Jiu Hui’s Resolve

In Lisa Kael’s and Jiu Hui’s room, Jiu Hui lay on the bed, her eyes closed.

Lisa Kael sat beside her, gazing at Jiu Hui’s slightly pale face, her eyes filled with an unreadable expression.

Time flowed by.

Jiu Hui remained on the bed, while Lisa Kael continued to watch her, lost in thought.

After an unknown period, Jiu Hui’s eyes fluttered open.

She blinked, slightly startled to see Lisa Kael’s face so close.

“You’re awake.”

Lisa Kael’s gentle voice broke the silence.

“Mm…”

Jiu Hui was still somewhat disoriented, only managing a soft reply.

“Are you uncomfortable anywhere?”

Lisa Kael carefully helped Jiu Hui sit up, her gaze fixed on Jiu Hui’s still-pale complexion as she asked.

“Mm~” Jiu Hui shook her head.

Seeing this, Lisa Kael seemed to let out a sigh of relief.

As she looked at Jiu Hui, her mind drifted back to the words Anya had spoken after their earlier fight.

“Actually, I knocked Jiu Hui unconscious earlier purely out of instinct.”

Anya had stated, her expression grave as she met Lisa Kael’s eyes.

“She was the one who forced my subconscious reaction, leaving me no time to hold back my strength.”

“Are you saying—?!”

Lisa Kael had listened to Anya’s explanation, then looked down at Jiu Hui, who was still unconscious in her arms, a look of profound surprise on her face.

Anya’s meaning was clear to her.

Jiu Hui had somehow made Anya feel a genuine threat, prompting an instinctive, powerful punch.

Though Anya quickly regained her composure, she hadn’t been able to fully withdraw her force.

Even after retracting most of her power at the last moment, the residual impact was enough to instantly render Jiu Hui unconscious.

For someone like Jiu Hui, who was holding a blade for the very first time, to provoke such an instinctive reaction from Anya—a strike Anya couldn’t even fully pull back—was truly astonishing.

Even if Anya had been momentarily distracted, it undeniably spoke volumes about Jiu Hui’s terrifying potential!

Given time and resources, Jiu Hui could undoubtedly become immensely powerful!

“I’m sure you understand the implications,” Anya had said, a smile gracing her lips. “Think carefully.”

She continued, addressing Lisa Kael directly.

“Of course, no matter what decision you ultimately make, I will support you.”

With those words, Anya had turned and departed.

Lisa Kael had gazed at the unconscious Jiu Hui in her arms, her brow still furrowed in concern, a flicker of complex emotion in her eyes.

****

Now, back to the present.

Lisa Kael looked at Jiu Hui, opening her mouth as if to speak, but no words came out.

She didn’t know how to begin, or even what to say.

In truth, she felt utterly lost, unsure how to approach Jiu Hui.

Should she allow Anya to continue training Jiu Hui?

Jiu Hui possessed terrifying talent and all the prerequisites for immense power, and her becoming stronger would undoubtedly benefit Lisa Kael.

Yet, emotionally, Lisa Kael desperately wished to keep Jiu Hui from ever stepping into this world of death and bloodshed.

Jiu Hui looked at Lisa Kael, a puzzled expression on her face.

She had felt confused ever since waking up to see Lisa Kael.

Logically, shouldn’t she have woken up to Anya?

Why was she back in her room, with Lisa Kael by her side?

Lisa Kael should be busy, shouldn’t she?

Moreover, Lisa Kael seemed… strange.

“What’s wrong?”

Jiu Hui asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

Suddenly, a thought struck Jiu Hui, and her heart clenched.

‘Could Lisa Kael be angry?’ she wondered. ‘I was learning to fight with Anya, even got knocked out, and now Lisa Kael has found out. She must be furious!’

As she pondered this, Jiu Hui cautiously observed Lisa Kael’s expression.

However, something seemed amiss.

There was no anger on Lisa Kael’s face; instead, there was a mix of hesitation, struggle, and even a hint of guilt.

Seeing Lisa Kael’s complicated expression, Jiu Hui grew even more bewildered.

‘What on earth is going on?’

After a moment, Lisa Kael pressed her lips together before speaking.

“Jiu Hui, are you truly decided? You must understand that once you gain power, you will have to bear the responsibilities and consequences that come with it!”

Lisa Kael’s gaze was fixed on Jiu Hui’s eyes, her expression turning solemn.

She had made her choice.

Jiu Hui looked at the serious Lisa Kael.

Though puzzled by the sudden question, she answered without hesitation.

“While I don’t fully grasp the responsibilities and costs of power, I *must* become stronger! I refuse to be left behind, waiting anxiously for news of you all, while you navigate the perilous line between life and death on the battlefield.”

“Furthermore, I don’t want to be helpless, only able to pray when you face danger. Nor do I want to be a burden to you, unable to do anything if I ever find myself in peril.”

Lisa Kael listened to Jiu Hui’s words, momentarily stunned.

All the concerns and worries she had harbored were, in Jiu Hui’s eyes, precisely the reasons and motivation for her desire to become strong.

Moreover, Jiu Hui was right.

While the chances of her encountering danger under Lisa Kael’s protection were slim, they weren’t entirely nonexistent.

If Jiu Hui were to face peril and Lisa Kael couldn’t reach her in time, wouldn’t that very scenario—the one she feared most—be a consequence of her own actions?

As these thoughts settled, Lisa Kael’s expression softened.

She let out a soft chuckle before speaking.

“Alright, I won’t interfere anymore. Go and learn diligently from Anya. She’s an excellent teacher, and with her guidance, you’ll definitely grow stronger. Work hard, and I’ll wait for you on the battlefield.”

Jiu Hui paused, taken aback by Lisa Kael’s words, then broke into a radiant smile.

“Then you’ll have to slow down a bit, you know! I’ll catch up very soon, so don’t be surprised when I overtake you!”

“Haha,” Lisa Kael laughed, “Catch up to me? If you truly become stronger than I am, then I’ll relinquish my position as Queen to you!”

Hearing this, the smile on Jiu Hui’s face deepened.

She gave Lisa Kael a mischievous grin. “In that case, I’ll gladly accept when the time comes!”

“Haha, you certainly are bold.”

“Of course.”

Outside the room, Anya leaned against the wall.

Listening to the conversation within, a slight smile played on her lips.

‘Jiu Hui, indeed.’