Vaulting over the high city wall, Luo Xiaosu landed again on the soft soil and quickly slipped back into the forest.
Hiding behind a large tree, she carefully looked back, confirming there were no pursuers behind her.
Only then did she let out a sigh of relief.
“Huff… huff…”
She leaned against the big tree, sitting down, panting heavily.
Recalling the scene from just moments ago, the manic and greedy eyes of those townsfolk sent a chill down her spine.
“Damn it, if it weren’t for wanting to get back earlier, I would have…”
Suddenly, a terrifying thought flashed through her mind.
She jerked her head up, her face pale.
No wonder the streets were so deserted today, almost empty. Could it be…
They had already set out and entered the forest, planning to catch them both in one fell swoop.
“Aiweila!”
An unprecedented chill surged into her heart.
Ignoring the ache in her legs, Luo Xiaosu helped herself up by the tree trunk, a glint of resolve flashing in her eyes.
“Wind Blessing!”
A stream of green air coiled around her legs, her previously heavy body now feeling instantly light.
She ceased hiding her tracks and sped off like the wind towards the cabin.
What she didn’t know was that at the very moment she had been exposed, Aiweila, who was in the yard holding a watering can for the lilies, suddenly felt a tremor in her heart, as if she was about to lose something important.
Her heart felt like it was being violently clutched by an invisible hand.
The watering can in her hand fell to the ground with a clang.
“Ugh…”
Aiweila clutched her chest, staggering back a few steps.
Her legs gave way, and she sat down hard on the grass.
“Big Sister?!”
She looked blankly towards the town, and a layer of mist instantly glazed over her eyes.
‘Big sister couldn’t be in danger, could she? No! I have to go save her!’
Aiweila instinctively tried to rush out, but as soon as she stood up, her steps came to an abrupt halt.
‘But… I promised big sister I would stay home and wait for her.’
She clutched the hem of her clothes tightly, her mind in a frantic turmoil.
Just then, the little lily by her feet swayed gently.
A clear, gentle voice directly resounded within her mind.
“If you want to go, then go quickly.”
At that moment, the little lily was no longer a bud waiting to bloom; its petals slightly unfurled, like a shy little girl.
“Little Flower, do you want me to go save big sister too?”
Aiweila reached out a finger and gently touched the petals of the little lily, her resolve gradually solidifying.
She hesitated no more.
She wiped the tears from her face and ran towards the town.
‘Big sister, wait for me!’
—
Meanwhile, deeper in the forest.
“Search every damn nook and cranny! The City Lord said whoever kills that witch gets 50 silver coins, paid on the spot!”
Ba Lun walked at the front of the group, a large chopping knife held high in one hand.
Behind him were townsfolk carrying pitchforks, hoes, and wooden clubs, straggling along.
“Hey, Old John, is that witch really as nasty as they say? Do we need this many people?”
A butcher with a bushy beard lowered his voice from the crowd, poking his companion beside him.
“Ha, you haven’t seen it. That witch just waved her hand and let out a massive fireball, sending Captain Kaixi flying.”
Old John gestured a large circle with his hands.
“That strong? Even Captain Kaixi couldn’t handle it? Then what chance do we have?”
“Ah, you don’t get it. This is the forest, with all this wood around. If the witch dared to use fire, she’d burn herself too. Besides, the City Lord said the witch is injured; now’s the perfect time to take her out.”
Turning his head to look at the noisy crowd, Ba Lun snorted coldly.
He then sidled up to Kaixi, a fawning smile plastered on his face.
“Captain Kaixi, sir… you said the witch is injured, is that true?”
Kaixi cast him a cold glance, as if looking at a dead man.
“Are you questioning the City Lord’s wisdom?”
“Hehe, of course not. I’m just thinking of everyone.”
Ba Lun rubbed his hands together, his eyes narrowing slightly.
“So… the reward the City Lord promised us…”
“Hmph, you’ll get it when the job is done.”
Receiving confirmation, the smile on Ba Lun’s face grew wider.
He thumped his chest confidently.
“Well said! Even if I die here today, I, Ba Lun, will kill that damned witch and avenge our slain fellow villagers!”
Suddenly, he noticed a bush nearby rustle.
“Who’s there! Come out!”
He raised his chopping knife and shouted at the bush.
The crowd instantly fell silent, all eyes fixed on the bush.
From behind the bush, a little girl timidly poked out half her body.
Looking at the ferocious-looking townsfolk and the glinting weapons in their hands, Aiweila’s small face instantly turned deathly pale.
She just wanted to find her sister; why did she have to run into these terrifying people?
“It’s… it’s the little witch!”
Someone in the crowd immediately recognized Aiweila.
“Get her! If we catch her, we can find the big witch!”
Greed instantly overrode reason.
Like a pack of hyenas catching the scent of blood, the townsfolk lunged at Aiweila.
“No… don’t come near me…”
Aiweila stumbled back in fright, her small body bumping into a large tree.
She squeezed her eyes shut tightly, hugging her hands to her chest, her body trembling uncontrollably.
“Big Sister… save me!”
Just as Ba Lun’s chopping knife was about to fall, the magic circle on the back of Aiweila’s hand suddenly erupted with a blinding light.
Then, a translucent barrier materialized out of thin air, firmly protecting Aiweila within it.
The heavy knife slammed into the barrier, hitting it like solid rock.
The immense recoil instantly numbed Ba Lun’s hand, sending the knife flying from his grip to land on the ground nearby.
This sudden turn of events shocked the crowd that was rushing forward into silence, the scene falling into a dead stillness.
The people stared wide-eyed at the barrier glowing with a milky white light.
The light was too familiar, familiar enough to be chilling.
“Th-this is the big witch’s magic!”
Someone in the crowd shouted, their voice laced with undisguised fear.
That yell was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring a thousand ripples within the crowd.
“Damn it, we provoke the small one, the big one shows up!”
“Where is she? Find her!”
“Don’t be scared, we outnumber her!”
The townsfolk fell into chaos instantly.
They waved their weapons in fear, wildly looking around.
In the depths of the dark forest, every tree shadow they saw seemed to morph into that terrifying silhouette, raising its magic staff, ready to burn them all to ashes.