[Xie Lian was a step or two ahead before he realised the other one had stopped. So he stopped too and turned to face him just in time for that line to be delivered. And that earned him a smile.]

You didn't want to hurt the strange man who asked you to stack large rocks atop his chest and shatter them with a heavy hammer? [And so had stacked far more rocks than anyone else had, and struck down with far more force than anyone ever had, but he hadn't wanted to take the killing blow? Interesting.

Admittedly Xie Lian hadn't sensed any killing intent, had he done so, Ruoye would have attacked. But since the silk ribbon had remained where it was, Xie Lian hadn't felt threatened. And still didn't.]

You couldn't have hurt me. You could have damaged me, but I wouldn't have died. I'm glad you stopped though. I'd like to come back to this spot tomorrow! [And that would have been impossible if the people in the area were traumatised.]