Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 12

“Moreover, when the old man was talking to that girl, I felt like he was afraid of her. It was as if she was the one in charge.”

“Also, when I deliberately mentioned that I might be from the Gu family, her reaction wasn’t right either.

“However, it’s strange that a village girl would ask if I was from the Lu family. It doesn’t make sense.

“It’s not that I look down on villagers, but this place is quite far from the county town, and the Lu family’s estate is even farther. How could she be so sure I’m not from the Gu family?”

She paused, remembering the small stones along the wall.

“By the way, did you notice the small stones along the wall of their yard? I’ve been to many farmyards and never seen anyone lay stones like that.”

“Anyway, their family seems odd.”

Qin Mo laughed, “I didn’t expect you, a little playboy, to analyze things.”

Lu Tang instinctively glared at him. “Just because we are playboys doesn’t mean we’re stupid. We know a lot!”

Qin Mo raised an eyebrow. “I thought you only competed to see who could stomp the floorboards first.”

Lu Tang: !

She fumed silently and turned her head away from him.

After a few steps, Lu Tang suddenly realized something. “Something’s not right. You brought me to help because you said you didn’t know the local dialect. But it seems like knowing the dialect wasn’t necessary. We just went to ask for some food.”

Qin Mo laughed, “Yes, it wasn’t necessary. So why do you think we brought you along?”

Lu Tang blinked.

Qin Mo explained, “If we all went, they might be more alert. But if you go, it’s different.”

Lu Tang: !

So I’m just here to lower the average suspicion!

This is not only slightly harmful but also extremely insulting!

From that point on, Lu Tang didn’t say another word on the way back.

“How was it?” Song Qingzhan asked Qin Mo when they returned to the forest’s edge.

Qin Mo first instructed Feng Chunshan, “Catch a rabbit, alive.”

After giving the order, he replied to Song Qingzhan, “As you suspected, the village is mostly full of the elderly, sick, and weak. There are no able-bodied men.”

Listening to Qin Mo, Lu Tang remembered that when they entered the village, it was time for the villagers to return from their morning work, and indeed, she hadn’t seen any young men.

Given that Zhao County Magistrate’s ancestral village should have thrived under his protection, how could it lack young men?

Feng Chunshan acted quickly, soon bringing back two live rabbits.

Qin Mo broke open a vegetable bun and placed it in front of the rabbits. In moments, both rabbits convulsed and fell.

Lu Tang turned pale. “These buns are poisoned! Are they really bandits?”

Qin Mo’s expression turned cold. “Worse than bandits.”

Lu Tang couldn’t believe that there were so many bandits near Qingshui County!

And they had even infiltrated Zhao County Magistrate’s ancestral village.

Now, these two groups of bandits were about to clash.

She cast a furtive glance at Qin Mo, silently praying that both groups would be severely weakened so that the authorities could rescue her sooner.

Even if the rescue was delayed, she might still find her way back to Qingshui County from Zhao Village.

As if reading her thoughts, Qin Mo sneered, “Planning to escape?”

Lu Tang shivered and quickly raised three fingers by her ear, “Absolutely not!”

Qin Mo raised an eyebrow. “Not planning to escape? You enjoy hanging out with us bandits?”

Lu Tang: “… I mostly admire you too much!”

Qin Mo glanced at her, then said to Feng Chunshan, “Take her back.”

Feng Chunshan immediately obeyed.

Lu Tang, reconsidering her plans, said, “No, I’ll stay here and face life and death with you all!”

“Life and death? I think you’re just looking for a chance to escape.”

Throwing a cold remark at Lu Tang, Qin Mo took Song Qingzhan aside to talk.

With no choice, the little lamb Lu Tang had to follow Feng Chunshan back to the bandit den.

Arriving at night yesterday, she hadn’t seen anything clearly. But now, in the daylight, she noticed that the people in the bandit camp were all able-bodied men.

Contrary to her expectations, these men seemed full of vigor.

After sending Lu Tang back, Feng Chunshan left again. The bandits acted as if she was invisible, each busy with their own tasks.

Despite not sleeping all night, Lu Tang was wide awake, her mind buzzing with activity.

Song Qingzhan had said they would send her down the mountain after handling their affairs.

But could bandits’ words be trusted?

Realizing no one was restricting her movements, Lu Tang started exploring escape routes from the camp.

However, despite there being only a few paths, she couldn’t find the one Song Qingzhan had taken her on the previous night.

Frustrated, Lu Tang sat on a large rock.

“System, come out!”

[How can you speak to your patron like this?]

“At least give me directions. Other systems always help their hosts in times of need. You should help me too!”

[You mentioned other systems. Besides, how can you ask for help so righteously? Are you the patron?

Didn’t you learn in nine years of compulsory education to handle your own problems?]

After a mocking laugh, the system continued.

[I can guide you, but…]

Lu Tang knew the system was up to no good and prepared herself mentally.

[But if I help you now, your next punishment task will be doubled.]

“Deal!” Lu Tang gritted her teeth and agreed.

A map of the bandit camp appeared before her, with the correct route from the previous night highlighted in gold.

Lu Tang returned to the starting point and followed the directions on the map.

“Who knew a little playboy like you could have some skills!”

As soon as Lu Tang emerged from the camp to the forest’s edge, a mocking voice greeted her.

Qin Mo stood not far away, his eyes full of derision.

Lu Tang: !

“System, you…”

The system remained silent.

Lu Tang trembled with anger.

After so much effort, now she was genuinely starving. She had risked double punishment to find her way out, only to…

Taking a deep breath, Lu Tang, with a smile, approached Qin Mo. “Leader, you’re back. I was waiting here to welcome you!”

She glanced behind Qin Mo.

They had left with only Song Qingzhan and Feng Chunshan, but now there were dozens of men and a carriage?

The carriage was loaded with large boxes.

How had she not heard this commotion?

[Because you were too engrossed in the map, fool. Even though the map was clear, you made thirteen wrong turns!]

Lu Tang: …