“Not all Strangers are bad, just like not all humans are good.”

Wang Shengkui kept an obsequious posture since he was the person asking for a favor here. “Besides, this Stranger saved my life before, so I humbly request that you let it go.”

“Interesting. But why should I agree to your demand? It cost us a lot to capture this little thing, you know?” Elder Miao smiled, though there was great terror hidden behind the smile. Wang Shengkun could almost see a dragon towering behind the little girl and looking down on him with cold, indifferent eyes. His breathing felt stifled, the blood drained away from his face, and his knees nearly buckled from the sudden pressure.

Sun Bo and the others couldn’t feel what Wang Shengkun was feeling, but they could see that something was off. Everyone’s expression turned unfriendly as they stepped forward and shouted expletives at the opposing group.

Although her group was outnumbered, Elder Miao paid Wang Shengkun’s men no attention whatsoever. “Is that it? It looks like begging won’t work, so you’re going to take our prize by force?”

“Quiet.”

Wang Shengkun forced down the unnatural terror gripping his body and called for Sun Bo and the others to stay silent. Then, he explained, “Don’t understand, senior. That is not my intention, and this has nothing to do with them. This is my and my personal request only.”

He already knew that Elder Miao was strong, but judging from her reaction, he still underestimated her strength. If she got her, they might all die here today.

He did not mind dying, but he was unwilling to drag his brothers and sisters down with him.

“Oh? And what makes you think you have the right to ask anything of me?” Elder Miao continued to smile sweetly.

“Nothing, of course. I am simply beseeching you.” Wang Shengkui said humbly and sincerely, “In return, you may ask anything from me. If it is within my capabilities to perform, then I will do it.”

“Oh really? Anything?” Elder Miao rubbed her chin curiously. “If I ask you to kneel in front of me?”

Wang Shengkui dropped to his knees without a second thought.

“And if I ask you to kowtow to me?”

Elder Miao’s smile grew increasingly sweet.

“Boss!”

“Boss!!!”

Sun Bo and the others looked absolutely furious. Wang Shengkui was a true man in every sense of the word. Before this, the only people he gave his knees to were the sky, the earth, and his parents. But today, not only did he kneel to a total stranger, that bitch was demanding that she kowtow to him as well! Just how far did she intend to humiliate him?!

“Hahaha... I thought you wanted to rescue this little thing? Is it not worth a few kowtows?” Tong Chuan and the rest of Elder Miao’s men burst out laughing.

“Fine. I’ll do it.” Wang Shengkui gritted his teeth and did as he was told. Every time his head hit the ground, it was so loud it was as if the kowtow was happening within everyone’s heart.

One could literally hear his pleading from his kowtows.

“Hahahaha!”

Tong Chuan and the others laughed yet again. Hanxue was the only one who looked disturbed.

“What an obedient boy you are. If our elder asks you to kill yourself, would you do it?” Someone taunted.

“If senior would let it go, why not?” Wang Shengkui declared without hesitation as he raised his head. His forehead was dirtied by bits of stone and soil, and it couldn’t be described as a good look. Despite this, his gaze was as firm and clear as water, ice, and jade.

You saved me and my daughter’s life back then. Why would I be afraid to give up my life to save yours?

How could I not?

This time, Tong Chuan and the others couldn’t quite laugh as loudly as they did before. The guy who taunted Wang Shengkui wore an ugly expression as he muttered, “What an ill bastard. I never heard of a guy who’s willing to die for a Stranger. What the hell is wrong with him?”

“Will you take my life in exchange for letting it go, senior?” Wang Shengkui asked while staring at Elder Miao. He might be kneeling, but he was still a full head taller than her.

“Yiyi...”

It was at this moment the little Stranger trapped within Elder Miao’s Dragon Subjugating Net made a noise. When they looked, they noticed that it was standing on its feet.

When everyone’s eyes were set on it, the little Stranger pointed at Wang Shengkui and itself and made these weird “Yiyi yaya” noises. It stared at Elder Miao with pleading eyes.

“Oh? You’re saying that you would come with me if I allow him to live?” Elder Miao asked smilingly after listening to the Stranger until the end.

The little Stranger immediately nodded.

“Don’t listen to it, senior! It doesn’t understand anything!” Wang Shengkui raised his voice, but could not help but be warmed by the little Stranger’s action. No matter what fate befell him today, it was worth it.

“Yiyi yaya...”

The little Stranger began making noises and gesturing again. It clearly disagreed with Wang Shengkui’s words.