Evil Witch Saves the World

Chapter 21: Taking Punishment in Another's Place

"Tsk... Damn it, locking the main door is one thing, but even all the windows are locked. Your mother is truly insane..."

After seeing White Xuerou lock the last window, He'er angrily delivered a flying kick to it. Unfortunately, all the windows in this mansion were made of bulletproof glass. Not only did her kick have no effect, but the rebound force was completely reflected back at her.

"But... I don't remember these windows having locks before..." White An'an rubbed her small hands together, feeling somewhat helpless.

She didn't know when White Xuerou had installed locks on these windows. She remembered that before He'er arrived, she had seen Sister Yan open a window to get some fresh air.

"Sigh, she probably used her magic to do it while I was asleep. For the Red Moon Witch with her spatial authority, modifying the mansion's windows wouldn't be difficult," He'er sighed. "I don't dare use magic to force the locks open in a witch's lair... if she discovers it, we'd be finished."

By now, with White An'an's guidance, He'er had more or less figured out the layout of this enormous mansion. Except for the mysterious rooms on the third floor, she had checked every possible exit.

The result was disappointing—White Xuerou, afraid they might escape, had secured everything that connected to the outside world. From windows and balconies above to mouse holes below, everything was either locked or blocked. There wasn't a single gap they could slip through.

"Finally found you two. Young mistress, please go downstairs immediately. The master is waiting for you for dinner."

Just then, Yan appeared behind them without warning, her expression blank as she spoke. Only then did White An'an realize that it had been dark outside for some time. In the past, she would have been watching movies by now.

At the thought that White Xuerou might become angry and punish her for being late, White An'an quickly grabbed He'er's hand and rushed toward the first floor.

"Hey... An'an, why are you running so fast? Do you really want to have dinner with that witch that badly?"

Seeing White An'an's panicked state, He'er, unfamiliar with White Xuerou's temperament, whispered in confusion.

"No... it's not that. If mother becomes unhappy, something terrible will happen!"

"Huh?"

Although He'er didn't understand White An'an's concern, seeing how distressed she was, He'er obediently followed her down to the first floor.

By then, White Xuerou had already been waiting at the dining table for some time. She was pleased to see her daughter hurrying down.

But when White Xuerou saw her daughter holding an outsider's hand, she became displeased.

A mere maid—what right did she have to be so close to her precious daughter?

"An'an, come here."

"Guhhhh!" He'er tried to break free from the restraints, but resisting a witch was still too difficult for her.

"A maid who doesn't follow the rules must be punished. That's how she'll remember," White Xuerou said earnestly, holding White An'an with one arm while controlling the vines with the other.

Punishment again... punishment again...

Hearing the familiar word, White An'an recalled the pain she had suffered before, and her body couldn't help but tremble.

But now... He'er was about to die. Was she really going to do nothing?

As White An'an clutched White Xuerou's clothes, trapped in fear, she heard a voice in her ear that sounded like her own.

That's right—her friend, whom she had only just made, was about to be killed by her terrible witch mother, and here she was, sitting in the murderer's embrace doing nothing?

What kind of friend was that?

White An'an seemed to make up her mind. She looked up at White Xuerou with determination.

"Mother, let me take her punishment instead. She is my maid, and as her mistress, I failed to teach her properly. If you must punish someone, punish me!"

"Master!"

At the same time, Yan had come down and, seeing White Xuerou lose control again, quickly went to He'er's side. She took a small knife from her pocket and hurriedly cut through the tightening vines.

White Xuerou, either because she heard what White An'an had just said or because she had returned to normal, no longer emanated the malice unique to witches. Instead, she stared blankly at her daughter in her arms.

"Night... no... An'an," White Xuerou suddenly revealed a happy smile, again feeding food to White An'an.

"Let's eat dinner first. As for the punishment, we'll discuss it later."

He'er didn't know what White An'an and White Xuerou's conversation truly meant. She only heard that White An'an would take the punishment in her place.

"But... can An'an really endure that kind of punishment?" He'er couldn't help wondering, casting a worried look toward White An'an.

White An'an looked back at her, but only shook her head helplessly, as if saying not to worry.

But... was there really nothing to worry about?