Monkey's Play

As they walked through the forest, the night changed into day. However, the light still did not quite reach the forest due to the dense trees, so they still needed a torch. Wei Lan was walking ahead, his back to them.

As Li Xue walked through the dense forest, her open long curly hair got damaged. Looking like a bird's nest. Her beauty also lessened and she no longer looked like a goddess.

Li Xue stared at him as a question popped into her mind, "Wei Lan, right?"

Wei Lan nodded, continuing to move forward. "Where are we?" she asked.

Wei Lan stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Li Xue and the others. "You're in the city of JinLing."

"JinLing? As in the city of 'Golden Hills'?" Chen Yi muttered, and Wei Lan made a sound of acknowledgment with a smile.

When they finally emerged from the forest, the sunlight hit them all at once, so dazzling that the three shielded their eyes instinctively. Slowly, as their vision adjusted, the scene unfolded before them like a breathtaking painting.

The city was alive with vibrancy. Street vendors called out to passersby from wooden stalls brimming with colorful goods. Towering manors with intricate carvings lined the streets, their elegance underscoring the wealth of the city. Everything about JinLing seemed to exude an ancient charm, steeped in history and tradition.

Hua Rong's jaw dropped as she surveyed the bustling streets. "Guys... I think we're in the past," she muttered, her voice barely audible.

Li Xue rolled her eyes. No shit, Sherlock, she thought sarcastically, though she chose to keep the comment to herself.

Wei Lan glanced back at the group, due to the darkness of the forest he could not examine their faces in detail but when his eyes scanning the two in white and blue robes. Their beauty was peerless—straight hair, radiant white skin glowing under the sunlight. Hua Rong's captivating eyes were especially breathtaking. Wei Lan, however, completely ignored Li Xue, who stood nearby. He suddenly looked excited, though the three failed to notice.

"Come, you need a place to stay, right? Let me introduce you to my master," Wei Lan exclaimed. He grinned suddenly and happily led them toward the manor.

Li Xue and Hua Rong followed him, while Chen Yi trailed behind, suspicion clouding his eyes. "Chen Yi! Do you need a woman to carry you?" Li Xue screamed sarcastically. Her voice drew the attention of the people nearby, who turned to stare at Chen Yi to laugh but was stunned by his beauty.

Chen Yi blushed, the red tinge on his pale white skin betraying his embarrassment. "Li Xue..." he muttered under his breath, his eyes twitching. Then, unable to take the teasing, he ran to catch up with the group.

"Oi, how did all that attention go?" Li Xue laughed loudly.

"Shut up before I make you," Chen Yi growled, glaring daggers at her. Li Xue immediately zipped her mouth, deciding to say no more.

"We're here," Wei Lan's voice rang out. "The Wei Manor! The wealthiest residence in JinLing city," he announced proudly.

Li Xue, however, didn't hear what Wei Lan said—she was too busy watching a monkey show nearby. Hua Rong stared at the manor, her jaw dropping. Manor? Manor, her foot! This was a freaking palace! 

"Just how rich are they?" Hua Rong mumbled to herself. Before she could think further, Wei Lan grabbed both Hua Rong and Chen Yi by the arms and dragged them inside the manor, completely forgetting about Li Xue.

Li Xue, who had been absorbed in the monkey show for a while, turned around. "Hua Rong, you've got to look at the—" She paused. "Monkey..." She blinked.

"Where the hell are you guys!?" she screamed, her voice filled with rage. Amidst the laughter around her, her shout echoed loud and clear. People stopped laughing and turned to stare at Li Xue with confused and amused expressions.

Li Xue's features were distinct and unique. Her light brown skin glowed under the sun, but her hair betrayed her, looking like a bird's nest and the people were disgusted.

The silence broke when someone called out, "Eh? Who let the ugly duckling in here?"

Ugly duckling? Ugly. Duckling!? Li Xue's blood boiled. "How dare you! Which pig dares to insult me!? Come out, I tell ya!" she snarled, her fists clenched.

Apparently offended by the term "pig," a massive figure stepped forward. His shadow loomed over her, and when he came into the light, Li Xue's jaw dropped. The man was huge, his muscles bulging under his rough clothes. He spat on the ground and glared down at her. "You were saying?" he rumbled in a deep voice.

Li Xue froze, her anger evaporating. How the hell am I supposed to fight someone with muscles like that? She glanced at him, comparing her height to his, and realized she barely reached his chest.

The roaring lion had turned into a whimpering kitten.

"Haha... Young sir, it was a slip of the tongue," she said awkwardly, her voice shaking as her boldness shrank. The roaring lion had turned into a timid kitten.

The man took a step forward, and Li Xue's panic escalated. "Don't come closer!" she yelled before turning on her heels and sprinting away. The man chased after her, his heavy footsteps pounding against the street. Li Xue ran as fast as she could, but she was no match for the man. Suddenly, the red jade on her neck began to emit a faint glow, and the man chasing her disappeared into thin air. But Li Xue failed to notice as she continued to run as fast as she could, weaving through the crowd, and ducked into the nearest gate she could find—the Wei Manor.

The crowd was astonished at the disappearance of the man in thin air, and after a moment of silence, sounds of chaos was heard. "Black Magic! We have a witch in the kingdom!" People screamed.

Li Xue was completely oblivious to the voices of the panicked people. and she leaned against the wall, panting heavily, and muttered to herself, "This better not be the monkey's fault."