Ji'an's heart hammered a frantic, irregular rhythm against her ribs.
'He is threatening to snitch,' Ji'an realised, a cold sweat breaking out down her spine. 'This sociopath bastard sure knows how to pick the right cards. But, oh well, so what?'
'Wangchen is a ticking yandere time bomb, and he's holding the detonator. If he tells Wangchen I'm in a black market...'
'If he knows, then he knows. What can he do about it? As long as I'm fine, the least he would do is to nag me, that's all.'
Before Ji'an could formulate a witty, deflecting response that didn't sound completely panicked, Jiu Zui moved.
The Drunken Sovereign didn't draw his rusted sword, nor did he raise his voice.
He simply took a single, heavy step forward, placing himself entirely between Xiao Yichen and Lin Ji'an.
The shift in the atmosphere was instantaneous and apocalyptic.
