Disfiguring Her Own Face

At the back mountain of Black Tiger Fortress, Su Shimao held the child in his arms. Hearing noises from the mountainside, he turned pale with fear and hurriedly fled for his life.

Unfortunately, being a scholar with little physical strength, he soon became exhausted and had to sit down to rest by a cliff.

Just then, the child in his arms began to cry loudly. Su Shimao, frightened by the crying, quickly covered the child's mouth and whispered harshly, "You little bastard, stop crying! If you keep crying, I'll throw you off this cliff!"

The child, having neither eaten nor drunk under Su Shimao's torment, was extremely uncomfortable and could only express it through continuous crying.

Seeing the child's crying worsen, Su Shimao's face darkened with fury, and he slapped his hand over the child's nose and mouth...

The child's cries had already alerted the Xiao family’s covert guards. Xiao Zetian supported Su Li by the waist and brought her up, while Lingdang led Wu Caiwei up. The four arrived at the spot where Su Shimao was resting, seeing him in a sorry state holding the child.

"Su Shimao, hand over the child!" Su Li glared at him with bloodshot eyes.

Su Shimao trembled in fear, looked up at the four people before him, squeezed the child's mouth and nose tightly, and cursed, "It's all your fault, you little bastard!"

"My child, my son!" Wu Caiwei, seeing the child, nearly broke down and collapsed to the ground.

Xiao Zetian and Lingdang exchanged glances, preparing to move forward to seize the child. Suddenly, Su Shimao sprang up, retreating to the cliff edge, holding the child suspended over the edge, shouting, "Don't come any closer! If you dare move, I'll let go and throw this little bastard down!"

Xiao Zetian frowned and signaled Lingdang to hold back. No matter how fast they were, there was still some distance from Su Shimao. If he truly lost his mind and let go, they might not be able to save the child in time.

Seeing his threat take effect, Su Shimao revealed a sinister smile, the scar on his face making him look particularly terrifying.

Su Shimao said, "Give me one hundred thousand taels of silver!"

Su Li quickly said, "Alright, alright, we'll give you everything. Just put the child down and we can negotiate everything else."

Su Shimao's eyes suddenly filled with murderous rage as he said, "You're talking nonsense, Su Li, you vile bitch! You're the most vicious and cunning! If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be like this today! Look at my face, my whole life is ruined!"

Su Li dared not anger Su Shimao further, so she played along, "Yes, yes, it's all my fault. But the child is innocent. Please let the child go."

Su Shimao laughed wildly, taking a step back. "Hahaha, Su Li, look at what you've done to my face. If you truly repent, then take a stone and scratch your own face. Otherwise, I'll throw the child off!"

Su Shimao laughed maniacally and said to Wu Caiwei, "Wu Caiwei, if Su Li doesn't scratch her own face, your son will die! Aren't you always such close sisters? Now is the time to test your sisterly bond. Let's see if she'll sacrifice herself to save your son!"

"You!" Su Li trembled with anger but, for the child's safety, couldn't lose her temper. She could only grit her teeth and pick up a stone from the ground, hoping to buy time and distract Su Shimao, giving Xiao Zetian a chance to rescue the child.

"A Li, no! Don't scratch your face!" Wu Caiwei rushed over, grabbing Su Li's hand, crying, "A Li, you can't!"