Before speaking, Bai Lian gently took both of Sekar’s hands into her own. Her eyes trembled with sincerity as she whispered, “Forgive me if my assumption is wrong, but I’ve noticed the way you often look at Xiao Chen. Your gaze is different from the others. Tell me honestly… do you harbor feelings for him?”Sekar did not immediately respond. Instead, she let out a soft breath, her lips curving into a faint smile as she looked into her friend’s eyes. “Before I answer your question, let me also ask you something.” Her voice was calm, yet there was a hidden weight beneath it. “I’ve also seen you stealing glances at Xiao Chen more than once. So tell me, Bai Lian, do you also feel something for him?”This time it was Bai Lian’s turn to smile—an almost playful yet shy curve of her lips. “Without realizing it, you’ve already answered my question. You do like him.”Sekar frowned slightly, confused. As far as she could remember, she hadn’t directly admitted such a

“This horse and these swords are all I possess. If you want them, then come and take them—if you are able!” replied the hooded man, his gaze still lowered, his voice calm yet carrying sharp defiance.“Damn you! So you actually have the guts to oppose us? Attack now, cut him down and kill him!” shouted the tall, broad-shouldered bandit with thick mustaches stretching across his face like the mighty flow of the Brantas River.The young man still seated on his horse leapt down gracefully, loosening the hood from his head. He gently patted the animal’s back, sending it away from the battlefield.From his place beneath a large tree, Xiao Chen finally got a clear look at the man he had earlier seen in the eatery. To his surprise, the stranger was still quite young, perhaps about his own age. Yet Xiao Chen remained still, unwilling to interfere. He understood the pride of warriors—many would rather die than receive unasked-for help. Out of respect, he c

Xiao Ji looked toward the road. From a distance he could see several riders approaching the hut where they were resting. Suspicion toward Xiao Chen flared up again. "Are they your friends?""I have no friends. If I had any, they'd only be two girls and three old men," Xiao Chen replied."Watch out if you're lying!" Xiao Ji said, then rose as if he already knew who was coming.Both of his swords hung across his back while his gaze fixed on the riders who had stopped and jumped down from their horses.Xiao Ji counted the men standing in a line about fifteen meters away. There were eight of them, and each carried two swords strapped to his back."Surrender, Xiao Ji! There's no point running from us. Even if you hide in an anthill we'll still find you!" one of the eight men called out."So they’ve sent eight of the best hunters of the Black Eagle Sect just to catch one Xiao Ji. I’m honored you chased me this far," Xiao Ji said with a mocking smile. "But know this: I will not hand over the

As expected, even their strongest formation was no match for Xiao Chen. If that formation could be broken so easily, the weaker ones would surely crumble as well. Out of the eight Black Eagle Sect hunters, only one was left alive.Xiao Chen intentionally spared him—not only so there would be someone to handle the bodies of the fallen—but also to send a message to their leader, warning them never to bother Xiao Ji again.“I don’t really know what your sect’s goals are,” Xiao Chen said calmly, facing the lone survivor. “But when my conscience tells me to help someone in need, like Xiao Ji, then as long as he walks the path of righteousness, it is my duty to assist.”“But he stole a sacred sword that wasn’t his. Do you really think that’s right?” the hunter challenged.“I didn’t steal it!” Xiao Ji snapped angrily as he approached the two of them.“Let’s hear the truth, then,” said Xiao Chen, glancing briefly toward the hut nearby.“I’ll explain everything so you can understand what reall

After ordering their food, the two did not go inside; instead they chose to sit beneath a large, leafy tree beside the stall. A gentle, cool breeze blew in the late-afternoon heat.Before long the food they had ordered arrived, and without thinking twice they began to eat until they had no more appetite.Full stomachs and the soft breeze made both of them drowsy. Their bodies were also tired from travel, so before they knew it they had dozed off, backs leaning against the tree trunk and legs stretched out.The stall owner smiled at the sight of them sleeping soundly. He guessed the two young men were tired from the road. He couldn't bring himself to wake them — not until his stall was about to close.Customers came and went, but they left the two alone to be lulled by the breeze.Three hours passed in a blink. Night was quietly creeping in to replace day. The stall owner stepped forward to wake Xiao Chen and Xiao Ji.He gave a light tap on Xiao Chen’s shoulder. “Wake up — it’s getting