Chapter 99: Chapter 99

""Hang him! Hang him!""

The villagers shouted angrily, their voices filled with righteous indignation.

The Evil Wolf was dragged to the bridge by the river. After his crimes were announced, a long hemp rope was tied around his neck.

Mu Ying felt that such mob justice was a bit cruel, but Wolf deserved his fate. If they hadn't been there today, Little Red Riding Hood would surely have met a terrible end.

There were already two dried corpses hanging from the bridge. Mu Ying quietly asked the woman next to her, ""Auntie, what did the other two on the bridge do?""

""The one on the left had sticky fingers—he stole things. The one on the right, now that's not so simple. She's been dead a long time. They say she was a witch!"" The woman whispered mysteriously.

""A witch?"" Mu Ying held back the others who were getting restless. ""Are there really witches in this world?""

The woman, clearly a gossip lover, her eyes sparkling with excitement, replied, ""Of course there are! They say one lives deep in this very forest, but ordinary people can't find her. Decades ago, a witch came to our village and even had a relationship with the old village chief. She cured the chief's mother, who was already half in the grave, of all her illnesses. The old lady lived out her days peacefully, without suffering.""

""Unfortunately, that witch didn't stay long before she left. Some people later saw her in the forest, which is why the old folks all like living near the woods—hoping to meet her and get some miracle medicine.""

""But no one's seen her in ages,"" the woman said wistfully. ""They say that witch's eyes were green, just like yours. If you weren't so young, and didn't have so many sisters, people might think you were a witch!""

""...,"" Mu Ying was speechless. ""If a witch once saved people, why would they hang a witch?""

""Not all witches are the same,"" the woman replied. ""The last one wasn't a good witch who healed people. At first, everyone treated her well and asked her for medicine, but the medicine she gave killed people, so...""

Mu Ying nodded, her expression complicated. She didn't really believe that person was a witch. After all, magic isn't a joke—how could a real witch be so easily sent to the gallows, unless her wand had been taken away?

""Let's go back, I'm a little scared,"" Windsor said, staring at the corpse that was supposedly a witch. She wasn't good at potions—would she end up hanged too?

At that moment, the executioner gave a gentle shove, and Wolf became yet another hanging corpse on the bridge, swaying alongside the other two.

From the crowd, parents kept warning their children not to trust strangers—they might be man-eating wolves. Little Red Riding Hood and her grandmother had only narrowly escaped being eaten.

Mu Ying and the witches quietly left the village.

""Humans are terrifying. That hanged witch is so pitiful!"" Windsor's longing for the human world had turned entirely into fear.

Renee patted Windsor's shoulder comfortingly. ""It's not all like that. There are good and bad people among humans. They seem to be kinder to those who help them—the two witches got very different treatment, after all.""

""If you ask me, before you all graduate, you should learn a couple of powerful attack spells. How could a witch let herself be hanged by humans? It's a disgrace!"" Margarita said angrily, wishing she could burn those humans to ashes.

""Maybe that wasn't even a real witch? There's no proof, is there?"" Lillian argued.

Rosie frowned. ""Sigh, I'm a bit worried about our coming-of-age trials. This is just a village, and there's already a precedent for hanging witches. Who knows what it's like in bigger places?""

""The villagers said the good witch might have been Mu Ying's mother,"" Lucia mused, stroking her chin.

""If that's true, maybe the old village chief is Mu Ying's father. But he's a bit too old, hard to tell if he looks like you,"" Lillian said, nudging Mu Ying. ""What's wrong? Why are you so quiet?""

""Huh? Oh, I was just thinking,"" Mu Ying snapped back to attention.

She had just been checking the new prompt that had appeared.

[Your trial character Mu Ying has participated in the world's progression in the Emerald World. You have gained Source Power ×1000, and World Will Fragment ×1.]

[World Will Fragment (Little Red Riding Hood)]

[Function: A manifestation of the Emerald World's will]

[Physical Conversion: Cannot be converted in incomplete state]

[Physical Effect: Blank world will, can be bound to a master]

[Source Power Conversion: Not convertible]

This was her first time earning Source Power in the Emerald World, and it was a full 1000 points.

Although, compared to the Block World, where she earned at least 50 Source Power a day, a thousand wasn't much, but at least she was starting to figure out the rules of the Emerald World trials.

Of course, the more important thing was the World Will Fragment. It was clear she received it for getting involved in the Little Red Riding Hood incident.

The fragment didn't appear in her hand, but was hidden in her spiritual sea.

It looked like a page from a book, with the story of Little Red Riding Hood written on it.

Except, the part about the wolf pretending to be Grandma was cut out. Instead, it said Little Red Riding Hood almost got eaten, but was clever and vigilant, discovered something was wrong, and outsmarted the Evil Wolf.

The story had changed from a cautionary tale to a role model story.

As the true hero who caught the Evil Wolf, Mu Ying and the witches' roles were blurred and omitted.

It seemed the world will didn't like witches very much.

She'd been pondering this, but had also been listening to the witches' conversation. Coming back to herself, she said, ""That so-called good witch was probably my mother. She told me about what happened in Redberry Village. But the old village chief can't be my father—given my age, my dad should be between thirty-four and forty, and the chief is way too old.""

In the Emerald World, people usually married young, between eighteen and twenty-five.

""But do you really think my mother was so well-loved in this village?"" Mu Ying looked at the witches.

Witches were used to not spoiling children and raising them to be independent, but the young witches still lacked experience dealing with people.

This trip to Redberry Village hadn't been pleasant, but there was a lot to learn. Mu Ying was determined to help shape the witches' worldview, so they wouldn't be fooled in the future.

Renee hesitated. ""Wasn't she? After all these years, people still remember her. The old folks even moved into the forest because of her...""

""No, people remember her because they want something from her, not because of who she was. If my mother had stayed in the village, what do you think would have happened?""

Seeing the witches' confused faces, Mu Ying sighed. ""She would have become a potion-making machine, and sooner or later, it would have put her in danger. People's desires are endless. She saved one life, and more people would come begging for help. Brewing a potion isn't a big deal for a green witch, but what if dozens, even hundreds, came asking? Do you give it to them or not?"""

"“This place is far from the center of human civilization. Most people here are poor, without gold coins, unable to afford potions. Maybe you’d be moved by their kindness and praise, and want to help selflessly. But do you really think word won’t get out? What do you think will happen to a kind-hearted witch who’s willing to hand out miracle potions for almost nothing? People may no longer fear her, but will they truly love her? The problem isn’t scarcity, but inequality. You’re just one witch, no matter how talented—how many potions can you possibly brew? What about those who don’t get any? And those who do—won’t they want more? Won’t this attract the attention of powerful humans?”

Mu Ying’s rapid-fire questions left the other witches stunned.

“That’s terrifying! Good thing your mother ran away quickly,” Renee said, blushing. She realized she was even less cautious than her junior—she’d really let her guard down!

“So remember this: if you ever go to the human world, either keep your identity completely secret, or make sure you have enough strength to stand up to human powers. Always keep your trump card in your own hands. No matter how much you trust someone, always leave yourself a way out. Never give away things for free just for a good reputation—it only feeds others’ greed. Always be careful with what you eat and drink, keep your wand safe, and never let yourself fall victim to someone’s scheming…”

Mu Ying wished she could pour every bit of her street smarts into them, especially her seniors. In just half a year, they’d be adults and would have to venture out into the world alone. The thought made her anxious.

“Haha, Mu Ying, you’re more like a human than a witch! You could totally teach history class—you’re better than Ms. Melanie,” Lillian joked.

Margarita gave her own junior a light smack. “Listen up! Who knows, these words might save your life one day!”

“I actually think Lillian’s suggestion is a good one,” Lucia said thoughtfully. “Mu Ying may be younger than us, but she’s been independent longer, and she’s far more alert to danger. We’ve never thought about these things so deeply.” She was already considering bringing it up with the headmistress.

“Alright, alright, Mu Ying, don’t worry so much. Humans may not have magic, but they can still be dangerous. Most witches have suffered losses out there, but very few have died from it. After setbacks, we always mature. Besides, witches never fear death,” Rosie said, seeing Mu Ying’s concern and trying to comfort her.

Mu Ying nodded obediently, but she couldn’t help worrying. There would be plenty of chances in the future—she’d have to squeeze in more scam-prevention lessons whenever she could. She was determined to help the witches develop a sharp eye for truth and lies.