Is this really the same woman who pummeled the city lord’s son senseless? Look at her… She’s acting like a lovesick maiden seeing the love of life…
Kishor frowned, clearly uncertain how to handle Alice’s adoring gaze. “I’m here to take my friend back,” said.
“Friend?” Alice repeated, as though the term itself were a sweet wine. Her eyes slid past to Jared, then hurried back, their brightness intensifying.
Stepping closer, flung ample arms toward Kishor’s neck. “You finally came to see me! I thought you meant to abandon me for life!”
Kishor froze, instinct begged to dodge, but the fragile hope shining in Alice’s eyes pinned to the spot.
Smack! On tiptoe, planted an audible kiss on his cheek, leaving behind a glossy, grease-smeared imprint.
“Ah!” Gasps rippled through the circle of cultivators, the sight striking harder than any sword aura. Crimson flooded Kishor’s face. Humiliation and fury wrestled in his eyes, yet all could grind out was, “Alice, compose yourself!”
“I won’t!” shot back, suddenly every inch the petulant girl had never been allowed to be. “I’ve loved you for years, Kishor! Why won‘t you let me? Do you know how it hurt watching you hide from me all this time?!”
At last, the truth fell into place. Jared and Flaxseed traded rueful looks.
So that’s why Kishor refused to set foot inside the city… Because waiting here is a love-struck tower owner whose devotion can neither accept nor escape…
The moment felt absurdly perfect, a coincidence so grand it bordered on the operatic.
“Alice, the dispute between you and me can wait,” Kishor said, drawing a deep breath to still the storm of color washing across his face. “Jared saved my life. I owe everything, and tonight you will grant safe passage, if you wish to keep me breathing at all!”
“He saved your life?” Alice blinked, curiosity softening murderous glare as studied Jared with new interest.
“Without him…” Kishor declared, voice low yet unshakable, “I would still be trapped in that cursed stairway. If you intend to lay a hand on him, you’ll have to step over my corpse first!”
Seeing the unbreakable resolve in Kishor’s eyes, Alice understood was not bluffing. Her gaze flickered, and the murderous chill evaporated, replaced by a surprising warmth, almost eagerness.
“Why are you statues still gawking?” barked at the shell-shocked guards lingering in the ruined Whispers Tower. “Fetch the finest healing pills this instant!”
The guards, rattled by whiplash transformation, scrambled away in a tumble of metal and panic.
Moments later, bustled up to Jared, baring a fearsome yet genuine grin. “Young man, forgive my rash temper! I had no idea you were Kishor’s savior-please, don’t take my earlier rudeness to heart!”
The Sword Sect disciples and the gathered cultivators stared, thunderstruck by one-eighty turn. Jared himself looked equally stunned, the script of his day had flipped faster than could read it.
Kishor exhaled, finally sensing a crack through which peace might slip. “How are you feeling? Are the wounds severe?” Alice asked, voice laced with the concern of an elder sister.
Her eyes traced every bruise and gash on Jared’s body, worry pooling in their depths.
