Chapter 17: Beast Fight

Su Wei lay on the bed, drenched in sweat. The sweat dripped into the corner of her eye, a burning, spicy pain making her shudder involuntarily. Behind her was an unbearable, piercing sting. She lay there weakly, her peripheral vision fixed on Su He.

Master seemed very satisfied…

But she didn’t really like it—

.

Su Wei could no longer remember how she had gotten back to Su He’s bedchamber. When she woke, the sky was already dark. She didn’t remember how many times she had experienced this situation.

She lifted her hand and touched her earlobe. It was very hot; she was likely running a fever.

She also didn’t know where everyone else had gone. It was eerily quiet here.

Just as she got out of bed, Su Wei belatedly realized that she could barely hear anymore. The sounds were slowly fading away from her.

But she was still rather optimistic. After all, she had learned sign language; it would just be a bit inconvenient communicating with others.

She pushed the door open and walked out. Tonight was exceptionally cold; the blowing wind felt somewhat chilly. In a daze, she almost thought she was in autumn.

“Quickly!” Some guards were urgently running in a certain direction. Su Wei followed their path—that place was the main audience hall.

Su Wei’s eyes suddenly widened. Didn’t that mean something had happened to her master?!

At this thought, she immediately quickened her pace and ran over. She was her master’s personal Shadow Guard; she absolutely had to ensure her master’s safety.

Su Wei ignored even the pain from the tattoo. Her movements were wide, pulling at wounds that hadn’t fully healed. The wounds split open, and blood slowly seeped through the bandages.

But her mind was so highly tense that she even forgot the pain. The only thought in her heart was to find Su He and protect her master.

“Master…” Su Wei was almost losing her voice. She spotted the densely packed crowd and walked over quickly. Only when she saw Su He was unharmed did she slowly breathe a sigh of relief.

Su Wei wiped the sweat from her forehead. Only then did she have the presence of mind to notice the rest of the surroundings. A crowd had gathered, forming a circle around Su He and a large iron cage. Inside the cage was a creature she had never seen before.

“Your Majesty, do you like this tiger?” Someone sidled up to Su He and said flatteringly, “It can be trained as a fighting tiger. They say this tiger is extremely ferocious; people use them to fight against each other.”

Su He raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. She took a few steps back, using a stabbing rod to spear a piece of raw meat and offer it to the tiger’s mouth. Seeing that the beast wouldn’t eat and even let out a low growl, her interest only grew, and her smile became even more radiant. “Gu likes it. You are thoughtful.”

This tiger had been discovered in an arena. Finding it a rare curiosity, they sent it up, hoping to curry favor with this sovereign.

“Su Wei.”

Su He spotted her in the crowd without even turning her head. She turned and curved her brows downwards. “Does your back hurt?”

Su Wei shook her head. She was burning up terribly, her steps already somewhat unsteady. Now that she had relaxed, the various aches and pains throughout her body began to spread. She bit her lip and forced herself to stand firm. “Master, be careful. Don’t hurt yourself.”

She waved her hand, signaling Su Wei to come over. Since she dared let so many people see it, she naturally wasn’t afraid.

Su He hadn’t originally planned to call Su Wei, but since the person had run over by herself, she naturally had to “punish” her.

“Master.”

Su Wei walked to Su He’s side. Just as she got close, she was pulled in front of her master. The stabbing rod was thrust into her hand. Su He said: “You feed it.”

Su Wei complied. Her expression was very indifferent, a deep weariness under her eyes. Without a trace of fear, she stuffed the meat into the mouth of the animal called a tiger. Surprisingly, the tiger actually opened its mouth and ate, its gaze locked firmly on her, not shifting away for a moment.

“Ah—” Su He seemed surprised. She looked at the surrounding guards and ministers and waved her hand for them all to withdraw. Then, using the sound of the dispersing crowd, she whispered in Su Wei’s ear: “It likes you so much. Why don’t you fight it?”