After the Legend

Chapter 33: Winter passes and spring comes

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Lucien's brows were furrowed. He had always been cold and cold, and it was really rare to have such an obvious expression. The soft-spoken male elf following him said: "The two mercenaries both confessed that someone told them that the elves were tens of thousands of years old and had accumulated countless treasures, including gold and gems. There are also ancient artifacts. As long as they get a small part of them, it will be enough for them to enjoy it for a lifetime. They were only half-doubtful at first, but just before the half-elves were about to drive them away, they accidentally discovered the spar hidden by Ludlow."

"Spar?" Xiao Tianjian asked.

"I know this." Old Qiao explained, "Since the establishment of Phantom Town, human adventurers have come every year and want to get herbs or animals in the Elf Forest. As long as it is not too much, we will agree, but we must They exchanged them for various magic crystals. Those crystals were used to enhance the power of weapons to deal with monsters in the snow. Once the magic power was exhausted, they became useless gems. The elves were not interested in these and just used them. They were thrown to the children as toys. The little prince liked the color of those crystal stones, so he collected them more than others."

Xiao Tianjian felt that his son's hobby was a bit like his own, but he still couldn't understand: "Even if the child collects a few discarded crystal stones, it doesn't mean that there are treasures in the Elf Forest? Isn't that something given by humans?"

The kind elf sighed: "But the mercenaries didn't know. They only thought that a child could have so many gems. This shows how rich the elves are, so they simply kidnapped the child and used it as a hostage. Secondly, they wanted them to lead the way. Little Luela wanted to warn, but they killed her."

Xiao Tianjian's face was a little ugly, and it might have been his son who was originally killed. The elves do not love treasures, but are only interested in plants and elegant art. After those crystals lose their magic power, they are no different from toys to them, but they become a source of trouble. "Who spread the rumors?!" he asked through gritted teeth.

"No matter who it is, they are not well-intentioned." Lucien spoke coldly. He took out a piece of tattered parchment and threw it to Xiao Tianjian, "This is the so-called treasure map found on those humans. , if they really find the place, it will be a huge disaster for us elves."

Xiao Tianjian unfolded the drawing and took a closer look. The drawing was very old and there were traces of moths on it. The lines on the drawing were obviously the floor plan of the Elf Forest. There were three red X's on it, marking the word treasure. Two of the X's were Elf. He was not sure about the location of the two World Trees in the royal city and the Elf Residence, and the location of the third X, but he vaguely remembered that Fnoya once mentioned that there used to be a fountain of life in that area, but it dried up a hundred years ago.

Next to the three

"Who made the treasure map? What is their plan?!" Xiao Tianjian was very sure that those people must be harmful to the elves. Suddenly, he remembered one thing, "How many such maps are there? How many people know about this rumor? Have those mercenaries confessed? "

Lucien took back the drawing: "They didn't tell anyone else, but it's unclear whether anyone else knew about it. I will report the matter to the Queen immediately and say goodbye." After that, he told his men to take Ludlow and escort the two The mercenaries led all the elves to retreat.

Xiao Tianjian watched them take away his son. He felt anxious and hurriedly stood up to chase, but was pushed back by Lao Qiao: "Are you crazy?! Do you still want these legs? Or do you want to be a human like me?" cripple?!"

Xiao Tianjian said anxiously: "It's okay, it just hurts a little bit, I'm already fine."

"You idiot! Who said it's already healed? That's a holy medicine, not a magic medicine. It can only reduce the injury to the greatest extent, and you need to take good care to heal it. You've been tired for a few days before your injury is fully healed. If you don't take a good rest , this injury cannot be cured!" Old Qiao restrained him forcefully and carefully checked the injury on his foot. Xiao Tianjian was in so much pain that he couldn't speak with just a slight press. When Old Qiao saw this, he screamed a few times. A half-elf found an herb, chewed it up and applied it to his wound. The pain was so painful that he couldn't help but cry out.

Lao Qiao snorted coldly: "You asked for this. There is no holy medicine for you to drink now. If you don't want to become crippled, don't move!" After saying that, he tore off a few strips of cloth and bandaged Xiao Tianjian's legs, and chopped off a few more. The branches served as splints, and several half-elves were asked to work together to carry him back to the tree house.

Mingna stayed in the tree house and waited. When she saw several uncles carrying her grandfather back, both of them were shocked. Xiao Tianjian and Lao Qiao were surprised that Ming Na had lost a lot of weight. Ming Na was frightened by her grandfather's miserable state and couldn't help asking: "What happened to grandpa? Is he injured? Has Xiaola been rescued?"

The half-elves worked together to place Xiao Tianjian on the bed. The latter was so painful that his teeth and mouth were cracked. Old Qiao answered for him: "The little prince is fine. The elves have taken him back to the royal city. Your grandfather injured his leg again. This time is very serious, you must not touch him." Ming Na nodded quickly and stayed three feet away from Xiao Tianjian, making him dumbfounded: "It's not that exaggerated... Go and boil some hot water for me to drink, I'm really thirsty."

Ming Na answered the door and went out. She was now very proficient in boiling water. She was also very innovative in throwing a kind of fruit into the water and boiling it. The water boiled in this way has a refreshing fragrance and can make people dizzy after drinking it. sleep.

People who are sick should sleep well. This is the experience she gained from her parents, nannies, housekeepers and others when she was sick since childhood.

When they entered the house carrying the pot, most of the half-elves left, leaving only Old Qiao. Xiao Tianjian drank the water and soon felt sleepy. He immediately became alert: "Ming Na, what did you put in this water?"

Mingna replied: "It is a kind of green fruit, small and fragrant. Grandpa, please go to bed quickly. It will be fine when you wake up." As she spoke, she patted her grandfather's shoulder gently, a bit like It's like coaxing a child.

Xiao Tianjian couldn't laugh or cry: "You kid, who taught you how to boil this kind of water? Where did the fruit come from?" When he found out that it was picked from a nearby tree, he was helpless: "I didn't ask the elves to give it to you. Did they deliver food? Didn’t they deliver enough food? Why did you still pick fruits? And made...this...this kind of fruit soup?"

Ming Na stuck out her tongue: "I'm bored, and there's nothing else to do. All they brought were fruits, and they were very uncomfortable to eat coldly. I had to boil hot water to drink, and thought, what if I eat them coldly? What would it taste like if you threw the fruit in and boiled it? I tried many kinds, but the fruits they sent didn't taste good after being boiled, so I looked for other fruits, and it turned out that only the boiled water tasted good. "

After hearing what he said, Old Qiao immediately got up and searched the house. He found a dozen fruits of different colors in a large pottery bowl with a missing mouth. After smelling the smell carefully, he turned around and said to Ming Na seriously. : "Mingna, didn't your grandfather teach you that not every kind of fruit can be eaten? Have you eaten all of these fruits?"

Ming Na shook her head hurriedly: "I just picked those yesterday and haven't eaten them yet." Blinking, she asked carefully: "Uncle Qiao, can't you eat these?"

"At least two of them are poisonous." Old Qiao picked out seven or eight of them. "There are also some that can make people paralyzed. Others are okay, but they don't taste very good. They just smell sweet." He Suddenly he squinted his eyes and picked up a red fruit. It looked similar to the other red fruits, but smaller in size: "I unexpectedly asked you to find this kind! This one looks very similar to a cherry, but it looks very similar to a cherry. You will laugh endlessly after eating it, and the more you eat, the longer you will laugh. This kind of fruit has always been found only in the east of the Elf Forest, but I didn’t expect to see it here.”

Although Ming Na found it interesting, she also knew that she almost ate something inedible, and she was a little scared: "I don't know... By the way, a few days ago I caught two fish from the water to make soup and drink it before going to bed at night. It hurts like hell. Are those fish poisonous too?"

Lao Qiao looked at her blankly, then turned to look at Xiao Tianjian, both of them speechless. The latter smiled bitterly and said: "Ming Na, the fish in the river... can be eaten, but the bones must be removed, and one fish can make a big pot of soup. Did you throw the fish in with the bones?" The little granddaughter didn't. He knew this very well about his ability to kill fish and remove their bones.

Ming Na lowered her head and wring her hands. She finally realized that she had eaten the wrong thing, and she couldn't help but feel a little discouraged. She thought she was very powerful.

Lao Qiao looked at her seductively and said: "Fortunately, I found it early this time, otherwise if you really eat all these fruits, no one can save you. You can't eat casually in the future. Not everything looks good." You can eat whatever you want, you know?”

Ming Na nodded quickly to accept the instruction. Xiao Tianjian looked a little unbearable, and comforted him: "Actually, it's not that exaggerated. For example, if you eat that kind of fish, although it will cause stomach pain, your body will become very warm, and you will not be afraid of the cold even in winter."

Mingna looked at him curiously, and was about to ask more details, but was interrupted by Lao Qiao: "Don't teach bad children, the power of that kind of fish is not something that children can bear, if she hadn't eaten it from the little prince Many fruits containing water elemental power and wind elemental power have stabilized the toxicity of fish bones, do you think she can survive it?"

His attitude was very stern, and Xiao Tianjian couldn't say anything more. He soon fell asleep under the combined effect of his coercion and the fruit soup. Under the leadership of Lao Qiao, Ming Na started learning about various plants, fruits and animals.

Because Xiao Tianjian had difficulty moving and Ming Na was young and ignorant, Lao Qiao handed over the inn to Leif and stayed in the tree house to take care of the daily life of the grandfather and grandson. In addition to preparing meals for them and changing Xiao Tianjian's dressing, he also He also taught Ming Na a lot of things.

Ming Na's life was very fulfilling. Not only did she learn a lot of interesting new knowledge, but she also started practicing magic, potions and Qinggong again. However, when she was busy, she occasionally thought about when she could go home to see Marshall. Grandpa, when can I go find my parents, and why Xiaola hasn’t come to see her.

Not only did Ludlow not come, but the elves also didn’t send anyone over. The food and medicine in the tree house were all sent by the half-elves from Phantom Town. Xiao Tianjian was also muttering in his heart. Although he failed to rescue the three children safely, wasn't his wife too ruthless

Perhaps hearing his thoughts, Fnoya came with Ludlow soon, accompanied by Lucien and two other elf guards, but they all stayed outside the house and did not come in. Old Qiao knew that his old friend's family must have something to say, so he quietly left the house.

As soon as Mingna saw Ludlow, she rushed over happily: "Xiao La, you are finally here. I miss you. Are you okay? Why haven't you come to play with me for so long?"

Ludlow glanced at his mother secretly, then smiled at Minna and whispered, "Now is not the time to play." Minna looked at him in confusion, but he refused to speak any more.

Xiao Tianjian looked at his son and was a little excited: "Xiao La, you...you know who I am, right?" Ludlow's face turned red and he glared at Ming Na, who felt even more strange.

Fonaya nodded to her son: "Let's go out and play. I have something to say...to Xiao." Ludlow glanced at Xiao Tianjian secretly, and then took Minna out. Xiao Tianjian reluctantly watched his son's back disappear outside the door, then turned to look at Fnoya: "What's the matter?" His wife's expression was too calm, and he had an ominous premonition.

Fonaya just asked calmly: "I heard from Qiao that your leg injury is serious and you need to rest for a few months. You may have to spend the winter here, right?"

Xiao Tianjian said hurriedly: "Don't listen to him, it's not that serious." As soon as he finished speaking, he regretted it again. Doesn't this mean that he can leave soon

Funaya didn't say anything, she just took out a wooden bottle: "This is a special medicine made by our clan. It will be very helpful for your injuries. You can drink it later." Xiao Tianjian was about to take the bottle happily. However, Noya put the bottle on the table and sat down on the chair two meters away from the bed: "You were injured while saving the child. You helped us annihilate the snowfield monster before, so you will never owe us anything again." Now. You can rest here to recuperate. Once your injuries are healed, leave and don’t come back again."

Xiao Tianjian was stunned: "What do you mean?! Can't I even come back to see the child? Why are you so heartless when we are a husband and wife?!"

"This has nothing to do with feelings." Fnoya still looked calm, but there was no longer sadness in her eyebrows. "Mother has decided to close the Elf Forest and refuse all humans entry. When I accepted your proposal to open it, It was just to allow the half-elves who were wandering outside to have a place to stay. Now, the half-elves who are willing to come back have come back, and the others are greedy for the prosperity of the human world and are not willing to live an ordinary life. The snowfield monsters have been eradicated, and in winter In the past, we would set up defenses north of the royal city to prevent any more monsters from invading. In the future, we will no longer need the spar. It is better for the elves to close the forest."

Xiao Tianjian stared at her closely: "Is it because of the rumors about the treasure? Just find the source and eliminate it. With the forest closed, how do you know who is plotting against you?! Are you willing to do so? You still have people dead. , don’t you want to find out the culprit and take revenge?!”

Fonya was unmoved: "No matter who spreads the rumor, as long as no one can enter the Elf Forest, what harm can it do to us? We will not go outside, and we are not interested in fighting."

"Then what if I can help you find out the truth? I don't ask you to open it to the outside world, as long as you allow me to come back and take a look occasionally..."

"Xiao." Fonaya interrupted him and looked at him, "Human desire is endless. Don't forget, what did you promise that day? I won't blame you anymore, and don't pester me anymore. It’s unclear.”

Xiao Tianjian was stunned for a moment, with only a wry smile on his face. Yes, he has obviously made up his mind, why does he want to go back on his word now

Fonaya stood up and said, "I brought my child to see you again today. I won't come again in the future. Just take good care of your injuries. I hope you...get well soon." After that, she turned and left.

"Funya." Xiao Tianjian called to his wife, perhaps for the last time, "Is it really impossible for us?"

Fonaya didn't look back: "We shouldn't have been together from the beginning. If you have decided to leave, don't regret it."

Xiao Tianjian leaned against the back of the bed weakly and watched his wife go away. He knew that although Fnoya had a gentle personality, once she made up her mind, she would not change it. Just like when she insisted on marrying him, even if the Elf Queen deprived her of her right to inherit the throne, she would not give in. She will make this decision today. It seems that their fate as husband and wife has really come to an end.

Minna kept talking to Ludlow outside the house, but Ludlow was very taciturn. He looked into the house from time to time and answered Minna's questions without a word. Minna asked for a long time, only to know that all the elves were praying for the dead elves, and that Ludlow was currently living in a cave near the royal city.

After Fnoya came out, she quickly took her son away. Minna was a little panicked and kept calling Xiaola's name, but Ludlow just turned back and waved to her without saying anything.

When she returned to the house, she saw her grandfather looking confused, so Mingna cautiously called him a few times. Xiao Tianjian woke up and touched his granddaughter's head with a wry smile: "Is this retribution?"

He has been very silent since then, often in a daze, not knowing what to think. Ming Na was learning from Lao Qiao. Occasionally she would ask him something she didn't understand about martial arts, but he would also be a little absent-minded.

Mingna didn't understand what happened. Since Xiaola left that day, she has never been here again. She hasn't been here all autumn. When she asked Grandpa, Grandpa just smiled bitterly. When she asked Lao Qiao, Lao Qiao sighed. When the first heavy snow came, she finally gave up and accepted the fact that her new friend and uncle would never come to see her again.

The winter was very cold, with heavy snowstorms almost every day. The tree house was surrounded by snow, and the water in the creek was completely frozen. They had to break ice cubes to boil water. Since he could no longer light a fire outside the house, nor could he light a fire inside the house, Xiao Tianjian took out a copper stove and charcoal blocks made by a dwarf from his ring, and used it to keep warm and cook.

Ming Na was already a little numb to his magical ring.

Even if there was charcoal, the quantity was limited. Ming Na begged Lao Qiao for a long time before convincing him to make an exception to cook fish soup. The elves no longer send food over, and the food supplies from Phantom Town have also been changed from once every two days to once every five days. Sometimes they even run out of food due to heavy snowstorms. Minna spent the most difficult winter in her life.

By the time winter passed, Xiao Tianjian's injury was completely healed. He stretched his muscles and went to the Elf City for half a day. When he came back, he smiled and said to his granddaughter: "Mingna, let's get out of here, okay?"

(I can finally leave...)