Alvin could feel the children’s resentful gazes, and the fear festering around them…thick, acrid, contagious. “Stay still. I won’t let anyone harm you.” His voice was low, iron-clad, a promise forged in blood. With a slight move of his hands, a circle appeared around the kids, barriers of defensive light rising above them like tides called by the moon. He flicked his fingers again, and reinforced shields followed, circling the kids, ready to reflect the attacks, ready to bleed for them if they had to. Inside the barrier, a boy hissed, full of anger, his voice cracking. “Why’s she inside here too? She will just endanger the others.” The girl gave him the side eye but kept silent, her face a blank wall. The rich girl dragged in a shaky breath, face contorting, feeling incredibly wronged. Someone compromised their safety, yet wasn’t kicked out. It sat in her throat like glass. A sixteen-year-old boy pointed at the traitor, his finger shaking. “I’ve got my eyes on you. If you t

Alvin’s mind worked fast, doing a quick evaluation, thoughts snapping together like blades. The grandmaster was wearing a concealment artefact to hide his true cultivation, probably the black cloak draped around his shoulders, drinking in light and truth. There was also no telling how many sick tricks and trump cards he had in his hands. It was better to end things early than to drag it out into an exhausting tug of war, a dance with death that bled minutes he didn’t have. Wasting time would only complicate matters. Most importantly, Aurelio was still home, waiting for him to return, his small face pressed to the window, trusting. The grandmaster’s gaze sharpened beneath the cloak, two coals of malice flaring. “Oh? You’re indeed formidable. Even better. A puppet made from you must be insanely powerful.” Alvin chuckled and disappeared from the spot, escaping from the devious sneak attack the grandmaster had sent, a thread of corrosive qi slicing where his throat had been a heartb

By the time the girls came out, Alvin already had soups laid out on the kitchen island, steaming, the scent of warmth cutting through the cold that clung to their bones. Then porridge and small quantities of veggies and meat, arranged with care. They had just come out of captivity, and eating foods that were too heavy wasn’t advisable. They remained fragile, their stomachs still remembering starvation. “Come have some soup. Then I will check on your health for possible poison and injury.” The girls stayed still, watching him, wary as cornered animals. “Hurry. I have places to be. I can’t stay all the way here.” He picked a small plate and dished a little soup into it, then pulled out a straw. He adjusted the straw, fitting it into his helmet, noticing them straining to see his real face. Perfect spies indeed. Eyes hungry for secrets and identity. He sipped the soup till the plate was empty, the sound amplified in the quiet. “See, the food is edible and safe. Do you have any al

Alvin's face was hidden beneath masks and a helmet. Even after arriving, he didn't remove any protective covering. Still, he controlled his reaction. His eyes scanned the boy. His lips were pale, breathing heavy. ‘Why didn't I notice it before?’ Alvin’s eyes narrowed. ‘They already broke him. Made him a willing slave.’ “Is something wrong with my body?” The boy finally asked. The silence had gone heavy, lasted for far too long. Alvin pressed two fingers together, slowly moving up his arm. “Is it serious?” The boy asked again. Alvin was acting far too strange. With the others, he attended to them within a few short minutes, and sent them on their way. As for him, Alvin had been checking his pulse and staring at him. “Are you afraid to be here?” Alvin's voice was soft, betraying nothing. The boy shook his head. “This place is infinitely better than where we are coming from.” Alvin flicked his fingers and a giant light barrier encircled them. By now, the others were watchi

Alvin's mouth dropped open, and Murong Wuque shoved him away. Alvin was too shocked to react. He had never seen such hatred from Murong Wuque in the past. Especially not directed at him. “Have you gone crazy?” Alvin stood up, rage boiling in his veins. Why was he overreacting? Angry he got called out? “I never asked you to sacrifice anything for me!” Murong Wuque's lips curled slightly, hurt, anger and hatred simmering in his eyes at the same time. “No. I was the idiot who thought we were what we aren't.” Alvin's words died in his throat. The drumstick snatched from Alvin fell from Murong Wuque's limp fingers, into the tray. He turned to Alvin, trying his best not to let the beast within snap free. “I was the one who kept giving and giving, emptying myself into an illusion. Into someone who never saw me as anything more than a burden he had to put up with. I was the fool always going the extra mile.” Alvin gasped, anger finally erupting. “Don't you dare give me that. When