By the time Sunny staggered back to his room, he was bleeding from his shoulder and the stomach. The 'scrunchy' skin over his dantian, which had just started showing signs of repair and healing after many murders, was back to how it was a week before.
He picked the jug of water and poured it over his head. Before clicking his tongue in anger and throwing it on the wall.
"Fuckk." He cursed 'loudly' in a suppressed tone. Venting without uttering a single word in the open.
"Just a few more minutes."
"Just a few more minutes and I would've killed her."
Sunny muttered, feeling angry, annoyed, and disappointed, at himself for failing so 'miserably'.
He couldn't even recall when was the last time someone actually survived his kill. How many years had it been?
Yet after so long, he missed.
Missed when it mattered the most.
The girl, Sophia, was a loose cannon. An unpredictable variable whose intentions or thoughts he couldn't see through.
Top it off with her genius talent, strength, and the girlish charm – Sunny could already see the million troubles coming his way from miles away.
"No, I can't waste too much time spiralling over why I failed. I need to find the reason she survived, and then find a solution. A permanent one this time. A S A P."
With that Sunny supported himself against the wall and started replaying their entire fight in his head. Rewinding. Thinking. And observing.
First, let's ignore the issue of me being cocky and feeling superior. Thinking I could kill anyone I wanted.
It's not earth, and I'm not the Dragon here anymore.
I need to change my mindset.
Second, the bitch was stronger than she let on.
She was clearly hiding her strength before. Not only from him, but from the entire sect.
If I can find out why, maybe I can use that to my advantage.
Blackmail isn't exactly my style, but it's a nice option until I get the strength to kill her myself.
And third, she knew I was coming.
She knew everything. Who I was behind the mask. How I murdered those minions. And Why I'd want to kill her.
As this thought became clear, Sunny couldn't help but punch the wall in anger.
"I tried to cut off a loose end, and I just created a blood trail. Leading straight back to me."
I just hope she doesn't open her mouth, and spill all my secrets.
….
Sunny ignored the bells and tinkers echoing everywhere, coming out of his room only after he finished cleaning off his blood and sealing his injuries.
Thankfully he was already a cripple so he can just use the excuse of falling down the mountain cliff or some shoddy stairs as an excuse for now.
When he walked towards the training grounds, he couldn't help but notice many eyes staring at him. Whispering amongst themselves he couldn't hear.
His heart couldn't help but feel uneasy, thinking if there's a chance he could survive when the truth came out.
The story of Tommy and his minions gone missing was old news now, what was trending however, was that the morning elder found Sophia injured in the park at early hours.
All signs in surroundings clearly indicating proof of an attack on her life.
"Did some spy sneak in our sect? That'll explain how our geniuses keep dying, right?"
"What geniuses? I bet that girl Sophia is just acting scenes for sympathy?"
"But didn't you see the sword marks too? They were so deep. One of them even cut down halfway through that tree. No way she made those herself."
"Who knows? That bitch is always sneaking out at night. I always thought she was secretly hooking up with someone, but who knows, maybe she was grinding that tree for her big show."
"Humph, you're just jealous of her cause she ain't flat, right?"
"Yeah, those lemons aside, I even saw the deacon taking her to the elder's quarters for questioning."
"Questioning my ass? She must be either spreading lies or her legs. That's it."
"Truth be told, I'd tap that."
"...."
Sunny heard their conversation and simply walked away when these idiots started talking smack that didn't matter.
Only to halt in his steps, staring at the figure walking towards him. Accompanied by an elder, oozing the aura of an angry master.
(Is this it?) Sunny thought, clenching his fist under his sleeves, while tugging at the knife wrapped beneath bandages.
(If I am dying. I'd at least finish the job.) He muttered, a cold look flashing through his eyes staring at Sophia.
Instead of surrendering and hoping for mercy, he was willing to fight for freedom, and at least die proud.
Who knows, maybe I'll wake up back on earth again?
Sunny thought beautifully before stepping forward to meet Sophia halfway. Ready to stab her heart in one swift strike.
Sophia also walked towards him, her gaze locked onto his. Anger buried deep in her eyes, as if she wanted to etch his face into memory.
As if noticing something unusual, she couldn't help but stare at his hands hidden under the long sleeves. Barely seeing a glint of light reflecting over the shining metal, and frowning heavily.
(Is he insane?) She thought with a frown, and couldn't help but feel angry. Why was this guy so adamant in taking her life?
But just when Sunny was about to make his move, and Sophia moved aside to dodge, - an angry shout broke the silent glaring competition.
"What are you doing blocking the road, you idiot?"
"Or did you lose your eyes along with your cultivation too?"
The elder shouted while shoving him away with a burst of Qi. Too disgusted to touch him directly and get his hands dirty.
"Next time, I see your ass dandling in my way, I'll skewer it, I swear to heavens."
"God knows why we keep these useless trash here anyways?"
The elder shouted and cursed while walking away in steady steps. Not even sparing a glance towards Sunny lying on the road, spitting blood from his mouth.
Sunny felt the pain of his injuries worsening, but couldn't help but feel safe in his heart.
So she didn't speak…
He thought, wiping his lips and licking the blood off his thumb with a smirk.
"Interesting." Sunny thought, meeting the gaze of Sophia, who also looked over her shoulder, staring at him.
No matter what your purpose is, I'm sure you'll regret it soon.
Sunny whispered, standing up with a stagger and dusting off his clothes.
He didn't care what motive the mysterious girl had in saving him, and keeping his secrets. As long as she didn't spill something to the elders, he had absolute belief he could handle her.
Because this time — he won't underestimate her.
…
Sophia looked at her attacker smirking at her, and couldn't help but recall all the earlier excuses she made trying to keep his secret.
"But just because I didn't tell the truth, doesn't mean I'll forgive you."
"Just wait, I'll make you pay dearly, for daring to try and take this missy's life."
….
Both the duo glared at each other. Eyeing the other as foolish prey while imagining themselves as the vengeful hunter.
Only time would tell, who's actually what?