Chapter 2
1402 Words
Seeing that Alec was about to leave, El quickly rushed toward him and said, "Uncle, can you wait a moment?"
"You little brat, what do you want now?" Alec asked impatiently.
"Uncle, after finishing this month’s work, I want to leave here and explore the world outside."
Alec snarled, "Say that again if you dare."
El repeated what he had just said, hoping that Alec, being his uncle, would grant his request out of family affection.
Before Alec could respond, he noticed someone at the door. He shoved El aside and respectfully greeted the newcomer. "Lord City Master, what brings you here?"
El turned around and saw the visitor was Jeram, the city lord of Changping City—a portly earth mage. Jeram had visited Alec's mansion a dozen times, and every visit brought trouble. El had a deep impression of him, though it was one of disdain and hatred.
"I say, Alec, judging by your tone, it sounds like you’re not too happy to see me," Jeram said with a sneer.
"Lord City Master, you must be joking! It’s an honor for someone as lowly as me to have you grace my humble home. You could’ve just sent a message, and I would’ve come to see you immediately," Alec flattered Jeram, showering him with compliments. Alec was skilled at dealing with officials, always knowing how to please them.
"Let’s cut the formalities. We should talk inside," Jeram said.
"Please, Lord City Master, after you," Alec said courteously, stepping aside. Then he turned and shouted at El, "You little rascal, why are you still standing here? Go prepare some refreshments for the city lord!"
"Who’s that boy?" Jeram asked, noticing El as he stepped inside.
"Oh, him? Just a household slave. He made a mistake earlier, and I was disciplining him," Alec answered, not daring to neglect Jeram. To curry favor, Alec went so far as to call his own nephew a slave—flattery at its lowest.
"Have you finished disciplining him, or should I lend a hand?" Jeram asked slyly.
"No, no, no need to trouble you, Lord City Master. I’ll handle him myself. It wouldn’t be right for someone as noble as you to dirty your hands with a mere slave," Alec replied, putting on the face of a sycophant.
"Well, Alec, I’ve visited your home many times without bringing any gifts, which has always weighed on my mind. So today, let me do you a favor," Jeram said, though his malicious gaze was fixed on El.
"Lord City Master, your visit alone is a great honor to me. How could I let you help? Please, let’s go inside," Alec urged.
"Men, take that boy outside and give him a good beating," Jeram finally revealed his cruel nature, instructing his men to punish El. Jeram's lackeys obeyed without hesitation, grabbing El and dragging him outside.
"Uncle!" El looked to Alec for help, but Alec ignored his pleading eyes, only thanking Jeram repeatedly. "Thank you, Lord City Master, please come inside."
"You're welcome. After you."
After a few polite exchanges, they all walked into the inner courtyard.
Jeram's men, as ruthless as wolves and tigers, beat El brutally, leaving him half-dead. If not for the thought that "survival is the only hope," El would have been beaten to death. Fortunately, Alec and his wife did not continue to torment him, not because they didn’t want to, but because they feared killing him and losing a laborer.
One day, Xiuling rushed in, anxiously urging El, "El, hurry up! Why are you still dawdling? They’re coming after you with a group of people!"
"Xiuling, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry? Catch your breath and speak slowly."
"El, there’s no time! You need to run quickly. Your uncle and aunt are leading a group of people toward you. They don't seem to have good intentions, so I snuck over to warn you. I have to go back now, or I’ll be in big trouble if they find out." Just as she finished speaking and tried to leave, it was too late—Alec's group had already blocked the door.
"You traitorous little girl!" Before Xiuling could react, Alec's wife yanked her, gripping her frail body and twisting her arm with claw-like fingers. The vicious force left two deep bruises on Xiuling's pale skin.
"Hold her tight. I’ll deal with this little brat later," Alec's wife ordered.
"Yes, ma'am," the lackeys replied in unison. Alec's wife seemed to have no intention of letting Xiuling off easily, likely planning further torment. It was hard to tell if the woman was sadistic or just cruel by nature—constantly hurting others without fear of retribution.
El watched everything unfold, his heart aching. Xiuling had risked her life to warn him, yet he could do nothing to help. Tears glistened at the corners of Xiuling's eyes, and El felt a sharp pang of helplessness. He silently cursed himself for being so powerless, unable to even protect his friend.
Alec’s group closed in, surrounding El.
Though he knew they meant no good, El still asked, "What do you want?"
"You little brat, I’ve treated you well, yet it seems no matter how hard I try, you can’t trust family. Hand over what you’ve stolen, or don’t blame me for not recognizing you as my nephew," Alec growled, grabbing El by the collar.
"Hand over what? I have no idea what you’re talking about," El replied, struggling.
"Still playing dumb?" Alec’s voice turned icy, his words enough to freeze anyone’s soul.
"I really don’t know what you’re asking for," El insisted.
"Alec, if you don't make this boy suffer, he won't talk," Alec's wife suggested, urging him to use harsher methods.
But instead of acting immediately, Alec put on a seemingly merciful face. "El, you're my nephew after all, and I’ve taken care of you for eight years. If you hand over what you took, I’ll let this go. You’ll get good food, a nice room. How about that?"
"I honestly don’t know what you want. I haven't taken anything," El replied.
"The gold jewelry the city lord gave your aunt—if you took it, hand it over now. It’s not too late. But if we find it, you won’t like the consequences," Alec warned, his eyes glinting dangerously. "Don’t force us to do something we’ll regret," his wife added.
"I didn’t steal anything. You can search my room if you don’t believe me!" El shouted in his defense.
"Search it!" Alec commanded, and his men began ransacking El's small room. In no time, one of them triumphantly presented a piece of jewelry to Alec's wife.
"Look at this. What do you have to say now, thief?" she demanded, waving the evidence in front of El.
"I didn’t steal it! You framed me!" El roared.
"Framed you? We found this in your room. How dare you deny it?" Alec sneered.
Then, Alec and his wife exchanged whispers. From their malicious glances, El realized everything—this was a setup, meant to trap him into a life of s*****y forever. All because he had expressed a desire to leave.
Seeing through their plot, El shouted, "I hate being falsely accused! Even if it costs my life, I won’t bow to you!" Yet he quickly calmed himself, knowing that dying would solve nothing. Only by living could he one day seek revenge.
"If you’re going to be this stubborn, then don’t blame me for what happens next. Beat him!" Alec finally showed his cruel side.
"Wait!" Alec’s wife unexpectedly stopped the men, leaving everyone confused.
"Why are you stopping us? Are you going to defend this brat now?" Alec asked, surprised by his wife’s sudden change of heart. She whispered something into his ear, causing Alec to nod in agreement.
"Lock this brat and that little girl in the firewood shed. No food or water for three days. We’ll hand them over to the city lord later," she ordered coldly. Truly, the most poisonous hearts are those of women.
These events finally convinced El that he had to leave this hell. No matter how difficult, he had to escape. Death was no longer an option—freedom was his only chance for survival.
"I must leave. I will leave. I will see the outside world!" El shouted within himself, yearning for freedom and the vast world beyond.
- Writer
