"Don't you think you're too old to mess up with a little boy."Shi Mei interrupted the men nonchalantly. The little boy quickly ran towards Shi Mei and hid at her back.
"Lady, don't you also think that it's not appropriate to intrude with others' business."One of the drunk men walked towards Shi Mei.
Shi Mei knew it very well as she also didn't understand herself. What got into her that she chose to help the little boy?
"I'm fully aware of that but I also know that it's not right to harm a vulnerable kid."
"Don't teach us!"
"I'm also well-informed about that but you only know how to oppress a kid. You don't deserve my respect."Shi Mei snorted with laughter, ignoring the bystanders closely watching the commotion.
"You really want us to teach you lady!"The drunken men advanced to Shi Mei but she dodged at them as she kicked them, twisting their arms.
She had an advantage over the drunken men because they were all staggering as they tried to attack her.
"Listen everyone!She's a member of annihilation clan and she's here to execute us."
The crowd roared as they shot their undesirable eyes to Shi Mei. Others were scared as they hid their children at their back. Shi Mei gritted her teeth, what on earth she had done for her to be always the subject of ridicule.
"Goodness. Do I deserve this unearthly place? They are all accusing me."Shi Mei uttered in disdain.
"See! She's here to kill us!"
The people around Shi Mei started to pick stones from the ground and threw at her mercilessly. She raised her arms to cover her head as she stepped back. She couldn't believe that she became helpless, she lost her confidence, her braveness and every piece of her fell apart.
She closed her eyes as if she was never been a fearless woman. But she unconsciously opened her eyes when she heard the loud thud and the crashing objects. She clenched her hand as she watched Xue Huan, protecting her from everyone.
Only a minute passed, everyone knelt on the ground and bowed at Xue Huan.
"Please spare us, Prince!"Xue Huan didn't respond, he breathed heavily as he turned to Shi Mei.
"Do you really want me to tie you in my hands."Shi Mei wasn't thankful nor delighted.
"Why are you here?I told you, I didn't show up here to kill you so let me go-"Xue Hue walked towards Shi Mei. But he suddenly dropped his sword and eventually fell at Shi Mei's shoulder.
"Master!"the little boy cried while Shi Mei became stiffed.
At that moment, the crown prince followed by the friends of Xue Huan appeared at the corner. The bystanders remained on the ground as they recognized the crown prince.
The crown prince was distinctive among all, he's wearing a white robe made of damask silk and its lapel had elegant pattern.
Wen Zexi rushed to Xue Huan, he immediately checked his pulse. He sighed with relief then he took Xue Huan from Shi Mei, he motioned Chen Wei to support him. While Gong Yan walked towards Shi Mei.
"Follow us quietly."
*********************************************************************
"What happened to my brother?Why did he suddenly passed out?"the crown prince asked seriously.
"Your Highness, he's experiencing-"
"No need to tell him."everyone looked at Xue Huan except Shi Mei. He got up from the bed, fixing his tousled hair.
"Xue Huan, if you have this condition then you better come back at the Kingdom."
"Leave."Xue Huan ignored it with his cold voice as if he was not talking to the crown prince.
"How long will you stay here? The King lifted your punishment so you had no reason to confine yourself here."the crown prince let out a deep sigh.
"Six years, isn't that enough to forget everything?"
"I don't belong to your Kingdom. Don't you remember, I'm not an immortal like you not even a cultivator. So why are you demanding me to come back in your highly kingdom."Xue Huan stated, disregarding of what his brother uttered.
"You possess the royal blood and no one will have the guts to question your existence."the crown prince insisted, he must persuade his brother to come back or else he would not be at peace.
While Shi Mei put her palm on her head, she could taste the bitterness in her tongue.
[ First, I found myself in the strange place. Then I met a pompous man, who tormented me at the very beginning up until now. Kingdom of dragon and now immortality. Great. I love this place.]
"Just leave."Xue Huan said, dismissing the crown prince. Six years ago, he already ended his ties with the Kingdom and even his royal blood.
"Fine, I will let you rest today. But if I need to drag you to return in our Kingdom, I'll do it. I'll find a way to visit you again."the crown prince said before he finally decided to leave his brother's residence.
"Hoooooh...The crown prince always gives me goosebumps."Chen Wei commented when the crown prince turned and gone into the residence.
"Imagine, the only cultivator who became an immortal at his young age."Chen Wei added but everyone ignored him.
"What's your plan? I think the crown prince is determine this time."Wen Zexi said, looking intently at Xue Huan.
"It will not change anything."Xue Huan answered but his attention was already at Shi Mei, his eyes was full of anger.
Chen Wei put his hand on Wen Zexi's shoulder, sensing another quarrel. Gong Yan let out a deep sigh.
"If you want me to set you free then remove whatever you put in my heart."Shi Mei scoffed.
"You only know how to accuse or blame other people. You're quick at pointing out the people who have wronged you. Is this your way to cover your insufficiency?"Shi Mei roamed her eyes around the room and curled her lips mockingly. She even stomped her feet twice on the wooden floor.
"Well, it's a good decision to lock yourself here than staying at your kingdom as a shadow of your brother."Xue Huan was not affected but he couldn't deny the nostalgic feeling in his heart. He gulped back the rushing memories in his mind. But his jaw tightened as he recalled the only lady who gave the same eyes, the same thorn words.
"Don't say anything as if you know me."
"The same as to me. You don't know me at all so you better not accuse me of a thing I never did."
"How will you explain the day you appeared in front of me?"
"That-"
"How will you explain my current situation?My body never failed me and it's always been in the good condition. But the moment my heart malfunctioned was also the time you came into my sight."
"So it's my fault?"
"What do you think?"
"Stupid, how could that be my fault?"
"Why not, you're an immortal. Or should I say, you belong to the Kingdom of Beast. You're clan is quite best at creating different elixirs."Shi Mei bit her lips, trembled as her blood boiled up.
"Please stop. Xue Huan, I need to check something about your condition."Wen Zexi looked at Shi Mei.