"Hey..."
Kuina only stared at him through tear-filled eyes, without a trace of embarrassment. So much for hoping she would turn away.
Ye Chen sighed softly. He even found himself wondering whether she was a girl at all.
Kuina was ten years old, after all. Why did seeing a man bathe not faze her in the slightest? She was far too calm.
Ye Chen had his less-than-pure thoughts, but he was no lecher. If he liked a woman, he would win her over on his own merits. He did not chase every woman he saw, much less entertain improper thoughts about them on a whim.
"So you asked Koshiro?"
Ye Chen dressed and turned to Kuina. She was still biting her lip, looking like a young bride who had been wronged, though she held her head high.
When she nodded, Ye Chen snorted. "How disappointing. I know a way to make you the greatest swordswoman."
"Huh? Really?"
Kuina's eyes widened with delight.
"First, you need to understand that you're a girl and learn swordsmanship suited to you. But that alone isn't nearly enough. At the very least, you need to know how to kill."
"Huh? Kill? Why?"
Ye Chen's answer stunned Kuina.
In Kuina's mind, growing stronger had nothing to do with killing. She simply wanted to be second to no one. Killing was so bloody. Wasn't that something only bad people did? Naturally, she found Ye Chen's words hard to accept.
"Heh..."
Ye Chen laughed dismissively. "Tell you what. Come out with me tomorrow at noon."
"I'm going to sleep."
When Kuina still did not leave, Ye Chen made as if to pounce on her. "A man and a girl alone together—and you're not afraid I'll eat you up?"
But Ye Chen was disappointed. Kuina remained utterly composed, without