Before she could react, she tumbled back with a soft grunt, lying on her back

"Ah? Luna… what the hell are you doing?" he asked, blinking in surprise.

She blinked up at him, with her cheeks flushed. Her expression softened slightly as she answered. "I tried calling you. Nudging you. Shaking you. You were completely unresponsive. And I don't have much time until dawn. So, I thought this would work."

Qin Wei exhaled heavily, his eyes turning normal. "You scared the crap out of me for a second," he muttered, rubbing his forehead.

There was a beat of silence. Then, almost teasingly, Luna murmured, "But… it worked, didn't it?"

Qin Wei closed his eyes, the bridge of his nose tightening with frustration. "Don't do that again, I could have seriously hurt you earlier," he said, his voice low but steady.

Luna lowered her gaze, nodding without a word, but couldn't help but smile, feeling the care even in his warning.

Qin Wei exhaled with a deep sigh. Then he found Luna fidgeting slightly with something tucked inside her sleeve.

"Alright… what is it?" he asked.

Luna looked up and then pulled out a thin, elegant weapon from her robes. A dagger… no, more like a long needle forged from black titanium steel, the kind only high-ranking ancient organizations crafted. She held it out with both hands.

"Master, I heard about the duel. So I came in a hurry to give you this, without completing your mission. It has the ability to pierce through any defenses. That Zion Fireheart wouldn't be a match for Master with this weapon."

Qin Wei blinked at the blade, tempted for a second. But then he said, suppressing his greed. "You know I can't use borrowed weapons." After a pause, he added. "And I was the one who proposed an unrestricted duel in the first place. So, I was confident to take him without it."

Luna nodded. "I know. And I believe in Master." Her grip tightened, then loosened as she slowly extended the weapon closer. "But it's not a borrowed weapon if I give it away to Master. I already severed the soul link. It's Master's now."

Qin Wei stared at her, stunned by her act. "But that dagger… wasn't it your late mother's gift? It has been with you since childhood."

She smiled faintly, placing the dagger on the bed between them.

"She would understand my choice. If she were alive, she would've wanted me to protect the person I care about. Moreover, I'm a sorcerer. The dagger was nothing more than a memento of my late mother, whose face I don't even remember anymore. If it could help Master, I would gladly give it up."

Her words struck him harder than he expected.

Qin Wei looked at her. he couldn't help but stare at her worried eyes that filled with loyalty and love.

Had he been a mere transmigrator who had taken over Icarus' body, Qin Wei would have felt sympathy for her, but he was a transmigrator whose soul was fused with the original one and absorbed his memories, his personality, his traits, and his emotions.

How could he not be touched by her actions, by her concern, and by her love?

As he stared at her, those memories of their past couldn't help but replay in his mind like highlights of a football match.

But even then, he couldn't shake off the reluctance. He felt it was too much. "I know that you were worried about me, but you actually don't have to…"

Ding!

Qin Wei paused what he was about to say as the glowing words on the holographic screen stared back at him:

[Trade Request: Exchange Dagger of White Star Guild for 50,000 Credits]

Accept? [Yes] / [No]

His pupils contracted at the sudden offer. "50,000?"

That was enough to buy a full A-rank skill, powerful enough to shift the tide of a battle.

Heck, it was six times more than what the system had offered him for the Black Phoenix Tears, a heavenly treasure in its own right. And then there was the word he hadn't expected to see again: White Star Guild.

Everyone knows about the legendary guild, an ancient guild powerful enough to shake Empires. At the height of its power, the guild even had a Half Deity and ten grandmasters. However, such a guild was wiped out overnight by a monster. And after their demise, the guild was looted by many other minor organizations.

He lowered his gaze, staring at the dagger resting across his palm.

His lips parted, ready to reject the trade. But he swallowed the words as the temptation of 50,000 credits was too much for Qin Wei. At the same time, there was this guilt that was like eating him, telling him not to take advantage of the woman's love.

Sensing emotional turmoil in her master, although not knowing what kind of turmoil he was facing, Luna leaned forward slightly and grabbed his face, staring right into his eyes. "Master, I told you before, and I will tell you again. Luna's body and soul belong to the Master. What belongs to Luna also belongs to Master. Nothing will change that, not my rank upgrade, not the destruction of House Phoenix, and not even Master's marriage.

That quiet certainty in her voice broke something inside him. Shutting his eyes, he took a deep breath, making a choice.

Qin Wei looked up, staring back into her eyes. His eyes softened and let out a breath, "Luna…" he said, his voice rougher than he intended. "I..."

He also reached out and held her by the shoulders gently. "I can't just take this from you. Not like this."

She blinked. Her brows furrowed slightly, confused. Even her heartfelt words couldn't move him. And then her frown disappeared, and tears almost welled up in her eyes, feeling as if her dear Master was not taking her for granted… She worked so hard to become a Rank-7 to protect him in the future. She even defied her teacher's order to come to him. Was her Master pushing her away, now that he was married, could create talismans, and a rank-8 loyal bodyguard?

As all of those negative thoughts filled her head in those three seconds, and the tears were about to fall down her cheek, it was at that moment, Qin Wei continued to speak. "For the things you do for me… a simple thank you or feeling gratitude is not enough." His tone turned into almost a whisper as he said, looking into her eyes with sincerity, "You might always say that I treated you the best, but I know that I haven't treated you properly."

His grip on her then tightened a little.

"But if I'm going to accept this dagger, which is basically the legacy of your mother's love, then I want to give you something in return that might not as precious as a mother's love, but it could be something that you think is worth giving up."

Luna's breath caught. Her lips parted slightly.

Qin Wei's voice lowered. "Luna, I want you… to be the woman who doesn't serve me as a mere maid. Be someone who stays by my side as my companion for life and perhaps, one day in the future, bear my children too..."

Silence.

For a few seconds, there was absolute silence in the room.

Luna only stared at him in silence.

Her lips trembled.

For a moment, she looked almost disoriented, like someone waking from a dream they'd long ago given up on. The welled-up tears in her eyes started falling down, now because of happy emotions and not sadness anymore...

"Master…" she whispered, barely audible.

Qin Wei let go of her shoulders and held out his hand, palm open. "Luna, will you be my Concbine?"

"Master..."

She didn't even wipe her tears. She just nodded, the motion so small it was almost imperceptible, yet it carried more force than a thousand words.

Qin Wei once again held her, this time just a little tighter to his chest.

Her soft sobs soaked into his chest, but he didn't rush her.

After a few quiet moments, he spoke again, "Unfortunately… I don't have the authority to give you that position, atleast officially."

Luna stiffened ever so slightly in his arms.

"But three months later, once Thea returns from her guild," he continued, "I'll speak to her. I'll do everything I can to get her permission… I'll force House Griffin to instate you as Concubine Luna."

Her hands, which had been gripping the front of his robe, slowly loosened. She leaned back slightly and covered her face, her shoulders trembling again in joy…

"Master…" Her voice cracked. "I… I'm just… happy."

She laughed through her tears, a broken sound of disbelief and overwhelming emotion.

Qin Wei freed up one of his arms around her and brushed back a stray strand of hair from her cheek as he looked at her. "Not Master… You should call me dear..."

"De..." She almost screamed in surprise before shutting her mouth with her hands. Qin Wei couldn't help but chuckle and say, "What? If you will be my concubine, calling me master is more embarrassing, you know..."

"Ah… well..." An instant blush crept to her cheeks, and she lowered her gaze. "D… De… Dear..." Her entire body trembled as she spouted those words. Her heartbeat spiked up in deep nervousness.

But that brought a smile to Qin Wei. He gently raised her chin again and said, "From now onward, From now on… I'll take care of you. As best I can, Luna." He gave a peck on her lips, and she closed her eyes, nodding repeatedly.

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