“Little disciple… little disciple?”
I felt someone shake me gently, and my eyes flew open. Xiao Yi Han’s face came into view, his brows slightly furrowed, one hand resting on my shoulder. Seeing me awake, he asked, “Were you having a nightmare?”
Blinking, I became aware of a cool trail of moisture sliding down my cheek and into my mouth.
The realization hit me—I had been crying. Hastily, I wiped my tears away, feeling a wave of embarrassment. I pushed his hand off me and stood up. Because we were still stuck together, Xiao Yi Han had no choice but to stand as well. His eyes remained fixed on me, brimming with an expression that seemed… concerned.
But I found it laughable.
Xiao Yi Han’s third and gravest sin was that he was the most callous and unfeeling person I had ever known. Concern had no place on his face—it simply didn’t suit him.
“It’s nothing,” I said curtly. “What time is it?”
“Probably the hour of the tiger,” he replied lazily.
“Did you rest well?”
Instead of answering, his gaze roamed over my face, scrutinizing me as though trying to read my thoughts. “What were you dreaming about?”
Dealing with someone like Xiao Yi Han required using his own tactics. Ignoring his question, I simply said, “If you’ve rested enough, let’s start traveling now.”
Without waiting for his response, I lifted my hand and prepared to summon my sword. But before I could move, Xiao Yi Han tightened his grip on my other hand, holding me back.
“Little disciple,” he murmured, his tone unusually soft, “was life on Xian Ling Mountain difficult for you after I left?”
My lips parted, and emotions I had buried deep inside threatened to break free. But I forced them back down and replied coldly, “What’s the point of asking? All you need to know is that once we resolve the seal’s breach, I will still kill you.”
Xiao Yi Han fell silent at my words.
I pulled my hand from his grasp, ready to channel my energy into sword flight. Suddenly, a strange gust of wind blew in from the side, carrying an ominous chill.
I froze, locking eyes with Xiao Yi Han for a brief moment. I immediately understood the unspoken thought in his gaze—
Demonic energy.
With a sharp whoosh, an arrow sliced through the air. I dodged, confident it had missed, but just as it passed within three inches of me, the arrow exploded into countless fine needles that shot toward me.
I barely had time to react before a faint blue light shimmered in front of me. Xiao Yi Han’s barrier sprang to life, deflecting every needle.
He pulled me behind him, placing himself squarely between me and the threat.
His back was straight, as unyielding as it had been so many years ago when he shielded me from the demoness’s wind.
I hesitated for a moment, lost in the memory. When I snapped out of it, I said, “I don’t need your help. I can handle this myself.” I tried to step out from behind him, but Xiao Yi Han held me firmly in place.
“This isn’t about helping you,” he said. “They’re here for me. Stay put.”
His words left me with no room to argue. If I insisted on stepping forward, it would seem as though I were eager to help him.
After the initial arrow, the forest fell silent. I scanned the surroundings, but Xiao Yi Han appeared unconcerned, waiting patiently. Finally, he raised his voice. “If you’re not going to make a move, I will.”
With that, his hand glowed faintly, and his frosty sword materialized. With a casual flick, he sent a crescent-shaped arc of blue energy sweeping into the dark woods. The blade’s path cleaved through trees like a knife through butter, leaving shattered trunks and splinters in its wake. Screams of pain and terror erupted as the energy struck its targets.
When the glow faded, the forest lay in ruins. Trees were felled, and the assailants—demons in various forms—were fully exposed. Some lay motionless on the ground, while others barely managed to stand.
I stood behind Xiao Yi Han, staring in shock.
No wonder the assassins I hired over the years had failed to kill him. His cultivation was far beyond what it had been before.
Xiao Yi Han approached one of the fallen demons, forcing me to follow since our hands were still joined. He nudged the demon’s clothing aside with his foot, revealing an emblem on its belt. Xiao Yi Han raised an eyebrow. “Them again?”
I stared at the emblem in disbelief. “It’s you?” I blurted out. “Wasn’t the contract completed?”
Xiao Yi Han turned to me, his expression sharp. “What contract?”
“…”
Meeting his gaze, I hesitated for a moment before deciding that it didn’t matter anymore. He already knew I wanted him dead, so there was no point in hiding the details. Calmly, I said, “I hired an assassination organization. Paid them to kill you.”
“Hah!” Xiao Yi Han let out a short, incredulous laugh before falling silent again. After a long pause, he muttered, “Little disciple, you really do hate me to the bone.”
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