With the Sect Leader on the verge of collapse, her breath shallow and her limbs trembling—
Hei Long finally let out a quiet sigh.
The tension in his shoulders eased as he straightened, then stepped back with a casual grace that felt almost disrespectful given the state the Sect Leader was in.
"I think that's enough for tonight," Hei Long said flatly, brushing imaginary dust from his robe:
"You were… weaker than I expected."
The words cut sharper than any blade.
The Sect Leader stiffened where she knelt, the shame boiling up in her chest like bile:
'Weaker than expected?'
Her hands instinctively moved to cover herself—part out of modesty, part out of humiliation—as she slowly forced herself to her feet.
Her legs shook beneath her weight.
Being called weak… it had been centuries since anyone had dared to utter such a thing to her face.
She bit down hard on her lip, tasting blood. "You're finished, aren't you? Then leave."
