Chapter 156: The Great Mage – Sang Jingwen Steps Out

With the matter between Lu Min and Yi settled, Sang Jingwen could finally start making arrangements to leave the city the next day.

When he was in Sang Chu’s room, he wanted to say something, but could only mutter under his breath. Sang Chu, however, saw right through him, stood up and said, “Don’t overthink it. I wasn’t trying to hide anything from you. I just didn’t want you to be disappointed or upset. Your little sister isn’t as perfect as you imagine.”

Her voice was a little low, with a hint of grievance. Sang Jingwen sighed helplessly and turned to look at Sang Chu.

“In your heart, what kind of person do you think your brother is? I’ve never been angry with you, nor have I ever thought you were bad or childish. In this apocalypse, I’m no longer the Sang Jingwen I used to be. Sang Sang, you’re my sister. You’re more important to me than anyone else.

Even if you wanted to stand against the whole world, I’d still be on your side. You’re afraid I’ll be disappointed if I know your secrets, but do you realize, not telling me actually makes me more disappointed in myself? I wonder if it’s because I haven’t done well enough as your brother, that you don’t trust me enough to tell me these things!”

“Don’t say that!”

Sang Chu lowered her head. Sang Jingwen walked over helplessly, gently rubbing her hair, his nose stinging with emotion. “Our parents died early, and I’ve been both your brother and your parent. You know better than anyone what kind of person I am. Sang Sang, I’m your brother—the one you can always rely on.”

“Mm, I know.”

Sang Chu sniffled, looked up at Sang Jingwen and said, “Brother, tomorrow morning you and Muxue wait for me outside the city. As soon as the puppet people from Rabbit’s place arrive, I’ll come out and meet you. To be safe, you can bring some of the servants to hunt with you. If necessary, you don’t have to worry about them.”

She spoke very carefully, afraid her brother would think she was too cold-blooded, since those servants were still people. But Sang Jingwen didn’t say much, only gently patted her shoulder and said softly, “Alright, I understand. Be careful in the city. Your own safety comes first!”

“Okay.”

After saying this, Sang Jingwen left. Only then did Sang Chu let out a long sigh. She had been so tense just now. She never wanted to change the way her brother saw her, but she forgot that distance and secrets only build up misunderstandings and exhaustion.

When Nana came in, she saw Sang Chu sitting on the bed in a daze. She wagged her tail and shuffled over.

“Master.”

“How are you feeling? Is your body better?”

Nana blushed, shyly nodding. “Much better. The wounds on the fox are almost healed too. Master’s healing is even better than the witch doctors’!”

“As long as it works. What do you think about the cold fog? How did you avoid it when you were trapped before?”

Nana looked at Sang Chu and answered without hesitation, “Master, my people—the beastkin—aren’t afraid of the cold fog. That’s why we’re often hunted or captured.”

“You’re not afraid of the cold fog? Why?”

Nana shook her head. “I don’t know. Ever since I was little, I’ve never been afraid of it. The cold fog is terrifying for most living things, but for us beastkin, it’s nothing.”

Sang Chu looked at Nana and remembered the way people stared at her when she first entered the city, as if they wanted to devour her alive.

“Were the scars on your body from those mountain monsters biting you?”

At this, Nana’s face instantly turned pale, and she seemed to fall into painful memories.

Sang Chu stepped forward and gently hugged her. “I’m sorry, I just wanted to know what happened to you.”

Nana’s hands slowly hugged Sang Chu back. She buried her face in Sang Chu’s arms and nodded slightly, her voice barely audible. “Yes.”

Sang Chu gently patted Nana’s back, comforting her, her thoughts already elsewhere.

“Nana, my brother is a good man. He won’t do anything bad to you. Tomorrow, go out of the city with him, okay?”

Nana suddenly clutched Sang Chu’s clothes tightly. “Do I have to go?”

“Yes, you have to. If you’re scared, just stay with Muxue, okay?”

Nana didn’t want to go, but Sang Chu had already said so. As her master, she couldn’t refuse. “Okay. Master, you must come out soon!”

“I will.”

After comforting Nana, she finally calmed down and hid in Sang Chu’s arms, not noticing the complicated look in Sang Chu’s eyes.

……

The next day.

Guan Liu tried to stop them, but Sang Jingwen and Muxue insisted on leaving the city to look for someone.

Sang Chu watched from the side and said, “Let him go. You can’t keep him locked up forever. I need to see the head of the witch doctors, so you should come with me instead.”

Liu no longer cared about Sang Jingwen. He only cared about Sang Chu. “You want to see the chief? Then come with me. As for the others, I don’t care what they do. Do as you like.”

After saying this, he stared at Sang Chu, who turned to Sang Jingwen and said, “Brother, Muxue, if you really want to look for someone, I won’t stop you. But you must come back before dark.”

Sang Jingwen replied, “Don’t worry, little sister. I’ll just look around nearby. If I don’t find them before dark, I’ll come right back.”

Sang Chu looked at him helplessly. “Alright, just be careful.”

With that, she turned and followed Liu to the witch doctors’ institute, muttering as she walked, “My brother is just too soft-hearted. He always takes everything on himself. I hope this time he learns his lesson.”

Liu glanced at her. “Are you hoping he’ll learn from a brush with death?”

“Don’t you like him much, Your Highness?”

Sang Chu sneered, “Do you think I’m like those girls in Rose City, swooning over him?”

Only then did Liu understand, no wonder she never chose Sang Jingwen. “So it’s because of that?”

“Lu Min wanted to marry a commoner and break off his engagement with my family. My brother, as his friend, helped him escape. Honestly, with his skills, I’m surprised he even made it out of the second district alive. But he’s so full of himself, he wanted me to run away with him too. Who am I? I’m the pride of Rose City! I was forced to give up my comfortable life and run around with him. I don’t want to leave. If he wants to die, let him. I’ll stay here and enjoy my life.”

“No wonder, Your Highness really has good judgment!”"