Chapter 28: The Praise That Devours

  The Blue Beauty was hung on a wooden post in the testing room, her gaze fixed fiercely on Nightshade. "What do you want, outsider? I will not submit."

  A faint smile hung at the corner of Nightshade's mouth. He extended his hand. "Little Hut, bring out the master's Hymn."

  The hut blinked its large eyes. "Huh? How do you know the master has that book? The master said that book should be sealed forever and not used."

  Nightshade didn't answer the question, just made a gesture of silence. "We'll use it secretly. Just don't let the master know. Seal it again after we're done. Don't you want to see what it does?"

  "I do." A thin crack opened in the floor, and a book with an eerie cover was handed up to Nightshade.

  The Blue Beauty stared at that book, every cell in her body trembling. A feeling of facing something terrifying rose in her heart. She wanted to look away, wanted to escape, but the formation firmly held her fixed to the wooden post.

  "You... what... what do you want to do?" she said, her voice trembling.

  "For a disobedient servant, of course proper discipline is needed." Nightshade smiled as he opened the Hymn. A terrifying force instantly erupted within the room.

  "My Lord, hear our whispers. You created us from decaying soil. You gave us life with bone and blood.

  If we turn away from you, may our flesh peel from our bones. If we forget you, may our blood vessels dry and burst within us.

  If we betray our oath, may our souls be devoured by flesh and blood, finding no rest for eternity.

  Only by serving you do we have breath, have existence, have eternity.

  Those who forsake you shall dissolve in agony, returning to your endless flesh and blood."

  "Stop... don't... don't recite anymore!"

  The Blue Beauty felt the force wildly surging within her body—the very force that had given her resurrection. It was gnawing at her will, reshaping everything about her. The sinews beneath her skin twisted, and one by one, tentacles pierced through her skin, waving fervently.

  She seemed to see a light. Her soul trembled in its glow. Divine sounds reached her ears from heaven, every note carving itself into her very bones, making her willingly bow down in submission.

  Reason, dignity, self—she shredded them with her own hands. She wanted to sacrifice everything she had. In that moment, her world contained only Him, only Him. She was willing to give everything for her master.

  "Please look upon me favorably..." she murmured unconsciously, her voice hoarse and fervent. "Everything I have is yours. Even if I am ground to dust, my soul scattered to the winds, I would gladly accept it."

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  The Blue Beauty only wanted to stay by Lan Chi's side, to be able to serve him. Even if the price was turning to dust, she wanted to remain with him. She had completely become Lan Chi's follower, with no self, no distracting thoughts, only obsession and submission.

  Nightshade closed the book. "Little Hut, seal it away." Upon hearing his words, the eerie Hymn suddenly became agitated. It extended tentacles and tugged at Nightshade's hand.

  Nightshade glanced at it, said nothing, and directly threw it into the crack opened by the hut. He walked over to the Blue Beauty, who had turned into a ball of flesh, and snapped his fingers. "Snap out of it."

  The Blue Beauty broke free from her obsessed state and woke with a start. She looked at Nightshade in terror. What had just happened was still vivid in her mind. She wanted to scream, but her throat felt blocked by something.

  "The master doesn't like monsters, nor does he like those who lose themselves. You should be able to restore yourself to your original form." Nightshade looked at her coldly.

  Hearing his words, the Blue Beauty tried to control her own body. After a moment, a perfect form reappeared.

  Nightshade expressionlessly undid the restraints on the Blue Beauty. "Once you've figured things out, go out on your own. Ask the hut for some clothes. Make the master happy. Whether you want revenge or anything else, it can be arranged." With that, he turned and left the testing room.

  ...

  Lan Chi was driving the wagon, bored out of his mind. He touched his swollen neck—he had indeed been reckless today. Hearing sounds from inside the carriage, he turned to look and saw Nightshade emerging from the crack in the wagon cover.

  "All settled?" Lan Chi glanced behind Nightshade. No one followed out.

  "Yes, all settled. She'll come out soon." Nightshade replied, sitting back in the driver's seat and taking the reins from Lan Chi.

  Sure enough, not long after, the Blue Beauty emerged from the crack opened by the hut. She was wearing the same casual clothes as the two of them. She walked over, knelt down beside them, and looked at Lan Chi cautiously.

  Lan Chi looked at the Blue Beauty. Seeing that she was no longer as ferocious as before, he asked, "What's your name?"

  "Kaelen." The Blue Beauty answered honestly.

  "Tell me about yourself."

  Kaelen glanced at Lan Chi, then lowered her eyes.

  She felt her soul trembling, cheering, wanting to prostrate herself at his feet.

  Suppressing her agitated emotions, she said softly, "I... I am a local native. While hunting outside with my clansmen, we encountered a squad. They killed my clansmen, but didn't kill the young women in our tribe. They sold me to a wealthy man. When I escaped, I injured that man, and then he killed me and made me into a puppet."

  How pitiful. No wonder she had reacted so strongly upon waking, lunging at him the moment she saw him. Lan Chi was speechless. This was impossible to judge. "What do you plan to do? Do you want revenge or to find your clansmen?"

  "Ah?" Kaelen was startled. She lowered her head, nervously clutching her clothes. Thinking about how she had transformed just now, she knew she could never go back. "I... I won't go back. You bought me. From now on, I'll follow you."

  "Don't want to see your clansmen again? I could actually let you go." Lan Chi said indifferently.

  Kaelen shook her head. "I have already died once. My life was given by the master, so please let me serve you."

  Hearing "master" made Lan Chi a bit embarrassed. The hut basically called him by name, and Nightshade only called him "master" when outsiders were present. Still, having a maid felt pretty good. "Cough, alright. From now on, you'll follow us."

  "Thank you, master."