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The sun was barely over the horizon when **Hu Jiao'er** arrived at the sect's training grounds. Her steps were swift and determined, her mind racing with thoughts of the man who had saved her sister. Hu Mei'er had told her everything the night before—about the attack, the rogue cultivators, and the mysterious Shiv who had appeared just in time.
Hu Jiao'er was no stranger to the complexities of the world, and she knew how dangerous it could be for someone like her gentle sister. While Hu Mei'er seemed to trust Shiv completely, Jiao'er wasn't so easily convinced. She needed to know what kind of man this Shiv was—and, more importantly, what his intentions were toward her sister.
But as she approached the training grounds where she knew Shiv often practiced, Hu Jiao'er found herself feeling something she hadn't expected: curiosity. There was something intriguing about this man who had made such an impact in such a short time. Was he truly as noble as her sister believed, or was there more to him than met the eye?
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### A Subtle Confrontation
Shiv was deep in his training when he sensed a presence approaching. He opened his eyes, wiping sweat from his brow, and turned to see Hu Jiao'er standing a short distance away, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.
The two locked eyes, and Shiv immediately felt a shift in the air. This was not a casual meeting—Hu Jiao'er had come with a purpose.
"Shiv," she said, her voice steady but with a slight edge. "We need to talk."
Shiv raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension but maintaining his usual calm demeanor. He had been expecting this. "About what?"
"My sister," Hu Jiao'er said, stepping closer. "You saved her. For that, I'm grateful. But I need to know why."
Shiv shrugged, his voice casual but with a hint of something deeper. "Because she needed help. There wasn't any other reason."
Hu Jiao'er studied him carefully, searching for any sign of deceit. "Men like you don't just step in to save a woman without expecting something in return. So tell me, Shiv, what are you after?"
Shiv met her gaze evenly, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Maybe I just don't like seeing people get hurt. Or maybe I find your sister… interesting."
That last statement made Hu Jiao'er's eyes narrow. There was a protective instinct in her that flared at the thought of someone taking advantage of Hu Mei'er. But at the same time, there was something about the way Shiv spoke that unsettled her—not in a bad way, but in a way that made her heart beat just a little faster.
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### Unintended Attraction
Hu Jiao'er hadn't come to this meeting with the intention of being swayed, but there was an undeniable aura about Shiv. His calm confidence, his subtle charm—it was difficult to ignore. She could feel a strange pull toward him, a feeling she didn't fully understand. Still, she wasn't about to let her guard down so easily.
"You might think you're clever," Hu Jiao'er said, her tone sharp, "but I've seen men like you before. Men who think they can win over women with a few kind words and a heroic act. I won't let you hurt my sister."
Shiv's smile grew a little wider, but there was no malice in it. "You misunderstand me, Jiao'er. I'm not here to hurt anyone. But if you're so worried about your sister, maybe you should be the one looking after her, instead of testing me."
Hu Jiao'er's eyes flashed with anger at his audacity, but she didn't back down. "You don't know anything about me or my sister. Don't think you can just walk into our lives and—"
"Maybe I don't know everything," Shiv interrupted, his voice low but firm, "but I know enough. I know you care about her, and I know that's why you're here, trying to test me. But the truth is, Jiao'er, you don't trust easily, do you?"
That question hit a little too close to home. Hu Jiao'er felt a sudden rush of frustration, but also something else—a sense of vulnerability that she wasn't used to feeling. She had always been the stronger, more assertive one, but standing in front of Shiv, she felt exposed.
Shiv took a step closer, his voice softer now. "I'm not your enemy, Jiao'er. I didn't save your sister because I wanted something from her. I saved her because it was the right thing to do. And if that's not enough for you, then I guess there's nothing more to say."
For a moment, there was silence between them. Hu Jiao'er found herself staring into Shiv's eyes, feeling an unexpected warmth spread through her chest. She had come here to challenge him, to test him, but instead, she found herself feeling something she hadn't anticipated.
Attraction.
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### The Test Backfires
Hu Jiao'er was a proud woman, and she wasn't about to admit that Shiv had gotten under her skin. But there was no denying the pull she felt toward him. It wasn't just his strength or his looks—it was the way he carried himself, the way he spoke with confidence but without arrogance. He was different from the other men she had encountered in the sect.
Without even realizing it, Hu Jiao'er had begun to lower her defenses. Her initial anger and suspicion were fading, replaced by a growing curiosity and an undeniable spark of interest.
Shiv, for his part, could sense the change in her. He wasn't blind to the effect he was having on her, and while he found her fiery nature intriguing, he also knew how to handle situations like this. Shiv had always been somewhat lustful toward women, but he also had a sense of restraint. He appreciated beauty, but he respected strength, and Hu Jiao'er had plenty of both.
"Jiao'er," Shiv said, his voice gentle but with an edge of teasing, "you don't have to like me. But you'll see soon enough that I'm not the villain you think I am."
Hu Jiao'er crossed her arms, trying to maintain her composure. "We'll see about that, Shiv. Don't think I'll let my guard down just because you're good with words."
Shiv chuckled softly. "I wouldn't expect anything less from you."
As she turned to leave, Hu Jiao'er couldn't help but glance back at him one last time, her mind swirling with conflicting thoughts. She had come to test him, but it seemed that the test had backfired—at least a little. Shiv wasn't what she had expected, and that unsettled her in ways she wasn't ready to admit.
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### A New Complication
As Shiv watched Hu Jiao'er walk away, he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. He had passed her test, but he knew that this was just the beginning. The Hu sisters were both powerful and important, and their fates were intertwined with his own. He would need their trust and their strength in the battles to come.
But as he stood there, alone once more, Shiv felt another emotion creeping in—desire. Hu Jiao'er was fierce, beautiful, and proud, and while Shiv respected her, there was no denying that part of him wanted more.
Yet, even as these thoughts crossed his mind, Shiv knew his limits. He would not force anything, nor would he act on base instincts alone. He had a greater purpose, a path that required discipline and focus. Still, that didn't mean he couldn't enjoy the company of beautiful women along the way.
And Hu Jiao'er, whether she realized it or not, had just become part of that journey.
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