“But Mr. Guard, I must see my father…. I’m afraid something might happen to him if he’s left alone.” Grasping onto the demon’s shoulder and putting on a pitiful face to play her charm, the baby girl’s face could melt hearts if the situation wasn’t so dire and permitted it.
Unfortunately for both girl and soldier, the two of them weren’t going to have the time to make a decision here today. Exactly in the moment when the latter’s about to give in due to that face, a series of footsteps startled them and caused the two to look over in the other direction.
Among the new arrivals were multiple powerful targets, but the obvious one leading the new group were a kind-looking old man who kept smiling the entire time. Those eyes were locked onto Di Ling Yan, carrying a light of greed and delight at what he’s discovered.
“Your Highness, it’s your father who tasked me to come pick you up.” The old man lies without batting an eye.
Right away, Di Ling Yan knew that wasn’t true and reacted by clinging nervously to the palace guard’s neck like the other side would bite if they got any closer.
“Don’t be afraid,” the agitated guard promptly backed off as well to gain some distance, “I believe you got the wrong person. She is not a princess, only an orphaned fox picked up by the king somewhere during his travels.”
Despite the excuse, the smile coming off of the old man there only deepened: “Do you think we can’t tell the aura coming off of the child is that of the demon king’s? Little girl, don’t be afraid, we won’t hurt you. Come with us and we will go see your father.”
The old man’s smile was extraordinarily kind right then after that last sentence. He just couldn’t help it because the reward awaiting him would be unfathomable, especially when he thought all was lost after coming in late.
The guard’s heart pumped with adrenaline after the blunt statement. He knew there’s no turning back from a fight since they’re this close. Worse was the fact that he could’ve turned back with the old coot to where Di Jin Tian was, that he could find shelter under that former Keeper instead of confronting this second group of assailants by being overly cautious.
“I’m not going with you,” said the little princess with her stubborn face, “you are all bad people, trying to hurt my father and mother and big brother. I won’t leave with you.”
Unfazed and still smiling with that kind expression: “Little princess, your existence is too important to the world for you to be so selfish. Do you want to see the world destroyed?”
The girl snorts with her tiny nose: “Don’t think you can lie to me just because I’m small. I know you are here to kill me. My mother told me that before already. I have no relationship with you people so why should I sacrifice myself for you?” Mother taught me being kind is all and well, but it’s not alright to be foolishly kind.”
