Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

The atmosphere at the dinner table was noticeably different from usual.

However, no one realized the true source of the difference.

For Qi Zhimu, Mianxue, and Qinghan, this was the first time they had dinner at the same table with Jingliu.

…In fact, over the years, whenever Kagami-ryu trains to the point of unconsciousness, he has never had dinner.

The medicinal bath that Qi Zhimu prepared for her was far more nourishing than ordinary food and drink.

As for Jingliu, the last time he had dinner with his master was on his only day off when he didn't have to train, so he naturally didn't notice anything unusual.

However, Qi Zhimu could still see that the girl was in a gloomy mood and was not paying attention while eating her rice.

After everyone put down their bowls and chopsticks, he asked a question.

"But what trouble did you encounter?"

"..."

Jingliu's hand froze, his crimson eyes flickered, and he answered nonchalantly.

"...I just can't understand why the progress in the high-temperature endurance training was so great today. Yesterday I couldn't even last half an hour, but today I was almost able to pass the training."

"Didn't I tell you before we set off that your physical condition barely met the target results? Otherwise, why would Master have said there was no need to push yourself to the limit?"

"...Oh right, I was just not used to it and couldn't remember."

"Take it easy. There are still high temperature standards to go, and after that, there will be cold endurance training. Only when you can complete all the training in one day can you be considered a master."

"Disciple understands." Jingliu pursed his lips.

Her master was always serious and demanding, and she was used to it.

But why do I feel a slight sense of unease in my chest when facing my master's high expectations?

Could it be because they saw Master and Senior Qinghan... walking out of the same room?

But what does this have to do with her?

The master was unmarried, and the elegant senior was unmarried; they were a perfect match.

Despite their significant age difference, this is a celestial vessel, where marriages between immortal beings with an age gap of several hundred years are perfectly normal.

Jingliu felt that there was one more thing to figure out.

Or perhaps she misunderstood something?

Perhaps it's between Master and Senior Qinghan...

Jingliu didn't continue thinking about this topic.

The possibility of a misunderstanding is too small. If it weren't for what she thought, wouldn't everything she learned in biology class at school have been wasted?

It's normal for many women to experience skin redness after such an experience, and it usually subsides after a while.

She remembers the popular science content given by that school teacher very clearly; she can't be wrong about it.

The more Jingliu thought about it, the more unnatural his expression became.

She cleared the table and went to wash the dishes, leaving the three people with different emotions.

Compared to Mianxue, Qinghan was more perceptive and noticed that Jingliu's emotions were a bit off.

"Lord Chimu, Jingliu seems to have something on his mind."

"That's normal. The fact that she didn't speak up means she can handle it herself." Qi Zhimu also noticed something, but didn't connect it to any particular conclusion.

During his centuries of teaching in schools, he saw countless children facing troubles.

They range from childhood to marriageable age, and their expressions are largely the same, so it's not unusual.

Qi, who considered himself to have lived a life of unconventionality in his past life and a life of restraint and monotony in this life, and who has never had a normal romantic history, naturally thought this way.

The two sisters next to them, who also lacked similar experience, didn't think anything was wrong.

After hearing what Qi Zhimu said, she stopped thinking about it.

Mianxue gathered her thoughts, her expression quickly turning serious.

"The day after tomorrow, Lord Zhimu will be going to war. As your guards, we should follow, but my sister's legs are in a bad condition..."

"Having gone through such an intense battle, is there a possibility that the aftereffects might recur?"

"Furthermore... there may not be time for treatment during a military campaign."

Upon hearing this, Qinghan didn't seem to care much and replied without hesitation:

"My leg is a minor matter. With a formidable enemy at our doorstep, the Cloud Cavalry should prioritize completing our mission."

"This battle involves an extremely troublesome group of Buli people, and they even have a Nest Father. If we can get rid of these wretches, what does it matter if the treatment is extended by a few years?"

"The father of the Bu Li Ren Nest is incredibly powerful. Only Lord Zhi Mu in our team can stand up to him head-on. Let's put my personal matters aside for now, sister."

She knew very well how difficult Bu Liren was to deal with.

Any Yunqi soldier who goes to the battlefield must remain vigilant around the clock and can only sleep lightly.

Because you can't predict when the assassin from Bu Liren will choose to launch a sneak attack.

The time it took Lord Zhimu to treat the aftereffects of her legs was not 2 seconds, but about 20 minutes.

In the brutal battlefield where every second counts, it is clearly impossible and cannot be ignored.

"Don't worry too much, I'm prepared."

Qi Zhimu remained calm and took out a white jade bottle, placing it in front of Qinghan.

"It contains many effective drugs. Taking one pill can guarantee that the aftereffects will not recur within five days, and correspondingly, the treatment course will be extended by five days."

"...I am deeply grateful for your trouble, Lord Zhimu."

Qinghan gripped the jade bottle tightly, a look of emotion flashing in her eyes.

Mianxue was about to thank him on behalf of her sister when Qi Zhimu raised his hand to stop her.

"Private formalities are pointless, and there's no need for thanks. We share the same goal: to fight to the death against this bountiful monster that has robbed countless lives."

"Tomorrow is the eve of our departure. We must double-check our coordination with the intelligence department and logistics support department of the Taipusi to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

"The Nest Father of that large tribe of the Black Claw Hunters... must not be let escape."

"This battle will certainly not go smoothly. Order the three armies to reorganize their formations. Order the Dange Guards to form groups of three, surrounding one Qingqiu Guard to form a coordinated battle formation."

"Where are the Crane Feather Guards?" Mianxue asked.

"Work with the Sky Ship Division's warships to reinforce the real-time coordinate detection of that pack of wolves, leaving them nowhere to hide."

"Yes, sir!"

……

The following day, on the eve of the departure of the Xiaowei Patrol Team.

The mirror flow training ended early, and I got home shortly after dark.

Senior Mianxue is not here; she must be staying at the military camp tonight. Master and Senior Qinghan are here, but...

After exchanging only a brief glance, the master, under her watchful gaze, entered the cold, quiet room…

pat.

The door closed.

Jingliu found that his limbs were not under his brain's control, and he secretly moved closer to the door with slightly heavier footsteps, pressing his ear against it.

A faint rustling sound reached my ears.

That was the sound of clothes rubbing together...

"It will hurt a little tonight."

"It's alright, Lord Zhimu, you don't need to worry about me."

Upon hearing these two sentences, followed by a suppressed groan, a shadow fell over Jingliu's face.

But she was unaware of it and simply left quietly.

It seems she didn't misunderstand last night...

……