Chu Xun’s voice rumbling in Su Wei’er’s mind left her stupefied for one split-second before she realized whose voice it was as her head swiveled in his direction.
“Don’t worry. Just do as I say.”
Chu Xun’s voice reverberated in her mind once more.
It took every fiber of Su Wei’er’s being to keep from crying out loud with shock when she first heard Chu Xun’s voice. But with a beat of hesitation, she ultimately chose to trust him.
She recollected herself and fought to keep her breathing steady as she calmed herself down. Her hand came up and lowered slowly and the clamor reduced to her voiceless call to attention.
“My fellow Elves, as the Sacred Maiden, I defer to Her Grace the Queen for instructions and guidance to serve for the prosperity and glory of our race!”
Su Wei’er’s voice cast silence over the crowd.
Di Yanjing and the others stared strangely at her, so was Su Lianyi, who looked just as puzzled.
“And hence, I’ve decided to act according to everyone’s wish! We shall execute these intruders to assuage the wrath of the Divine Tree.”
Those words left Di Yanjing gawking with disbelief.
Su Lianyi stood there, bewildered as she wondered if her ears were working correctly.
So were the Flaming Qilin and the others too.
In fact, every member of the Elf race could hardly believe what they were hearing.
“Your Eminence!”
The entire crowd responded as one, roaring as loudly as an impetuous waterfall, acknowledging and applauding her wisdom. Every one of them believed strongly that killing Chu Xun and his people would restore calmness to the Divine Tree.
But Su Lianyi could hardly be pleased. The Elf race had been tainted – corrupted by some unknown influence that they had warped from their formerly compassionate and gentle selves into cruel and narcissistic grotesqueries.
As the children of the Earth, the Elvish qualities of kindness and docility that once represented purity and peace could no longer be found in their frenzied and rabid expressions as the mob clamored to have Chu Xun and his companions senselessly executed if it would mean their own peace.
Since when this such madness began? Su Lianyi mused quietly.
Di Yanjing and the others all exchanged furtive glances as they reeled with amazement. What had caused Su Wei’er’s massive shift in her stand?!
But no one could possibly fathom how sad was the Flaming Qilin. He could understand why and how she came to such a decision, although it was one that hardly sat well with him.
“Do you have any more objections, presbyters?” Su Wei’er glanced at Di Yanjing.
Not knowing what swirled in that head of hers, Di Yanjing mumbled quietly, “We defer to your judgment, Sacred Maiden.”
“First Presbyter,” Di Danqing crept forward and whispered, “What on earth is she doing!?” The sudden change in Su Wei’er’s stance had left their plans in a disarray.
“Patience. We watch,” said the First Presbyter, his eyes gleaming with anticipation and deceit.
Su Wei’er nodded and said loudly, “In that case, you may withdraw, presbyters.”
Di Yanjing looked hardly pleased, but he knew better than to oppose her as he motioned for his other fellow presbyters, including Di Danqing, to leave with him.
“You too, Aunt.”
Su Lianyi stared at her.
“Don’t worry, it’s fine,” Su Wei’er whispered, giving her a knowing look.
Su Lianyi could not understand. “What is Su Wei’er thinking of doing?!”
The Sacred Maiden of the Elves waited until everyone was gone and she said, “Since they had offended the Divine Tree, then it is in the Divine Tree’s hands that I’m putting them into. May the Tree judge them all.”
“Your Eminence, the First Presbyter is in charge of policing in our race. I believe we should hand the intruders into his charge,” insisted Di Danqing, thinking that Su Wei’er might be up to something.
“And who have these intruders offended? Was it the First Presbyter or the Divine Tree? Or does the First Presbyter think that he speaks for the Tree?” Su Wei’er lashed with deadly calmness.
Di Danqing faltered, not knowing how to respond. For all his power and influence, the First Presbyter could never supplant the authority of the Divine Tree in everyone’s hearts and minds.
“Who are you to question the Sacred Maiden’s decision, you fool! Stand down this instance!” snapped Di Yanjing darkly.
Di Danqing backed down with his head hanging from his shoulders, but not without his eyes flashing with angry malice.
“Bring them here. The Divine Tree will let its will be known,” Su Wei’er commanded.
A few of the Elvish guards acknowledged the order and moved towards Chu Xun.
“How dare you!?” the Flaming Qilin spat angrily.
Weng Xiong and the others eyed the approaching guards warily, readying themselves to retaliate.
“What now, Chu? Give the word and we’ll fight,” Shi Yifei muttered.
Chu Xun opened his mouth, about to speak when his vision went dark. He wavered and collapsed.
“Chu!” Shi Yifei cried. If they had any chance of escaping, that would only be due to Chu Xun; without him, there was no way of getting out at all.
Weng Xiong and the others all turned around to look at Chu Xun, aghast, before one by one, they collapsed as well like bowling pins.
“What’s going on!?” A terrified Qiu Yunping yelled as he struggled to remain awake.
The Flaming Qilin too wobbled and fell down. Being paralyzed quelled his rage not one bit; he snarled at Di Yanjing, “WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO US?!”
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Everyone was surprised.
“What is this, First Presbyter?” Su Wei’er’s petite face flushed with restrained indignation as she growled at Di Yanjing.
Di Yanjing snickered. He stepped forward and said, “These are all Immortal-class champions, Your Eminence. Any form of retaliation from them could easily cause huge damage to us. Hence, to ensure the safety of our kinsmen, I’ve added something into their drinks.”
“We are kind and gentle folks, First Presbyter!” Su Wei’er said sharply, “We do not cause harm to people. How could you not feel disgusted by what you did!?”
“Everything I do, Sacred Maiden, I do it all for the sake of our race,” Di Yanjing countered.
“Rest your anger, Sacred Maiden. They are all going to die anyway, so why should we bicker over such trivial matters?” Di Danqing stepped forward to interject.
“Many times you have undermined my authority tonight, Di Danqing!” Su Wei’er growled, the supple skin on her beautiful face now as taut as a nocked bowstring. “Since when it is in your place to interrupt when I’m speaking to the First Presbyter!? Get out of my sight and report to Disciplinary for thirty lashes!”
Di Danqing’s face twisted into pure ugliness.
“Please, Sacred Maiden, I’m sure Presbyter Danqing here has no intention of offending you,” Di Yangjing shot his brother a glare. He would not have spoken for his sake if not for their brotherly bond. A visit to Disciplinary for some lashes was exactly what he might need to cure that rash foolishness of his.
“No intention? So anyone can come in here and undercut me, then they’ll just have to say they ‘did not mean to offend me’? For what good are our canon laws for then!?” Su Wei’er barked coldly.
“But Presbyter Danqing remains a presbyter of the Elf race nonetheless, Sacred Maiden. Such a sentence is below his dignity, especially in the presence of outsiders,” Di Yanjing persisted.
“What dignity does he still need when he has committed a wrong?! And what outsiders?! The intruders are going to be subjected to the Divine Tree’s sentence, so they’re not going to survive any longer!” Su Wei’er stared scathingly at Di Yanjing, “Or is the First Presbyter trying to defend his brother?”
Di Yanjing’s expression looked just as hideous as his brother’s. “Brothers or not, we carry on our shoulders only our duty and responsibilities as presbyters of our race in these chambers, Sacred Maiden.”
“In that case, he shall report himself to Disciplinary at once. Thirty lashes,” Su Wei’er repeated quietly, ignoring Di Yanjing completely.
Shocked expressions filled the faces of every other Elf present. The Sacred Maiden had always been meek and submissive. Since when did she become so strong and stern?!
Meanwhile, Di Yanjing himself careened back and forth with astonishment. What had caused this incredible transformation in Su Wei’er?!
“AND WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?!” she snarled at Di Danqing.
Malice and indignation blazed in Di Danqing’s eyes. His face spasmed with uncontrollable rage with flickers of malice in his stare before he broke into a sudden fit of laughter.
“You are addressed as the Sacred Maiden. But do you seriously believe that you hold the highest authority here? No. As far as I’m concerned, you’re only lucky enough to be chosen by Her Grace the queen to be the Sacred Maiden. Otherwise, you’d only be the filth beneath my boots. And now, you dare to sentence punishment on me? HAHAHAHA….”
The Elves around them all turned shocked beyond words. To insult the Sacred Maiden was punishable by death.
“What on earth are you talking about?!” Di Yanjing hissed at his brother, his face in apparent dismay.
“You are the First Presbyter of the Elf race, Big Brother. But yet, you answer to a woman’s beck and call like a butler. What for? This I’ll say: no more. No more! This is time to rise up against the Sacred Maiden. This is your chance to make yourself king. Lead us all to greatness and create an empire with strength and power never before seen!”
“Shuddup, you fool! What nonsense are you talking about?!” Di Yanjing snarled.
“What are you worrying about, brother? For so long we’ve plotted this. This is our best chance. Today! Now! These intruders are powerless and we need only contend with this girl and Su Lianyi. As for that queen, she can rule all she like from that cave of hers…. Hahahaha!”
“Danqing is right, First Presbyter. This is a good chance,” added another Immortal-level champion.
“As one of the greatest of the Lost Races, here we cower, neglected and forgotten. The world outside no longer fears the arrows of the Elf race! I’ve had enough hiding!”
A few more Immortal-level champions added their voice to the throng now supporting Danqing’s idea, causing Di Yanjing to falter.
“What do you mean?! What are you thinking about?!” Su Wei’er yelped.
Di Danqing sniggered vilely. “Here’s what we’re going to do: we’re leading our kinsmen to the world outside where millions of opportunities await. We will make everyone outside bend his knees to the might of the great race of Elves!”
“How dare you, Di Danqing! Are you disobeying the commands of Her Grace the queen and the will of the Divine Tree?!” Su Lianyi shrieked.
“Divine Tree? Hahahaha…” Di Danqing cackled manically, “More like the Cursed Tree now.”
“What do you mean?” Su Lianyi uttered with foreboding dread.
“You wished to know? Then you’ll have to try it yourself!” the First Presbyter guffawed sinisterly.
“Be careful, Your Eminence!”
A pair of Su Wei’er’s guards shoved her aside.
Su Wei’er crashed to the ground, but she turned back just in time to see the Divine Tree bending its branches low and quick enough to constrict around her guards and garroted them each into two bloody halves.
“NNNOOOOO!” Su Wei’er cried with horror, eager to rush forward, but she was held back by the vice-like bearhug of Su Lianyi.
“NO! Wei’er! Something’s wrong with the Tree!” she cried to her niece.
The branch that squashed and dismembered to deaths the Elvish guards basked in its bloody glory with a deathly-green aura radiating around it, mixing with swirls of black fumes as the branch sucked away what life that remained in the corpse, reducing it into a dried and shriveled husk.
What in the world was going on?!
“WHY?! What’s wrong with the Divine Tree?!” Su Wei’er gasped blankly. The guards – who had spent a long time serving and protecting her – had died to do just that and their deaths saddened her.
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“This is no longer the Divine Tree of the Elf race. This is now the Curse Tree that is now controlled by me,” the First Presbyter declared smugly with an undisguised grin of evil as he rose up the steps of the altar.
“How dare you, Di Yanjing!? You tainted the Divine Tree?!”
“I’d advise that you act according to the situation, which dictates that you should yield. I hold all the cards now,” Di Yanjing sneered triumphantly.
“Why?! You are the First Presbyter of the Elf race! How could you!” Su Wei’er screamed with tears streaming down her face.
“Why?” Di Yanjing’s glare turned steely, his face warping into an utter grotesquery, “I was supposed to be king. But my place was stolen by that bitch we now call queen! Did she think that I would sit quietly as she stole from me?!”