Above the Grand Hall of the Warlord's Palace, high in the sky—
"What—?"
Bai Yujian's serene facade cracked, her lips twitching. She had been seated on the jade deck, all grace and control, as she picked at Su Xiaomei like a vulture circling a carcass.
"How long has your brother been here?"
"Does he talk about… what he's left behind?"
A pause. Then, softer:
"…Or who?"
Su Xiaomei's lips tightened. Her answers were clipped, polite. Just sharp enough to warn.
"I don't know."
"No."
"Should he?"
Her tone was polite. Polished. But the edge cut deep. She wasn't about to hand her brother over on a silver platter. Especially not to this… whatever Bai Yujian was pretending to be.
Bai Yujian's smile lingered, soft and syrupy. Like poison honey. Or a cat deciding if it wanted to bat at its prey or swallow it whole.
Su Xiaomei didn't blink. She wasn't prey. Not today.
BOOM!
