"Dad... Dad!"

No! The plushies!

Ugh!

So mad!

Lian Ye stood onstage, watching exquisite plush toys flutter through the air like falling stars. Yet not a single one came to her.

She was thoroughly displeased. She’d thought the ugly-looking magician would surely give her one if she stepped up.

But he didn’t!

Unhappy. Hmph!

Fuming, Lian Ye remained utterly unaware of the danger closing in. Not a shred of caution crossed her mind.

She didn’t even notice the sinister plushies swirling above her—or that she’d already walked into a trap.

"Aha!"

While Lian Ye sat stubbornly onstage, seething—

The magician beside her raised his wand. Harsh, grating chants spilled from his lips.

He was making his move.

"Lian Ye, get back!"

Xiao Ling had sensed something off about this magician the moment they stepped onstage. Something eerie. But she couldn’t pinpoint it.

Now it was clear: he’d chosen them from the crowd to capture them.

To teleport them away with forbidden magic!

As the spell began, Xiao Ling lunged forward. She shoved Lian Ye hard from the glowing spot beneath her feet—sacrificing herself to take Lian Ye’s place.

"Ow... hurts."

"Lian Ye, run!"

Clumsy, clueless Lian Ye only stared in confusion at the maid who’d pushed her.

She landed hard on the rough wooden stage, her tender little bottom scraping against splintered planks until it burned crimson. Sharp stings shot through her.

"Xi... Xiao Ling?"

When she looked up, she saw Xiao Ling sprawled where she’d been sitting.

Dusty and disheveled, Xiao Ling’s pale face was half-hidden by tangled black hair. Dirt streaked her cheeks, smudging her beauty into something broken.

"Lian Ye, get off the stage!"

*Crack!*

Purple magic circles flared beneath Xiao Ling the moment she spoke.

Thick chains erupted from the glyphs, coiling around her limbs like vipers. They pinned her down, sealing every movement.

*Sorry...*

*Young Master, I could only push Lian Ye away.*

*I hope that strange magician won’t hurt her...*

Xiao Ling strained against the chains, trying to recall defensive spells from her academy days.

But no matter how she struggled, the bindings held fast.

*Why...?*

*Why can’t I break free?*

Icy needles pierced her skin as the chains tightened. Electric shocks jolted through her veins.

"Aaah!"

The twin torments ripped a scream from her throat.

"Run? Where to? I’ll teleport you both anyway!"

The magician kept chanting, wand slicing frantic patterns in the air.

*Xiao Ling’s strength bled away. She lay limp, chains biting deep.*

*Sorry, Young Master. I thought I could save Lian Ye...*

She turned her head slightly. Lian Ye still sat frozen onstage, staring at her and the magician with wide, bewildered eyes.

*Ah, Lian Ye.*

*No wonder Young Master calls you an idiot. Run already...*

*Please. Just run.*

"Futile! None of you escape! None!"

"My new masterpiece... needs perfect materials like you! Consider yourselves honored sacrifices for art!"

*Materials?*

*He’s no magician at all.*

*I ignored Young Master’s worried look and dragged Lian Ye up here...*

*I...*

Guilt slashed through Xiao Ling’s heart like a blade. Warm tears streamed down her dusty cheeks.

"Young Master... I’m sorry..."

"Stop sniveling! Save your tears for my dungeon!"

"Vanish, you foolish mai—"

*BOOM!*

A black blur shot from below the stage.

It slammed into the magician with bone-crunching force, embedding him deep in the backdrop. He hung limp, pinned.

"You piece of trash..."

A low, venomous voice rose from the shadows.

Baiyi emerged slowly from beneath the stage. In one hand, he dragged a corpse in black. Crimson blood soaked his clothes.

His head snapped up.

Cold eyes flashed with crimson light.

"My maid," he growled, voice like shattered ice, "is not yours to touch."