I Received Messages From Future Self!
Chapter 567 - 563 Retribution for Evil

Chapter 567: Chapter 563 Retribution for Evil

The disoriented Hummingbird only saw a blur of red flashing before her eyes.

Bao Yuan’s arrogant, grating laughter abruptly ceased, like a duck whose neck was suddenly stepped on—its disappearance was startling.

In the next instant!

Bao Yuan, like a ghost struck by force, was sent flying backward.

The red figure stood tall before Hummingbird.

Hummingbird blinked desperately, trying to discern the identity of the red figure in front of her.

But her fading vision betrayed her efforts, refusing to focus no matter how hard she tried.

Instead, a wave of helplessness surged into her heart.

Her knees buckled; she sank softly to the ground.

At that moment, Hummingbird felt a strong arm wrap around her.

"Hummingbird, hang in there."

A familiar voice reached her ears.

Hummingbird blinked, peering at the person holding her. Although blurred, there was an undeniable sense of familiarity.

Just like the warmth of his voice that echoed her memory.

This is—

Vermilion Bird?

Hummingbird hesitated, her confidence faltering.

The Vermilion Bird she remembered always carried an air of playful recklessness.

Never before had he exuded this security and assurance.

"Vermilion Bird?"

Hummingbird’s lips quivered, her tone uncertain.

Heh—

A cold, soft chuckle filled her ears.

"It’s me!"

"Don’t worry, you’re safe with me here."

Rip—

Vermilion Bird tore a piece of his red robe while consoling Hummingbird. Using strips of fabric, he quickly bound her wounds. Knowing it was indeed him, Hummingbird relaxed, slowly closing her eyes.

Vermilion Bird leaned down to check her breathing, ensuring she’d merely fainted. Only then did he exhale deeply.

He continued pulling apart his robe, binding the wounds spread across Hummingbird’s body.

"Try to run, and I’ll kill Jiang Xinyan!"

Vermilion Bird didn’t even lift his head.

Yet his icy tone cut through the air like frost.

Bao Yuan, who had just struggled to rise, ready to flee, froze in his tracks, gazing at Vermilion Bird.

Vermilion Bird remained engrossed in tending to Hummingbird’s wounds, not sparing Bao Yuan even a glance. But still, Bao Yuan felt like he’d been locked in the sights of a wild predator, a chilling dread engulfing him.

"You— you wouldn’t dare hurt the Lady!"

"The Lady is Taotie’s wife!"

Bao Yuan’s confidence grew with every word, his legs itching to move as he calculated the odds of escaping while Vermilion Bird was occupied.

Heh—

Vermilion Bird sneered coldly.

"You’re welcome to test me."

"See if I dare!"

His voice was as devoid of emotion as freshly fallen snow.

Bao Yuan hesitated midway through his first step.

He faltered briefly, then drew it back.

His gaze fixed sharply on Vermilion Bird.

It seemed he was trying to discern any trace of deception in Vermilion Bird’s expression.

Yet Vermilion Bird’s face remained void of emotion.

No hints, no openings.

"Why stop running?"

Vermilion Bird coolly continued wrapping Hummingbird’s wounds, smirking as he posed his question.

Bao Yuan’s face contorted with frustration.

He roared hoarsely, his voice tearing through the air, "You think I’m scared? You can’t harm the Lady! If you touch even a hair on her, Taotie will come seeking you for vengeance!"

Bao Yuan’s strained cries resembled the screeching wails of a night owl, piercing and mournful.

"The Tomb Raider Sect’s rebellion was orchestrated by Jiang Xinyan. Both Jiang Xinyan and the sect deserve execution!"

Vermilion Bird’s declaration echoed like thunder.

Each word dripped with unrelenting killing intent.

Bao Yuan froze.

He stared blankly at Vermilion Bird.

"No, this has nothing to do with the Lady."

"You can’t wrongly accuse her!"

"And those uninvolved, the ones unaware of the plot— you can’t slaughter them arbitrarily."

Though driven by greed, Bao Yuan held sentiments for Jiang Xinyan and the Tomb Raider Sect. His actions, however flawed, were ultimately for their benefit.

Vermilion Bird continued dressing Hummingbird’s injuries, his gaze steadfastly downward, never once deigning to glance at Bao Yuan.

"Worthless pests—"

"Who cares about them?"

"Certainly not me."

"If everyone dies, won’t the truth simply be whatever I say it is?"

Vermilion Bird finally lifted his head, his lips curling into a dark, alluring smile.

After tying a neat bow on the bandages securing Hummingbird’s abdominal wound, Vermilion Bird gently laid her on the ground, rising slowly to retrieve a folded fan from his waist.

The fan, half as long as an arm, gleamed coldly; its metal bones radiated a malicious brilliance.

"So, am I right?"

Vermilion Bird unfurled the fan, posing his question.

"You..."

Bao Yuan’s words caught in his throat.

Vermilion Bird’s declaration sent shivers down his spine.

Everything Vermilion Bird just said mirrored his own thoughts.

If Hummingbird died, and Blacklist along with the Pawnshop succeeded, he could ensure Jiang Xinyan’s reign over the Swan Goose legacy, enabling the Tomb Raider Sect’s revival—and his rise within its hierarchy.

On the contrary, if both factions failed or if Fang Xiaocao returned to crush them, he could shift all blame for Hummingbird’s fatal wounds—and everything else—onto Blacklist and the Pawnshop.

By doing so, he’d extricate both himself and Jiang Xinyan while securing their power in secret.

Heh—

"Recognize these?"

Vermilion Bird sneered again, pulling two blades from his back.

He tossed them casually to the ground.

Upon seeing the blades, Bao Yuan froze entirely.

He recognized them instantly.

They were Green Sheep’s Sheep Horn Blades!

Not long ago, he himself had used one Sheep Horn Blade to deal Xuanwu a fatal blow.

"Didn’t expect that, did you?"

Vermilion Bird smirked, his tone almost mocking.

"What do you mean?"

Bao Yuan reflexively pressed for explanation.

"Green Sheep— soft-boned coward of Blacklist."

"I shattered his limbs, toyed with him a little. Couldn’t tolerate the torment for long— ended up spilling every word obediently."

Vermilion Bird flashed a recording pen with a sly grin.

"This here holds Green Sheep’s testimony, detailing Jiang Xinyan’s collusion with Blacklist and her organization of Tomb Raider Sect’s rebellion."

He dangled the device tauntingly.

"You bastard!"

Bao Yuan snarled, his eyes betraying fury as they reddened.

Vermilion Bird was ruthless beyond belief!

Setting forth such a venomous plan to utterly destroy Jiang Xinyan and the entire sect!

Like a man possessed, Bao Yuan charged toward Vermilion Bird, aiming to seize the recording pen.

Vermilion Bird’s sneer hardened.

The next instant!

A swift kick sent Bao Yuan flying backward.

He crashed heavily onto the ground.

"You? Close enough to touch me? Laughable."

Vermilion Bird scoffed, waving dismissively toward the shadows behind.

Several Phoenix Clan members emerged from the darkness.

"All dealt with?"

Vermilion Bird queried.

"After Green Sheep, not a single Blacklist member remains. All have been executed."

One Phoenix Clan member reported solemnly.

"Good."

Vermilion Bird nodded approvingly.

"Split into pairs; get Hummingbird to the hospital."

"If she dies, you better be ready to die with her— bury yourselves alongside her."

Vermilion Bird’s smile was chillingly sweet.

Upon hearing his command, two Phoenix Clan members hurriedly carried Hummingbird away, vanishing on the spot.

"Kill those two."

"Jiang Xinyan..."

He halted mid-sentence as his gaze landed on Bao Yuan, who was struggling to rise.

Bao Yuan panicked: "You can’t harm the Lady!"

Vermilion Bird grinned cruelly, "Why not?"

"Here’s an idea. Let’s make a trade."

"Smash your own kneecaps, and I’ll spare Jiang Xinyan’s life— at least until the Princess returns to decide her fate."

Vermilion Bird’s tone was playful as he placed his final offer.

Bao Yuan hesitated.

Then, he took a deep breath and sprang up.

Crashing heavily to the hardened pavement, he knelt.

Crack—

The sound of shattered bone rang crystal clear.

Vermilion Bird’s laughter echoed.

"Make sure to keep your promise!"

Bao Yuan gritted his teeth, practically hissing from pain.

Vermilion Bird chuckled softly, "Bind Jiang Xinyan first."