Yun Shu's lips curved in a deceptively sweet smile.
Anyone who knew her would have recognized it as a warning.
She rose slowly from her place on the picnic mat, brushing imaginary crumbs of dessert from her sleeves, her gaze sweeping the crowd with casual disdain.
'You dare?' her eyes seemed to say. Her aura wasn't as powerful as that of the great sect leaders here, but the air around her distorted faintly, carrying a subtle sharpness that none of them could quite place.
In truth, the sharpness came from her resolve, not her cultivation.
'If anyone dares disturb him, I'll make them regret it.'
The Palace Lord's guards moved at the same time, stepping forward in synchronized formation. They formed an unshakable barrier around the lotus platform, their armor glinting with moonlight, weapons drawn and pointed toward any who looked as though they might move an inch closer. The killing intent rolling off them was suffocating.
