Nangong Zichen sneered, “What a ridiculous joke. These exiled officials are criminals themselves. Even if they have connections in the court, they wouldn’t dare to openly help these criminals.”

In addition, the previous emperor of Northern Qi was incompetent, spending his days framing loyal officials and indulging in pleasure, and had no extra energy to reorganize Yucheng County.

"Tsk tsk, these people are no wonder they were officials; they know how to manipulate others. They're full of cunning schemes, and their lies can only fool these cowards."

Liu Zi pursed his lips, deeply agreeing.

"That's right. The other three forces were indeed intimidated. They were not unaware of the officials' ulterior motives, but they were afraid of the worst-case scenario."

In order to avoid further complications, they had no choice but to acquiesce to this faction.

But precisely because of this, they harbored a deep resentment and often used various pretexts to bully those exiled to Yucheng County.

At this point, Liu Zi's face was full of wry smiles.

"The most pitiful people are those innocent people who were unjustly exiled. They had already risked their lives to come to Yucheng County, but they refused to go along with the corrupt practices. In the end, they became the targets of oppression and bullying, and lived worse than dogs."

Nangong Zichen's expression darkened. "Young man, is this situation you described a common occurrence?"

Liu Zi clenched his fists, his eyes filled with resentment, and nodded through gritted teeth, "Yes, this situation is common, and my family of three is also a target of suppression and bullying."

Nangong Zichen's eyes flickered slightly, and his gaze toward Liu Zi was complex and full of sympathy.

"So... that's why you tried to curry favor with the bandit leader, just to find a backer. With this connection, no one else would dare to openly bully your family of three anymore?"

With tears in his eyes, Liu Zi nodded bitterly, "Yes, that's what I think too. It's just a pity that a bandit is still a bandit, and a heart that's turned black can never turn back to its original red."

In their minds, they didn't take me seriously at all, and even often made fun of me.

But I don't care. I just want my parents to survive in Yucheng County. As for anything else, I dare not hope for anything else.

"Poor little brother." Jing Qingyue was filled with sympathy and looked at Liu Zi with a pained expression.

"Young man, now that you're with my sister-in-law, she will definitely protect your family of three, but on the condition that your family doesn't betray her, otherwise..."

Liu Zi quickly chimed in, "Otherwise, I'll be struck by lightning and die a horrible death. Please rest assured, although I've joined the bandits, I'm a kind-hearted person and would never betray my master."

His decision to join Princess Chang Le's team was essentially a way of acknowledging her as his master; he understood this basic professional ethics.

Wait, what does professional ethics mean?

Why did this word suddenly pop into his head?

Forget it, if I can't figure it out, I'll stop thinking about it. Right now, I need to focus on important matters and not waste time.

Liu Zi turned his head and glanced at where the second-in-command was. His eyes darkened, and he said to Nangong Zichen, "Young Master, there are a total of 430 people who came to ambush the princess. The second-in-command is leading the team."

He's arrogant and haughty, not very bright, but he's incredibly strong, practically superhuman. Please be careful.

"Innate superhuman strength?"

The siblings Shen Yang and Shen Xin's eyes lit up with excitement, and they quickly shook the large iron hammers they were holding in their hands.

Shenyang laughed loudly, "Hahahaha, what a coincidence! My brother and I are also born with superhuman strength. I want to see who's stronger, the second-in-command or us?"

Although Shen Xin didn't say anything, she smiled brightly, and her beautiful and charming smile almost blinded Liu Zi's dog eyes.

⊙w⊙This girl is so pretty.

Uh... she's really strong too.

The two large iron hammers he was holding must have weighed at least 100 pounds each!

My God, those two together weigh two hundred pounds!

Good heavens! She looks petite and cute, and although she's a bit burly, her delicate, pink face really doesn't give you the impression that she has such superhuman strength.

Liu Zi stared intently at Chen Xin, as if looking at the whole world, and couldn't help but blurt out, "Little Xin'er."

Little Core?

The pupils of Yue Mingxi and the other six suddenly contracted, and they looked sharply at Liu Zi.

Chen Xin opened her mouth, "What...what did you call me just now?"

Liu Zi then realized what had happened, her face instantly turning bright red with embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, I really apologize. I don't know why I suddenly called you Xiao Xin'er?"

"Xiao Xin'er?" Shen Xin's tone suddenly rose, her face filled with barely suppressed excitement, and she rushed towards Liu Zi.

He looked like a cat seeing a mouse.

Tell me, what's your name?

Liu Zi looked at the girl so close to him, his heart pounding wildly, his face turning red and red, even his ears turned pink.

"My name is Xu Xiaoliu, and my nickname is Liuzi."

"Ahhh, Rokuko, it really was you!"

Shen Xin jumped up excitedly, threw down the big iron hammer in her hand, and gave Liu Zi a big bear hug.

At this moment, Liu Zi felt as if he were being roasted over a fire, his feet uncontrollably leaving the ground. He was so ashamed that he wanted to crawl into a hole.

"Cough cough, cough cough, young lady, men and women should not touch each other, please let go of me, I..."

"Hahaha, you don't want me anymore!" Shen Xin was overjoyed and hugged Liu Zi, spinning him around wildly.

"Ahhhhh, let me go! Put me down, I'm almost..."

"Hahaha, Liu Zi, stop talking. I know you're happy right now, and I'm happy too. Although your face isn't as good-looking as before, it's not much different. I won't mind."

Liu Zi: ...He meant to say he was about to run out of breath.

"Cough cough, cough cough, young lady, I..."

"Liu Zi, don't call me 'Miss,' call me 'Xiao Xin'er,' understand?"

Six: ...

He was really about to lose his breath.

This sweet burden is for whoever wants it; his little body really can't handle it!

Seeing Liu Zi's eyes rolling back in his head, struggling to breathe, and his face turning pale and then red, Yue Mingxi and the other six were startled.

They quickly stopped the sinker from spinning in circles.

"Little sister, stop spinning around. If you keep spinning, Liu Zi will be reporting to the King of Hell."

"Yes, Chenxin, we know you're excited, but don't forget your incredible strength. Liu Zi's small frame can't withstand your power now."

"Quickly, listen to me, put Liu Zi down right now."

Chen Xin was startled and quickly put Liu Zi on the ground, grabbing his shoulders and shaking him repeatedly.

"Liu Zi, are you alright?"

I'm sorry, I was just too excited and forgot that your frail body simply cannot withstand my abuse.

Six: ...

"Girl, please stop shaking me. I'm about to throw up. I feel terribly dizzy and nauseous."

"Oh, I'm so sorry!"

Chen Xin's face turned pale, and she loosened her grip.

Liu Zi lay limply on the ground, feeling the solid ground beneath him, and let out a long sigh of relief.

For the first time since birth, he felt incredibly grounded.