However, she didn’t know if Leo really didn’t understand or was pretending not to. Either way, he hadn’t taken that step yet.
As a woman, Sophia naturally had her own sense of propriety and couldn’t just throw herself at Leo like a hungry animal at night.
In the workplace, Sophia was a powerful woman, but in her married life she was reserved and conservative when it came to traditional gender roles.
As her best friend, Karen could tell from Sophia’s expression that she and Leo hadn’t gone all the way yet. So she looked at Leo and said with emphasis, “Leo, don’t you know that as women get older it becomes harder for them to have children? The ball is in your court; you need to act fast.”
“Karen, I know what I’m doing. Thanks for your concern,” replied Leo calmly.
Leo’s composure made Karen roll her eyes inwardly. She thought: He’s so dense! Having children is the strongest bond between husband and wife; doesn’t he understand?
The truth was that Karen cared about this because on one hand she wanted to give up on Leo completely. After all those times when his image suddenly popped into her head late at night were driving her crazy.
On the other hand, there was Amaya who remained an uncertain factor in this equation. As a woman with sixth sense intuition, Karen could feel Amaya definitely had feelings for Leo in more than one way.
This kind of thing needed nipping in the bud right away.
Amaya interjected, “They say marriage is love’s grave while having children is love’s fruit. The birth of a little life is very significant, but personally, I think you shouldn’t rush into having kids without being fully prepared.”
“Amaya,” countered Karen immediately, “I disagree with what you’re saying here. Both Sophia and Leo are no spring chickens anymore so if they keep delaying, they might miss their chance altogether! Besides, once they have kids together, their relationship will only get better.”
Amaya chuckled lightly before saying, “Karen, I just realized something about you.”
“What?” asked Karen curiously.
“You remind me of my mom, always nagging!” laughed Amaya while Sophia joined in too.
Karen felt deflated by their laughter as she pretended to be angry jokingly telling off Sophia, “You heartless person! Here I am caring about you two but instead of thanking me, you make fun of me!”
Sophia quickly suppressed her smile and comforted Karen, “Don’t be angry, I know you’re the best to me.”
The four of them chatted away while enjoying their delicious food. They talked about everything from marriage and family to past memories and current lives, as well as various gossip and news.
Of course, Leo was not a major participant in the conversation; his main job was to eat and drink.
After dinner, they made plans to go karaoke together and played until late before parting ways.
Around 2 am when most people were in deep sleep, Leo suddenly opened his eyes. A glimmer of light flashed through his pupils as he sensed a special energy fluctuation.
This unique energy fluctuation wasn’t internal power or spiritual power.
Leo glanced at Sophia who was sleeping soundly before quietly getting out of bed. He walked over to the window, gently opened it, then jumped out without making a sound.
Upon landing on the ground outside, Leo looked up ahead where he could faintly see someone’s shadow under the dim moonlight.
He activated his spiritual power then rushed towards that person directly.
The figure flickered once then disappeared into the villa courtyard.
Leo couldn’t let him get away so easily; within a few breaths’ time, he chased after him outside of Cloud Dream Mountain’s highest point where the Heaven’s Extreme Stone resided.
The man didn’t run anymore but turned around instead looking at Leo as if intentionally leading him here.
Underneath the moonlight’s illumination, Leo could roughly see this man’s appearance and build: an elegant middle-aged man with tall skinny frame who looked like he often went hungry for meals.
“Who are you?” Leo spoke coldly since being disturbed during sleep is extremely unpleasant for anyone.
“You don’t even know who I am?” The man pointed at himself surprised that Leo didn’t recognize him.
“Listen carefully,” the man cleared his throat, “I’m quite displeased that you don’t even know my title. I am the proud master of the Heavenly Mountain, Grimwall Mountain, and Midview Mountain. I am Chad Grace, renowned as the number one swordsman under the heavens, with my sword technique spanning across a myriad of rivers and seas, acknowledged as the best in the world.”
“Really?” Leo was momentarily stunned, finding it somewhat amusing.
“What are you laughing at?” Chad pulled out a fan as if by magic and pointed it at Leo.
“I’m not laughing, I’m shocked,” Leo said.
“Shocked? What’s so shocking?”
Leo laughed. “Your name. When you said it, it was like thunder in my ears. It scared me.”
Chad snorted and looked at him sideways. “You seem pretty honest. I’ll go easy on you later.”
Leo was confused. “I don’t think we know each other. Why did you bring me here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping at home?”
“What for!?” Chad’s eyes widened. “To fight with you! I heard you’re good and that you look down on me.”
“Look down on you? Who said that?” Leo was baffled and wondered if this guy was crazy.
“It’s a rumor in the martial arts world, but tonight I’ll prove them wrong!”
Martial arts world?
Uh… this guy was definitely an idiot.
“Well, sir, I retired from the martial arts world long ago and am very tired tonight so please excuse me.” Leo bowed politely to him before turning around to leave.
“Hold on! Did I say you could leave?” Chad started blowing his mustache and glaring at him.
“The legs are attached to my body; if I want to leave then I will!” Leo didn’t want to argue with him anymore.
“You can go but first taste my sword!”
Leo turned around curiously looking up and down at him, “Where is your sword anyway?”
“Hmph!” Chad smirked slightly before saying, “Sword come forth!”
A precious sword appeared out of nowhere into his right hand.
This time even Leo was surprised; who exactly was this guy!?
“Haha, scared yet?” Chad pointed his sword towards Leo, “Tonight we have got to determine who wins or loses. Otherwise, I won’t be able eat or sleep well.”
“Eating poorly or not being able sleep well is quite painful,” replied Leo sarcastically while thinking he himself had already suffered enough pain but he knew that unless he got rid of this guy tonight, there would be no way for him get any rest tonight either.