Bad things happen often

Chapter 1

[Introduction]

March 3rd

My master is dead.

He was struck by a palm that severed his heart meridian, and died from his injuries.

Before he died, the master only said one thing: Never be a good person.

Xiao Xiao sat on the threshold, lost in thought. In the warm spring of March, butterflies danced and orioles sang, and azaleas bloomed across the mountains, their red blossoms almost blinding. She looked up; flames, crimson, enveloped her master's body, burning fiercely. They were several times more dazzling than the azaleas covering the mountains. She rubbed her eyes, stood up, and went inside.

She and her master had been wandering from place to place, without a fixed abode. This house had long been abandoned before they arrived, and the things inside were extremely rudimentary. Her master tidied it up a bit and added a few necessary pieces of furniture, but they hadn't originally planned to stay for long. To this day, the roof of the east room still leaks, and the hole in the wall of the north room hasn't been plugged yet; only the west and south rooms are barely usable.

Master lived in the west room, where there was only one bed. Xiao Xiao knew that all of Master's belongings were under the pillow. And Master had also said that all those belongings would eventually belong to Xiao Xiao. Xiao Xiao picked up the pillow and looked at everything underneath: three coins of silver, twenty-six copper coins, three copies of "Illustrations of the Tang Dynasty Imperial Harem," an account book, and a packet of dried plums.

Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, then put the silver and copper coins into her pocket. She flipped through the account book, which was filled with entries for things she owed. Xiao Xiao scratched her head, then put the account book into her bosom. Then, she picked up the "Tang Dynasty Imperial Harem Picture" and the dried plums, and went to the south room.

The south room was her bedroom, which was simply furnished with an extra chair and a bronze mirror. She didn't have much luggage; it was already packed. She slung her bag over her shoulder, picked up her sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument) from the bedside table, and went out.

Outside the door, the flames had begun to die down, and the gray-black dust drifted further and further away on the warm breeze. Xiao Xiao walked to the fire and placed the three harem illustrations into it. She clasped her hands together and bowed.

"Master, I'm leaving," she said.

She took a few steps, looked down at the dried plum in her hand, picked one up, and put it in her mouth. The dried plum, without any sugar coating, was sour and bitter. Xiao Xiao held back her tears and forced herself to swallow the dried plum.

"Master, it tastes awful..." she sniffed and complained softly.

On the third day of the third lunar month, a warm breeze pushed her along from behind.

I swear, from now on, I will never eat dried plums on the third day of the third lunar month.

Volume One: Rare Goods Can Be Held High Prices

A single thought

Two hours later, Xiaoxiao began to hate the account book in her hand. She walked downhill from her house, and every hundred steps, someone would approach her, baring their teeth and brandishing their claws, saying: "Girl, your master owes me money, isn't it time to pay it back? With interest, it's now..."

Xiao Xiao always looked blankly at the money, then mechanically flipped through the ledger behind her. In the end, she would always helplessly hand over the money with both hands.

Xiao Xiao didn't know how many people or how much money her master owed in his lifetime. However, when her three taels of silver (twenty-six coins) dwindled to three, she finally realized, "It's utterly unjust for a daughter to pay her father's debts..." But her master's debts were incredibly wide-ranging, from woodcutters and stonemasons to peddlers and merchants—all sorts of people. Xiao Xiao couldn't help but worry that wherever she went, someone would jump out and say, "Girl, you owe me money."

Xiao Xiao looked at the three lonely copper coins in her hand and wept, gazing at the sky. What could three coins buy? The cheapest steamed bun shop at the foot of the mountain charged one coin for two buns. Three coins for six buns? How many days would that last? Was she, Zuo Xiao Xiao, only sixteen years old, going to starve to death?

“No wonder Master said not to be a good person… It’s the first step to becoming a bad person if you don’t repay your debts…” She sniffed and sighed.

Speaking of being a bad guy, Xiao Xiao immediately understood. His master's surname was Zuo, and his given name was Huai Ren. He said he once met a wise man who instructed him to "have a compassionate heart and help the world." However, putting the names together, it just sounds like "Zuo Huai Ren," which is really awkward. That wise man must have just made a spur-of-the-moment decision and never thought about the meaning of the name himself. Since he's supposed to be a "bad guy," it would be laughable if he later became a benevolent hero.

She had traveled the world with her master since childhood, but her master had never done anything particularly benevolent. To make a living in the martial arts world, her master would come up with any means necessary. Performing, delivering messages, searching for people... that was one thing, but when times were tough, he cheated, swindled, stole, and ran up debts—what hadn't he done? Speaking of those books of "Illustrations of the Imperial Harem of the Tang Dynasty," her master himself was also among the painters.

Master said: First, you must eat your fill.

Hmm, I need to eat my fill! Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, Zuo Xiao Xiao... a thief? She looked at the three coins in her hand again.

Indeed, fate has its own design. Since the name itself carries this meaning, being a good person is defying destiny. Master's dying words were truly farsighted and profound. Look at the martial world over the past hundred years—which demonic sect leader, which evil tyrant… has starved to death?

She wiped away a small tear. She made a silent vow: "Good people don't live long, but evil ones live a thousand years." Although her martial arts skills were mediocre and her knowledge was barely enough to read an account book, with enough determination, she might one day become a bewitching demoness, wreaking havoc on the martial arts world!

Three coins! I'm not paying back these three coins no matter what!

She had just finished making her vow when her stomach growled. It was dusk, and she was all alone on the mountain path. The growl seemed particularly abrupt, rumbling and echoing.

Xiao Xiao, tears welling in her eyes, touched her stomach. It would still be an hour before she reached the town from this mountain path. Besides the bag of dried plums, she had nothing else to eat. Although her master had lived a frugal life, Xiao Xiao had never gone hungry before. This was the first time she had ever experienced such a severe food shortage.

She watched the setting sun, listening to her rumbling stomach. If it weren't for the debt collectors getting in her way, she would have been eating steamed buns down the mountain long ago. Indeed, one shouldn't be a good person…

She was feeling desolate when a gust of wind rose, rustling the bamboo and trees covering the mountain. Birds returned to their nests, and the original silence turned into a cacophony.

Helpless, Xiaoxiao had no choice but to endure her hunger and continue walking. Ahead was a half-slope, and going around it would take an extra quarter of an hour. Xiaoxiao had learned some light-body skills, so she decided to just jump over it. Just as she reached the top of the slope, her gaze swept down and she saw a figure.

Below the earthen slope lay a rugged mountain path, flanked by dense bamboo and trees. A petite figure walked slowly along this path. The mountain paths were winding and complex; when she first arrived, it took her three days to avoid getting lost. It was already late; why was she still on the mountain? Had she lost her way?

Xiao Xiao couldn't help but wonder how much she could ask for if she went up to lead the way.

Xiao Xiao immediately dismissed the thought; the person was taking the only path down the mountain. Clearly, they weren't lost. Tsk, making money isn't easy these days.

Just as I was thinking that, my stomach growled again.

She sighed softly, and was about to continue on her way when a faint flash of light made her lower her head again.

In the afterglow of the setting sun, what was glittering was clearly jewelry! Xiao Xiao immediately bent down and began to examine it carefully.

The pedestrian was just a girl of about thirteen or fourteen, and in the afterglow of the setting sun, she was clearly visible. She wore a light green dress, which, judging by its fluttering motion, was either silk or gauze. While not the attire of an ordinary family, it wasn't particularly expensive either. However, the jewelry she wore was astonishing. Her hairstyle was a simple double bun, with a gold-inlaid hairpin on each side. The hairpin heads were coral beads the size of longan eyes. Her earrings were silver inlaid with pearls. She wore a necklace and crystal bracelets. A turquoise and tortoiseshell belt cinched her waist, with white jade butterflies dangling from her skirt. Most extravagant were her shoes, the toes of which were adorned with gold-inlaid coral beads, clearly part of a set with the hairpins in her hair.

This entire outfit, from head to toe, must cost at least a hundred taels of silver!

Xiao Xiao glanced at the three copper coins in her hand and sighed deeply. Heaven and earth are cruel! Some worry about tomorrow's food, while others adorn themselves with gold and silver, as if they want the world to know they're rich. What kind of bizarre world is this?! Why, in this remote mountain village, did she have to see such a rich person… no, a rich little girl!

The wind rises across the mountain, rustling through the bamboo and trees, much like the surging emotions in Xiao Xiao's heart at that moment.

The little girl, seemingly unperturbed, strolled leisurely down the mountain. Xiao Xiao's eyes were red with anger. Suddenly, a wicked thought flashed into her mind.

She was determined to be a bad person. Robbing on the road was a necessary skill for any bad guy. Besides, the mountain path was remote, the sky was dark, and she was just a lone young girl. Even if her martial arts skills were lacking, surely she could steal a pearl? Even just one pearl would be enough for her to eat several good meals.

She swallowed hard. But this robbery was far too violent. She should at least start as a thief. Hey? Great men don't concern themselves with trifles! Besides, thievery is a delicate art, several times harder than robbery. Tsk, barely enough to eat, where would she find so much trouble? In this world, the title of "master thief" never sounds as evil and resounding as "great bandit." Speaking of which, this year's most notorious figure in the underworld is a notorious bandit known as "Silver Owl." That's a real villain!

Xiao Xiao thought it over and over, and when she looked down again, the little girl had already walked ahead.

Ah, with the perfect timing, location, and people, if we don't seize this opportunity now, when will we?! Xiao Xiao gritted her teeth, steeled her resolve, and charged down the earthen slope. After a few stumbles, she regained her footing.

She reached out and shouted at the little girl's retreating figure, "Don't go... robbery!"

This was their first time robbing someone, and they had no experience; their small voice trembled violently.

The little girl slowly turned around, looking at Xiaoxiao with a hint of surprise. Despite her young age, she was already incredibly beautiful. Her fair face was slightly flushed, her nose was slightly upturned, and she had a mischievous look about her. A playful glint shone in her large, watery eyes.

The girl's lack of surprise and fear left Xiao Xiao stunned. A mountain breeze rustled the bamboo and trees along the roadside, emphasizing the profound silence of that moment.

"Hello..." She took a small breath and repeated, "Call..."

Before she could finish speaking, a smile appeared on the little girl's face. "Uncle Li, this girl seems to be saying 'robbery'..."

Xiao Xiao froze. She looked into the little girl's eyes, then slowly turned back.

Only then did she realize that a caravan of镖队 (镖队 is a type of镖师, meaning镖师 is a type of镖师) was standing ten zhang (approximately 33 meters) behind her. The man at the head of the caravan was catching up on horseback, holding a long sword and exuding a chilling aura. He was truly imposing and powerful.

Xiao Xiao was on the verge of tears. She thought to herself that she had only been distracted by the jewelry and had been thinking about this and that for a while, but surely she hadn't missed such a large group of people?

"You mean, a robbery, young lady?" The man was about forty years old, with dark skin and a slight beard. His eyes were sharp and domineering, and his voice was deep and resonant.

Xiao Xiao's whole body was stiff; only her eyes could move. Behind the man were four caravans and fifteen bodyguards. This was quite a grand display. Most importantly, on the caravans, there were red brocade banners with black patterns, bearing the words "Xing Feng" in a flamboyant style.

Xingfeng Escort Agency. The small eyes returned to the man. This escort agency was renowned throughout the martial arts world. Since its founding by the great hero Li Xingfeng, it had never lost a shipment. Its reputation was beyond question, and the Li family's "Heavenly Path Blade Technique" was even more famous. Although escort agencies were businessmen and not considered true martial arts figures, the reputation of Xingfeng Escort Agency commanded respect from many in the martial arts world. And now, the head of Xingfeng Escort Agency was Li Zhenghai, the great-grandson of the great hero Li Xingfeng. Li Zhenghai was known for his fierce hatred of evil. And robbery, of course, was considered evil…

With tears welling in her eyes, Xiao Xiao weighed her own worth. She was truly a nobody, insignificant, not even enough to serve as a stepping stone for a great hero. Was she destined for divine punishment for her very first misdeed?

"girl?"

Just as Xiao Xiao was lost in thought, Li Zhenghai dismounted and walked forward, carrying a long sword.

I was so startled that I stumbled back a few steps, my knees buckling.

“Miss…” Li Zhenghai frowned slightly, then sheathed his long sword and put on a smile. “Miss, don’t be afraid. I am Li Zhenghai, the chief镖师 (bodyguard/escort) of Xingfeng Escort Agency. Could you tell me in detail about the robbery you just mentioned?”

Xiao Xiao was immediately puzzled. She looked at Li Zhenghai's kind smile, then at the group of bodyguards behind him, each of them quietly watching her, their weapons securely placed on the caravan.

"Girl, what exactly do you mean by 'robbery'?" the little girl asked with a smile.

Xiao Xiao looked up at her, at a loss for words.

"Could it be..." The little girl's big eyes gleamed with even more amusement, "that you're going to rob me?"

Xiao Xiao immediately waved her hand, "How could that be? How could that be? I wouldn't dare, hehe..."

The little girl walked over and circled around Xiaoxiao.

“Carrying a backpack, carrying a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument), unarmed, and a delicate woman… she certainly doesn’t seem like someone who would rob people…” the little girl said slowly. “But what did she mean by ‘Don’t go, it’s a robbery’? Hmm?”

Xiao Xiao was initially startled, then it dawned on her. That's right, her robbery was a spur-of-the-moment decision. She hadn't even brought any weapons; she'd rushed down the mountain carrying only her luggage and a sanxian (a three-stringed plucked instrument). The robbery had turned out like this—a complete failure. No wonder Li Zhenghai and his group of bodyguards didn't take her seriously, not even bothering to pick up their weapons.

Grasping this point, she breathed a small sigh of relief. "Uh...no, I just wanted to tell you to stop...this..." She immediately started making things up, "There are people lying in ambush ahead, specifically targeting passersby. I was just giving you a heads-up..."

"Oh?" The little girl raised an eyebrow and smiled slyly.

"Is there an ambush ahead? Is that true, young lady?" Li Zhenghai frowned and asked.

"Really!" Xiaoxiao said seriously, forcing a smile. "I came back from the other side! Heroes, you should also avoid this path and take a detour!" She clasped her hands in a fist salute. "I've said everything I needed to say. No need to thank me. Goodbye, until we meet again!"

After she finished speaking, she was about to leave when she heard the little girl say, "Please wait, young lady."

He paused slightly, then asked in a trembling voice, "Is there anything else you need?"

"Xingfeng Escort Agency has been traveling the world for so many years, and no one has ever dared to target our escort vehicles. Today, someone actually dared to ambush us. I want to see what kind of bandits are so audacious." The young girl laughed, "This mountain road is not easy to travel either. Judging from your appearance, you must be very familiar with the terrain. Why don't you lead the way, and we'll go and meet those madmen?"

"No need, right?" Xiao Xiao was shocked.

“Le’er is right…” Li Zhenghai said. “I would also like to see what this so-called ‘ambush’ is like.”

Knowing full well there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into them. But how can those tiger mountains compare to the perilous situation I'm currently facing, where I'm trapped and unable to dismount?

As the sun sets and the crescent moon rises, the mountain path appears even more desolate.

Xiao Xiao looked up, her eyes brimming with tears, and silently sighed at the crescent moon:

Master... it's not easy being a bad guy...

An ambush

Xiao Xiao steeled herself, carrying a lantern, and walked at the very front of the caravan.

The mountain path was somewhat eerie under the cover of night, the lantern's light barely enough to see her feet. Xiao Xiao kept her head down, sighing occasionally. This place was remote; aside from people like her, desperate and driven to such extremes, who would be lying in wait to rob her? She wondered how things would end if she didn't encounter a single robber after traversing this entire path.