A few minutes later, Velin and Ilisis appeared in the Snow Wind Clan's camp.
Kavell, who had been comforting An, saw his father and ran over on his short little legs, wrapping himself around his father's thigh.
"Did you wipe it clean?"
Kavell, who had been using his father's trouser leg to wipe the tear tracks from his face, froze. He looked up at his father, then quickly lowered his head again.
"You little brat, who taught you that?"
Ilisis looked at the silent Kavell, lifted him by the collar, and tucked him into his arms. Taking out the handkerchief Aisilia had given him, he wiped the dirt from his child's face while lecturing him. "Remember, don't do that again."
"I understand, Father."
Kavell answered in a childish voice, his gaze evasive.
Standing nearby, Velin watched his nephew's behavior and barely managed not to laugh.
Suddenly sensing his elder brother's gaze, Velin hurriedly put on a serious expression and walked toward Xing, who was lying nearby.
Xing looked up at his master with a fawning smile, but his body had tensed up.
"Ahem."
"Xing, I have two options here, serving as both your punishment and reward."
Xing's eyes darted about as she cautiously asked, "Master, can you just give me the reward and skip the punishment?"
"Nice thought." Velin pressed a hand against Xing's head to stop her from suddenly running away. "As I see it, the reward can be omitted, but the punishment is mandatory. How about we go by that principle?"
Seeing the faintly wicked smile on her master's face, Xing shuddered and hastily said, "Master, I think your first option is quite good."
"You said that yourself. I didn't force you."
Xing shook her head. "You absolutely did not force me."
At that moment, the Snow Wind