Chapter 72: Chapter 72: Do Not Harm the Treefolk?

"Li Haiwen, what the hell are you standing around for? Out of money or something?"

The man shouted again, and Bai Cheng froze for a moment.

Then, she heard a dull thud from the treehouse behind her as four more people stepped out one after another.

At the front was a scar-faced man riding a bull, his expression dark. "Damn it, do you have any idea how expensive these treefolk soldiers are?!"

As soon as he finished speaking, six treefolk soldiers clad in hardwood armor slowly approached, stopping in front of the four.

At the same time, two other groups of survivors appeared, one to Bai Cheng’s right rear and the other to her right front.

Each group was led by someone mounted on a steed, with others following behind, accompanied by various employees. Without exception, all of them had already hired treefolk.

They stopped not far away, their faces either smirking or brimming with excitement.

"This girl’s even prettier than in the photo. What a score."

"Look at you, acting like you’ve never seen a woman before. One round each, got it? One round for each person later!"

"This so-called Pioneer is just a little girl. What’s the difference between her and us? You really think twenty of us can’t handle her alone?"

"Tch, why overthink it? No one can hurt each other in the station. She’s just a naïve girl!"

The leader of the group sneered, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt. "We’ve hired all the treefolk around here. So what if she’s strong? So what if she has a Talent?"

"Today, she won’t escape even if she grows wings!"

Their conversation was brazen, as if Bai Cheng were already a slab of meat on a chopping block, helpless to resist.

So instead of acting immediately, they let their predatory gazes linger on Bai Cheng, seemingly waiting for her to beg for mercy.

Bai Cheng merely furrowed her brows, her sharp eyes sweeping across the scene.

There were nineteen survivors in total, thirteen men and six women. Every single person in the station was here.

They stared at her with smug expressions.

Meanwhile, the hired treefolk had quietly encircled her, trapping her in the middle of the narrow street.

It was obvious that these survivors had recognized Bai Cheng’s identity as a Pioneer from the start.

"So they didn’t show up in town right away because they’re busy hiring treefolk to deal with me?" Bai Cheng’s expression darkened.

But how did they gather so quickly? And how did they recognize me?

Although she had questions, she didn’t care.

The confidence on Chi Yan and Zi Yuan’s faces reassured her that this wasn’t even a real crisis. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Wait—where’s Zi Yuan?

Bai Cheng turned her head around and saw Zi Yuan still standing at the entrance of the treehouse behind her, craning her neck as if trying to see something inside.

Zi Yuan wasn’t one to fool around. If she was lingering, there had to be a reason.

"Zi Yuan, what’s in there?" Bai Cheng ignored the surrounding treefolk and called out.

"Young Lady, the system screen has a message for you from that Train Conductor, Leng Ningxue," Zi Yuan replied without turning around.

As if worried that the two treefolk inside might notice her looking at the screen, she only stole quick glances, ducking in and out like she was playing peek-a-boo with them.

Bai Cheng’s lips twitched. "That just makes you look more suspicious!"

Still, why is Leng Ningxue messaging me now? Shouldn’t she also be inside the station?

Bai Cheng raised an eyebrow, puzzled.

Then, without another thought for the encircling treefolk, she turned around and strode back into the treehouse.

Her sudden movement left all the survivors stunned.

"Brother Wen, why’s this girl going back inside?" One of them smirked. "Scared? Trying to beg for mercy by stripping in the room first? Hahaha!"

His words drew laughter from the others, and some grew even more excited.

"There’s no way out of this station. She can’t run. Move in!"

The four survivor teams immediately ordered their hired treefolk forward.

Since these treefolk were practically all the ones visible in the area, no one worried that Bai Cheng might recruit reinforcements.

Either way, she’s done for!

Meanwhile, Bai Cheng stood inside the treehouse, frowning at Leng Ningxue’s message.

Leng Ningxue: Bai Cheng, I found out something important. All the survivors’ trains are parked together!

Leng Ningxue: Also, don’t hurt the treefolk before finding the pass! If you do, the town will riot and the pass will disappear!

"So that’s how these survivors teamed up so fast," Bai Cheng muttered in realization. "Their trains are all in the same place."

And Leng Ningxue had given her another crucial piece of information: don’t harm the treefolk!

Thankfully, the warning came in time. Bai Cheng was about to strike.

She also guessed that the town riot might be linked to her trophy mission.

"That’s a huge help." A trace of gratitude flickered across Bai Cheng’s face as she started considering what gift to bring to Leng Ningxue the next time they meet.

But now wasn’t the time. The situation didn’t allow for distractions.

Bai Cheng quickly sent a reply thanking her, but after a brief pause, no response came.

Of course, she also made sure to relay the information to Zi Yuan.

"Leng Ningxue must be in a tough spot herself."

Despite that, she had still taken the time to warn Bai Cheng.

Maybe Leng Ningxue understood Bai Cheng’s strength and knew that her first reaction to being surrounded wouldn’t be to compromise.

Either way, she had truly treated Bai Cheng as a friend. After all, intel like this definitely wasn’t free.

"Alright, I’ve decided. She’s a friend worth keeping."

Bai Cheng turned her attention back to the door. Outside, the treefolk had closed in, nearly sealing off the treehouse completely.

She frowned. If she couldn’t hurt them, how was she supposed to break free?

Then, one of the survivors, who was likely their leader, spoke up from behind the treefolk.

"Bai Cheng, just give up. There are no rules against hiring treefolk!"

"I’ll give you a chance. Strip naked right now and hand over all your supplies, then maybe... we promise that you’ll feel good. Hahaha!"

Bai Cheng’s face darkened with anger.

Zi Yuan and Chi Yan seethed, ready to attack, but she stopped them.

"He knows my name?" Bai Cheng was surprised. "Did they already have intel on Pioneers when they entered the station?"

But that seemed unlikely. She suspected that they had gathered information beforehand.

Her frown deepened before an idea struck her.

"Only the treefolk can’t be harmed..."

"Zi Yuan."

"Yes, Young Lady."