143. The Discovered Hickey Mark
Clearly, Mei's action was a declaration of ownership. Kiana glanced at her furtively, but immediately lowered her head and buried herself in her food the moment she met Yun Ling's gaze.
The scene of Yun Ling pinning her against the wall and kissing her earlier replayed in her mind.
He wouldn't take advantage of Yuna, but he took advantage of her.
So, Yun Ling likes her, too?
But he's with Mei now, so he must like Mei too... That despicable, heartless scumbag!
A nameless fire rose in Kiana's heart, and she glared at Yun Ling resentfully.
"By the way, Kiana, you haven't slacked off on your practice of 'Taixu Sword Qi,' have you? Have you been listening to 'Sword Heart Technique' every day?" Yun Ling suddenly asked.
"Hmm? Uh..." Kiana's eyes darted away.
Sometimes she played games late into the night and forgot to listen to 'Sword Heart Technique.'
So she hadn't really listened since the holiday ended.
Seeing Kiana's expression, Yun Ling knew she probably hadn't been listening to the recording much.
"That 'Sword Heart Technique' is essential. You must study it well, understand?" Yun Ling sighed. It seemed he'd have to urge her a little more in the future.
"I don't need you to tell me..." Kiana pouted, not wanting to hear Yun Ling's nagging.
Suddenly, she recalled the Herrscher of the Void's words.
『To make you stronger, to make you a more suitable vessel for me.』
『He really went to great lengths.』
In an instant, Kiana felt her heart sink to freezing point.
She subconsciously shivered.
Yun Ling wasn't that kind of person!
She would never be bewitched by the Herrscher of the Void!
But... what if it were true?
Recalling Ling's coldness in the dream, Kiana's face turned deathly pale.
Yun Ling, oblivious to Kiana's unusual behavior, explained to her instead.
"My aunt told me that there's a disaster called 'Honkai' in this world, and it's highly random. It could strike us at any time, so it's always good to be prepared."
"Since you've moved in, I'll check your training progress tonight. If it's not up to par... I'll confiscate all the instant noodles you've stored in your room."
Yun Ling threatened fiercely.
"This is tyranny! I protest!" Kiana slammed her hand on the table, expressing her dissatisfaction with Yun Ling.
"Protest denied. From now on, Yuna will also be monitoring you. If she finds you eating junk food or staying up all night playing games, I'll have Mei cut back on your meals and add green peppers to your bento."
Yun Ling crossed her arms, displaying the authority of the head of the household.
"Mei~ Yun Ling is bullying me..." Kiana turned to Mei, pleading for mercy.
"I think what Yun Ling said is right. Putting aside cultivation for now, your nutrition needs to be perfect. So, I'd like to ask Yuna to look after Kiana a little."
Mei firmly chose to stand on Yun Ling's side.
"Okay, I understand. I'll keep a close eye on Kiana." Yuna nodded earnestly.
"You guys..." Seeing all three of them targeting her, Kiana felt betrayed.
But three against one, the outcome was already clear.
"Fine." Kiana could only nod dejectedly.
Yun Ling suddenly turned his gaze to Yuna. This world was so dangerous; perhaps Yuna could learn the 'Taixu Sword Qi'? That way, she could have some self-defense capabilities.
"Yuna, give me your hand." Yun Ling suddenly said to Yuna.
Although Yuna was puzzled, she still gave him her hand.
Yun Ling placed his hand on Yuna's, then closed his eyes, using Honkai energy to observe Yuna's body.
These were abilities from the miscellaneous section of the 'Void Unity True Technique,' which could roughly determine a person's cultivation aptitude, commonly referred to by Shenzhou people as 'innate talent.'
However, Yun Ling quickly frowned.
Yuna's cultivation aptitude was practically nonexistent, meaning that without any fortuitous encounters, she would likely remain an ordinary person for life.
All three looked at Yun Ling, whose expression was solemn, suggesting he wasn't doing that to touch Yuna's hand...
"Yun Ling, what's wrong?"
Seeing Yun Ling's frown, Yuna asked timidly.
"Sigh, it's a bit of a pity. You don't have the aptitude to cultivate 'Taixu Sword Qi,' otherwise you could learn it with us," Yun Ling explained, shaking his head.
Although Yuna didn't know what it was, she felt she had disappointed Yunling...
"I...I..."
Fearing she would lose her value, Yuna was on the verge of tears.
"Looks like I'll have to keep you by my side the whole time. That's the only way I can protect you." Yun Ling's tone shifted abruptly, leaving Yuna somewhat bewildered.
"Yun Ling-kun..." Yuna's eyes were filled with emotion, as if she were about to throw herself into Yun Ling's arms with tears in her eyes.
"You're just saying that to take advantage of Yuna, aren't you!" Mei's face darkened.
"Don't believe that womanizer. Don't worry, Yuna, I can protect you too." Kiana slapped away Yun Ling's paw from Yuna's hand.
"Um, thank you, everyone..." Yuna wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.
By night, during the results assessment, Kiana's swordplay was a complete mess; she had basically forgotten everything.
Her swordsmanship showed no improvement, and in fact, due to frequently forgetting to recite the 'Sword Heart Mantra,' there was a subtle tendency for it to regress...
Yun Ling, true to his word, took all the snacks and instant noodles from Kiana's room.
Otherwise, he'd be in trouble.
Yun Ling began urging her to relearn the sword forms. If she did well, she could get some back; if not... she'd have to watch Yun Ling eat them all.
"Raise your hands a little higher... lift your hips... Have you not eaten yet? You're so weak..."
Yun Ling sat on the sofa, enjoying Kiana's snacks while instructing her in her training.
Yuna fanned him, making him feel like an emperor.
"I can't take it anymore!" Kiana suddenly rushed forward, trying to snatch the snacks from his hands, but Yun Ling firmly held her back with his palm.
Kiana suddenly opened her mouth wide and bit Yun Ling's hand.
Yun Ling winced in pain, momentarily loosening her grip. Kiana, with her entire weight on Yun Ling's hand, and Yun Ling's hand moving away, caused her to fall forward uncontrollably.
Luckily, at the last moment, she braced herself against the sofa behind Yun Ling.
The two were very close, and Yun Ling was thus "slammed" onto the sofa by Kiana.
After a few seconds of staring at each other, Kiana immediately reacted, snatched the snacks from Yun Ling's hand, and began to eat them with relish.
"Kiana, are you a dog?" Yun Ling couldn't help but tease, looking at the tooth mark on his hand.
"Hmph~" Kiana snorted softly, but her gaze unconsciously drifted towards Yun Ling's neck.
There was a hickey mark there, left by Mei the night before.
...