[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-armed-witch":3,"chapter-armed-witch-armed-witch-chapter-988":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Armed Witch",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2354528,4604,"Chapter 988: Winning Hearts Through Virtue","armed-witch-chapter-988",988,"\u003Cp>The colorless world regained its hues, frozen time resumed its flow, and the dragon statues came alive once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The dragons did not realize what had just happened; their emotions and awareness remained locked in their prior attack, so many cock-snake dragons instinctively moved to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But a familiar hiss silenced the dragon horde gradually.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the leader’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though puzzled why their leader had ordered them to cease, decades of reverence compelled them to obey unconditionally, and the agitated dragons fell still.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Dorothy sighed in relief, reached into her pocket, and pulled out a piece of true dragon meat, tossing it to the snake head in her hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is compensation for what happened before.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She said so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy made it sound casual, but the snake head was ecstatic—after all, for a sub-dragon like her, even a few drops of true dragon blood were a tremendous gift, capable of further increasing her dragon blood concentration, which in turn would evolve her power; most importantly, it extended her life, which had been nearing its end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not to mention this was a whole chunk of dragon meat; just swallowing it would grant her at least several centuries more of life, if nothing else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, dragon meat only worked this well on dragon beasts or sub-dragons; for other races or other true dragons, it was merely a potent tonic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In short, she could not refuse such compensation, so she made no false modesty—her serpentine body stretched forward, opened its mouth, and swallowed the meat. As it went down, immense magical energy erupted from her, and the true dragon’s powerful self-healing ability accelerated; her chicken body, previously blown apart by an arrow, visibly regenerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the cock-snake sub-dragon was whole again; the newly grown chicken body—really a tail—was robust, its feathers smooth, glossy, and strikingly beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the ancient, weary aura that once clung to her now gave way to renewed vitality; it wasn’t true rejuvenation, but at least she had aged from old age to middle age.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sub-dragon was thrilled, yet she did not lose herself—she dared not even look down at the beautiful divine avatar before her. She shuddered her dragon body, then, bathed in magical radiance, shrank in size and transformed into human form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though a sub-dragon, she—well, now she should be called “she”—was unlike dragon beasts; she possessed considerable spellcasting ability, so transforming into human form was not difficult.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had never bothered before, but now she felt human form better suited her to communicate with this beautiful, great divine avatar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, thank you for your grace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A beautiful woman of about thirty to forty, with striking golden-orange snake eyes and a lavish feathered robe, her face still elegant despite fine wrinkles, bowed her plump body and offered sincere thanks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is compensation, not grace. We are merely engaging in fair exchange; no thanks are needed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy said this with a stern face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, her sisters, sensing the disturbance, arrived one by one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, why did you stop?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alice asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little witch regretted it—she hadn’t seen her favorite battle spectacle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not just Alice was confused; Mia, Madeline, and Audrey also stared at her with questioning looks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mavis beside Long Ma frowned, clearly disapproving of her soft-hearted approach.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Euphelia and Sophilia exchanged a glance and both wore expressions of “I knew it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew Dorothy best; her decision surprised them not at all—indeed, they’d have been startled if the House Witch had acted decisively.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, their inner thoughts differed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tch. Adam really spoiled his daughter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long Ma thought disdainfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her view, her daughter was indeed too merciful—but mercy was the privilege of the strong. Since her daughter could control the situation, this wasn’t a flaw, but a virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The young mistress hasn’t changed one bit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophilia thought with a touch of envy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she had known the young mistress for less than a year, much had happened in that short time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pure White Witch could clearly sense how much she had changed since meeting the young mistress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>You could call these changes growth—or a benign erosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the young mistress seemed unchanged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She still had no grand ambitions, still wanted only a peaceful life; she remained as kind as ever, unwilling to harm others for gain, naively amusing, stubbornly almost hypocritical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back when they first met, Sophilia would have secretly mocked the young mistress’s false piety and innocence, thinking her a clueless giant infant, oblivious to the world’s cruelty, living in a dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, seeing the unchanged young mistress, she felt only peace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was wonderful that the young mistress remained exactly this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Pure White Witch thought so, and a faint smile touched her lips, her beautiful golden divine eyes filled with serene joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, she would never admit it aloud, so—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young mistress, you’re indulging in your boring sympathy again. You’ve won this time, but you won’t always have such luxury.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sophilia said this with clear disdain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was stubbornness, but also sincere counsel from a loyal subject and sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She genuinely feared that, once they left the witch world and entered the battlefield, if the young mistress faced overwhelming foes and lost control, she might shatter her Dao heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hehe. If I can’t hold it alone, aren’t you there? You’re my reliable sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy, of course, didn’t mind her housekeeper’s sharp tongue; she grinned and said so.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This directness instantly left Sophilia, who had been preparing more barbs, speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Angel Witch’s snow-white, exquisite face flushed faintly; she who had never flinched before billions in the Student Council now found herself flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Sophilia often said one thing and meant another, she was no prideful, stubborn fool who clung to appearances; when it mattered, she never backed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she did not continue with some classic tsundere line like “I don’t care, who’s going to clean up after you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She merely sighed, wearing the weary expression of someone burdened by a capricious ruler, then nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who else but you is my one and only young mistress? Caring for you is my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even resort to her old excuse: “It’s just the teacher’s assignment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This made Long Ma smile happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hehehe. I told you these two were perfect. Hmph, who dares say I’m a fool who doesn’t understand love? I see people better than anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon Queen mentally posted a meme, her tail-tip twitching softly against the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s wonderful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister, count me in too—I’ll help you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Alice spoke up, slightly jealous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The little witch’s muscle-brain couldn’t grasp such complexity; she only knew she must obey her sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would become her sister’s most reliable little sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I’ll try too, senior sister.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Audrey understood a little, but her social anxiety and limited experience prevented full comprehension; still, she knew she must fully support her senior sister.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Battle matters can be left to me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Madeline, blunt and fierce, simply declared this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Mia, the Golden Princess, spread her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Little sprite, you know me—I’ve bet everything I have on you. If you fall, I fall with you. There’s no turning back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then a tendril descended from above Dorothy’s head, tugging her hair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll take the fall first, even if the sky collapses.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Ni said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well, she lived atop the House Witch’s head every day—if the sky truly fell, she’d be the first to hit the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fan Ni’s words made Dorothy burst out laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hahaha, this is wonderful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought happily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, as the time to march to battle drew nearer, the House Witch had smiled on the surface, but inwardly felt some tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially since the development of the Intelligent Wasteland was no longer just her affair—it involved multiple factions, and she worried her impulsiveness might harm her sisters’ interests.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, she had come to terms with it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And even more joyfully, she had her sisters’ nearly unconditional trust and support.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So what was there to fear?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All her life, she had sought only to live peacefully with family and friends.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now her family and friends were complete; the good days still lay ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In high spirits, Dorothy turned her gaze back to the cock-snake sub-dragon woman before her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Um, madam, you—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She thought staring directly at the woman’s eyes was impolite, so she prepared to politely ask her name first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the sub-dragon woman, having lived long, understood instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even alone, she had been powerless against the House Witch; now with so many others present, resistance was unthinkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The young ones were nothing, but the two adult witches beside her were terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Merely gazing at Long Ma and Mavis, sensing the mountain-sea-like dragon aura radiating from them, the sub-dragon woman nearly collapsed to her knees in worship.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, these two seemed like primordial dragon kings—beyond her imagination entirely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such beings could crush her entire clan as easily as ants; they had no chance of resistance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet beneath the overwhelming fear, she felt even greater relief at having met this young, beautiful divine avatar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew she was insignificant before these dangerous powerful beings, unworthy of even their glance; had it not been for the mercy of this sun-like deity, they would already be dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lord, I am Zola. You need not concern yourself with us—please proceed with your research. I will cooperate fully.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sub-dragon woman spoke sincerely, truly fearing she might again anger this merciful, beautiful divine avatar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmm. I’m Dorothy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy naturally noticed the tension in Mrs. Zola, and she understood how the woman felt at this moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who, if they could help it, would entrust their life and death to another’s goodwill? The feeling of an entire people’s fate resting on a single thought from someone else—just imagining it must be unbearable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t offer much comfort; she knew full well that no matter how much she said now, it wouldn’t truly ease the woman’s mind. Words are less effective than actions—trust between two parties takes time to build, and this cannot be rushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So she simply stated her own name in equal terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh, in the end, weakness truly is a sin. Fall behind, and you get beaten. Be weak, and you cannot control your own fate, cannot be free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Dorothy, who had always gone with the flow, felt a longing for power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she didn’t seek power to conquer or invade—she only desired the freedom to control her own fate, to live the life she wished for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fact that Mrs. Zola was now willing to listen to her seriously and agree to her deal wasn’t because she was moved by Dorothy’s sincerity—it was because she had submitted to her strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sigh, Confucius said: subdue others through virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This virtue can mean moral character—but it can also mean a great axe named Virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Subdue others with the Virtue Axe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I study hard so I can speak calmly and equally with others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I work out hard so others will also be willing to sit down calmly and speak with me as equals.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Both hands must be grasped; both must be strong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dorothy had figured out her future life principle and set her action plan for the Mechanical Wasteland.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would strive to conquer the Nine-Star World through virtue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With this decision settled, she no longer hesitated—she reached out and placed her hand on Mrs. Zola’s beautiful, tense face, then extended her magic to carefully examine and study her bodily structure, trying to fully understand the mechanism of the Cockatrice’s Gaze of Fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be honest, this was extremely difficult; for an ordinary person, this topic would take years of research.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the House Witch’s inspiration flared wildly, and she quickly understood everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Mrs. Zola was a sub-dragon; next, Dorothy turned her gaze to a stronger Cockatrice beast—she needed a control group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, the powerful dragon-beast was also fearful, but under its leader’s order, and with the House Witch slightly revealing a touch of her Divine Face’s charm in a smile, it immediately calmed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the House Witch completed her analysis of the dragon-beast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned her gaze back to the sub-dragon woman.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mrs. Zola, do you remember how you became a sub-dragon? Did you have some kind of extraordinary encounter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had discovered that the sub-dragon’s Gaze of Fear and the dragon-beast’s were not on the same level—there was a qualitative difference between them, not merely a matter of strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she could understand this difference, then killing dragons to harvest their eyes might no longer be necessary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The House Witch is researching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2107,"2026-06-21T03:49:48.467Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","3e3b627092695dd3e72019422d1fe84ce1b4c74ee306dceaa8b7e559eab909c9","armed-witch-chapter-989","armed-witch-chapter-987",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Farmed-witch-cover.jpg"]