People in the Alliance, Time Management Master

"Oh?"

A crown gradually grew on Syndra's delicate forehead, and three dark spheres began to hover in mid-air.

"Pretty impressive, Mu Bai. You've found a new love while I've been sleeping?"

"I didn't, I didn't, don't talk nonsense." Mu Bai firmly denied it three times.

Upon hearing this, Ahri abruptly lifted her veil, revealing a sorrowful expression, her voice even more heart-wrenching:

“Mr. Mu Bai…you weren’t like this just now…was it because there were outsiders present? I understand, I will come to see you again when no one is around…”

These words show a deep understanding of the art of manipulative tactics.

Even if Mu Baizhen and she have nothing going on, it will still arouse Syndra's suspicion.

From Syndra's perspective, if they had contact, that's solid evidence; if they didn't, it's just "a secret meeting when no one was around."

No matter what I do, it's impossible to get it clean.

As expected, Syndra's eyes became sharper, and the passion and tenderness she had shown in bed were gone.

"If you can't provide a reasonable explanation..." She flicked her finger, and terrifying dark energy instantly crushed the table into powder, "Then what you said today will become your last words."

"..." Mu Bai felt a chill run down his spine.

But Ah Li continued to fan the flames: "Ah... please don't fight... it's my fault, I'm sorry..."

This tea! It's so good! It can even rival Salafine!

Syndra glared at the two of them, her breathing becoming increasingly rapid. After a few seconds of silence, she suddenly stood up and pulled Mu Bai into her arms, displaying the demeanor of a strong older sister.

"It's getting late, let's go. Explain to me on the way, otherwise... hmph."

“Yes, my dear Miss Syndra…” Mu Bai buried half of his face in that charming softness.

The atmosphere eased a little, but the fox girl was clearly unwilling to give up.

"Mr. Mu Bai~ I'd like to travel with you too~"

Syndra's face darkened to a new level.

In the stairwell, Riven, who was about to come down to find someone and set off, paused and swallowed back the words of greeting.

Mr. Mubai... is really popular.

Another beautiful woman is getting jealous...

Forget it, I'll go back and rest for a while. I doubt this "war" will end anytime soon.

Riven glanced at Mu Bai with pity, then turned and went back to her room, using the door to shut out the sounds of the heated argument.

....................................

In a village in northern Navoli province.

"Presidium has won another brilliant battle! It's truly exciting!"

A young swordsman, who looked to be in his early twenties, shouted excitedly, shaking the long sword in his arms with a clanging sound.

"Presidium never disappoints, truly. Another great victory since the Battle of Standing Tall!"

"Yes, yes, that place is full of outstanding people and resources. They always manage to beat the Noxian invaders to a pulp!" The messenger boy sitting opposite the swordsman was also full of excitement.

The Ionians had long suffered under Noxus, and Presidium's two perfect victories gave them boundless confidence.

Justice will prevail, never give up!

Ionia, may your spirit never be broken!

After the two carefully reviewed the exciting battle report, the child suddenly remembered something and asked:

"By the way, Yasuo, isn't it training time? Why are you out here?"

"Don't pry into adult matters, kid." The young swordsman rubbed his nose, his distinctive long hair swaying in the wind, his pride barely concealed.

"Who am I? A genius. If I trained like an ordinary person, following the same rules and regulations, could I still be called a genius?"

"Oh... Elder Suma will be angry if he finds out, won't he?" the child said timidly. "I don't want to be punished with you..."

"You chickened out?"

"Yes, I chickened out."

"Then you can go back by yourself, you little coward." Yasuo shrugged and leaned comfortably against the tree trunk. "You're scared, but I'm not."

The child hesitated, but ultimately chose to retreat first to avoid being caught and subjected to half a day of extra training by the village elders.

Yasuo didn't seem to care. He simply opened his mouth slightly and then casually swung his longsword.

Two leaves and a twig landed precisely on his eye and mouth, respectively.

This is what he loves to do most when he's slacking off—hiding under the shade of a tree and taking a nap.

But before he could fall asleep completely, the sound of grass rustling suddenly reached his ears.

"What? Decided not to be a coward again?" Yasuo chuckled with his eyes closed.

"Little coward?" The newcomer chuckled, his tone slightly mocking. "Although I don't know what you're talking about, I will pass this message on to Elder Suma."

"?!"

Upon hearing this calm and gentle voice, Yasuo was so startled that he immediately sat up.

The person who came was not the child from before, but his half-brother, Yongen.

"I just... uh... had a stomachache, so I came to rest for a bit..." Yasuo panicked instantly, "Please don't tell Master, he'll kill me..."

"Huh? How did you become the 'little coward' you were talking about?"

Yongen sat happily to the side, his two steel blades, which he never parted with, tightly gripped in his hands.

"Don't worry, I won't report you... Of course, the condition is that you have to come back with me later."

"No problem!" Yasuo readily agreed.

Yon nodded in satisfaction and then said, "You've heard about the Battle of Presidium, haven't you?"

"Yes, I just heard it."

"Do you know who the biggest contributor to that battle was?"

"Let me think... Blade Dancer? She's the rebel leader in Navoli province, it must be her, right?"

"No."

"If it wasn't her? Then who could it be?"

“A little-known swordsman,” Yone said meaningfully. “It is said that his swordsmanship is unmatched, and he fought his way from Philorda all the way to Presidium.”

Upon hearing this, Yasuo raised an eyebrow, his eyes flashing with a warlike light.

"Invincible? That's because he hasn't met the two of us yet."

“I don’t have the confidence to cut my way from Philol Island to Presidium with just two steel blades.” Yone smiled. “Alright, go back to training. You’re a rare genius; with proper training, you won’t lose to that swordsman.”

“Of course.” Yasuo laughed along.

Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Legendary Swordsman of the First Land – Elder Suma

In the end, Ahri insisted on following along—the reason being that she was also going to a village in the north of Navoli province.

Syndra knew perfectly well she was lying, but she couldn't resist how fast Syndra could run. Rather than having her run alongside him and flirt, it was better to shove her into the carriage.

As for her true purpose, Syndra was unsure, only vaguely sensing that she harbored ill intentions.

Offering unsolicited favors is either a sign of malice or theft.

They either coveted something they were carrying, or they wanted to steal a man.

That's absolutely outrageous!

You shameless vixen!

"Mu Bai, you need to be careful."

On the moving carriage, Syndra gazed into the distance and suddenly spoke, her tone somewhat like an older sister scolding her younger brother:

“That fox… is dangerous. I can sense that her magic is not pure.”

"Yes, my dear Miss Syndra." Mu Bai gave an exaggerated hat-removing salute.

Dangerous is right, impure is right.

This fox is constantly thinking about eating my life essence; there's probably still some undigested portion left in its body from this morning...

Inside the carriage, a pair of fluffy fox ears twitched.

The next second, an incredibly beautiful face peeked out from the carriage, and a few strands of long black hair, carrying a delicate fragrance, drifted onto Mu Bai.

Are you talking about me?

“Yes,” Syndra answered without hesitation, “we’re discussing when we can get rid of you.”

"Why do you want to drive me away... Is there something I did wrong?" Ah Li put on a pitiful look again.

Syndra, too lazy to talk to her, simply hugged Mu Bai to assert her dominance.

Ah Li didn't mind, just gave a meaningful smile, and then crawled back into the carriage.

........................

…………

By the time the carriage finally arrived at its destination, it was already completely dark.

Mu Bai stared at the map in his hand and checked repeatedly to make sure he hadn't gone to the wrong village before leading the three girls off the carriage.

Before they could even find a good spot, the villagers passing by stopped in their tracks and stared at them with strange looks.

It was extremely rare for outsiders to come to the village, especially at a time like this—on a night of war.

A slightly bolder and more responsible old man stepped forward, picked up the plowshare, examined it, and asked:

"Children, who are you looking for? Is there something you need?"

“Greetings, sir.” Mu Bai bowed respectfully. “We have come from Presidium and have come here specifically to see Elder Suma.”