"Esteemed guests from Demacia, you have trespassed into my domain without permission, and now you have gone so far as to kidnap my subordinate. Is this the courtesy you Demacians speak of?" The young man inquired with a tone of utter indifference. Though his words bore the weight of reproach, they were devoid of any emotion, and the frigid detachment woven into his plain speech sent an involuntary shiver through the battle-hardened elite soldiers before him.
"We meant no offense, honorable Lord Xiaomu Yu of Winter's Embrace. This is merely a misunderstanding," a young woman stepped forward from the crowd, offering a slight bow as a gesture of respect.
"Oh? You are acquainted with me?" The young man narrowed his eyes slightly, casting a dispassionate glance at her.
"Yes, I had the fortune of hearing your music in Hammerstone Town once. It was truly exquisite," the girl replied, her demeanor poised and courteous, as if the man before her were not the lord of a formidable beast army, but merely a respected musician.
"Ah... an amusing little girl," Xiaomu Yu remarked coolly, though his tone betrayed no amusement. "You are also a cunning one. For the past month, you and your subordinates have been searching for something within my territory that I know nothing about. I did not command your expulsion, as it is not my style to offend Demacia over trivial matters. I allowed you to roam freely and ordered the high-level beasts not to attack your men, yet you repay my leniency with abduction?"
"This... is a misunderstanding, sir," the girl smiled brightly, undeterred by his accusatory words. "You see, prior to this, Lux had yet to make direct contact with you. Had she known you were the master of this land, she would never have dared to offend you in the slightest."
"Spare me the pleasantries," Xiaomu Yu replied with a cold indifference. "We are not fools; there is no need for mutual probing. Speak plainly of your intentions, and perhaps, out of common humanity, I might offer my assistance."
"Uh... do I truly have a choice?" the girl mused, observing the predatory beasts surrounding them with an uneasy smile.
"Ah... if you refuse to speak, I shall not compel you. You may leave with your people, for killing you and inciting the wrath of Demacia would only lead to trouble. However, one must possess self-awareness. I am a man who believes in reciprocity; should I see your kind again within my territory, the mercy you experience today will not be forthcoming." The young man spoke impassively. "Yet, if you reveal the special significance of this moving stone and your purpose here, I may, in a generous mood, assist you in resolving your dilemma."
"Buzz... buzz..." The stone giant, bound by magical ropes and unable to move, emitted a deep, resonant hum. Its towering form strained against its restraints, but to no avail.
"I see..." The girl contemplated for a moment before decisively articulating her thoughts. "Recently, during a small-scale skirmish, our prince, His Highness Jarvan, fell into a trap set by Noxus. The enemy's sorcerers have cast a vile curse upon him, one that can only be lifted by the legendary Crown of the Ancient Golem."
"The Crown of the Ancient Golem, you say?" Xiaomu Yu inquired, his tone still detached. "So this dull-witted subordinate of mine, the stone giant, is what you seek?"
"Uh... somewhat," the girl replied with a rueful smile. "The Crown of the Ancient Golem is a culmination of ancient alchemy and puppetry, crafted by puppeteers through special magic to create a colossal stone puppet, upon which unique runes are inscribed. As time passes, these runes absorb the ambient energy, coalescing it into a core of power. This core is invaluable to sorcerers, granting unparalleled potency for the refinement of spirit and enhancement of spells."
"Alas, this technique has long been lost to the sands of time. The so-called Crown of the Ancient Golem that exists today is mostly remnants of ancient architecture, exceedingly rare," the girl explained. "So, Lord Xiaomu Yu, having learned all this, will you consider aiding us? Understand that the Crown serves as the energy core of the ancient golem; without it, the golem is as good as dead. Even so, do you still wish to assist us?"
"Compensation." Ignoring the girl's playful inquiry, Xiaomu Yu merely replied coolly.
"Wha... what?" The girl paused, seemingly caught off guard by his words.
"I said, compensation," Xiaomu Yu reiterated coldly. "As long as you can provide me with what I require, I will consider granting you the Crown of the Ancient Golem."
"But... without the energy core, the golem will die. Isn't it one of your subordinates?" Lux questioned in confusion.
"Ah... it indeed is my subordinate," the young man stated, articulating a harsh truth in a flat tone. "But what of it? If it is my subordinate, it should always be prepared to sacrifice for its master. Besides, they are mere useless creatures. Would they dare to defy my words?"
The girl trembled, discreetly glancing at the beasts that had heard this proclamation. To her astonishment, the high-level beasts showed no signs of sorrow for the fallen nor anger at the contempt; instead, they lowered their heads even further, nearly grazing the ground, with a few trembling in fear.
Instantly, the girl's expression changed, as if she were seeing Xiaomu Yu anew. For some reason, upon witnessing his cold, indifferent countenance, she felt a bone-chilling dread.
"Then... how might we demonstrate our sincerity to gain your assistance?" she inquired, her tone shifting to a more formal cadence, retaining its politeness but now bearing an air of stiffness, as if discussing business.
"The Night Demon Crystal." Xiaomu Yu stated monotonously.
"The... Night Demon Crystal?" The girl's eyes widened in astonishment, her cherry-colored lips slightly parted, the combination of her innocence and surprise rendering her exceptionally charming.
"Ah... indeed, the Night Demon Crystal. What? Do you have any questions?" Xiaomu Yu appeared utterly unfazed by her astonishment, as if the Night Demon Crystal were merely an ordinary stone.
"..." The girl fell silent. After all, the Night Demon Crystal was a precious material essential for constructing most large-scale magical arrays. While it could not compare in rarity to the nearly extinct Crown of the Ancient Golem, its capabilities surpassed those of the Crown. It was regarded as a strategic resource by the great empires.
Wait! The girl suddenly paused, recalling a scene she had witnessed in the temple's depths earlier, alongside the beast horde now gathered here... could it be?
A realization dawned upon her, and the girl smiled slyly, akin to an adorable little fox. If this were the case, then at the very least, she could temporarily ascertain his sincerity regarding this transaction.
"Well... honorable Lord Xiaomu Yu, you may not fully understand the significance of the Night Demon Crystal," she explained. "The Night Demon Crystal is a vital component for constructing most large-scale magical arrays. It is considered a crucial strategic resource by the major empires, and due to my limited authority, I cannot make any commitments to you. However, I will duly report this matter to the authorities in the capital of Maple Leaf Snow, and I believe they will make a decision that aligns with your expectations."
"Then... I look forward to your news," Xiaomu Yu replied nonchalantly, stepping aside to address the beasts. "Why aren't you moving? Are you planning to keep this lady here for dinner?"
The intent to dismiss was unmistakable.
Upon hearing their lord's command, the beasts parted, clearing a path wide enough for four to traverse, their unfeeling gazes fixed upon their former enemies.
"Then please await my news, Mr. Mu Yu," the girl smiled graciously. "I believe after a brief separation, we shall meet again."
"Ah... let's hope so," Xiaomu Yu responded indifferently, as the small white creature perched silently on his shoulder emitted a soft "mew," as if bidding farewell to the girl.
"Ha ha... what an adorable little fellow," the girl marveled. "Well then, until we meet again, Mr. Mu Yu."
"Indeed." Xiaomu Yu replied flatly.
"Let's go." Lux signaled to her fellow soldiers and led the way through the parted horde.
Xiaomu Yu silently watched them depart, soldiers streaming past him. He remained impassive, as if genuinely prepared to let these "murderers," who had once run rampant in his territory, walk free.
"Wait." Just as the last of them was about to vanish from his sight, Xiaomu Yu suddenly spoke.
The girl in the lead stiffened momentarily but quickly composed herself and turned back with a smile. "Is there something else, Mr. Mu Yu?"
"Are you planning to leave these carcasses here to pollute the environment?" Xiaomu Yu remarked, casting a detached glance at the corpses strewn about the temple ruins.
"Ah, um... my apologies," the girl stammered, her surprise quickly morphing into a smile. "It seems we overlooked that detail; we will handle it immediately."
Following this, she directed her soldiers to carry the bodies of their fallen comrades, leaving only pools of blood and the remains of various beasts in the dilapidated ruins before turning to depart.
This time, Xiaomu Yu remained silent, merely standing beside the dilapidated temple until the group of young women vanished from his sight, at which point he shifted his cold gaze to the surrounding beasts.
Sensing the chilling scrutiny of the man, the beasts instinctively recoiled slightly.
"Dispose of these worthless corpses, then return to your places. The next time you see this group, instruct the Soul-Transferring Bluebird to notify me." Having delivered his indifferent commands, Xiaomu Yu did not cast another glance at the beasts, turning instead to enter the crumbling temple, disregarding the chilling sounds of gnawing that echoed behind him.