His glare didn't scare me; it sent my heart into a high drive with a loud drum like I could hear it.
I was scared he could hear it, but he only glared at me, which tells me he doesn't.
I grinned, "What? Are you feeling shy?"
Killian went up and pulled the wet robe back over his body, and the water dripped over him like it didn't want to leave him.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Killain asked with a sharp voice and red cheeks nearly blooming.
The next second, a group of footsteps echoes in the forest, and Killian narrowed his gaze and his hand stretched toward his sword like he was preparing for battle.
I turned around and looked at the bushes nearly tall enough to reach my knees, their leaves shook until a black boots entered my view.
I lifted my gaze, and a familiar man with an arrogant expression was standing there, and his vibe oozed with wealth and cockiness.
The tall man looked at me with a familiar gaze that sent a shudder down my spine—Xue Rui. My bully for the past ten years.
Xue Rui walked into the forest closer to my direction like we're close friends, and he smiled, "Hey, peasant, what are you doing out here?"
His brow narrowed with suspicion, like he sensed something's off, and I said nothing. He'd always hated it when I stayed silent, and he narrowed his gaze like a wolf on prey.
He asked. "Hey, I'm talking to you."
A cold air akin to frost and ice stirred in the air would send any lower man to run away in the other direction. Unfortunately, it was Xue Rui.
Xue Rui turned in Killain's direction, and a faint surprise flashed in his gaze. "Chief disciple!"
He bowed his head nearly to his knees like he was seeing a king for the first time. My eyebrow shot up to my eyeline, for this was the first time I've seen him being truly humbled in someone's presence.
Killian turned away like he wasn't worth someone talking to with an icy expression on his face. That just made me smile, but I haven't lost my mind.
If I smiled in front of Xue Rui, he would've felt even more humiliated and found more opportunities to bully me in the future.
Xue Rui wore a smile on his face, but I could tell it was more forced and fake. His eyes nearly bulged with embarrassment and anger. He wasn't used to his pride being bruised.
Xue Rui asked, "Chief disciple, what are you doing here so far away from the mission?"
Killian frowned like he was wondering what this peasant was doing talking to him. However, like he was trying to be nice, he turned his attention to the man. "I came back. I'm here for the selection of the Moonlight Trial."
His eyes widened in surprise and with excitement. "Really? Are you going to pick a disciple?"
Killian furrowed his brow like he was displeased with the thought, "It depends on anyone capturing my attention."
I rolled my eyes. He sounded like a stuck-up person. I wonder if I should pity this person, who will be this person's unfortunate disciple.
Then out of nowhere, a sharp scream echoes out from my side. Two righteous cultivators were running in our direction, and their hair and clothes were scattered like a bird's nest.
Xue Rui raised his brow in surprise, and anger flashed in his gaze. "What the——"
The two men ran toward Xue Rui like he was a savior, and one man on the left panted heavily and said. "A demon! A demon!"
Xue Rui's eyes turned serious. "Where?"
His hand went to grab the sword on his belt, which had stones around it.
A sharp sound cracked through the air, and everyone turned in that direction. My friend, Raika, was walking off the stone behind the bush, and his fangs appeared menacing toward the two men, who showed a scared expression.
Xue Rui narrowed his eyes, but a glint of surprise appeared on his face, "A shadow fox."
His words were said with a hint of surprise and excitement, which made me feel uneasy and worried.
I turned to Raika and wondered what had happened. Why did he come out? Usually, when Raika sensed a cultivator, he would disappear until they were gone.
But when I looked more closely, his left paw was nearly bent in half, and he was walking with his paw bent in the air.
Blood soaked the ground, and Raika's eyes turned sharp and cold. I moved, but my arms were pulled tightly with a firm hold.
I turned to Killian, who looked at me with a heavy expression. He whispered silently, "No."
What? Is he telling me to abandon him? But I'm not abandoning my friend. The one who stuck with me in my worst moments of my life.
I pulled my arm away from him, and my heart turned calm and icy if a wall grew between us. I turned to Xue Rui, trying to find a way to distract him so Raika could take a chance to escape.
But what can I say? Think… Think…
My brow furrowed.
But it was too late.
Xue Rui took out his sword, and a cruel expression flickered over his face that told me everything. He's not going to show mercy to one demon pet.
Xue Rui ran to Raika, who hissed sharply with his teeth wide open, his red eyes flashing with a dangerous light.
I ran between them and grabbed Raika into my arms, my heart pounding in my chest. The gasp was loud enough, but all I could think about was the blade about to pierce into Raika's skin.
I wouldn't forgive myself if anything happened to him because he was caught. Xue Rui looked at me with a sharp glare to see if I was insane, and I knew it was dangerous to be holding a demon fox in my arms that could get me killed. But I couldn't think of any way to get out.
Xue Rui asked in a low, deadly voice. "What are you doing?"
His eyes curved into a cruel smirk, "You allied yourself with the demons?"