Chapter 123: Reliance

The flickering firelight chased away the cave’s chill, casting sharp shadows across Jing Ji’s stern face.

She stood with her back to Mu Xi, silently peeling off the black uniform jacket riddled with bullet holes.

From her side, she drew a dagger, then deftly sliced open the wound to pry out the bullet.

Throughout the entire process, Jing Ji didn’t even furrow her brow, as if the injury belonged not to her, but to some insignificant object.

The moment the bullet was extracted, fresh blood gushed out.

She casually tore off a strip of cloth and pressed it tightly against the wound to stop the bleeding.

Mu Xi cowered in a corner, wide-eyed, staring in stunned silence as Jing Ji treated her injury.

She couldn’t imagine how a woman could be so ruthless with herself.

The scene of flesh being carved open was enough to make anyone’s skin crawl, yet Jing Ji appeared utterly unfazed, her expression calm and collected.

“Hey, brat, had enough of watching?” Jing Ji finished tending her wound and coldly asked without turning around, her voice rough yet tinged with a faint, almost imperceptible weariness.

Only then did Mu Xi come back to herself, hurriedly lowering her head, too afraid to meet Jing Ji’s gaze.

This rough woman—though brutal—was unexpectedly resilient.

In a life-or-death moment, such resilience might be the most reliable support.

Jing Ji’s breathing was heavy, her chest rising and falling violently.

Without looking back, she commanded, “Stop standing there. Come here.”

Mu Xi hesitated, shifting her feet cautiously as she stared at her.

“Take off your clothes.” Jing Ji’s order was sharp and unequivocal.

Mu Xi froze, her voice changing pitch in shock, “Take off my clothes? Here? Now?”

Instinctively, she hugged herself, eyes wide with fear, as if Jing Ji had some sinister intention.

Jing Ji laughed bitterly, a mocking curve tugging at the corner of her mouth.

“What dirty thoughts are running through your head? Relax, I’m not interested in a bean sprout like you.”

She gestured to the blood seeping through her own wounds, impatience creeping into her tone.

“My wound’s busted open and won’t stop bleeding. This uniform’s too stiff to stop it, need something soft for a tourniquet.”

Only then did Mu Xi notice the blood stains on Jing Ji’s uniform and recall the merciless way Jing Ji had treated her injury.

Any lingering fantasies evaporated instantly.

But being told to strip—right in front of this woman—still made her hesitate.

“Move it!” Jing Ji’s tone grew harsher as she scowled.

“Keep stalling and I swear I’ll strip you naked.”

Mu Xi shivered under Jing Ji’s fierce glare, realizing there was no choice but to comply under this roof.

She bit her lip and began fumbling with the buttons of her dark green uniform.

Her fingers trembled, and her movements were slow and hesitant.

Jing Ji grew annoyed watching her and yanked the jacket away, ripping it roughly.

The sound of tearing fabric echoed sharply through the quiet cave.

Mu Xi gasped, clutching her chest like a frightened kitten protecting its food.

Only a thin silk camisole remained against her skin, outlining the youthful curves of her slender frame.

Jing Ji tried to pull off the camisole a few times but failed, so she gave up on the jacket instead.

Her gaze settled on Mu Xi’s body, lingering a moment at her chest before drifting down to her delicate legs.

“Take off the underwear and socks too,” Jing Ji ordered, impatience seeping into her voice.

Mu Xi’s face instantly flushed red, overwhelmed by shame, indignation, and humiliation all at once.

“What, you want me to do it myself?” Jing Ji raised an eyebrow, her gaze sharp and dangerous.

Mu Xi bit her lip so hard her teeth nearly left marks.

She knew Jing Ji wasn’t joking—this woman followed through on what she said and would probably strip her bare.

Weighing her options, Mu Xi finally relented.

Her fingers trembled as she unclasped her bra, then slipped off her socks.

The pink lace lingerie and white stockings clashed starkly with the rough cave, the bloodied Jing Ji, and the harsh surroundings.

She handed the undergarments to Jing Ji, avoiding her eyes and staring fixedly at the ground, wishing she could disappear into the earth.

Jing Ji snatched the clothes and roughly tore the lace bra apart; the soft fabric shredded instantly in her hands.

She efficiently wrapped the strips of cloth around the wound on her right arm, tightening them with force.

The pink lace stained with bright red blood was jarringly vivid.

Finished with the dressing, Jing Ji looked up to see Mu Xi still barefoot, trembling as she stood there, her face clouded with grievance and shame.

Jing Ji scoffed, tossing the shredded jacket back to her.

“Here, cover yourself up. Don’t act like an orphaned brat.”

Mu Xi took the jacket silently, wrapping it around herself to hide her exposed skin.

Her eyes fell on the pink lace tied around Jing Ji’s arm.

A complex mixture of emotions churned inside her.

That had been her most private piece of clothing, now turned into a bleeding bandage, worn by a coarse and brutal woman—it all felt absurdly surreal.

Unable to help herself, she whispered, “Does… does this really stop the bleeding?”

Jing Ji glanced at her with a hint of mockery, “What, Princess don’t want her pretty little thing dirtying my wound?”

Mu Xi quickly shook her head.

She just found it strange that underwear was being used as a bandage.

Jing Ji snorted coldly and ignored her, instead moving toward the cave entrance to keep watch.

The forest outside remained silent, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the wind, as if everything had settled.

But everyone knew this peace was only temporary.

The Escort Team wouldn’t give up easily; sooner or later, they’d catch up.

She and Jing Ji were like two trapped beasts, pushed to the brink of desperation.

Inside the cave, the fire crackled, casting the shadows of two women—one cold and stern, the other shrinking back—amid the oppressive stillness.

Mu Xi looked at Jing Ji’s back and suddenly felt this woman wasn’t quite as detestable as before.

At least, in a life-or-death moment, she was useful.

Jing Ji suddenly stood up, and the heat in the cave seemed to dissipate with her movement.

She walked to the campfire, pulled Mu Xi closer, and ordered, “Get over here, stop shaking like a leaf.”

The firelight painted Mu Xi’s shivering face red.

She instinctively wanted to recoil, but fearing the fierce glint in Jing Ji’s eyes, she stiffly moved closer to the flames.

Once Jing Ji was sure Mu Xi had stopped trembling, she began organizing her gear.

She checked the knives at her waist, then patted the handgun at her thigh—a quick, decisive action without a hint of hesitation.

Ready, she turned and started toward the cave entrance.

“You’re going out?” Mu Xi’s voice was small, barely trembling.

Jing Ji paused, glancing back with impatience, “Of course. You want to wait here for them to come knocking? I’m not interested in being a sitting target.”

“I can help,” Mu Xi gathered courage and looked Jing Ji straight in the eyes, offering a bold suggestion.

“I can go with you. I can be the bait, draw their fire.”

Jing Ji raised an eyebrow, as if hearing a joke, a mocking smirk curling her lips.

“Bait? You’re so small, you probably can’t even take one bullet without turning into a corpse.”

“I can do it. I can run fast,” Mu Xi insisted, her voice sharp with nervous urgency.

“I can lead them away, give you an opening to… surprise them.”

She stammered, but her meaning was clear.

She wanted to use herself as bait to buy Jing Ji a chance to counterattack.

Jing Ji fell silent, her gaze sweeping over Mu Xi as if evaluating her worth.

Only the crackling fire filled the cave, the atmosphere heavy and suffocating.

After a long moment, Jing Ji suddenly laughed—a strange smile playing on her lips that made her intentions impossible to read.

“You’re quite the schemer,” she said lightly, but with a subtle seriousness beneath it.

“But no. I’m rejecting your offer.”