Speaking Nonsense

Lu Yin gnashed her teeth and cursed internally.

Did that damned Old Bai know and tell Xiaotong to make her tread carefully in the camp, using it as leverage to step all over her? Was this the game Xiaotong had been playing all along?

Damn it!

As much as Lu Yin wanted to pull a gun and put a bullet in Bai Xiaotong's head, the girl was an S-rank Awakener. Direct confrontation was a no-go. If she acted impulsively, she'd only end up at a disadvantage—or worse lose her life if she gave Bai Xiaotong the chance to retaliate using self-defense as her excuse.

For now, Lu Yin had no choice but to retreat, unless the situation escalated into something far worse.

Bai Xiaotong sneered the expression on her face was a clear mockery. She could tell exactly what Lu Yin was thinking.

'Now you want to bolt, and leave unscathed?'

"Miss Bai..." Lu Yin's voice hitched as she struggled to swallow the rage boiling in her chest and squeezed a few drops of tears to make herself look like a victim.

She had no choice but to switch her tone, addressing Bai Xiaotong formally, as if to show she was swallowing her anger and already being subservient.

"I've never maligned you before. I'm simply looking out for the safety of the people. I ordered you to stop causing a scene because of their words. Why do you have to be so vicious? Spreading rumors like this… Hic!"

Seeing the beautiful woman cry pitifully as though she was being bullied, some bystanders especially the men who came here to see their sexy goddess started to call out Bai Xiaotong and voiced their support for Lu Yin and her overflowing fake jugs that her top could barely contain.

"That's right! Captain Lu is only doing her job as the one in charge. Why don't you do your own and stop acting so petty for once?"

"Hmph! This Bai Xiaotong is so malicious. Even if you hate the people inside, those are precious lives! Why do you have to be so heartless just because of a small fight?"

"Look at Captain Lu, she's only thinking about the welfare of the people but you're throwing mud on her image because she reprimanded you a little."

"Why is that kid even awakened? She doesn't deserve an S-grade skill. Captain Lu should have gotten it instead. Even her dead parents must be so ashamed of how she's behaving right now."

The arc of Bai Xiaotong's eyebrow twitched and her dark eyes gleamed with cold amusement as she saw the crowd's sentiments shifting, moving with Lu Yin's pretentious performance. She didn't care whether the people believed her or not—her target was clear.

"Didn't you just say we shouldn't dwell on the dead and should focus on the living?" she said, her voice dripping with mockery. Then, leaning closer, she whispered just loud enough for the crowd to hear, "Well, that's exactly what I'm doing."

Her lips curled into a devilish smile as she continued, her voice low and dangerous. "Those people inside are as good as dead. Now, I'm just giving you a taste of your own medicine."

"You—"

"Captain Lu, didn't realize you were so slow on the uptake, huh?" Bai Xiaotong smirked, the gleam in her eyes growing sharper with each word. "I'm just doing what you told me."

"What do you mean? I never—" Lu Yin's voice faltered, a realization creeping into her.

"Focus on the living, right?" Bai Xiaotong's smile widened, her eyes cold and unyielding. "Well, you're still alive, aren't you? Then take responsibility for defending those who dared to offend my family."

Her gaze turned even colder, and her next words were delivered with a chill that seemed to freeze the air between them. "Unless you want to die now. I'm always free to break your neck, anytime you want..."

Lu Yin's body went rigid as a cold shiver ran down her spine. Bai Xiaotong's eyes locked onto hers with a raw, savage intensity that sent a jolt of terror through her. She never expected this meek woman, who knew nothing but nod and accept her orders in the camp, would suddenly start showing such a thick air of killing intent and point her knife to her throat.

Seeing Captain Lu frozen in fear, Bai Xiaotong was about to speak when a voice shouted, rushing toward them.

"Xiao... Bai Xiaotong! Oh my god, what are you doing, you silly girl?"

The woman quickly snapped to attention and saluted, but Captain Lu remained silent, ignoring her.

"Sister Hui Mei?" Bai Xiaotong muttered, frowning. Hui Mei should be in the camp. Why was she here?

To Bai Xiaotong, Hui Mei was like a kind but overbearing older sister. They shared a room, and Hui Mei often sneaked her treats and fed her some kind of pet owner but she didn't really care since it was delicious and free.

When Hui Mei heard Bai Xiaotong had made Captain Lu angry and a fight was about to break out, she panicked and rushed over without waiting to know the full story.

'That child is quite sensitive. Who knows what trouble she could get herself into with her temper?'

And true enough she did find her causing trouble and on top of it all, it was the notorious Captain Lu that she crossed.

Hui Mei grabbed Xiaotong's arm, pulling her aside with shaky hands before speaking softly, "What were you thinking? Do you want to be severely punished for insubordination?"

"Apologize now and do what Captain Lu says. She's petty and holds grudges," Hui Mei urged, her eyes welling up with tears as she gently stroked Bai Xiaotong's hair. "I don't know what made you so angry, but please, listen to me. I don't want to see you suffer."

"Tong Tong, just hold it in for now. We can't go against our superior, or we will only be the ones who suffer. Please, apologize before Captain Lu snaps."

Loosening her grip, Bai Xiaotong pulled her arm away and replied to her firmly. "No. Who does she think she is? I'll cut her tongue off if she keeps making a fuss."

"Tong Tong?!" Hui Mei gasped, terrified and cautiously looked around if someone heard her.

Seriously, how could she say something like that in front of the other soldiers?

'Oh heavens, this child. What should I do with you? If you want to retaliate, at least do it in secret!'

Why did she have to announce it to everyone? If anything happens to Captain Lu, Bai Xiaotong will definitely be the prime suspect.

Ugh! This is a disaster.