Kaili, who had fainted from exhaustion, woke up in darkness, unsure what time it was.
Someone was wiping her face with a wet towel.
It was only when she flinched that they realized the girl had awakened.
Li Qiuchen yawned.
This wasn’t originally his job.
He had been helping Tide clean up the mess on the second floor, and the entire town had gathered enthusiastically.
But when Naili suddenly remembered she needed to pack clothes, Li Qiuchen was sent over to help care for the girl.
Out of a sense of duty, he approached slowly to check the girl’s condition.
In Kaili’s view, the boy from the northern frontier approached through the darkness, his eyes holding scattered starlight that spun slowly, making one want to be drawn in.
She wondered how long he had been sitting alone in the dark.
A strange feeling swept silently over her heart, so different from her usual decisive self.
It was like the quiet flow of a spring creek in early spring.
She remembered how he had stood in front of her in the dim tunnel, risking his life.
Then recalled his “grief”—how her few words in the storage room had made him faint with “emotion.”
“You fainted from exhaustion,” Li Qiuchen explained quietly.
Kaili stared into his eyes for a long time before she finally reacted, “Tha-thank you.”
This was absolutely not her usual tone.
It lacked the crisp decisiveness of a loyal warrior of the Temple of the God of War, instead carrying a hint of… unfamiliarity and hesitation that even she could clearly feel.
She subconsciously cleared her throat, trying to regain her usual composure.
“Cough, cough, I mean, thank you for your help.”
Li Qiuchen gave a reliable smile, though inside he couldn’t help but complain:
Big sis, aren’t you a follower of the Temple of the God of War?
Where’s that decisive aura?
Why are you stuttering?
He turned to light the oil lamp while clarifying, “It’s always been Naili taking care of you. I just came to help temporarily.”
Li Qiuchen intended to clear up any misunderstanding.
However, to Kaili, who was struggling to explain her own strange emotions, his words sounded completely different.
Ah, this “poor fellow” didn’t want me to feel burdened by his care, so he specially emphasized it was only temporary.
Kaili nodded silently in her heart, as if solving a riddle.
In an age where faith was fading, such unselfish, silent guardianship was especially precious.
Her gaze toward Li Qiuchen unconsciously softened even more.
The slight panic from her emotional turmoil found a solid, redeeming reason.
“I understand,” Kaili replied softly.
You understand?
Li Qiuchen sensed something was off.
What exactly do you understand?
Because I sure don’t.
“Oh, are you hungry?”
Li Qiuchen hurriedly changed the subject.
You probably are.
I’ll go make you some noodles.
“No need to rush, we can talk for a bit.”
The girl sat up, her voice elegant and noble, no longer the careless tone she had upon arriving.
Her delicate profile was hidden in the shadows.
Long golden hair draped over both shoulders, and her snow-white, powerful arms lay casually atop the blanket, the muscular lines shaped by years of training clearly visible.
Naili’s white pajamas were simple and neat like curtains, unable to conceal the golden-haired girl’s grand figure and fiery curves.
To avoid further misunderstanding, Li Qiuchen deliberately averted his gaze.
“Talk about what?”
Kaili smiled softly, as if forgiving the boy’s rudeness.
“Where are you from?”
“From the Taka City-State in the Ringsaw Principality, northern frontier.”
Li Qiuchen had clearly prepared for such questions.
He’d crafted his origin story flawlessly from the moment he crossed over, knowing unless someone like Belinda with the Taya Empire’s intelligence network pressed him, no one would see through it.
Kaili frowned.
“The Ringsaw Principality that was almost destroyed in the Third Calamity of the World?”
History student, not bad.
Li Qiuchen praised inwardly, but maintained a humble expression.
“Yes, my parents and relatives died in that war too. Naili is my distant cousin.”
“Sorry.”
Kaili apologized quietly.
Li Qiuchen froze.
The same conversation, but a completely different response.
He remembered that day in the speeding carriage, when he told Belinda about his origins.
The red-haired girl’s eyes had been sharp as blades.
She’d replied softly:
“So clean.”
What?
Li Qiuchen—or Ellen, as he was then—had been a bit stunned.
Your background is so clean, it’s like you made it up to deceive someone.
Li Qiuchen had awkwardly avoided the topic.
Belinda’s suspicion was well-founded, but it left a thorn in Li Qiuchen’s heart.
He had saved her.
When she was in danger, he had stepped forward without hesitation.
Whatever his reasons—her knight’s armor, her pretty face—at that moment his courage was real, even to himself.
But Belinda…
“Are you alright?”
Kaili asked softly.
“I’m fine. Just… remembered some things.”
Li Qiuchen lowered his head.
Sensing the boy’s flustered gaze, Kaili looked at him even more gently.
“Do you have any plans for the future?”
Li Qiuchen stared at the shifting shadows on the floor tiles.
“Just to work honestly here.”
“Then… is there a girl you like? Or are you already engaged?”
Kaili tried to keep her tone soft, as if an elder was caring for a junior.
Belinda’s refined face flashed through Li Qiuchen’s mind.
She was beautiful and dangerous, eyebrows furrowed with majesty.
He jerked his head up in panic, meeting Kaili’s gaze.
“N-no!”
So afraid of me misunderstanding?
Kaili’s heart skipped with a bit of joy.
This poor little guy was almost too sincerely cute.
Kaili showed an understanding expression and laughed softly to comfort him.
“You don’t need to be so excited. I was just asking.”
Don’t look at me like you understand.
I think you’ve misunderstood more and more.
“Mm.”
Li Qiuchen lowered his head, avoiding her eyes.
“Someone your age working in a tavern isn’t a long-term plan.”
“You could study in Phoenix City for a few years, then buy a business in town. It would be convenient for whatever you choose later.”
Kaili guided him earnestly, a sense of achievement rising in her heart.
Force can eliminate evil, but guiding a kind and struggling soul toward the light is another form of ‘battle.’
She found another way to answer the goddess’s call.
This, perhaps, was the true meaning of training.
At her words, Li Qiuchen stiffened.
Why did this sound so familiar?
Wasn’t this the same script mob bosses in old Hong Kong movies used with their mistresses?
Like, sending them to study, then buying them businesses?
Something was definitely wrong!
Was it because he saved her in the tunnel?
No, she had been normal that night, not overly grateful.
Then now… did she say something when she was exhausted that night?
He couldn’t remember.
He’d simply fainted from fatigue—had he been misunderstood?
“You want me to study?”
Li Qiuchen doubted his own ears.
“You don’t need to worry about enrollment.”
“Just tell me what you want to study—business, magic, or any technical field.”
Kaili chose her words carefully, comforting the boy.
She had no power or political connections in Phoenix City, but with the gold coins she carried and her ties to several priests in the local Temple of the God of War, she was confident she could arrange things.
“This is…”
Li Qiuchen stepped back.
He didn’t dislike kindness, but benefits without clear reason often came with heavy costs.
Was she recruiting him for the Temple of the God of War?
Li Qiuchen turned the thought over, finally finding a reasonable explanation.
“Don’t misunderstand. I just want to thank you for your courage in standing up twice.”
“As for tuition and recommendations, the local Temple of the God of War will handle them.”
Kaili considerately cleared his doubts.
With her explanation, Li Qiuchen finally relaxed.
So she just wanted to recruit him.
“No need, Miss Demon Hunter. I’m just a poor country boy running for my life, dumb, not fit for studying.”
Li Qiuchen tried to refuse, staying in character.
But these “humble” words fell into Kaili’s heart like a stone, stirring deeper ripples.
Was he feeling inferior?
Because of his past and current situation?
She looked at him, her voice even softer and more earnest.
“You can call me Kaili.”
“Alright, Miss Kaili.”
“Qiuchen,”
She continued, eyes blazing with a savior’s mission.
“I’ve never looked down on you or belittled you for your status.”
“On the contrary, I actually… admire your courage and kindness even more because you maintain them in your less-than-ideal circumstances.”
Her gaze was sincere and passionate, making Li Qiuchen shy away.
Recruiting for the Temple of the God of War, but why was she so emotional?
It felt just like Reina when she passionately preached the doctrine of the Time Temple to him.
Ah, this is the power of religion.
“Miss Kaili, please rest. I won’t disturb you further.”
“If you need anything, just ask.”
Li Qiuchen stepped back, preparing to leave.
Before going, he decided to explain once more, hoping to dispel this inexplicable misunderstanding.
“Miss Kaili, in the storage room today, I was exhausted and don’t remember what you said. I passed out right after.”
“I hope you don’t misunderstand.”
Ah, he’s still trying to hide it, using such a clumsy way to avoid burdening me with his “deep feelings.”
“I understand everything.”
She whispered, as if seeing through it all, her smile firmer and more forgiving.
What do you understand?!
You just say you understand.
Li Qiuchen completely gave up and hurried out.
In Kaili’s eyes, it was simply a pitiful boy fleeing in panic.
Li Qiuchen had just left the room when he was pulled up to the second floor to help.
There, two baskets of bread brought by Wright and a large barrel of beer sat on the table, free for everyone.
The second floor was crowded with people working and shouting, the air lively.
Li Qiuchen, wanting to slack off, was soon swept up in the excitement, following drunk Hyde to help build a wall.
He’d thought the stingy Tide would be crying, but the fat boss was open-hearted, strumming a lute for everyone.
Jocelyn was the only one unmoved by the atmosphere.
Without anyone noticing, she devoured a basket of milky bread and half a barrel of beer by herself.
By the time Li Qiuchen went downstairs to sleep on a small bed, Jocelyn had already woken and rolled over.
“You don’t need to be woken up again tonight, do you?”
“No.”
Li Qiuchen gripped the Blue Crystal and answered with relief.