The aura of a king

Luo Xuan slowly turned around, the gentle smile on his face gone without a trace. "I didn't lie to you; it was your own misunderstanding. I don't want anyone to know my weakness, let alone one that could be fatal."

Qiao Wei bit her lower lip tightly. When she said nothing, Luo Xuan continued, "I mean no harm. Take that arrow with you."

"Does Luo Chen know?" Qiao Wei looked up, gazing directly into Luo Xuan's handsome face, her voice low.

Luo Xuan shook his head without answering further, his figure flickering as he disappeared from sight.

Qiao Wei finally loosened her grip on the box. As she left the village, she saw Rhine and Xiao Xiao standing at the entrance. Xiao Xiao, upon seeing Qiao Wei, trotted over with quick little steps. Qiao Wei took her small hand and asked, "Why aren't the two big brothers here?"

Xiao Xiao beamed. "The brothers went to fetch something. Hehe, big sister, you're amazing!"

Rhine shot Qiao Wei a sidelong glance and scoffed, "What's so amazing about her? A blind cat catching a dead mouse, that's all." Suddenly, a sly glint flashed in Rhine's violet eyes. She beckoned to Xiao Xiao. "Let me show you what real skill looks like."

A fierce light blazed in Rhine's purple eyes. Out of thin air, a violent tornado appeared, sweeping up large stones and sand as it rushed toward Qiao Wei. Caught off guard, Qiao Wei had no time to dodge. Just as the tornado was about to reach her, a golden light enveloped her, blocking the whirlwind outside.

Rhine stared at Qiao Wei in disbelief and intensified the tornado, making it grow larger. Then, a deep, magnetic voice rang out, "Enough! Rhine."

Reluctantly, Rhine ceased her attack and lowered her head, staring at her toes. Luo Chen and Luo Xuan approached. Luo Chen looked at Rhine coldly. "Why are you always causing trouble? If you do this again, believe me, you won’t see blood for a week!"

Rhine gazed at Luo Chen with wide, tearful eyes, her beautiful purple irises full of grievance. "Why does Brother Luo Chen always blame me? I just hate her! I really hate her! I—"

"That's enough!" Before Rhine could finish, Luo Xuan’s crimson eyes glowed ever more brilliantly, as if blood might drip from them. Suddenly, a flame ignited on Rhine's arm, impossible to extinguish. In pain, Rhine dropped to her knees. "Ah...Brother Luo Xuan...Your Highness Luo Xuan, I know I was wrong, please forgive me!"

Qiao Wei could hardly bear to watch. She let go of the trembling Xiao Xiao and looked expectantly at Luo Chen. Luo Chen frowned and extinguished the fire with a wave of ice. Rhine’s arm was badly scorched, the smell pungent and repulsive. Luo Xuan's voice rang out again, "Let there be no next time."

Tears brimming in her eyes, Rhine nodded and looked gratefully at Luo Xuan. "Thank you, Your Highness."

Qiao Wei was a bit shocked by Luo Xuan's actions. She looked searchingly at both Luo Xuan and Luo Chen, and realized that both of them exuded the same scent of blood... even a faint, regal aura that hovered about them.

"Get up. It's time to leave," Luo Chen said to Rhine, who was still kneeling. Xiao Xiao hurriedly ran over to help her up. The five of them set off towards the east.