Chapter 29
In the corners of the living room, beyond the reach of the crystal chandelier’s light, the players exchanged glances, barely able to contain their excitement.
“Boss, when did you enter this instance?”
The buzz-cut player, emerging as the leader of the group, rubbed her hands and approached the newcomer.
Wen Xingxue wiped his blade, stained with thick, black blood, his dark eyes as cold as ancient ice.
He wore a black short-sleeved shirt and, seemingly uninterested in answering, lowered his eyes, tucking his scimitar into his belt.
The boss’s aura was too strong. The buzz-cut player exchanged a look with the other players and fell silent, not daring to ask any more questions.
A newcomer, not understanding the veterans’ excitement, leaned over and whispered:
“Senior, is this boss very powerful? What level is he?”
Why were the veteran players so thrilled, as if they had witnessed a dead relative resurrected?
The veteran player’s voice trembled, his eyes shining as he looked at Wen Xingxue, who was resting with his eyes closed.
“Wen Xingxue! The top-ranked player! He solo-cleared several SSS+ level instances before!”
The newcomer’s eyes widened. He let out a soft “Whoa!” and clenched his fists excitedly.
“So we’re saved! This instance’s level has increased so much, and now a top player has arrived. We might actually make it out alive!”
The veteran player nodded, letting out a long breath.
The weight that had been pressing down on him for the past two days lifted the moment he saw the boss.
He knew that even if this instance was a trap, the system wouldn’t just let them die!
And here was proof, a god-level player had joined them!
The buzz-cut player also felt a surge of hope. Seeing everyone’s improved morale, she tried to lighten the mood:
“It seems we won’t have to hide and wake up the little master for protection tonight.”
As if hearing those keywords, Wen Xingxue opened his eyes, his voice hoarse:
“Little master?”
What little master?
The buzz-cut player, nervous about talking to such a high-level player, quickly explained:
“Yes, the castle’s little master. His name is Xing Nuo. He came here with us from the path outside.”
Wen Xingxue’s voice was surprisingly hoarse and raspy, like an old bellows, creating a sense of unease, as if a cold, slippery snake had just slithered past.
“Xing Nuo?”
He repeated the name, then, as if thinking of something, asked:
“He’s upstairs?”
The buzz-cut player nodded.
Perhaps it was the boss’s strong killing intent, but she felt a chill run down her spine.
“Yes, but Xing Nuo isn’t like the other monsters in the castle. He’s a very cute little boy.”
The buzz-cut player had a very favorable impression of Xing Nuo. She quickly added this explanation, afraid Wen Xingxue might suddenly decide to kill the little master.
Another newcomer quickly chimed in:
“Yes, Xing Nuo is quite adorable. He even saved us earlier.”
Another male player snorted disdainfully.
“Are you crazy? Defending a little monster?! Don’t forget we’re humans, they’re monsters! Cute? When he turns into a monster, you idiots will be the first ones he kills!”
The buzz-cut player narrowed her eyes, her expression turning cold.
“Have you forgotten last night, when you were running around the living room like a scaredy-cat, screaming your head off, almost dying, and it was Xing Nuo who saved you?”
How could he be so ungrateful?
If it weren’t for Xing Nuo’s warning to the monster servants last night, they would be dead by now!
The male player cursed.
“Just because the little monster looks cute? Don’t forget, a monster is still a monster!”
The buzz-cut player’s face flushed with anger, the barely suppressed rage from earlier threatening to explode.
“You…”
Before she could finish, the effect of her prop activated, pulling her back from the brink of losing control.
She bit her tongue, the pain bringing her back to her senses, glared at the male player, and walked to the furthest corner of the room.
The male player’s eyes were bloodshot, his emotions spiraling out of control, desperate for a fight.
The other players, sensing the danger, moved away from him, leaving him to fume alone.
Wen Xingxue, annoyed by the noise, glanced at the agitated player.
“Shut up.”
His voice was flat and cold, tinged with a chilling indifference.
The male player froze, his anger simmering beneath the surface, his chest heaving as if he were about to explode.
But he didn’t dare offend Wen Xingxue. He suppressed his rage, no matter how uncomfortable it felt.
Wen Xingxue, finally free from the noise, looked at the buzz-cut player and asked:
“Xing Nuo? How old is he?”
The buzz-cut player hesitated, glancing at Wen Xingxue’s cold, dark eyes, then replied:
“Around three or four.”
Wen Xingxue let out a small sound, a look of amusement appearing on his face.
“This is interesting.”
Shen Wen, that ruthless monster, was raising a child.
Wen Xingxue stood up, glanced at the suddenly dimmed crystal lamps, and drew his blade.
“Move aside. Stay back.”
He gave the other players a cold look and, in the next moment, charged towards the shadowy figures lurking in the darkness.
Xing Nuo, exhausted after listening to his dad read several stories, snuggled under the covers and fell asleep.
Shen Wen, as usual, placed a prop pillow in his arms, bent down, and gently stroked Zaizai’s face.
“Sleep now, Xing Nuo. Dad is going to take care of some…unpleasant business.”
He kissed Zaizai’s cheek and quietly left the room.
Xing Nuo had a bizarre dream. In the dream, his dad looked unfamiliar.
The dream was shrouded in darkness, only his dad glowing faintly.
Even though he looked completely different, Xing Nuo just knew this enormous being was his beloved Dad!
He wasn’t afraid at all. He smiled and ran towards him, wanting a hug.
But before he could reach his dad, he was suddenly lifted into the air by a stranger.
“A human cub indeed.”
Wen Xingxue, having teleported into the bedroom, poked the soft, chubby cheek of the little cub with his cold finger.
Xing Nuo, still half-asleep, dangling by the back of his neck, couldn’t tell if he was dreaming or awake.
His sleepy eyelids drooped, his little feet dangling limply, his head nodding.
Wen Xingxue, dressed in black, looked down at the little cub for a moment, then chuckled hoarsely.
“Interesting. Not at all like Shen Wen.”
The moment he finished speaking, Shen Wen arrived, ready to attack.
Wen Xingxue, reluctantly placing Xing Nuo back on the bed, watched as the little one lay there, his dark eyes blinking in confusion, a familiar feeling stirring within him.
“I’m leaving.”
He looked away and quickly vanished from the bedroom.
Shen Wen didn’t pursue him. He stood at the doorway for a moment, his face dark, composing himself.
He entered the bedroom, quietly sat down by the bed, and tucked Xing Nuo in.
He patted Xing Nuo’s back, coaxing him back to sleep.
“It’s okay now, Xing Nuo, go back to sleep.”
Xing Nuo, still half-asleep and confused, mumbled in agreement with his eyes closed.
He snuggled against his dad’s hand, feeling safe and secure, a soft smile appearing on his face.
Then, he fell fast asleep.
Shen Wen, watching Xing Nuo sleep, his initially gentle expression turning cold and sinister, glanced in a certain direction, his chest rising and falling slightly. He addressed the butler, who was standing dutifully outside:
“Inform everyone. Kill Wen Xingxue. No matter the cost.”
The butler nodded, not asking for an explanation, and turned to carry out the order.
Xing Nuo didn’t sleep well that night.
Strange rustling sounds kept disturbing him, forcing him to wake up several times.
But every time he opened his eyes, there was nothing there.
The darkness outside the window gradually faded, and the morning light filtered through the curtains, illuminating the warm-toned bedroom.
Xing Nuo yawned, faint dark circles under his eyes, evidence of a restless night.
He hugged his small pillow and sleepily walked to the next room to find his dad.
Padding across the thick carpet, barefoot, he bumped into Shen Wen’s leg just as he was about to leave.
He snuggled against his dad’s leg, resting his fluffy head against it.
“Dad…Zaizai…sleepy…”
Shen Wen’s expression was cold and indifferent, as always.
He looked down at the little cub who had bumped into him, his eyelids half-closed, and lifted Xing Nuo into the air.
“Go back to sleep if you’re tired. What’s the point of looking for me?”
Xing Nuo, dangling in mid-air, kicked his little feet, a sense of déjà vu washing over him.
He tilted his head, his eyes filled with confusion.
“Dad…tell Zaizai…story…”
Shen Wen snorted coldly and put the little one back on the floor.
“I don’t know any stories.”
He turned and walked downstairs, ignoring the sleepy little bun.
Xing Nuo, wearing his pajama robe, clutching his pillow, watched as his dad walked away.
He blinked and rubbed his eyes.
Dad seemed like a stranger again.
