**Chapter 15: Don't Be Afraid, Little One. Your Brother's Here.**
Gazing at Fang Xun, who stood protectively before her, Ningguang immediately felt the oppressive atmosphere brought by the Treasure Hoarders lessen considerably.
The little girl lifted her head, her clear, beautiful eyes involuntarily drawn to Fang Xun's profile.
Suddenly, Little Ningguang's eyes grew moist. Before this moment, she had never been protected by anyone.
*So this is what it feels like to be protected,* she thought.
An indescribable sense of security washed over her.
"Hey, hey, hey! Hand over anything valuable you've got, and do it now!"
"Cooperate obediently, and I might grant you a quick end. Got it?"
The Treasure Hoarders' leader barked out his orders, his tone arrogant and domineering, his face radiating disdain.
He didn't even glance at Fang Xun. After all, there were only two of them, and one was a defenseless little girl. With their overwhelming numbers, any fight would be a foregone conclusion.
Hearing the leader's words, Ningguang's face paled with terror, her frail body trembling slightly.
Though still young, Ningguang had learned the meaning of "Treasure Hoarders" through years of selling goods.
Little Ningguang was so terrified she was on the verge of tears. Her small frame couldn't bear such fear and oppression.
In that instant, a flood of images flashed through Ningguang's mind:
*Her mother's illness hadn't healed; she was waiting for her to come home...*
*She hadn't grown up yet, hadn't married the person she loved...*
*There were so many things she still wanted to do...*
Sensing Ningguang's fear, Fang Xun gently took her hand and said softly, "Don't be afraid, little one. Your big brother is here."
Fang Xun's voice was firm, sending a warm current through Ningguang's heart and an inexplicable sense of security.
"Why are you dawdling when we told you to pay up?"
The Treasure Hoarders clearly had no patience. They brandished their weapons, ready to kill and loot.
As the Treasure Hoarders closed in, Ningguang froze in terror. Fang Xun immediately shielded her behind him.
Fang Xun, however, felt no fear. Instead, he felt a surge of anticipation.
Yes, he was eager to try it out.
Earlier, he had drawn Ganyu's skill, "Mountain Zephyr's Blessing," and now he finally had a chance to test its damage!
However,
Fang Xun worried that using the skill might harm Little Ningguang. He gently ruffled her hair and whispered, "Little girl, if a fight breaks out, find a chance to escape. Run as far as you can, okay?"
Ningguang mistakenly believed Fang Xun was planning to sacrifice himself to buy her time to escape. Her beautiful eyes immediately reddened, brimming with tears, making her look utterly pitiful.
"No! If Fang Xun-gege doesn't leave, I won't either! I could never abandon you!" Ningguang's voice was resolute as she clutched tightly to the corner of Fang Xun's robe, refusing to let go.
The little girl was clearly terrified, yet she had summoned immense courage to stand by Fang Xun's side. Her delicate face, though still childlike, was etched with unwavering determination.
Fang Xun's heart swelled with emotion.
After all,
Fang Xun stayed to confront the Treasure Hoarders because he held a trump card, confident he could handle them and escape unscathed.
Ningguang, however, had chosen to remain by his side, willing to face danger alongside him, despite knowing nothing of his plans. This was truly remarkable.
Fang Xun couldn't help but feel moved. He had only helped Ningguang with a few minor tasks, yet she was willing to risk her life for him.
*This little girl is so incredibly naive,* he thought. *How could I ever bear to see such an innocent soul harmed?*
He smiled, gripping Ningguang's small hand tightly. "Alright, then we'll face this together."
Just as Fang Xun was about to activate his skill, a powerful voice boomed from behind him.
"Captain, we've found them! They're here!"
"Damn it, it's the Treasure Hoarders! Move out and assist immediately! We must ensure the safety of the civilians!"
Fang Xun turned to see a squad of Millelith soldiers in full armor marching toward them in perfect formation, spears held at the ready.
The Treasure Hoarders' leader's face twisted into a grimace at the sight of the Millelith.
The Treasure Hoarders were only capable of bullying ordinary citizens; they stood no chance against a proper military force.
The Treasure Hoarders instinctively retreated, clearly preparing to flee.
The Millelith Captain noticed this immediately and barked out an order: "These Treasure Hoarders have been terrorizing the people for far too long, harming countless innocent civilians!"
"Don't let a single one escape! Capture them all—leave no one behind!"
At the Captain's command, the Millelith soldiers sprang into action.
Though the Treasure Hoarders were vicious and ruthless, the Millelith were far better trained.
Within moments, the Treasure Hoarders' forces collapsed like a house of cards, utterly routed.
Their once-arrogant leader was the first to be pinned to the ground, completely immobilized.
The other Treasure Hoarders fared no better, all quickly subdued and pinned to the earth.
Ningguang couldn't help but sigh in relief.
The arrival of the Millelith meant they were finally safe.
"Brother Fang Xun, we're safe now!" Little Ningguang looked up and smiled at Fang Xun.
The Millelith Captain spoke earnestly, "Don't worry. As long as the Millelith are here, you won't come to harm."
The words had barely left the Captain's lips when a sudden, earth-shattering roar made his face pale.
The deafening sound, like a thunderclap, drew everyone's eyes toward its source.
There stood a massive figure clad in purple armor, a heavy iron hammer slung over his shoulder. He had appeared as if from nowhere.
Fang Xun immediately recognized the hulking figure before him: a Thunderhelm Lawachurl of the Fatui!
Fang Xun had vivid memories of this Thunderhelm Lawachurl. Back when he was still a novice, he had often been chased around by these formidable foes.
*Why are the Fatui here?*
But Fang Xun had no time to ponder. The Thunderhelm Lawachurl had already charged forward, its massive weight shaking the ground with each thunderous stride.
The Lawachurl raised its iron hammer high, purple lightning erupting from its body. Even the stray sparks that fell seemed capable of piercing the earth.
Compared to the Treasure Hoarders, the oppressive aura emanating from the Fatui was immeasurably greater.
In the next instant, the Thunderhelm Lawachurl swung its hammer, its target: the Millelith soldiers!
With a single crushing blow, several Millelith soldiers were sent flying, their armor shattered into pieces.
Little Ningguang, who had never witnessed such a scene before, paled with terror. Fang Xun immediately shielded her behind him, shielding her from the carnage.
Hearing the surrounding cries of agony, the Millelith Captain's face darkened. He roared at the Thunderhelm Lawachurl, "Why is Snezhnaya attacking the Millelith? Do you want to start a war?"
The Thunderhelm Lawachurl remained silent, its thunder hammer crackling with energy as it prepared another assault.
Realizing Snezhnaya's hostile intent, the Captain turned to his comrades and barked, "Everyone, form a defensive formation! We outnumber them—we can take down this behemoth!"
But before he could finish his command, a massive, blue-skinned figure lumbered forward, wielding a hydrogun that sprayed relentless streams of water. The Millelith soldiers couldn't withstand the onslaught; several were sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
Meanwhile, a sniper systematically picked off Millelith soldiers one by one.
The Fatui had deployed more than just the Thunderhelm Lawachurl. Hydrogunner Heavyguards and Pyrogunner Skirmishers had joined the fray!
This trio of elite units formed an overwhelming force that the Millelith stood no chance against.
Before the Millelith squad could even react, they were completely routed.
Now, only Fang Xun and Ningguang remained unscathed.
Little Ningguang clung tightly to Fang Xun, her delicate face pale with fear.
"F-Fang Xun-gege, I'm scared..." The girl's voice trembled with terror.
"Don't be afraid, Little Ningguang," Fang Xun reassured her. "Your gege is here."
....
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