Heavens' Laughter

Slurrrpppp!

With a solid hour passing, with many meals and drinks brought into Feng Shen's bedroom, the plates piled high with roasted meats, delicate dumplings, and fragrant soups began disappearing at an alarming rate.

His body gradually felt stronger as he continued to eat and drink without slowing down, astonishing the maidservants who stood to the side.

Xiǎo Bāo stayed silent, wanting to leave. Deep down, she yearned to return to the First Young Master. 

Despite being the Second Young Master's personal maid, she had been granted permission by the Patriarch to tend to the First Young Master. 

Which Xiǎo Bāo was extremely happy about. 

The maidservants couldn't believe how such a skinny body could consume so much food and water without a single sign of discomfort.

For Feng Shen, eating and drinking again felt strange but undeniably pleasant. The sensation of his once-empty body filling up brought an unexpected sense of satisfaction.

"Bring me some alcohol!" he demanded, glaring sharply at the maidservants as he ate with chopsticks. Now that his body felt less lifeless, with strength returning to his limbs, he could finally move freely.

And that was all Feng Shen needed to stop acting so passive. He no longer had to be kind to these lesser humans, especially those of servant status.

Sensing the Qi in the air, weak and far from pure, Feng Shen instantly knew he was in the Upper Realm.

While this level of Qi was perfect for many cultivators, to him, it was revolting, too weak and impure.

Only the Qi of the Ninth Heaven held true purity.

So, knowing where he was, Feng Shen saw no reason to act passively. He could easily take down anyone in this realm, provided he had some time to cultivate and learn some techniques.

Naturally, his forbidden bloodline greatly contributed to this arrogance.

Hearing the Second Young Master's arrogant tone, the maidservants all broke into giggles, except for Xiǎo Bāo, who merely rolled her eyes.

They had seen this act countless times; him pretending to be a dragon when, in truth, he was nothing more than a little chicken.

"Why don't you get it yourself, you pathetic waste of space?"

"Why should we listen to a loser like you? The Patriarch made it clear we don't owe you an ounce of respect."

"We already brought you food and water! Stop being so ungrateful, you spoiled brat!"

Seeing them laugh as they insulted him, Feng Shen stopped eating, and instead began laughing, but his laughter was far louder, as he smiled widely, showing his white teeth.

The maidservants fell silent, their laughter being overshadowed by his, not knowing what to say now, as this was a first time this had happened.

Normally, when they laughed at the Second Young Master, he would tear up and hide away, but now instead he was laughing with them? Or was it at them? They didn't know.

Wiping the tears of laughter from his eyes, Feng Shen struggled to regain his composure. He motioned to one maidservant to come closer with his hand. "Come here, come here," he said.

The maidservants exchanged glances until Xiǎo Bāo, who, being the personal maid of higher status, gave a subtle nod, signaling the one motioned over to comply.

With that silent approval, the maidservant hesitated no longer and began to walk toward the Second Young Master.

As she came to a stop, Feng Shen gestured for her to come closer, as if he wanted to whisper something. She felt a twinge of unease and was reluctant to comply.

However, when the maidservant glanced back and saw Xiǎo Bāo silently urging her to listen, she gulped nervously and leaned in closer to him.

"I want you to die," Feng Shen whispered in her ear.

The maidservant's eyes widened. "… Huh—"

In that moment, Feng Shen stabbed her in the neck with the chopsticks he had been holding, piercing the carotid artery. Blood spilled out as she fell backward, killed on the spot.

With blood splattered on his face, Feng Shen licked his lips and looked to Xiǎo Bāo, who, for once, showed a rare expression of genuine shock—something almost unheard of from her emotionless demeanor.

The other maids erupted into screams of horror, wanting to leave the room, but before they could take a single step, multiple chopsticks flew toward them, stabbing into their eyes.

They collapsed to the ground, wailing in agony, tears and blood mingling as they cried.

Xiǎo Bāo stood frozen in the middle, paralyzed. Her eyes went back and forth between the other girls, who were writhing on the ground, begging for help, but she found herself unable to speak or move.

However, Feng Shen's words snapped her out of her frozen state. "I will not ask again. Get. Me. Alcohol." His voice was calm, yet laced with venom. 

"At… At onc-once!" Xiǎo Bāo stuttered, bowing her head before hastily leaving the room.

She didn't waste a moment, shutting the door behind her as she hurried away.

The maidservants, their vision blinded from the sharp agony, caught bits and pieces of sounds that Xiǎo Bāo leaving the room, causing them to all begin screaming in unison:

"You can't leave us like this! PLEASE!"

"No, don't run away! We're begging you!"

"Don't go!"

Feng Shen pushed aside the trays and swung his legs over the bed, standing up with a slight cough that brought up a trickle of blood. He wiped it away with the back of his hand.

"Now, what should I do with you toys?" Feng Shen mused, a twisted grin spreading across his face as he approached them.

Crouching down to their level, he relished their cries; the sound igniting a sadistic pleasure inside him.

"Ah~ this will be fun~."

▬▬ι═══════ﺤ

Sweating profusely, Xiǎo Bāo wiped her forehead with a small handkerchief as she hurried across the wooden flooring.

Stepping down to the stone path that led to the courtyard, where she knew the patriarch would be, she began quickening her paste.

The small area she was leaving, which was adorned with hanging lanterns and potted bamboo, was situated just outside the main wing of the estate.

It was its own little place, a separate home within the Feng property.

"Xiǎo Bāo, what's wrong?"

"Slow down! You'll hurt yourself!"

"What's got you running like that?"

Ignoring the words of the servants who were tending to a garden, Xiao Bao quickly passed them, ignoring their concerned voices.

She didn't have time to stop.

Each step felt heavy for Xiao Bao, her mind racing with so many thoughts. She had never imagined the Second Young Master would act in such a brutal manner.

Although she had sensed a shift in his personality, she thought he was merely putting on another act.

"I don't get it… How could the Second Young Master change so drastically?" Xiao Bao muttered to herself, struggling to comprehend.

Either way, she knew she had to inform the Patriarch about this before the situation escalated further.

Xiao Bao also hoped that if she moved quickly enough, she would have some time to gather some healing herbs or medicinal pills to aid the injured maidservants.

"I must hurry!"