Yinhai Hu's departure left Wuyi alone with Baijian, who stretched his naked legs out beneath his robes and took a long drink of his wine.
"That Jia's too soft for this life," Baijian said. "He tries, and he is not worthless, but you should let him go."
"He doesn't have anywhere to go," Wuyi said.
Baijian nodded. "I'd wondered." He took another sip and grinned. "That girl—the pavilion disciple?"
Wuyi looked blank.
Baijian wasn't fooled for a moment. "Don't give me that. Asking you why you curse Heaven. Listen, if you want my advice—"
"I don't," Wuyi interrupted.
"Get your knee between her legs and keep it there until you get what you want. You want her—she wants you. I'm not saying to force her," Baijian added with a professional authority that was more unsettling than his admission of killing the captives. "I'm just saying that if you get it done, you can have a warm bed as long as you're here."
