After patiently waiting at the cloth shop for over an hour, until dusk, Li Daoqiang returned to the inn with an exquisite box.
He went straight to knock on Little Dragon Girl's door.
A few breaths later, she opened it.
Aside from her clothes still looking somewhat disheveled, there was hardly anything unusual about her.
She remained that ethereal, otherworldly beauty, detached from the mortal world, as if she didn't partake in earthly fare.
"Miss Long, your clothes are torn. I bought these for you—go ahead and change. If they don't suit you, we'll go buy more together tomorrow." Li Daoqiang handed the box to Little Dragon Girl, his gentle tone carrying a hint of finality that brooked no refusal.
Little Dragon Girl accepted the box passively, instinctively refusing: "Chief, there's no need."
"Try them on first. If they don't fit, we'll still need to exchange them tomorrow." Li Daoqiang automatically turned her refusal into a plan to go shopping together tomorrow.
Before she could say anything, he added, "Once you've changed, if they fit and you're satisfied, come down and join us for a meal. Your serious injuries haven't fully healed yet—some nourishing food will do you good. We'll wait for you."
With that, he turned and left.
Little Dragon Girl stood holding the sizable box, staring blankly at Li Daoqiang's retreating figure.
She wanted to refuse, to return the box, but felt it would be awkward.
He had already bought it.
And thinking of how he'd saved her life twice, she would repay him.
Forcing it back on him didn't seem right.
She couldn't muster many reasons—just a simple feeling that shoving it back would be improper.
She glanced at the bloodstains on her chest and the torn fabric of her clothes.
Her thoughts shifted.
Taking the box, she closed the door and returned to her room.
Opening it, she breathed in, and a flush of pink crept across her fair, flawless face.
She closed the box again.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly.
Why were there outer robes, inner garments, and other clothes all in the box?
In her usually calm emotions, a rare trace of hesitation appeared.
After a long moment, she furrowed her brows once more, opened the box, and took out the clothes one by one.
Looking them over, everything was pure white.
The designs were simple, elegant, and quite beautiful—an outer skirt, trousers, shoes, socks, a belt, inner garments...
Everything except... that.
The more she looked, the deeper the blush on Little Dragon Girl's face grew.
The chief, he...
She felt uncomfortable, yet couldn't bring herself to be displeased with such kindness.
Pressing her lips together for a few breaths, she fell into indecision.
After a while, she let out an almost imperceptible sigh, her slender fingers moving, her belt loosening.
...
In the inn's main hall.
Li Daoqiang and the others had gathered there, ready to eat.
There was no helping it—the boss loved to dine, so his subordinates naturally followed suit, accompanying him.
Wan Wan had also arrived, sitting expressionlessly to Li Daoqiang's left.
Her face clearly said, "I'm very unhappy."
Li Daoqiang glanced at her with amusement, then looked away.
A few breaths later.
A figure descended the stairs.
A white-clad figure, light as a willow, as if she could drift with the wind.
Her long white dress was cinched at the waist, making it seem as if it could be encircled with a single hand.
Her entire form was perfectly proportioned, not a bit too much or too little.
Like a celestial maiden descending to earth.
The others dared not stare too long, respectfully averting their gazes.
Wan Wan glanced over, her expression thawing, a sweet smile reappearing on her face, her eyes lively.
The earlier unhappiness vanished as if it had never been.
There was no trace of awkwardness—everything felt natural.
Li Daoqiang silently praised her. Not bad.
She was showing signs of improvement again. Truly a rare saintess of the Yin Gui Sect.
Then he turned his appreciative gaze to Little Dragon Girl, feeling satisfied.
His judgment had been right—all the clothes fit perfectly.
More importantly, aside from the inner garments and socks he couldn't see, she had changed into everything he bought.
That was a significant sign.
With a gentle smile, he gestured for her to sit on his right.
Little Dragon Girl complied.
Immediately, the waiter began serving dishes.
"Very good," Li Daoqiang said to Little Dragon Girl with a smile.
Feeling a bit uneasy, she still nodded in thanks: "Thank you, Chief."
"No matter. You can repay me all together later," Li Daoqiang said casually.
"Miss Long, are your injuries healed?" Wan Wan asked with a smile at that moment.
Her sweet demeanor carried a touch of dignity and an innate elegance.
Like the most proper young lady from a prestigious family.
A glint of appreciation flickered in Li Daoqiang's eyes.
Little Dragon Girl didn't overthink it, replying calmly, "They're healed."
"Good to hear. By the way, Miss Long, your Ancient Tomb Sect has very few members. Coming out of seclusion this time, have you considered expanding the sect?" Wan Wan asked casually, like a friend chatting.
Little Dragon Girl honestly shook her head, indicating no.
"But going on like this alone, the sect's legacy could easily be severed," Wan Wan said with a slight frown, as if concerned.
Her words carried a hint of encroachment, and the others grew quieter, trying to fade into the background.
Li Daoqiang remained silent, watching quietly.
Little Dragon Girl didn't sense the encroachment; instead, she found the point reasonable.
She fell silent for a moment.
Again, she thought of Guo'er.
If only Guo'er were still here, that would be wonderful.
He was smarter than me—he'd surely know how to keep the Ancient Tomb Sect's legacy alive.
Seeing her silence, Wan Wan said warmly, "Miss Long, passing on a sect is a major matter. Even a reclusive sect should have proper methods. I happen to know a thing or two. If you'd like to learn, feel free to come to me anytime."
Outwardly, to an observer, the two equally stunning beauties on either side—Wan Wan on the left—held an unspoken advantage in presence, speech, and everything else.
Only Little Dragon Girl herself didn't notice anything amiss. She pondered seriously, then sincerely thanked her: "Thank you, Miss Wan Wan."
Wan Wan paused. She could tell Little Dragon Girl was genuinely grateful.
And that was precisely why she felt a frustrating sense of hitting empty air.
It seemed Little Dragon Girl hadn't realized that Wan Wan was subtly trying to overshadow her.
Perhaps she simply didn't care.
Recalling Little Dragon Girl's personality, this thought crossed Wan Wan's mind, deepening her frustration.
She took a quiet, deep breath, suppressing it.
No matter. As long as that bandit Li saw it.
"It's nothing. But Miss Long, could you do me a favor?" Wan Wan shook her head, shifting the topic directly.
Li Daoqiang glanced at her. It seemed Wan Wan had already figured out Little Dragon Girl's character well.
Her words were straightforward.
A direct request that seemed to leverage a favor—but in truth, it was the best way to handle Little Dragon Girl.
It made it hard for her to refuse.
Sure enough, Little Dragon Girl responded without any guard: "Please, go ahead, Miss Wan Wan."
"Seeing your superb swordsmanship today, I'm truly impressed. I'd like to spar with you a little. Of course, only after your injuries are fully healed," Wan Wan said with a magnanimous smile.
Little Dragon Girl didn't enjoy fighting, but after a brief hesitation, she nodded in agreement.
"Wonderful!" Wan Wan beamed. The biggest hurdle was cleared.
Once she defeated Little Dragon Girl in martial arts, it would be mostly settled.
In the end, the world still spoke through strength—that was what mattered most.
And in that, she was confident.
That dual-sword technique was strong, but Little Dragon Girl had only just broken through. Wan Wan was certain she could win.
With that thought, she glanced at Li Daoqiang, a hint of pride and challenge in her eyes.
Li Daoqiang understood her meaning but ignored it.
Wan Wan didn't mind. Once she thoroughly outshone Little Dragon Girl, she'd see if that bastard still had the nerve to blatantly trample on her while lifting Little Dragon Girl up.
Her fighting spirit surged. Pressing her advantage, she smiled and said, "Miss Long, the world is chaotic now. Coming out of seclusion, have you paid attention to the state of affairs?"
Little Dragon Girl didn't overthink it, honestly shaking her head.
"Though the Ancient Tomb Sect is reclusive, it's wise to keep an eye on the world's situation to better survive in these turbulent times. Don't you think so, Miss Long?" Wan Wan said earnestly.
Little Dragon Girl found some truth in it.
But she didn't want to dwell on such matters. After a moment's thought, she nodded in agreement without saying much.
Seeing her agreement, Wan Wan grew more animated.
She began telling Little Dragon Girl about the martial world and the state of affairs, like a teacher patiently imparting knowledge to a student.
Subtly, Wan Wan's presence grew stronger, brighter, more dazzling.
For a moment, she even seemed to overshadow Little Dragon Girl.
More sidelong glances fell on Wan Wan.
She spoke with confidence, her expression radiant.
Occasionally, she shot Li Daoqiang a proud, challenging look.
Across from her, Little Dragon Girl looked serious, as if listening intently.
She was indeed listening carefully, but without truly processing it.
She had no interest in those matters.
She just felt that Miss Wan Wan was very kind, earnestly telling her all this.
A hint of goodwill rose in her heart.
So she listened attentively.
Li Daoqiang watched with great amusement.
These two women, so different in personality, sitting together like this—
It was all thanks to him.
Thinking about it, he felt a bit proud.
Wan Wan was now practically going all out, determined to outshine Little Dragon Girl in every way.
It seemed that afternoon incident had deeply provoked her.
Good.
After their spar, Wan Wan would think she'd completely surpassed Little Dragon Girl.
Heh.
Then...
He chuckled inwardly, glancing at Little Dragon Girl.
For a moment, a sense of helplessness rose within him.
Truly, she was the Little Dragon Girl—free from desires, content with whatever came, impervious to persuasion, untouched by fire or water.
She lacked any competitive or envious nature.
Even if the sky fell and the earth cracked, she wouldn't be shaken or afraid.
She'd calmly find a place to wait for the end, facing it serenely.
Her mental fortitude was unimaginably strong.
Still, there was the method of physical contact and gradual intimacy.
Little by little, one day, her feelings toward him would change.
With his plans already laid, Li Daoqiang leisurely watched the two women converse, thoroughly enjoying himself.
(Chapter 3, bonus for reaching 600 average subscriptions. Warm Sun 1314's Platinum Alliance bonus is a bit much; after finishing the average subscription bonuses, I'll add the Platinum Alliance ones.)