Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Lu Mingming's condition gradually improved each day under the care of the medicated concoctions prepared by the woman. Her spirit finally ceased to appear drained.
The dazzling, shimmering silver-purple sea illuminated more than half the ocean area, appearing more dense and potent than before.
Lu Mingming calmed her mind, her consciousness slowly patrolling within her spiritual sea, observing and feeling the immense changes.
With a complex mix of emotions, she opened her eyes, returning to reality.
During these three days, Lu Mingming's movements were restricted to the woman's room. In her free time, she would cautiously peek out the dilapidated window to observe the situation outside.
According to the woman, her surname was Shi, so Lu Mingming addressed her as Aunt Shi.
Aunt Shi explained that most pure-blooded humans resided in the impoverished district, which was where Lu Mingming and her companions were currently living.
There was no medical care, no supermarkets, no convenient transportation, only endless internal strife and soldiers as predatory as hyenas.
"Here they come, here they come! It's the Grim Reapers, everyone hurry back home and prepare!"
A group of pure-blooded human cubs scurried across the street, their faces filled with panic. The patches on their worn clothing were more numerous than the peculiar things Lu Mingming had encountered.
The little ones stumbled and fell one after another over protruding obstacles in the street, getting covered in another layer of grimy dirt.
Several nimble children scrambled back to their feet and continued running towards a side path. Upon reaching their destination, they clutched their chests, breathless, relief etched on their faces.
The remaining cub, lying on the ground, may have been injured. Trembling, it tried to push itself up but found no way to do so, exhausting its strength in its futile attempts.
The surrounding adults watched with cold indifference, none making any move to help.
"Get out of the way, the Enforcement Team is here! All pure-blooded humans, clear the way!"
From behind the path where the cubs were desperately fleeing, a sharp male voice accompanied by the pounding hooves of horses surged forth.
Lu Mingming retreated, curling into a small ball to conceal herself, her eyes fixed on the approaching procession, covertly observing the scene.
In the distance, a troop of strong, spirited white horses kicked up dust as they charged.
The soldiers on horseback were all clad in red armor. The materials used for their shields, armor, and even the decorations on their helmets were all of the utmost luxury.
Even the lowest-ranking soldiers wore a priceless rare ruby, presenting a stark, heaven-and-earth difference in treatment compared to the pure-blooded humans in the slums.
Wielding spears and cannons, the army showed no regard for the pedestrians on the street, charging through on their horses. Seeing a cub fall, they made no move to stop, instead, defiantly whipping the horses' hindquarters, producing a crisp sound.
Stimulated, the horses neighed and accelerated their charge forward.
This is bad, if this continues, they'll surely trample that child!
Lu Mingming craned her head, calling out, "Hurry, little cub, run!"
The cub looked towards Lu Mingming's direction. A flicker of hope ignited in its vacant eyes.
The child's knees were completely scraped, marked with gruesome trails by the sharp stones on the ground, and its elbows were also covered in wounds.
Its teeth were clenched so hard its lips turned blue. After several wobbles, it failed to muster the strength to stand completely.
The horses drew nearer, the leading steed charging directly towards the cub.
The cub's pupils contracted, freezing in place, too afraid to move.
The leader of the Enforcement Team looked extremely excited, impatiently urging his horse faster, intending to trample the cub to death.
Damn it.
Lu Mingming's expression darkened. Disregarding Aunt Shi's previous warnings, she scrambled out of bed in a panic, not bothering to put on her shoes, and ran towards the street.
Lu Mingming had only one thought in her mind: to save him!
The ground in the slums was littered with stones of various sizes, like sharp thorns biting into Lu Mingming's soles. Her fair feet were gnawed, and a constant stinging sensation spread.
As if oblivious, Lu Mingming rushed to the cub's side, shielding the little one beneath her not-so-strong but steady arms.
The leader of the Enforcement Team snorted, tightening the reins and accelerating the horses' charge once more.
This group clearly intended to trample Lu Mingming and the cub to death!
Lu Mingming turned her head, her eyes casting an angry glare at the army just within reach.
Possessing a demeanor completely different from the slum dwellers, her pale and gentle face resembled a jasmine flower striving to grow.
"Who is she...?"
The captain of the Enforcement Team paused, instinctively pulling on the reins, preparing to rein in the horses slightly.
However, after repeated provocations, the spirited horses became even more wild, rearing their heads and charging towards Lu Mingming and the cub.
The captain of the Enforcement Team looked regretful, "Quick, little beauty, run!"
Hearing this, a look of undisguised disgust surged into Lu Mingming's eyes.
The silver-white energy lurking within her spiritual sea surged through her limbs to her fingertips, gradually transforming into current flowing between her fingers.
With a subtle movement of her fingers, she produced faint crackling sounds of electricity.
"A bunch of animals, truly thinking you're people!"
Lu Mingming, her expressionless, slightly hooked her fingers, and the current traced its way along the dilapidated ground towards the heads of the horses beneath the leading squad.
The next second—
The imposing steeds that had been acting so arrogantly staggered back several steps. As if violently provoked, their strong bodies tilted upright at a 90-degree angle.
They thrashed wildly, like a live fish caught from the sea, leaping uncontrollably.
The surrounding soldiers had to retreat and make way, attempting to rescue their leader.
Seizing this opportunity, Lu Mingming tightly hugged the cub and quickly dodged, turning to flee into a secluded alley.
"Are you alright?"
Lu Mingming lowered her head to look at the cub in her arms.
In the dim light of the alley, chaos erupted outside.
Seeing that no one was observing their movements, Lu Mingming withdrew her gaze and gently patted the cub's back to comfort it. "Next time, run a little slower on the street, and stay calm to resolve danger. But today, you did very well."
With that, she gently stroked the cub's soft face as encouragement.
The little one's eyes brightened. It raised its head and met Lu Mingming's gaze, murmuring, "Sister, where are you from? Are you an angel... I've never seen you in the slums before..."
Lu Mingming showed her two sweet dimples. "I just arrived recently by accident."
"I see, you're from out of town. No wonder you're so foolish," the cub's expression changed instantly. With a cold sneer, it pushed Lu Mingming's hand away and hurried towards the alley entrance, leaving behind an echo of anger.
"I don't need you to save me! In Sin City, no one needs pity!"
"Huh?"
Lu Mingming stood still, watching the cub agilely dart out of the alley and disappear.
At that moment, the commotion outside finally ended.
The chief official of the Enforcement Team surveyed the area. Not seeing the fleeting "little beauty" he had glimpsed, he suppressed his agitation and sternly ordered,
"Today's random checks will be for numbers 38, 182, 564, and 3722. Execute them in order immediately. The afternoon is reserved for random checks, and tomorrow we commence caravan exchanges."
The leader of the Enforcement Team wore a proud expression, his gaze, like that of a venomous snake, slithering over everyone, leaving behind a sticky venom.
Unfortunately, having failed to find his intended target, he walked away slowly, his face darkened.
Seeing the patrol depart, Lu Mingming quietly emerged from the alley and stepped onto the roadside, revealing her slender figure.
Most of the slum residents stared at her with surprise before disinterestedly looking away. Those who had intended to approach and flirt with Lu Mingming hesitated, fearing the move she had used against the horses.
"Sigh, I really shouldn't have come out. The Enforcement Team and so many slum dwellers saw me, yet no one helped. That child was certainly doomed..."
Lu Mingming felt a headache coming on.
"I hope this doesn't cause a major incident."
Lu Mingming returned to Aunt Shi's room and sat by the bedside, deep in thought.
As the sun began to set, the Enforcement Team grumbled their way out. The laborers who had been working outside returned to their homes, Aunt Shi included.
"Today's harvest was good..."
Lu Mingming looked up—it was Aunt Shi, returning with a basket full of herbs.
"How is your body today? Feeling any better?" Aunt Shi asked as usual.
After some hesitation, Lu Mingming mustered her courage and said,
"Aunt Shi, I'm sorry, but I went out of the room today to save a cub."