Chapter Forty-Three: Rescue

Next, Invincible Wan Lü said,
“All right, let’s go in now and see what’s so different about this Liu Family Trading House.”
Arrogant Li Ba replied,
“I bet there are rare treasures for sale here. I must take a good look.”
As they spoke, Invincible Wan Lü and Arrogant Li Ba stepped into the jewelry shop owned by the Liu Family Trading House. To their surprise, the business was thriving. Many wives and daughters of high-ranking officials were shopping for jewelry. From their conversations, some young ladies hoped to become the most dazzling presence at the next day’s banquet, wishing to catch the emperor’s eye.
Invincible Wan Lü and Arrogant Li Ba sneered inwardly. Suddenly, a young lady pointed at another girl entering through the door and exclaimed,
“Look! That lady is unfamiliar. Which family does she belong to?”
Hearing this, all the young ladies, along with Invincible Wan Lü, Arrogant Li Ba—the bravest warrior of their Liao Ancient Kingdom—and their guards, instinctively turned their gaze toward the entrance.
A young maiden entered, accompanied by her maid.
Her hands were crossed before her chest; her expression showed deep contemplation. Her flawless face was like creamy jade, her phoenix eyes bright and lively, enhancing her enchanting yet dignified beauty. Unlike the frivolous allure of common beauties, she radiated noble elegance.
Her steps were graceful, reminiscent of a blooming lotus, and her slender figure moved with effortless poise. A fragrant, lotus-colored sash, embroidered with brocade, was tied around her waist, its jade ornament resting perfectly on her flowing skirt, unmoving.
From her posture alone, one could see the refined elegance of a noblewoman, as if no flaw could be found in her demeanor.
Even Invincible Wan Lü and Arrogant Li Ba were stunned by her beauty. Though they had seen many attractive women, this one was truly exceptional. Her aura alone was incomparable to ordinary women; in other aspects, she was even more outstanding.
Invincible Wan Lü immediately made up his mind to find out which family this young lady belonged to. He was determined to take her back to the Liao Ancient Kingdom and make her his own.
At this moment, she remained silent, but the shopkeeper hurried forward with a smile, bowed, and said,
“Miss, you’ve arrived. The items you requested earlier are ready. I didn’t expect you to come in person. Please forgive any lack of hospitality…”
The young lady interrupted,
“All right, I just want my things. Are they ready?”
The shopkeeper quickly replied with a smile,
“Of course, everything you asked for is prepared…”
Before he could finish, a harsh voice rang out. A young lady said contemptuously,
“Oh, isn’t this Liu Yuting, the merchant’s daughter? What brings you to your own jewelry shop? Are you hoping that tomorrow at the palace banquet, the emperor will notice you and raise you to noble status?”
It turned out the girl who had just entered was Liu Yuting, the daughter of Liu Yuanwai.
Liu Yuting gracefully turned and smiled at the speaker,
“So, it’s Miss Wang Rou’er from the Count Xuanwei’s residence. Welcome to our shop. As for my own affairs, there’s no need for you to worry.”
She took her maid’s hand and headed toward the inner chamber of the shop to collect her items. But Wang Rou’er was not about to let her go so easily.

Just as Wang Rou’er tried to approach Liu Yuting, several people suddenly rushed forward, blocking Liu Yuting and her maid with ingratiating smiles.
“Miss Liu, hello. It’s a pleasure to meet you so soon—we must be destined! I am Invincible Wan Lü, the emperor’s brother and one of the five marshals of the Liao Ancient Kingdom. This is General Arrogant Li Ba, the kingdom’s bravest warrior.”
As he spoke, Invincible Wan Lü’s eyes glowed, staring at Liu Yuting like a hungry lion fixating on its prey, as if he wished to devour her on the spot.
Liu Yuting felt uneasy, never having encountered such a situation; but she kept her composure and replied calmly,
“So, you are Marshal Wan Lü. Hello. I have matters to attend to right now; perhaps we can talk later.”
With that, she tried to walk into the inner chamber.
Invincible Wan Lü immediately signaled his guards to block her path and continued,
“Miss Liu, don’t go! Since fate has brought us together, stay and chat with me. Remember, I am the emperor’s brother and one of the five marshals. If you become mine, it would be a match made in heaven. No one would dare bully you again.”
He and Arrogant Li Ba laughed lewdly.
Although the other young ladies hadn’t interacted much with Liu Yuting before, none could stand by as the Liao Ancient Kingdom’s men bullied their compatriot. Yet, they knew they were powerless to help, so they could only watch anxiously.
As for Wang Rou’er, she was tempted to push Liu Yuting into the abyss, but doing so would earn the disdain of the other ladies and ruin her reputation, so she kept silent.
The shopkeeper summoned the store’s guards to encircle Invincible Wan Lü and his group, saying,
“Honored guests, if our shop has failed in hospitality, please forgive us and let us know how we can improve. But if you are here to cause trouble, we will have to ask you to leave.”
Invincible Wan Lü sneered and replied contemptuously,
“Who do you think you are? If you know what’s good for you, you’ll be rewarded. If not, you won’t see tomorrow’s sunrise.”
The shopkeeper stood his ground in front of Liu Yuting and declared firmly,
“I’ve served the Liu family for over ten years. I know my duty. If you want to do anything, you’ll have to step over my dead body. Don’t forget, this is the Liu Family Trading House, not your Liao Ancient Kingdom.”
Hearing this, Invincible Wan Lü flew into a rage,
“Fool! In that case, you can die now. Do it!”
His men immediately started a fight. Though the Liu Family Trading House had more guards, those with Invincible Wan Lü were battle-hardened soldiers, and with Arrogant Li Ba—whose height reached three meters—the Liu Family guards were quickly overwhelmed.
After dispatching the guards, Invincible Wan Lü and his group closed in on Liu Yuting.
Someone shouted,
“Stop!”
It was Zhao Chengming, arriving with eight Liu family retainers. As soon as he entered, he engaged Arrogant Li Ba, while the others fought Invincible Wan Lü and his entourage.
Seeing the growing resistance, Invincible Wan Lü ordered three guards,
“Go, capture Miss Liu Yuting.”
The three guards immediately lunged at Liu Yuting. The shopkeeper drew his sword, ready to make a final stand, when suddenly three sharp “whoosh” sounds were heard. The three Liao Ancient Kingdom guards were struck in the heart by massive steel needles and died instantly, unable to utter a sound.
Everyone was stunned, halting the battle.
A figure clad in camouflage of the Huaxia Nation’s Flying Dragon Special Forces, wearing a standard steel helmet and a gas mask, jumped down from the ceiling, landing before Liu Yuting before anyone could react.
A young lady cried out,
“It’s the Hero in Strange Garb!”

It was Zhang Desen.
Cheers erupted. Liu Yuting was about to speak, but Zhang Desen quickly made a gesture for silence, and she obediently closed her mouth.
Seeing this, Zhao Chengming relaxed and signaled the others to refrain from unnecessary words.
Invincible Wan Lü looked coldly at Zhang Desen and asked,
“Are you the so-called Hero in Strange Garb spoken of by the southern barbarians?”
Zhang Desen sneered,
“Call me whatever you like. I just want to ask: did your Liao Ancient Kingdom send men to the area near Xidu recently to act as bandits, harming many people?”
Arrogant Li Ba raged,
“So it was you who trapped my subordinates! Good, let me see what you’re made of, you southern barbarian, daring to challenge authority.”
Zhang Desen glanced at the three-meter-tall man and asked,
“And who might you be, volunteering for death?”
Arrogant Li Ba shouted,
“Ignorant southern barbarian, since you haven’t heard my name, I’ll tell you now. I am Arrogant Li Ba, the Liao Ancient Kingdom’s foremost warrior, invincible across the world.”
He was about to draw his sword when a squad of soldiers burst in, surrounding Invincible Wan Lü and his men.
Zhang Desen saw these soldiers—whose uniforms resembled those of the Song Dynasty from his original universe—make way for a figure of imposing presence and authority: General Feng Yucai.
Feng Yucai approached Zhang Desen and asked,
“Are you the Hero in Strange Garb?”
Zhang Desen replied,
“I don’t know how many names others have given me. I only do what I believe is right.”
Feng Yucai nodded,
“Good, very good!”
Then, General Feng Yucai turned to Invincible Wan Lü and his cohort,
“Marshal Wan Lü, you are far too arrogant. Causing trouble in the capital of our Great Xing Nation—do you think our country is devoid of men?”
Invincible Wan Lü sneered and pointed at the bodies of the three Liao Ancient Kingdom guards,
“General Feng, I was about to ask you—your Great Xing Nation killed my three personal guards before my very eyes. Do you really think the Liao Ancient Kingdom is weak and easily bullied?”