Chapter 141: Frenzied Demon

Chapter 141: Frenzied Demon

Xialuo was no longer important; she had lost her usefulness. Through her, the Sangye Kingdom clearly expressed its stance and also tested Bran’s position—neutral and open.

After learning Bran’s stance, the delegations from the two kingdoms no longer wanted to engage with him. They requested entry into the Northlands for an audience, but Bran told them he was stationed there precisely to prevent outsiders from entering. Upon hearing this reply, the delegation could only stay here temporarily and wait for an opportunity.

The power structure of Northland City was shockingly simple. Many social tactics were useless here. Trying to bribe, win over, or flatter important figures was completely ineffective. Currently, there was only one important person in the entire Northland City—Bran.

They wanted to observe and understand the living habits of the Northlanders, but they found there was nothing to observe here. The few Northlanders there were all lived in the City Manor and seemed to have nothing to do. Most of the time, they gathered together, honing their martial skills. They also showed disdain for the delegation’s friendly gestures.

The wizard’s difference from ordinary people became prominent here. He did not need numerous guards or a complex organizational structure; everyone seemed like his appendages.

Through Xialuo’s indirect probing of Zoya, they learned that the people or things with the most influence on Bran were: the Black Cat, the Ancient Tree, and the attendant Danny. This bewildering answer was beyond their understanding.

Therefore, they decided to return to the normal world to solve their problems and have Xialuo maintain more contact with Zoya.

…

The people from Sangye and Qiuling could not quite understand this city; it was strange everywhere. Although demolition and construction were happening all over, making the place seem messy and disordered, public security was very good.

The White Robes chatted and laughed with the surrounding residents, showing no sign of status difference. Yet, when facing the delegation, they displayed obvious arrogance.

Were these nobles and knights inferior to a group of commoners? With everyone’s doubts, Xialuo asked her new friend Zoya for advice.

“They really are inferior.”

“Why?”

“This place belongs to the Northlands and is protected by the Northlanders, protected by the wizard Bran. Those wizards who come here to study or settle are required to serve this city; they have an obligation to protect everything here, including these commoners. Here, you do not enjoy privileges. If you harm these commoners without reason, it will be seen as a provocation.

Do you know how we deal with provocation?”

Zoya smiled and made a throat-slitting gesture.

Xialuo was somewhat displeased and pressed further, “Aren’t the Northlanders afraid, being so lenient with these commoners?”

Zoya raised her head proudly and said, “The people here obey us, respect us.”

Xialuo twitched her lips and whispered a reminder, “It’s them—the Northlanders.”

Zoya emphasized, “We Northlanders! There happens to be a duel today, I’ll take you to see it.”

Xialuo was confused and asked casually, “To see what?”

“To show you what a Northlander is.”

This answer confused Xialuo even more. She had to suppress her curiosity and follow beside Zoya. Understanding the Northlanders was, after all, her purpose in getting close to Zoya.

…

Zoya now had a dedicated wooden hut in the Duelling Ground. The furnishings inside were simple: a delicate dressing table and two chairs. Upon arriving, Zoya sat at the dressing table and began carefully drawing Facial Markings on her face.

Xialuo looked at the mirror on the dressing table and said enviously, “Bran treats you very well. I’ve only seen such a good mirror here.”

Zoya shook her head, “Every Northlander here has one.”

Xialuo hesitated for a moment and reminded her again, “You are not a Northlander.”

Zoya smiled at herself in the mirror, seemingly satisfied with the Facial Markings.

“You know what? Initially, Bran didn’t have Facial Markings either. Every Northlander initially had no Facial Markings. We must pass a life-and-death Trial to obtain them.”

As she spoke, Zoya’s gentle temperament vanished, gradually revealing a haughty demeanor. She had completely transformed into another person, both in temperament and expression, very much like—Danny.

Zoya’s change made Xialuo somewhat suspicious and uneasy. After carefully putting some distance between them, she softly asked, “Are you alright?”

“Why would anything be wrong with me?” Zoya turned her head toward her and continued, “Actually, you don’t have to do this—succumb to their arrangements and deliberately get close to me.”

These words made Xialuo feel somewhat embarrassed. She explained, “I really want to be friends with you.”

“Maybe. Our situations are so similar.” Zoya sighed softly. “Back then, his family also planned to use him for a marriage alliance. That’s when we met and became friends—good friends.”

Xialuo didn’t understand and asked with a puzzled expression, “What do you mean? Explain more clearly. Who is he?”

“Who else but Bran?

He must have been very desperate back then. His family abandoned him, everyone abandoned him. Just like me now, just like you now.

Then, he chose the Trial.”

Xialuo unconsciously clenched her fist, staring intently at Zoya, hoping she would continue.

“Danny told me Bran chose the Trial himself. At the time, no one wanted him to go, and no one had high hopes for him.”

Xialuo didn’t believe it. “But he’s a wizard, a very powerful wizard.”

“He is indeed a very powerful wizard, but his abilities couldn’t be directly used for killing back then.” Zoya seemed to recall something amusing and twirled the Ring on her finger. “He deceived everyone. Back then, if someone had directly attacked him with swords, he probably would have run away.

Bran became a true Northlander by passing the Trial. I can do it too! Lately, I’ve been having a dream where I have Facial Markings just like Bran’s.”

Zoya laughed happily. “You know what that means, right?”

Xialuo nodded, unable to help recalling what Bran had said: “Our fears, our hopes, eventually transform into our abilities, become our reliance, allowing us to metamorphose into a wizard.”

The noise outside grew louder, the shouts shifting from chaotic to unified. Xialuo finally understood what people were shouting—Northlands! Zoya! Under her astonished gaze, Zoya stood up and walked outside.

…

Standing in the Duelling Ground, Zoya enjoyed it all. She loved people cheering for her like this, loved people treating her as a Northlander.

This was her Trial ground. Her opponents ranged from weak to strong, from unarmed to fully armed. Here, she earned true respect and gained her title—Zoya of the Northlands.

She didn’t know what was wrong with her today, why she told Xialuo these things. Perhaps the power brewing inside her made her act out of character. She could feel that this power was about to break free, today, right now.