Chapter 47: Purpose

A-Dai narrowly dodged the three ice spikes and darted forward again, chasing after the fleeing figure of the woman.

“A-Dai, come back!”

Yun Qingxue called out urgently. A-Dai, already mid-air, twisted around and changed direction, returning directly to Yun Qingxue’s hand.

“Hiss~” It flicked its tongue at her.

Yun Qingxue reached out and stroked its head. “You did well, but… don’t chase a fleeing enemy.”

Though she despised the woman for being consumed by jealousy, reduced to nothing but venomous spite, Yun Qingxue still felt a wave of relief when the woman escaped.

Not because she was kind-hearted, but because she genuinely didn’t know how to handle the situation.

Should she kill the woman outright, like in those martial arts novels where vengeance was swift and satisfying? Or should she, like the naive heroines in romance novels, try to win over the villainess with kindness and patience?

Neither option appealed to her.

For the first—despite having transmigrated, she had lived over twenty years in her past life without ever killing so much as a chicken, even if she’d eaten plenty.

As for the second… *Hah!* Why waste time on an impossible mission when she could be doing something productive? ╮(╯▽╰)╭

In the end, it was far simpler to let the woman run off and fend for herself. If she died, so be it—Yun Qingxue wouldn’t see it and wouldn’t feel anything. If she survived and sought revenge… well.

That was a problem for future Yun Qingxue. Who knew? By then, she might have mastered magic and become powerful enough to turn the tables.

A-Dai nuzzled her fingers, its body still coiled and alert.

“Come out.”

Dropping her gentle tone with A-Dai, Yun Qingxue spoke coldly to the empty space ahead.

“Hiss~” A-Dai flicked its tongue in the same direction.

A silver blur flashed before Yun Qingxue in an instant.

“Shui Liu, at your service, Miss Yun.”

Shui Liu stood before her, bowing formally.

“*Hah!*” Yun Qingxue sidestepped his greeting, her lips curling into a mocking smile. “Lord Shui is far too courteous. I don’t deserve such respect.”

Shui Liu straightened. His usually playful eyes were now icy as he regarded her. His lips twitched into a cold, stiff smile.

“His Majesty is concerned for your safety but is tied up with clan affairs. Thus, he sent me to escort you.”

“Your idea of ‘escort’ involves attacking A-Dai and aiding someone who tried to kill me—is that it? So… this is how Jin Lin ordered you to protect me?”

Yun Qingxue spoke lightly, as if reminiscing with an old friend.

“In the heat of the moment, if I offended you, I beg your forgiveness, Miss Yun.” Shui Liu inclined his head.

Yun Qingxue glared at him. “Oh, Lord Shui, what choice do I have but to ‘forgive’? Jin Lin isn’t here, and my magic is no match for yours.”

“You exaggerate, Miss Yun!”

Shui Liu cut her off. “That woman is no ordinary foe. Her family holds significant influence among the Water Clan. I couldn’t let A-Dai kill her.”

“But you could let her kill *me*?” Yun Qingxue narrowed her eyes. “If I’m not mistaken, you were here the moment she tried to drug me. Yet you did nothing—not even when she pulled a dagger on me!”

“…”

Shui Liu faltered, unable to refute her. He *had* been following her the entire time and witnessed everything.

“She didn’t intend to kill you,” he weakly defended.

“Oh? So she came at me with a dagger for *fun*? *Hah!* Shui Liu, I’m not a fool. If Jin Lin truly sent you to protect me, then you can leave. I don’t need your kind of ‘protection.'”

“And if His Majesty *didn’t* send me?” Shui Liu suddenly asked, intrigued.

Yun Qingxue smirked. “Then let’s not mince words. State your purpose for following me. Save us both the trouble.”

Shui Liu laughed openly. “His Majesty *did* send me to protect you. But I also have my own agenda.”

“Speak.” Yun Qingxue remained cold.

“Would you sever your master-servant contract with A-Dai?” Shui Liu said abruptly. “Since you refuse to marry His Majesty, I ask that you release A-Dai. As compensation, you may keep the spatial ring.”

“*Hah!*”

Yun Qingxue’s eyes gleamed, her stunning face caught between amusement and disdain.

“Lord Shui, your words give me the strangest impression… as if *you* were the true ruler of the Water Clan!”

Shui Liu’s expression darkened. “Miss Yun, don’t speak recklessly!”

“Recklessly? *Hmph!*” Yun Qingxue scoffed. “A-Dai willingly formed the contract with me. This spatial ring was a gift from Jin Lin himself. What right do *you* have to demand them back?”

“Both are treasures of the Water Clan. Don’t be greedy, Miss Yun.”

Shui Liu’s gaze turned frigid, his hostility unmistakable.

“My ‘greed’ isn’t for you to judge! If the Water Clan wants A-Dai or the ring back, let Jin Lin come himself. The items were *his* to give. If they’re to be returned, they go to *him*—not you, Shui Liu.”

Shui Liu’s face was stone-cold. “Fine! Miss Yun’s silver tongue is as sharp as ever. No wonder you charmed His Majesty into gifting you our treasures. But—”

“Lord Shui,” Yun Qingxue interrupted, “are you implying Jin Lin is a fool?”

“You know that’s not what I meant!” Shui Liu flushed angrily.

“*Hah!* If Jin Lin isn’t foolish in your eyes, then why would a wise ruler hand over clan treasures for mere sweet talk? How contradictory of you, Lord Shui!”

“Good! Good! *Good!*” Shui Liu gritted his teeth, spitting out the words. “I won’t argue further. But since you refuse to return A-Dai, I wish you a safe journey, Miss Yun.”

“Oh, I’ll be *just fine*.” Yun Qingxue smiled serenely, inwardly relieved. Though his “safe journey” reeked of thinly veiled threat, at least it meant he wouldn’t act now.

With A-Dai by her side, she stood little chance if Shui Liu decided to kill her for the treasures.

“Farewell!” Shui Liu spat before vanishing into the sky.

“Hiss~”

A-Dai raised its head, flicking its tongue menacingly at Shui Liu’s retreating figure. That man had ambushed it with ice spikes—as a venomous snake, holding grudges was second nature.

**P.S.: Happy New Year! May fortune smile upon you all in the coming year! o(n_n)o**