Chapter 201: Scumbag Justice and Trash Can Fury

Liangmu, startled by Bailu's sudden appearance, stammered, "Who… who are you?"

Bailu responded, "I'm here because she asked me to save you. And don't answer a question with a question! What on earth are you doing?"

Liangmu sneered, "And who cares what you think? What are you to her, anyway?"

Bailu, now truly fuming, replied, "Who am I? I'm the doctor she hired to treat you! Do you have any idea what she's gone through for you? She betrayed her organization, nearly became mara-struck, and even got herself badly hurt, all for your sake. I'll have you know, the medicine I brought can only save one person, and I'm not using it on her!"

Though seething, Bailu still kept to the plan.

Seeing Liangmu's despicable behavior made her blood boil. With her long life, she understood the difference between mutual love and one-sided sacrifices. That first note Liangmu had left made it seem like he cared for her in return. But even if they were just friends—or even strangers—wouldn't anyone appreciate such a sacrifice?

Instead, the first thing he did was criticize her looks? Even if Banxia looked bruised up from the makeup March 7th had applied to make her look worse, anyone with a heart would still care about her well-being.

Bailu tried to hold back her anger, chalking Liangmu's actions up to some bizarre cultural difference. After all, with such a vast universe, maybe some places showed concern differently.

But before she could rationalize any further, Liangmu's next words almost made her explode.

"Like I care! You're a doctor? Don't make me laugh. Stop interfering and hand her over."

As he reached out again, Bailu swiftly pulled Banxia's trash can back, shielding her.

Liangmu snapped, "What are you doing? Hand her over!"

Bailu pressed on, "What exactly are you after?"

Liangmu retorted, "Get lost. I need to search her. Damn it! She has the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus' member list on her. With that, I can blackmail them or turn it over to the Cloud Knights, earn a pardon, and stay on Xianzhou. Now, give her to me!"

Bailu was furious, but she made one last attempt. "Do you really not care about her at all? She did all of this for you…"

Liangmu scoffed, "Why would I care? That vile woman made countless promises to me. I barely believed she could change my life!"

He spoke with such resentment, as though he was the victim. Had Bailu not seen his first note, she might've been tricked by his act. But she remembered his own words.

Bailu: "But you promised… to repay her with your life…"

Liangmu sneered, "Ha? I was just saying it casually, and she chose to believe it. Who's to blame? Hurry up and hand her over."

Pei Guang, who was standing nearby, looked at him with curiosity. "Aren't you two supposed to be lovers?"

Liangmu scoffed, "Lovers? That's just her wishful thinking. I never thought about anything like that."

Pei Guang continued, "So you took advantage of her affection, deceiving her to fulfill your own goals, all so you could get that list."

Liangmu looked surprised, "How did you know? Whatever, it doesn't matter if you do now. Who'd ever be interested in a crazy woman like her? Wait... she didn't hand the list over to you, did she, you pretty boy?"

Pei Guang sighed, "Honestly, I initially thought you were just a jerk. But I take that back; you don't even qualify as one."

As a player, Pei Guang found Liangmu, this NPC he'd only just met, completely repulsive. Who would've thought that trying to learn more about Xianzhou's background through a side quest before the main story began would lead him to such a disgusting character?

If he had simply used Banxia's feelings to his advantage, Pei Guang might've shrugged it off. She wasn't his ideal type, nor his companion, and he wouldn't feel obligated to interfere. He would complete the quest, ask about the lore, and leave.

But Liangmu's behavior was beyond despicable. Any decent player, faced with someone who finds healing when you're hurt, brings medicine when you're wounded, provides clues when you're lost, and is even willing to die for you—how could they not feel moved? Even the most unfeeling or novice players would be emotionally impacted, considering Banxia's loyalty and kindness.

NPCs like Banxia, even if they weren't the most stunningly designed, could easily land in the top ranks of favorite characters. And if someone did harm an NPC like her, they wouldn't dare post about it; they'd get flamed across every game forum and probably hunted down by fans.

In all his time as a player, Pei Guang had never encountered an NPC that got under his skin this much. He even felt tempted to draw his wooden sword for a one-on-one fight.

Liangmu, noticing Pei Guang, sneered, "And you're any different? Weren't you also using her to get the list? This crazy woman kept talking about loving just me, but she was also flirting with other men. Fine, I've been duped!"

At this, Bailu lowered her head, "Healing... that's the promise I made to Banxia."

She turned to the trash can holding Banxia, who was now crying uncontrollably. She wanted to get up and say something, but the pain she felt inside made her choke on her words, leaving her silent.

Through blurred vision, Banxia looked at Bailu and whispered, "Lady Bailu, heal him... It was my blindness..."

Banxia wasn't one to follow mindlessly. She only wanted to fulfill her promise, to let go of her last longing. She felt that after this, she might never love again.

Bailu was livid, "Fine! I'll heal you, but once I'm done, you'd better get lost."

Liangmu looked at the crying Banxia with disdain. "Ha, so the whole injury was just an act to gain—"

Before he could finish, Pei Guang swung a trash can at his head, while March 7th, with a dark expression, aimed another trash can at his legs.

The sudden assault left Bailu stunned. March 7th glanced at Pei Guang, "Sorry, couldn't hold back..."

Pei Guang looked at Bailu, "Sorry? For what? Besides, I know that people in Xianzhou take promises seriously. But wanting to beat this guy up—well, it doesn't go against those values, does it?"

At this, Bailu's eyes sparkled with excitement, "Perfect! Hit him as much as you want; as long as he's still breathing, he won't die. Let me join in!"

March 7th grinned, "Yes! Let's give this jerk exactly what he deserves."

Without another word, March 7th, seething with anger, joined in on the beating. If it were just a matter of being cold-hearted, she might not have felt this furious. But Liangmu's words and attitude were disgusting beyond belief. Even Pei Guang, who typically held back, was clearly enraged.

Bailu and March 7th commenced the "beat the scumbag" operation. March 7th started civilly, using the trash can at first, then switching to her Six-Phased Ice technique. As far as she was concerned, breaking this guy's legs was too mild.

And since Bailu was here to heal him, she could simply reattach them later.