Yun Qingxue sighed and, adhering to her principle of avoiding trouble, conceded, “Fine, if you won’t leave, I will. I’ll give you this room.”
Though she didn’t want to face the eerie trio outside, she had traveled all day and needed rest!
The sudden appearance of this stranger in her room didn’t seem malicious—for now. But who could guarantee he wasn’t dangerous?!
“No!”
“Thud!”
Hua Yin coldly spat out the word, and in the same breath, flicked a hidden weapon that struck the door behind Yun Qingxue.
Her hand had just reached for the door when the sudden attack startled her.
Fortunately, the move was purely meant to intimidate—otherwise, the weapon would have struck her.
Withdrawing her hand, Yun Qingxue turned back to glare at the uninvited guest. “What do you want?”
“Stay,” Hua Yin replied bluntly, his expression unreadable.
“Let’s be frank,” Yun Qingxue said, her gaze sharp. “Will you harm me?”
“No,” Hua Yin answered without hesitation.
“Ha!” Yun Qingxue scoffed. “Why should I believe you? I already have enough trouble. Do you want me to stay so I can take a blade for you?!”
Hua Yin frowned. “No.”
“Sorry, but I find it hard to trust someone who barges in uninvited and throws hidden weapons at me.”
“You can’t beat me,” Hua Yin stated flatly.
“Who knows without trying?”
A cold glint flashed in Yun Qingxue’s eyes as she retrieved a dagger from her storage ring, gripping it firmly.
Her current strength was indeed lacking, but she’d rather fight desperately than live in fear under someone else’s blade.
Sometimes, weakness wasn’t the most terrifying thing—what was worse was lacking courage alongside it.
The world didn’t pity the weak. More often than not, showing vulnerability only made others see you as an easy target.
But sometimes, before an opponent could gauge your limits, projecting an unyielding stance could make them hesitate…
And now, Yun Qingxue was prepared to clash with Hua Yin at any moment.
“I won’t fight you,” Hua Yin suddenly said, standing up.
Yun Qingxue tensed, her sharp eyes tracking his every move.
Hua Yin drew a short, gleaming dagger—but instead of attacking her, he slashed his own wrist.
Was he trying to kill himself in front of her? What was the point of this sudden self-harm?
The sight baffled Yun Qingxue.
Blood gushed from the wound.
Expressionless, Hua Yin sheathed the dagger, then dipped his right index finger into the blood and traced symbols on his left arm. As he did, the bleeding slowed unnaturally, as if guided by some force.
“I, Hua Yin, swear upon my cultivation—I will never harm—”
He paused, looking up at Yun Qingxue. “Your name?”
She remained silent, watching him.
Hua Yin frowned. After a moment, he explained, “I need your name. The oath can’t be completed without it.”
“Yun Qingxue.”
“I, Hua Yin, swear upon my cultivation—I will never harm Yun Qingxue, or may my body perish and soul scatter!”
With his oath spoken, the wound on his wrist vanished. The bloody symbols on his arm flashed with multicolored light before fading into his skin.
Finished, Hua Yin looked up at her, his dark eyes unreadable.
Yun Qingxue met his gaze, the silence stretching between them.
“Done,” Hua Yin finally said.
“Oh.”
Perhaps infected by his brevity, Yun Qingxue responded with a single syllable.
Three words exchanged, and silence fell again.
“Trust me,” Hua Yin spoke first this time.
Yun Qingxue smirked. “And then?”
“Stay.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Difference.”
“What?”
“Huh?”
“Eh?!”
Their clipped exchange left them both bewildered, staring at each other in confusion.
“Men and women shouldn’t share a room,” Yun Qingxue clarified bluntly.
“I’m not a bad person,” Hua Yin insisted. His dark eyes scanned the room before settling on the cabinet.
“You take the bed. I’ll sleep in the cabinet.”
Yun Qingxue frowned. “No.”
The idea of a man sleeping in her wardrobe was unsettling.
Hua Yin frowned too, his gaze shifting to the bed.
Yun Qingxue glanced between him and the bed, a bad feeling rising.
“You take the bed. I’ll sleep under it,” he proposed.
Her frown deepened. “Can’t you find a normal place to rest?”
Hua Yin stared back blankly.
Sighing in defeat, Yun Qingxue said, “Having you under my bed would disturb my sleep.”
“Oh.” Hua Yin nodded, then swiftly slid under the table, sitting cross-legged.
Yun Qingxue stared at him in disbelief. What kind of eccentric was this?
But since he’d sworn a blood oath not to harm her, she wasn’t one to cling to stubbornness. Besides, the unsettling trio outside was likely still there—no need to invite trouble.
She strode to the bed, removed her shoes, and sat cross-legged, mirroring Hua Yin’s posture.
“Rest,” Hua Yin suddenly said from under the table.
Yun Qingxue opened her eyes and glanced down.
“I’m a gentleman,” he added.
She didn’t respond. He’d mistaken her posture for vigilance, but she saw no need to explain.
—
**PS:** Fresh chapter served! Your support—every bookmark, every recommendation—means the world to me. 😊
*The Flower King’s Decree* has crossed 100k words, but the stats remain modest. Maybe my writing isn’t captivating enough. 😢
I don’t know how many silent readers are out there, but I’m grateful to each one supporting me and the official release.
I’m striving to improve, and I hope my efforts pay off.
This story was conceived in 2013, but I only began earnest writing in November 2015.
Honestly, it was an impulsive project. I’d always wanted to write fantasy but waited two years until I felt ready.
Though the response has been lukewarm, I’ve bravely created a *Flower King’s Decree* group. It’s just me there now—lonely. 😅
**Join us! Group number: 519727027**
Looking forward to meeting supporters! 🌸
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