The moment she straightened, a sharp pain slammed into her gut.

  Her eyes widened. A choked gasp escaped her lips.

  Shi Heng Yi withdrew his fist, watching her crumble. Her body folded over, arms clutching her stomach as she dry-heaved in pain.

  Stepping forward, he grabbed her by the wrist and dragged her toward a tree.

  Although she struggled, it was useless. Her body was still weak from the punch, and his grip was like iron.

  Shi Heng Yi bound her to the trunk with quick, efficient movements. Once satisfied the knot was secure, he turned away.

  Without hesitation, he began removing his own tattered robes.

  The girl watched in growing horror, her mind still reeling from the humiliation.

  When he removed his pants, she screamed.

  “You! What do you want to do?!” she cried, her voice breaking as she instinctively tried to curl up. But her arms were bound, leaving her exposed.

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  Shi Heng Yi didn’t even look at her. He simply picked up the clothes she had removed and began putting them on, using the memory of how she took them off to dress himself properly.

  Unlike what some might think, he wasn’t interested in the girl’s body in the slightest.

  Rather, he needed clothes, and hers—though female—were better than the rags he had before.

  Once he had fully dressed, he sighed.

  [Ha… finally, shoes to wear.]

  Shi Heng Yi flexed his toes inside the small pair of shoes. Although a little tight, they were better than walking barefoot or wearing makeshift bamboo sandals.

  Behind him, the girl sobbed.

  “Hic… hic… why… why don’t you believe me? I said I had nothing to do with the attack, so please just let me go!”

  Her voice trembled, thick with tears. She tugged at the restraints, her wrists raw from struggling, but the ropes held firm.

  “I never even wanted to do this stupid test, but my cousin and family wouldn’t stop pushing me to do it,” she said, her emotions spilling over. “If I’d known it would turn out like this… I would have never come.”

  Watching her sob, Shi Heng Yi remained quiet.

  “Do you want money? I can give you that—just please don’t kill me! I-I don’t want to die… I miss my family… I just want to go home,” she choked out. Her sobs turned to gasps, panic setting in as she realised her words weren’t reaching him.

  Hearing this, Shi Heng Yi did nothing but watch. The exchange lasted a moment before he reached into his “new” pouch.