"Protect the King!"

The Dwarfs cried out when they heard their King's painful scream but the damage was already done. Blood spilled everywhere as Xuefeng's Dragon Edge sliced through the gap between the armor and King of Dwarfs' helmet. Xuefeng's blade didn't even stop on his muscles, cutting through flawlessly.

Xuefeng wasn't done though.

He bounced off the King's back and cut once again while exploding his Qi right inside the cut.

Boom!

Xuefeng only heard an explosion as he was already flying back, not bothering to turn and watch the damage he caused. Let's just say, he knew there wouldn't be anything nice to see.

A large thud afterward only confirmed the fate of the King of Dwarfs but that was just the start. Watching the bloodshot eyes of the Dwarfs who watched him kill their king, explaining their reasoning wouldn't convince them on the spot.

"Ask the witness! It's your King who killed your own! When you understand it, send a representative to meet us!" Xuefeng announced and no longer paid their attention, letting them struggle to stand up on the ice.

Huh?

Just as he was sure his team listened and left as he ordered, Xuefeng saw Golden Queen in her human form, waiting for him right before the elevator exit.

He didn't hesitate and snatched her mid-flight to not waste any time.

"Why are you still here?! When I order, you listen! I don't want to worry about you when I fight!" Xuefeng scolded as he swung his wings, heading up the elevator shaft.

"Hey! I was covering for you! What if you didn't make it?" Golden Queen argued back but she didn't leave his arms, wrapping her own around his neck instead. "Also, I'm supposed to be the one who protects you, not the other way around."

"Either I survive or not, that's my problem to worry about. Since I wanted to make it quick, checking on you will only distract me. Next time listen to my commands," Xuefeng replied, pinching her on the cheek. "I don't want to see any of my friends suffer."

She opened her mouth to counter him, but no words came out as if she was contemplating his words. Golden Queen rubbed the spot he just pinched and asked, "Since when do you worry so much about me? I can take care of myself. You didn't even see one-tenth of my strength."

"It doesn't matter," Xuefeng muttered, heading towards the entrance. "Even if you were ten times stronger, I would still block a strike for you. Risking my life makes me more at ease than letting people I care about to take that risk."

Golden Queen turned silent, suddenly loosening her grip around him. He thought she wanted to leave his embrace but he didn't mind that. Unfortunately, just when he thought of releasing her, they saw multiple angry Dwarfs come from the opposite direction.

"Hold tight!" Xuefeng called out as he gripped her strongly, smoothly dodging the hammers heading their way. The corridor was quite narrow compared to the previous cavern so he couldn't simply fly above their heads.

"You are so unfair…" Golden Queen murmured as she hid her face in his neck but he didn't have time to question what he meant.

"Kill!" the Dwarfs cried out, spilling out from different corridors and openings but Xuefeng was too fast. He didn't want to kill anyone so he simply maneuvered between the Dwarfs only to fly out of the main entrance.

"Xuefeng!" Wu called out from the sky, suspended together with everyone.

"Is everyone alright?" Xuefeng asked concerned but after a quick scan with his eyes, he relaxed, seeing no signs of battle. His eyes stopped at a new person he has never seen before, but he quickly figured the woman's origin.

Pearl, the female Dragon they risked their lives to save.

He was surprised by how young she looked, her features being that of a teen around eighteen years old, just short to his own. From head to toe, she was black, with only her skin being pale, creating an interesting contrast.

"That's what I wanted to ask too," Wu commented as they approached and gazed at Golden Queen. "Is she alright? Why is she clinging to you?"

"Right, you can let go of me already. We are safe," Xuefeng suggested as he patted her on the back and pointed behind him at the crowd of Dwarfs spilling out of their Kingdom. "We had to escape from them, so I carried her out with me. The King of Dwarfs is dead so they currently pissed at me. Let's give them time to calm down and figure out what really happened from the witnesses."

Pearl's black eyes opened wide at that and changed the topic, her head tilting to the side.

"Cousin? Since when are you so comfortable hugging other men? Should I tell Uncle about it?" Pearl asked confused. "I'm sure you were fast enough to escape on your own since no one can match your speed. Unless something changed."

Golden Queen trembled and quickly released him, glaring at her little cousin.

"I used up a lot of Qi in the battle so I let him carry me. Is that a problem?" Golden Queen asked sternly but Pearl wasn't even moved, only grinning

"Sure, sure, I believe you. Don't worry, I can't blame you. He is so manly even I wish I could cuddle him," Pearl announced shamelessly as she approached them and extended her hand to him. "Hello, I'm Pearl. Thank you for saving me. I owe you favor so ask me anything and I will do it without hesitation."

Their eyes locked as he shook her hand and she winked at him. He couldn't help but smell another trouble.

"You are welcome. You don't need to owe me anything, I did it for your Cousin since she asked me to help. You should be thanking her instead," Xuefeng replied casually.

"Oh, but you handled it so well. I'm really impressed," Pearl admitted as she gave his body a look over. "Can I call you by your name perhaps?"