“It’s actually a good thing for us to separate all their people.” After a moment of contemplation, Sha Yi chuckled, “Yeli’s selfishness has dug his own grave.”
“Saina said the same thing.” Kapa nodded in agreement. “He was already planning something like that late at night. Originally, I was with him, intending to create some issues to scatter Yeli’s people. But given the current situation, we don’t even need to worry—they’re already turning on each other.”
“Yeli has always been a paranoid man, inherently violent. Even if he accepted these traitors, he would never trust them, especially in such dire times—especially with these two women from the original settlement.” Pointing at the woman still moaning in pain, Sha Yi’s words were laced with sarcasm. “For those who’ve betrayed twice, Yeli naturally set up defenses. It’s impossible for him not to suspect them. His plan was to leave unnoticed because, after all, those who betrayed others could betray him too. With his nature, he’d definitely think of that.”
“You mean…”
“Yes. Moreover, Manlun is already dead.” Confirming Kapa’s unspoken thought, Sha Yi continued slowly, “Back then, Manlun could incite Yeli because he revealed everything. Otherwise, with Yeli’s temperament, how could he tolerate being used as Manlun’s weapon? It was simply because he wanted to take over our place, and Manlun wanted to eliminate Garo. Their goals aligned, and the benefits were plenty. But now it’s different. Besides, he’s only abandoning the pawns he deems suspicious—no one can do anything about it.”
“You’re right. That’s exactly how Yeli is. We had no choice but to follow him, and from the beginning till now, he’s never hesitated to eliminate those he finds troublesome.” Narrowing his eyes, Kapa’s face twisted in disgust. “No point talking more. We’ll just wait to deal with him. I reckon Saina will be here soon.”
Sha Yi hummed in agreement, steadying her emotions before signaling Kapa to have the others take the wailing woman aside. Unexpectedly, the woman suddenly fell silent, took a deep breath, and with a pale face, fearfully addressed Sha Yi: “Sha Yi… can we talk?”
Though inwardly repulsed, Sha Yi understood that at such a critical moment, a captive seeking negotiation must have something significant to offer—likely information or conditions highly favorable to them. She didn’t refuse, though Kapa visibly disapproved.
Stopping Kapa with a glance, Sha Yi looked down at the pleading woman and murmured, “Speak quickly. What do you want to say?”
The woman didn’t dare hesitate. “If… if I can contact the others and help you, would you spare our lives?”
“Explain your plan. How many of you are there? What advantages do you have?” Sha Yi’s tone remained indifferent as she raised an eyebrow. “Otherwise, I can’t decide whether to accept.”
Without hesitation, the woman replied, “Our men are with Yeli too. There aren’t many left on his side. Because of what Yeli forced us to do, the few of us here resent him. All we need is someone to lead the rebellion. If you can overlook our betrayal, we can—”
“Get to the point! Hurry up!” Kapa’s temper flared, reminiscent of Garo’s impatience. “Don’t think you can stall for rescue. Yeli won’t lift a finger for you—his own end is near anyway!”
Startled by Kapa’s outburst, the woman stammered, “I… I can lure Yeli here… and then our men can seize Xiyi from him.”
“That’s feasible, but I need to know how you plan to do it.” Sha Yi remained composed. “I won’t take unnecessary risks. If you want to save yourself, give me a flawless plan.”
“You… you can have some of your people come with me. I’ll tell Yeli we captured you, then say there are more of you here and lead him to this spot.”
“Go with you?” Kapa immediately protested. “Who knows what you’re plotting? If you switch sides again midway, we’ll fall into your trap. Besides, you’ve betrayed so many already—why should we trust you?”
“You can send two people, tied loosely so they can break free.” The woman shrank back. “I’m already injured—I can’t possibly overpower you. And as you said, Saina is with Yeli too. You won’t be at a disadvantage!”
“True, we won’t be at a disadvantage, which makes your plan rather shallow.” Sha Yi frowned slightly at the woman’s crestfallen expression. “But it might still save us some trouble. We can try it. If it works, we’ll spare you. If not, don’t blame us.”
“Yes, yes! I’ll make sure it works!” The woman nodded frantically, then hesitated. “If… if we can ensure no casualties on your side… would you… take us in…?”
This last plea enraged Kapa, who nearly lunged at the injured woman, but Sha Yi swiftly held her back.
Finally, Sha Yi flashed the woman a sharp smile and said bluntly, “No.”
Betrayal was forgivable once, tolerable twice—but never a third time.
These two women, even if circumstances forced her hand, she would never allow them back into their group.
Hearts were made of flesh—they couldn’t endure such repeated abuse.
Perhaps they’d been helpless when Garo first captured them, but he’d never harmed them. And these women had once lived alongside them. Yet, to save themselves, they’d nearly pushed her to her death. If not for Tuge’s impaired vision and the new settlement’s desperate efforts to trade for her, she might never have seen Xiyi again.
Later, even when Garo treated them roughly, he never took their lives. Letting them join two men from Manlun’s group wasn’t unreasonable—this was the ancient era, where notions of chastity were lax, and survival dictated their traditions.
Yet despite being well-provided for, they still betrayed Garo, siding with the ruthless Manlun before defecting to Yeli.
Now, no matter what, she refused to align with them again.
At Sha Yi’s resolute refusal, the woman bowed her head, offering no further resistance, as if recalling her past actions and the earlier conversation between Sha Yi and Kapa. She knew such terms were unattainable.
Still, Sha Yi didn’t crush her hopes entirely. “Not taking you in doesn’t mean we won’t let you go. If this succeeds, you and your men can leave and start anew. That’s how it began—you understand.”
The woman’s eyes, previously dull with despair, flickered back to life. “So… you mean we’d live separately from now on? No more conflicts?”
“Essentially, yes.” Sha Yi lowered her eyelids. “Provided you stay in line.”
“Okay, okay…” Overcome with emotion, the woman tried to stand but winced as her thigh wound flared up.
Sha Yi ignored her, turning to discuss with Kapa.
Despite her disdain for the woman, she was relieved Kapa still deferred to her, just as she had when they first met by the hot springs.
Soon, Kapa had the others bind the woman loosely with thick vines. Then, she and another woman followed the former settlement woman away.
Earlier, Sha Yi had worried about rescuing Xiyi without harm. Now, with this woman’s assurance, that burden lifted entirely.
As she turned, she noticed the burly man with the blackwood arrow in his back glaring at her resentfully.
Amused, she watched as he launched into a tirade: “Sha Yi, you heartless woman! Always thinking about Xiyi! Have you considered me? I’m seriously injured, and all you care about is saving him…”
Garo’s tone made it clear he’d overheard her conversation with Kapa and the woman. But his focus wasn’t the plan—it was Xiyi. His pouting, jealous expression was almost comical.
She couldn’t help but wonder: How had Garo, once so brutish and domineering, turned into this whiny, sulking man?
At this point, she didn’t feel like humoring him.
Past experience told her that comforting him would only inflate his ego.
Ignored, Garo grew even more agitated: “If you keep ignoring me, I’ll go kill that damned woman right now and ruin your plan!”
Exasperated, Sha Yi shot him a weary look. “Now’s not the time for this…”
“Ha!” Garo sprang up, furious. “I’m not messing around! You don’t care about me! There’s an arrow in my back—thanks to Saina and that idiot Kapa! They missed the enemy and nearly killed me instead! And you’re even worse! Who did this for? Look at how you’re treating me!”
“Fine, turn around. I’ll pull the arrow out so you’ll stop whining.” Fed up, Sha Yi marched over. “You claim to be gravely injured, yet you’re bouncing around like this. Are you here to help or cause trouble?”
“I… well…” Deflating at her anger, Garo’s eyes darted before he flopped dramatically to the ground. “Since you’ve already planned for Yeli to come see the captives, I’ll grudgingly help you again!”
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