The moment the patrol knights left, Xue Yu scooped the unconscious Blood Clan loli into his arms and ran straight to his bedroom. He shut the window and drew the curtains tight.
Without a second thought for the dirt on her body, he gently tucked her into his clean bed. Only then did Xue Yu let out a breath of relief.
“This girl… she’s actually Blood Clan! No doubt about it—she *is* Blood Clan!”
He recalled how, just moments ago, the Blood Clan loli had accidentally bitten his hand, sucking the blood welling from the wound. Xue Yu was now utterly certain of her identity.
And she’d kissed him out of the blue—a forced kiss that left him deeply confused.
Unconsciously, Xue Yu touched his lips. “If I’d known you were Blood Clan… sigh.”
If anyone found out I saved a Blood Clan member—and shared a forced kiss with her—how could I possibly survive in Gaelkani?
“Better deal with this threat fast! What *do* Blood Clans fear again?” After a brief pause, Xue Yu left the room.
Rummaging through the warehouse, he pulled out a silver dagger and blew away the thick dust coating it. Even in the dim room, its gleam cut through the shadows.
The dagger remained pristine, entirely silver. Embedded in the crossguard was a symmetrical yet irregular red four-pointed star, encircled by a silver ring with four sharp protrusions.
As the dust settled, the blade’s radiance shone unmistakably. *This is the one*, Xue Yu confirmed—a weapon forged to confront the Blood Clan.
“This is it. A dagger made of pure silver.”
Clutching it tightly, he slid the blade into his sleeve and hurried back toward his room, ready to eliminate the “threat” within.
Though small in hand, merely holding the dagger carried profound weight.
A gift from a comrade who specialized in hunting Blood Clans, this weapon bore the name “Silver Killer.”
Forged from pure silver—a metal Blood Clans inherently feared—it was both rare and costly. Pure silver, an exceptionally scarce ore, made weapons that fetched staggering prices.
Since Blood Clan territories lay far from human lands, few in the Gaelkani Kingdom ever faced them in battle. Thus, this precious short dagger had never seen combat in Xue Yu’s hands—and never would. He preferred longswords; daggers felt awkward to him.
To Xue Yu, “Silver Killer” served one purpose: a last resort to sell when his family faced desperate need.
Remembering past lessons, Xue Yu played it safe. Even knowing the loli was unconscious, he worried she might wake. Before entering, he concealed the dagger, waiting until he stood close to the bed—only acting after confirming she remained deeply asleep.
Pressing against the wall, he inched to the bedroom door and cautiously peeked inside.
But the instant his head appeared—a small figure slammed into his abdomen, flipping him onto the corridor floor.
*How did she wake so fast?!*
The ambush-like shock triggered instinct. His fingers tightened around the dagger’s hilt, swiftly unsheathing it—poised to strike.
Yet he froze. Not from weakness… but because the Blood Clan girl who’d knocked him down showed no aggression.
She’d thrown herself into his arms, face buried against his chest. Xue Yu felt dampness seeping through his shirt. Her body trembled; muffled sobs escaped her lips.
Clearly terrified, she clung to his waist, weeping—not attacking.
Watching her cry, Xue Yu realized he’d stood motionless far too long. The dagger, moments from striking, stayed still.
A trace of pity stirred. He shook his head sharply.
*No. Demons are humanity’s enemy. If I spare her, she’ll bring calamity later.*
His grip loosened—then tightened again. Memories of comrades fallen to Demons reignited his hatred. Mercy was weakness. He raised the blade.
“You—"
In the end…
Xue Yu gently cupped her cheeks, thumbs softly wiping her tears.
“You… why are you crying? No one here will hurt you.”
Between mercy and slaughter, he chose mercy. The dagger stayed hidden. His focus shifted entirely to her.
Tear-streaked and trembling, the little girl gazed up at him—a sorrow so raw it tightened his chest.
Straightening their postures, they sat together in the corridor, silently meeting each other’s eyes.
Xue Yu offered a tender smile, pulling her into a deep embrace, one hand stroking her head soothingly.
She’d only acted on instinct—seeking shelter from a human man. Yet now, wrapped unexpectedly in his warmth, she felt it: though her limbs were bare and icy, not a single chill remained.
Only a slow, boundless warmth bloomed in her chest. Through countless frozen days of fear, hunger, and cold—always hiding, always searching—she’d never known this. Something sweeter than warmth itself: an embrace.
Her sobs deepened.
“Sigh…”
Xue Yu exhaled softly. His sigh wasn’t for her vulnerability, but for his own turmoil—*Was this right? Was this wrong?* The uncertainty gnawed at him, unresolved.
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