Chapter 64: Does He Like Me?
A strange light flickered in Loseweisse’s eyes. She had cast a mental magic spell.
It wasn’t Mind Control, a high-level spell capable of directly manipulating someone’s thoughts. It was merely Mental Suggestion, a basic spell that subtly influenced someone’s thought process.
The spell’s energy was faint, and Ekaterina, her mental state already unstable, didn’t detect it. Coupled with her guilt over jeopardizing their plan to resurrect Jie Luo, she found herself agreeing with Loseweisse.
Yes, she had already slept with Qin Chu.
What was the difference between once and a hundred times?
Her body was already defiled. If this broken vessel could aid in Jie Luo’s resurrection, then it was a worthy sacrifice. At least her actions wouldn’t be in vain.
Loseweisse, seeing the reluctance and hesitation fading from Ekaterina’s eyes, smiled.
She would do anything to bring Jie Luo back.
Everyone, including Qin Chu and the other members of the Hero Squad, were merely tools to be used.
…
At the Hero’s residence, Qin Chu sat cross-legged in the training grounds, cultivating his Battle Qi.
This wasn’t a facade. He was genuinely training.
Star Flame Battle Qi coursed through his meridians, growing stronger with each cycle.
His night of… passion… with Ekaterina had propelled him to the second layer of Star Flame Battle Qi. And his cultivation speed had increased significantly.
It was as if Ekaterina’s Battle Qi, flowing through him, had paved the way, opening up his meridians, allowing his own Battle Qi to flow more freely. Now, he just had to follow the established path, and with enough time, he would reach her level.
Though it was only mid-afternoon, Angelica was already preparing dinner. She wanted her master to enjoy her cooking.
Ekaterina, her movements sluggish, appeared at the entrance to the training grounds.
She wore an unfamiliar outfit, her usual crimson armor replaced by a form-fitting red dress, as vibrant as a rose blooming under the scorching sun.
The dress’s neckline dipped low, revealing a generous amount of cleavage. The fabric clung tightly to her curves, accentuating her hips and waist, her athletic physique transformed into a vision of seductive beauty.
Her long legs were adorned with high heels, their height forcing her to lean forward slightly, emphasizing her ample… assets…
This was the outfit Loseweisse had chosen for her.
The guards’ leering glances made her uncomfortable. If Qin Chu hadn’t forgiven her, she wouldn’t even be allowed inside. They would have stopped her at the gate.
And even now, they followed her, their eyes watchful, their movements wary. After all, she had a history of violence.
Despite Loseweisse’s reassurances, Ekaterina was still conflicted. She didn’t know how to face him.
She should hate him, the man who had taken her purity, but she couldn’t. After all, she was the one who had initiated it. He was the victim.
She took a deep breath, steeling herself.
She had a goal, a mission to fulfill. And that was…
Ah, yes. To resurrect Jie Luo.
For him, she would endure any humiliation, any degradation.
She lifted her chin, her gaze settling on the man training in the center of the grounds. Faint crimson light flickered around him, waves of heat radiating from his body, raising the temperature of the training grounds to a stifling level.
Star Flame Battle Qi, second layer?
Ekaterina, an expert in Star Flame Battle Qi, recognized his level instantly. He had just broken through and was now stabilizing his realm.
But it was still an impressive feat.
She knew how difficult it was to cultivate Star Flame Battle Qi. His progress was astounding.
His talent was undeniable. Ignoring everything else, he was an exceptional man. He was kind, forgiving, even when she had tried to kill him. And his potential… it surpassed even Jie Luo’s.
Jie Luo had taken almost two weeks to reach the first layer. Qin Chu had reached the second layer in a single day.
If he had been the one summoned instead of Jie Luo… perhaps she would have fallen for him?
The thought startled her. She shook her head, dispelling the dangerous notion. No, she couldn’t compare him to Jie Luo, couldn’t entertain the idea that he was… better…
No matter how exceptional Qin Chu was, Jie Luo was irreplaceable. This truth, this conviction, was absolute… unshakeable…
She took a deep breath, calming her turbulent emotions. Then, she walked towards him, mimicking the elegant, alluring gait Loseweisse had taught her, placing her heel directly in front of her toes with each step, her hips swaying seductively.
This way of walking felt unnatural, pointless. In battle, such a flamboyant display would get you killed.
She didn’t try to conceal her approach. Qin Chu, sensing her presence, stopped his training, turning to face her. She thought she saw a flicker of… joy… in his eyes.
Joy?
That wasn’t right.
Shouldn’t he be disgusted by her?
“Lady Ekaterina, you’re here,” Qin Chu said, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He waved. “I thought you wouldn’t return.”
Ekaterina, unsure how to respond to his warmth, forced a smile, approaching him cautiously. She kept her distance, uncomfortable with being too close.
She bit her lip, wanting to speak, but the words wouldn’t come.
Qin Chu tilted his head, his smile unwavering. “You don’t think I hate you, do you?”
Ekaterina nodded, her cheeks flushing. “After what I did… after trying to kill you… I… I’ll do anything to apologize…”
Anything?
Her words held a suggestive undertone.
“Haha, you’re overthinking it. I don’t hate you. I promise.”
I just hate you enough to want to torture you.
Ekaterina stared at him, her surprise growing.
His smile faded, replaced by a melancholic expression. “Lady Ekaterina, you… you love Jie Luo, don’t you?”
Hearing his name, Ekaterina’s heart skipped a beat. “How… how did you know?”
Qin Chu shrugged.
“You were calling his name… while we were…”
Ekaterina’s face burned with shame.
She covered her eyes with her hands, a mortified groan escaping her lips.
Gods, how humiliating!
Calling out his name while… with Qin Chu… She must have mistaken him for Jie Luo. She had been incredibly drunk.
This was an insult to both Qin Chu and Jie Luo.
He must be furious.
She peeked at him through her fingers.
But to her surprise, his face held no anger, only a profound sadness.
“Who is Jie Luo?” he asked, his voice laced with sorrow. “He must be an extraordinary man. I… I envy him…”
Your acting is impeccable… Qin Chu praised himself silently.
He hadn’t wanted to do this, but Shaye had insisted it would enhance the potion’s effects.
Ekaterina stared at him, her mouth forming a silent “O.”
He… he envied Jie Luo?
What did that mean?
Could it be that he liked her?
Leave a Reply