Angelica finally realized something was amiss when she recognized the fellows surrounding Zhong Shenxiu and Robin as none other than the "Double Axe Mercenary Group."

She had heard the rumors about the "Double Axe Mercenary Group"—they were nothing but a nest of scoundrels. Trouble always followed wherever this group showed up, and it was even said that the contracts they accepted were invariably dishonorable.

With this kind of crew surrounding Zhong Shenxiu and Robin, there was no way they were asking for directions or catching up! Their posture was a clear provocation! A blatant, naked provocation!!

In that moment, Angelica started to feel a knot of tension tighten in her chest. She now genuinely worried about the safety of Robin and the other boy.

In her eyes, Robin was formidable, but she couldn't fight numbers! Even ants could overwhelm an elephant if there were enough of them! Let alone humans!

And the most crucial factor was that the "Double Axe Mercenary Group" had several mages among them—guys who certainly weren't known for honor or fair play. What if they resorted to overwhelming numbers or a sneak attack from behind?

Furthermore, there was a small boy beside Robin. Would this child become a burden? Angelica had no clear idea of Zhong Shenxiu's strength; she could only tentatively classify him as an ordinary child for now, as one prodigy as powerful as Robin was already bizarre enough!

Should she intervene? Angelica found herself grappling with the dilemma. She knew that even adding herself to the fray wouldn't significantly alter the odds. No matter how skilled she was, she couldn't fight ten to one, especially with those mages lurking menacingly!

Perhaps she should wait and see. Things might not be as dire as they seemed! Thinking this, Angelica slipped behind a tree to silently observe how the situation developed.

Just then, the fat man smacked his lips, his eyes fixed on Zhong Shenxiu, his tone dripping with mockery: "Hey there, little brat. I heard you conveniently stood aside that day, didn't you? Come on, crawl under your grandpa’s legs and bark like a dog a few times, and I’ll let you go. I absolutely do not bully children."

As soon as he finished speaking, his comrades behind him burst into laughter.

"Look! Fatty’s at it again, harassing people. What a beast! He won't even spare a kid." These fellows were clearly used to bantering with the fat man, so even when they spoke like that, he didn't get angry; in fact, he looked rather pleased.

Truthfully, the fat man didn't really have the standing to speak for the entire "Double Axe Mercenary Group." He said it merely to tease, to stir up some fun, pure and simple.

This wasn't the first time he’d pulled a stunt like this, so his companions were completely accustomed to it.

If someone actually crawled beneath his legs, he’d just say, "I let you go, but whether my brothers agree is another matter!"

This fat man was the very definition of a lowlife among scoundrels!

Zhong Shenxiu smiled faintly, not taking the man’s words to heart. Such a person was beneath his notice to provoke anger; at most, it merely annoyed him. If Zhong Shenxiu wanted them gone, a mere flick of his finger would suffice!

But just because Zhong Shenxiu didn't care didn't mean no one else would—Robin was someone who absolutely could not tolerate it!

She could not allow anyone to mock her master like this, absolutely not!

If the fat man had been teasing Robin herself, she might not have been so enraged. But this damned fat man made the critical error of repeatedly touching Robin’s forbidden territory!

Just then, Robin slowly walked toward the fat man, her face utterly devoid of expression! Yet, a light of absolute annihilation flickered in her eyes.

It was the same old saying: not only do dragons possess a reverse scale, but the Phoenix too has untouchable boundaries!

"Oh? Are you trying to stand up for him?" The fat man paused for a second, then asked with a laugh, clearly not realizing that Death itself had just descended upon him.

"Fatty, watch out! That little girl packs a real punch!" Fred warned from a distance.

"Fred, I think you’re making a mountain out of a molehill! I’m not bragging, but I could crush her flat with one good sit!" the fat man yelled back at Fred with utter disdain.

He was indeed massive, and judging by his bulk, he must have weighed well over three hundred pounds. If that weight landed on an ordinary child, it could certainly kill them. But when directed at Robin, that was another story entirely!

"Keep boasting, then. Go crush one for us!" Fred egged him on, somewhat amused.

"None of your business, go take a rest over there!"

While the fat man and Fred were exchanging words, Robin had already closed the distance, now less than two meters from him!

The fat man scrutinized Robin from head to toe, puzzled by her attire. She looked too poor for a noble, yet she wore so many storage rings that a pauper wouldn't possess.

Strange, truly strange!

But the fat man's attention soon shifted from her clothing. He began to appreciate Robin's features.

Though Robin was still very young, thanks to the numerous potent elixirs Zhong Shenxiu had prepared, she had already undergone several transformations, possessing the foundation of peerless beauty. Especially her skin—it was so vibrant and dewy that it gave one an urge to take a bite!

As the fat man appraised Robin, Robin was appraising him too. Robin was far from as vulgar as he; only the word 'Destruction' occupied her mind!

The eyes of Death had opened, and the aura of fatality was beginning to brew!

"It’s a pity you’d have to crawl now! Why don't you just join me? I promise you'll live large and eat well. How about it? That's far better than following that little hairless brat." the fat man asked with a wicked grin.

The fat man failed to notice the vicious glare in Robin’s eyes suddenly intensify. He had completely enraged Robin!

The Scythe of Death was raised high; a slaughter was about to commence!

"Robin, you handle this one yourself!" Suddenly, Zhong Shenxiu's calm voice drifted over.

Zhong Shenxiu wasn't angry; he was merely weary!

His instruction effectively eliminated any chance of survival for the fat man!

Letting Robin decide for herself was tantamount to telling her: kill whomever you wish; I will not interfere!

Angelica watched the scene unfold without blinking. When she saw Robin suddenly step forward, she couldn't explain why, but a wave of nervousness washed over her. She didn't know why she felt this way, nor what exactly she was craving in that moment!

However, a woman's inherent intuition told Angelica that Robin was furious right now, and the consequences would be severe! She knew a massive storm was unavoidable!

"Your name is Robin? A nice name. Have you decided yet? Want to come with m—" The fat man's voice cut off abruptly, vanishing into thin air!

Then followed a rapid succession of crack, crack sounds mixed with a deep boom, kicking up vast clouds of dust.

When the dust settled, everyone stared, and what they saw instantly caused:

All members of the "Double Axe Mercenary Group" to freeze in horror!

Angelica stood stunned!

Zhong Shenxiu was momentarily taken aback!