Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 162: Punishment
Ashilia of the Elven Royal Court’s room was located deep within the second floor, close to the garden.
Xi Wei reached the doorway in just a few steps.
The wooden floor inside the room was polished to a spotless sheen, almost clear enough to be used as a mirror. However, this once pleasing scene was marred by shocking bloodstains.
Xi Wei’s heart skipped a beat, and he looked up.
He saw two Demi loli trembling as they huddled in a corner of the room.
Xin Zhi lay on top of Xin Kui, using her frail body to shield her sister. She held Xin Kui tightly with her delicate hands, crying softly. Her voice was already hoarse.
Xin Kui’s condition was not good, her breathing shallow. Xin Zhi’s body was also covered in bruises.
Princess Ashilia stood before them, one foot raised as if to deliver a kick. She forcibly stopped herself, noticing Xi Wei at the door. Her expression turned panicked.
Xi Wei, with a quick glance, had a rough idea of what had happened.
His eyes were cold. He strode forward, covering the distance in three steps, and stood before Ashilia, whose face had gradually turned pale.
“I… King of Winter, please listen to me…”
“Shut up.”
Xi Wei snorted coldly and raised his hand, slapping Ashilia across the face. He hadn’t held back any strength, except for not using his Qi.
With a sharp crack, a few teeth flew out, mixed with blood. Ashilia let out a pained cry as the force of the slap sent her sprawling to the ground. She felt her face go numb, her vision darkened, and her mind buzzed as if ten thousand bees were swarming around her.
“I’ll deal with you later.”
Xi Wei snorted again and kicked Ashilia, who was lying on the ground at his feet, aside. Then, he knelt down, carefully picked up the two loli, leaped directly out of the second-floor window, and activated his Qi, rushing towards the front hall of Winter Fort.
As he passed a guard, he specifically instructed the guard to gather some people to watch over the unconscious Ashilia.
A moment later, in Xi Wei’s room.
“Master, Xin Kui’s ears have been repaired, and Xin Zhi only sustained superficial injuries.”
“However, they were traumatized. Lori cannot help with these mental injuries; they will have to recover on their own.”
Lori said this as she released Xin Kui’s hand. Her expression was melancholic. Theoretically, she was a pure-blooded elf. Although Xin Kui and Xin Zhi looked at her with gratitude now, a deep-seated fear lurked in their eyes. It was like stray cats and dogs that had been abused outside; even if a kind person fed them, they would still instinctively fear humans.
The little maid glanced at Xin Kui and Xin Zhi again. Knowing that the two loli wouldn’t dare to say anything while she was there, she turned around understandingly and said softly to Xi Wei, “Master, Lori has other matters to attend to. Please talk to these two children.”
“Mm.” Xi Wei nodded and gently squeezed Lori’s soft, pretty face in comfort. The little maid smiled sweetly, adjusted her maid dress, and quietly pushed the door open.
Only Xi Wei and the Xin Kui-Xin Zhi sisters remained in the room, the atmosphere becoming quiet and heavy. However, it was clear that after Lori left, the two Demi loli visibly relaxed. They were truly scared… Xi Wei thought silently, his contempt for Ashilia and the Elven Royal Court growing.
“You don’t need to be afraid of the demi-humans in Winter Fort. They are different from the Treants in the Emerald Forest.”
“Don’t forget, demi-humans were also driven out by the Elven Royal Court.”
“They had a similar experience to yours. Before coming to Winter City, their lives were not much better than yours.”
“I remember when I first met Lori, she was beaten to the brink of death.”
“So, relax. What happened today will not happen again.”
A flicker of killing intent flashed in Xi Wei’s eyes. At this moment, he truly had murderous intent towards Ashilia.
“Master… I’m sorry. Everyone is actually very kind. We just feel that… we don’t deserve to be here…”
Xin Kui shook her head, her eyes filled with tears. She tightly clenched her small hands, her fingernails digging into her flesh. Even Xin Zhi next to her lowered her head in silence. They were too self-conscious, so self-conscious that they saw themselves as dust to be trampled underfoot.
Xi Wei shook his head and sighed. “The Winter Kingdom is an open country. There is no racial discrimination here. As long as one loves peace and abides by the rules, I can accept them, even if they are demons.”
“In fact, there is a demon in Winter Fort. Not only is he not discriminated against or feared, but everyone likes him very much.”
“Do you want to see him?”
Xi Wei knew that mere words would be of little help in guiding the two demi-elf sisters. So, he decided to take them to see a living example. After all, it was not wrong to call Sark, the Hellfire Lord, a demon.
“Really? Does such a being really exist?”
A spark of light ignited in Xin Kui’s eyes. Although it was as faint as embers in the ashes, Xi Wei keenly noticed it.
“Of course. Not only that, but Most City next door has very interesting plays. The actors are Bloodhoof Warriors and human girls. I can take you to see them.”
Xin Kui didn’t know what a play was, but she felt that since her Master said so, it must be something very interesting.
“Master, I… Xin Zhi also wants to go…”
Xin Zhi, like a little cat, nestled closer, clinging adorably to Xi Wei’s arm and speaking in a sweet, spoiled voice. She was more cheerful than her sister. Perhaps because she had spent most of her time lying in that cold, small hovel, unable to move but not experiencing as many cruel things as her sister. Therefore, her heart remained pure. Even though she was humiliated and beaten by Ashilia, now that her wounds didn’t hurt, she had immediately recovered.
“No problem, both of you will go.”
“I’ll take you to see the demon living in Winter Fort first, and then I’ll take you to Most City to watch a play.”
“It just so happens that tonight, the latest play, ‘Ghost of a Cow’, will be performed in Most City.”
“If we wait for them to perform in Winter City, it will be a long time from now.”
Xi Wei smiled slightly and readily agreed. He led Xin Kui, who had temporarily regained her spirit, and a curious Xin Zhi out of the room. Along the way, the three chatted and laughed, not feeling bored.
“Master, what is a play?”
“Is it really interesting?”
“A play is telling stories from books through real people. Believe me, you’ll like it. It’s absolutely very interesting~”
“Do you want to eat shaved ice?”
“Thank you, Master, but please give it to Xin Zhi. I’ve already eaten…”
“Sister is lying!”
“You haven’t eaten anything all morning!”
“I’m going to expose you in front of Master!”
“Xin Zhi!!”
Update: Ruo Yi character setting courtesy of a fan.
