Chapter 6: Monster?

Outside the General's Manor.

More than a dozen guards had already assembled outside the manor, weapons in hand, carefully encircling Ji Tianxin and Su Qing. On the ground lay several guards, bloodied and unconscious from Su Qing’s blows. If not for her master's command not to kill, Su Qing would have long since cleared these men away.

Ji Tianxin slowly removed her hood, and as her face was revealed, everyone present was momentarily stunned. Partly it was because the child’s features did bear a resemblance to the General’s, but more so it was the otherworldly, cold grace she exuded—this was no ordinary six- or seven-year-old child!

“We’ve come to acknowledge our kin. What is this? Do you mean to silence us?” Ji Tianxin’s voice was cold and sharp. The tone and expression seemed almost natural on such a young child, yet instilled an inexplicable sense of dread.

“Nonsense! Madam says you’re nothing but impostors! The Master has no such child! Throw them out! If they resist, treat them as spies—kill without mercy!” The steward strode out, head held high, issuing his orders in a booming, unwavering voice.

“Yes, sir!” the guards responded in unison.

With their orders given, all the guards surged towards Ji Tianxin and her servant. But as they drew within ten feet of her, Ji Tianxin’s eyes flashed with sudden fierceness. Instantly, everyone who approached was flung away as if by an invisible force, crashing heavily to the ground and coughing blood.

Screams of pain erupted in chorus.

Ji Tianxin’s gaze settled on the steward. She commanded, “Su Qing, bring him here.”

“Yes, mistress.” Su Qing darted forward, seized the steward, and bound him on the ground.

Ji Tianxin lifted her head, looking toward the manor, her voice chilling to the bone. “Since they refuse to recognize me, I’ll wait here until they come begging for me to acknowledge them.”

“Monster! Monster!” The steward pointed at Ji Tianxin, his eyes blazing with fury. “What kind of demon are you, to dare cause trouble before the General’s gates!”

His words sent a shudder through the remaining guards. Indeed, how could a child possess such overwhelming power? Surely she was a monster!

A loud slap resounded as Su Qing struck the steward, half his face torn and bleeding. “Call my mistress a monster again, and I’ll kill you right now!” she spat, raising her hand for the fatal blow.

“Su Qing.” Ji Tianxin’s childish voice was soft, yet brooked no defiance.

Su Qing withdrew her hand in anger. “Yes, mistress!” Yet she still hurled the steward hard to the ground.

Ji Tianxin then lightly flicked her wide sleeve and began walking step by step toward the steward, her white embroidered bamboo boots barely making a sound on the earth.

The material of her boots was clearly of the highest quality, nothing common about them. The steward, with a single glance, could take in the small figure before him, the jade tassel at her waist swaying gently with her movement, and then she stopped right before him.

The steward’s body turned rigid at once, unable to move. An invisible force pressed down on him, making it difficult to breathe—he didn’t even dare to lift his head. It felt as if standing before him was not a child, but a towering giant, making him want only to prostrate himself, as humble as dust.

His chest heaved violently. In the afterimage before his eyes, he saw that delicate boot suddenly lift. Then—

His mouth was abruptly sealed, his eyes widening in terror. Ji Tianxin stepped on the steward’s mouth and, with a sudden force, pressed him hard to the ground.

At that instant, the floor beneath his head cracked into a spiderweb of fissures, caving in from the impact.

Everyone around was shocked and terrified.

Ji Tianxin’s expression was as cold and indifferent as ice, her childish voice carrying an icy edge that made everyone present shiver. “A monster?”