"Could you repeat that?"

No, Ethan refuse to admit that he's afraid. He's not afraid, just...overwhelmed by the sheer dark aura emitting from the elderly man. ​​

How could he not be overwhelmed when said elderly man was practically his future wife's doting grandfather who happened to know thousands of ways to mop the floor with him?

That even his wife and the white-haired menace admit to never have defeated? He'll definitely paint the walls red using his blood.

"Give me a reason why I should allow this...notion from happening."

"It's purely out of concern for her well-being."

"Elaborate."

Ethan glanced at Lillie, silently asking for her permission to disclose the real reason.

Getting the nod of approval, he explained how it was difficult for Lillie to have a peaceful sleep with her trauma hunting her dreams.

Of course, Grandmaster Wei already knew all of this. He had witnessed quite frequently of these night terrors before.

Lillie was still new in the Academy, and the incident very fresh in her mind that time.

Screams echoes in the dead of night, the poor, young Lillie shivering and muttering to herself on the floor with wide, frightened red eyes.

It took years for Lillie to learn how to control those episodes. The nightmares were still there, but her screams and thrashing around reduced.

But last night's event told Grandmaster Wei that this boy, Ethan Li, was the cure for his precious second disciple's distress.

"Alright, I shall allow it,"

Ethan had learned enough from books, movies, TV shows, and animes to know that it doesn't end there yet.

That's the main reason why there's no hopeful look arousing his features.

"On one condition." Here it is, the infamous line that many dreads. The moment of truth. "Defeat me in a short duel, and I will allow you two to dwell in one lodging."

Lillie patted Ethan's back with a not-so-appeasing, "Good luck."

"The one-sided beating is happening already? So soon?" Death suddenly popped out of nowhere like a mushroom. "Woohoo, here we go! Show us what you got, sissy boy!"

Oh how Ethan's hands itched to strangle this white-haired imbecile.

"I accept this great master's challenge." Well, this was what Lillie and Death prepared him for, right? It was only a matter time before the master think of a reason to beat him black and blue.

Ethan simply assisted him, intentionally giving Grandmaster Wei the opportunity so they can be done with it quickly and he no longer have to worry about it anymore.

Yeah, that's right. It's all part of his plan, haha...

"Let's all transfer to the training hall then. This way." Grandmaster Wei's sleeve swayed in the wind with a gesture of his hand before clasping them behind him.

"Remember your training, husband. Let it not be all for naught." Lillie clutched his arm. "If it'll make you feel better, I promise to intervene one's the master's really after your head."

"Sometimes I wonder whether you want to marry me is because you love me, or just so you could torment me." But hey, he's not complaining.

"Hmm...more of the former and a little bit of the latter." Lillie was being a teeny-weeny, itty-bitty, tiny little bit of sadistic towards Ethan.

You call that little, you ask?

Perhaps the prisoners of Blazing Purgatory would serve as the perfect reminder of the extent of Lillie's sadistic nature.

"That's fine, I guess. It'll make our relationship a bit more exciting."

"I'm glad you think so too."

"Just...not too much please. It's not good for my heart."

"I'll tone it down."

"Thank you."

Behind them, Death was shamelessly poking his ears to their conversation. He scoffed in incredulity, doubting Lillie's words.

"Something wrong, Senior Brother?" Lillie glanced over her shoulder.

"Huh? Who, me? Something wrong? Nope, nothing, nada." Death quickly denied, laughing nervously.

He saw her eyes glinting maliciously just now!

Minutes later, they all arrived inside the massive training hall; the place where you are prepared to fight and not fear the bruises or broken bones you most definitely will end up with if Grandmaster Wei was your opponent.

"Let us stretch first, young man." Grandmaster Wei said, sauntering towards his side of hall and proceed to stretch. "Five minutes to prepare before we begin."

Lillie slid herself off from Ethan as she and Death move towards the side of the hall, sat down in seiza [1] position on some cushions, and silently speculate.

Five minutes passed, Ethan and Grandmaster Wei stood stiffly in the middle, facing one another without any trace of emotions.

"Little Flower, on your signal please." Grandmaster Wei instructed.

Lillie raised her hand in the air for a few seconds, suspense lingering, before swinging it down and exclaimed, "Begin!"