The blade remained pointed at him.
Though her hand trembled slightly, her eyes stayed sharp, filled with caution.
"Who are you?" she demanded. "Answer me… or go to heaven."
The cave fell silent.
The man looked at her without reaction.
His gaze moved from the sword to her face.
Her breathing was uneven. Her stance unstable.
Yet she still chose to threaten him.
(She's in no condition to fight… and still insists.)
(Foolish… or simply stubborn.)
He exhaled faintly.
"It would have been better," he said evenly, "if I had left you to die at the hands of those assassins."
His tone carried no emotion.
The words lingered in the air.
Her eyes narrowed.
Instead of backing down—
She stepped back.
Then—
She attacked.
A sharp wave of energy surged from her blade, cutting through the air toward him.
He shifted slightly.
The attack missed by a narrow margin.
Another strike followed.
Then a third.
Relentless.
Each attack carried killing intent, forcing him to move step by step, dodging with precise control.
The cave echoed with the tearing sound of energy slicing through the air.
Then—
Her movements faltered.
Her body trembled.
The next strike weakened further.
Suddenly—
She coughed.
Blood spilled from her lips.
Her aura collapsed instantly.
The sword in her hand lowered as her strength gave way.
Her vision blurred.
Her body tilted forward—
About to fall.
The man moved.
Without hesitation—without any thought, and without even knowing why he was doing it—he reached out and caught her before she hit the ground.
His grip was firm.
Steady.
Nothing more.
For a brief moment, her body stiffened.
Their eyes met.
The cave seemed to grow quieter.
Neither spoke.
Her gaze, though guarded, flickered with surprise.
He looked back at her just as calmly as before.
Yet something unfamiliar stirred within him.
A brief hesitation.
Not fear. Not doubt.
Something he could not name.
A moment that did not belong to him.
Then he released her.
She pulled herself away, forcing her body upright despite her weakness.
Moments later, she steadied herself against the rock.
Her breathing remained uneven.
But her eyes—
Were calm.
Focused.
Observing.
The man noticed immediately.
(She's assessing the situation.)
Her grip on the sword loosened slightly.
(I can't sense any cultivation from him…)
(If he intended harm… he would have acted while I was unconscious.)
Slowly, the tension in her shoulders eased.
She came to know that he was not an enemy.
Without another word, she lowered her sword and stepped back.
Then she sat against the stone.
Her gaze never left him.
Cautious.
Measuring.
"I…" she hesitated. "…about earlier… I apologize."
The words were quiet, but sincere.
The man gave a slight nod.
"No need."
Seeing her condition worsen again, he summoned a pill in his hand and held it out to her.
"…Thank you for the pill," she added.
He remained silent.
After a brief pause, she asked, "What happened after I lost consciousness?"
He answered without delay.
"You collapsed inside the cave. Not long after, the three chasing you arrived."
Her expression hardened.
"They searched for you."
"I concealed your presence and moved you deeper inside."
"They stayed for a while."
"Then they left."
Silence followed.
(Those three… their aura felt strange.)
(Not like ordinary assassins…)
Her eyes grew more serious.
"It's better if you remain here tonight," he said.
She looked up.
"They're still searching."
A moment passed.
Then she nodded.
"…Alright."
The cave returned to quiet.
The man sat where he was, composed.
But this time—
Her attention shifted again.
His clothes were simple.
Yet beneath them—
Faint traces of blood.
Deep wounds.
Not ordinary injuries.
Her brows furrowed.
"…You're injured."
Her gaze lingered on him.
"How did you get those wounds?"
He gave no reply.
Not even a glance.
Silence answered her once again.
And the cave returned to stillness.