A Stolen Kiss Amidst Chaos

With a sudden flick, Yingluo’s fingers released the sword hilt. A sharp rasp accompanied the blade as it slid from its scabbard, revealing a section of its keen edge between the scabbard and the hilt. Under the restaurant’s neon glow, it shimmered with a terrifying brilliance.

Moving with the speed of a phantom afterimage, Yingluo instantly appeared before Bai Qiao. Her right hand was raised high, gripping the katana in a reverse hold. This was the most common blade technique of the Yingluo family; those who faced it often lost a chunk of their flesh. However, Yingluo rarely employed the subsequent part of this technique, as it was incredibly draining. Yet, for…

‘To save a little time,’ she thought. ‘That way, I can spend more moments with my beloved Bai Chen, hehe~’

“Clang!”

The sensation in her hand was wrong. It wasn’t the feeling of a blade cutting through flesh, but rather the impact of cold steel against cold steel. Yingluo paused, bewildered. She saw Bai Qiao had blocked with an arm held before her. The katana had struck her arm, and blood now streamed down, dripping onto the ground, while Bai Qiao’s left hand gripped the blade.

“How is this possible? You understand my blade technique?!”

‘…This blade technique, I’ve seen it many times,’ Bai Qiao thought. ‘Every girl who gets close to me seems to demonstrate this kind of swordplay…’

“Hmph!” Yingluo frowned in displeasure. She swiftly retracted her blade, leaving a bloody mark on Bai Qiao’s hand. Bai Qiao instinctively let out a muffled groan.

Yingluo’s blade technique was undeniably swift. In the very next instant, she switched the katana to her left hand and thrust it viciously forward. A smile flickered in her eyes. ‘Die! Don’t you dare stand between me and Bai Chen!’

“Thud!”

“Ugh!”

She was sent flying back several meters before she managed to regain her footing. Wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth with the back of her hand, she realized she hadn’t anticipated that strike. Looking up, she saw… Bai Chen?!

He stood before Bai Qiao, one hand still held in the after-motion of a recent swing. From his palm, a faint white mist emanated.

“Bai Chen… you… why… are you protecting her…?” Yingluo’s beautiful face twisted in anguish, only to relax into a manic grin moments later. “Ahahaha! So that’s it! Bai Chen, have you truly lost your mind to this woman? I’ll help both of you find release~”

She gripped the katana hilt so tightly that her knuckles turned white. Her speed was undeniably incredible. After all, Yingluo now possessed internal energy. Already swift, she now moved almost like an afterimage.

The surrounding onlookers gasped in astonishment. Such speed was unheard of in their small town. They recalled how the mayor’s child, whose speed was barely half that of this seemingly delicate girl, had once been specially invited to perform in the town square.

‘This small town, despite its beautiful scenery, was quite secluded,’ an onlooker thought. ‘Witnessing such speed now, this person couldn’t be ordinary.

‘They must be some expert traveling through. What a pity for these two — to not recognize a true master. They’re probably doomed…’

“Clang!”

The onlookers, who had closed their eyes, unable to bear the sight of bloodshed, heard a different sound than expected. Curiosity piqued, they peeked open their eyes. A sword — a white sword — was held horizontally before the katana, firmly blocking Yingluo’s attack. It emanated a faint chill.

Bai Chen’s face was utterly devoid of expression. To others, he always seemed impassive, almost like a statue. Little could ever pique his interest. Yet, for most, it was probably best not to ignite his interest at all…

Yingluo stared at Bai Chen’s face, which showed no emotional fluctuation, not even a hint of killing intent. A sense of being utterly ignored washed over her, causing her blade technique to falter. “Look at me! Look at me!!! I’ll gouge out your eyes!”

Bai Chen’s gaze barely flickered towards her. He subtly channeled his internal energy, letting out a soft hum. His sword-wielding hand swept out lightly, stirring a gentle breeze that made his robes flutter and drawing gasps from the surrounding girls.

Yingluo, however, did not fare so well. What appeared to be a casual wave actually contained formidable internal energy. Yingluo mustered her own internal energy to resist, but against this overwhelming force, her own internal energy was utterly powerless. ‘Bai Chen… have you become this powerful? Why… do you feel so different now?’

Yingluo’s vision blurred as she looked at Bai Chen, still standing there. Only the faint flutter of his robes proved he wasn’t merely a painting.

“Qiao? Are you alright?” Bai Chen noticed something amiss with Bai Qiao, whose gaze remained fixed on Yingluo.

“Hey, you should take care of her…”

Bai Chen paused, momentarily stunned. He truly couldn’t comprehend Bai Qiao’s thought process. Yet, his surprise lasted only a moment. The next second, he donned a playful smile. “Taking care of her is fine, but what’s in it for me?”

“What?!” Being forcibly turned to face him made Bai Qiao quite uneasy.

“These red lips are quite nice. They’ll do as payment, won’t they?” Bai Chen’s finger lightly traced her lips, causing Bai Qiao’s body to involuntarily tremble.

“Wait! There are so many people here! Mmmph…”

Feeling the warm intrusion in her mouth and hearing the gasps from those around them, Bai Qiao’s ears burned crimson. She wished she could just die on the spot. But speaking of which… she was truly about to suffocate!