Back in the first floor of the pagoda!
Wang Xiao yawned at the base of the jade staircase, stretching like he owned the pagoda.
"Lately my luck's been disgustingly good," he muttered, side-eyeing the silver-haired woman. "You secretly blessing me again?"
Yuriko nearly missed a step. She whipped around, "Blessing you? With what-?"
He stepped in close anyway, inhaling the cold jasmine-and-battle-rain scent that drifted near her.
His fingers caught a thick lock of her silver hair, brought it to his nose, then drifted lower. Palm cupped her ass through the war-plate, firm, claiming, before delivering a sharp, stinging slap that echoed off the jade.
Startled by his audacious behavior, Yuriko's cheeks flared crimson with rage. Her lips moved in a silent curse, silver teeth bared like a cornered beast.
She hated compromising with him, especially now.
"Useless," Wang Xiao said, already turning away with a negligent wave. "Your curses bounces off me... You know that."
