Seeing the detailed training plan on the jade message, Jing Yuan let out a long sigh of relief.
The days that followed felt like returning from hell to the mortal realm.
The training was still arduous, but every time, it hit exactly the edge of his limit of endurance.
Even as the pressure gradually increased, he could complete it smoothly rather than collapsing from exhaustion on the spot.
Gradually, Qi Zhimu found this cheap grand-disciple of his to be quite interesting.
Although his talent for martial arts was not as good as Jingliu's, his mind was extremely sharp.
Every time he came to Qingxin Residence, Jing Yuan loved to chat with him, especially about the war history of the Cloud Knights.
When talking about certain classic battles, he could often offer tricky insights; even if they occasionally smacked of hindsight from a god's-eye view, they were logically clear and quite insightful.
Qi Zhimu thought to himself that rather than charging into the fray, this child might be better suited for strategizing as a Strategist or an aide.
"Have you ever thought about transferring to the Divination Commission, or developing in the direction of a Strategist?"
"I want to learn the sword. I want to stand on the front lines to defend the Xianzhou, just like Master and Grandmaster." Jing Yuan shook his head, his gaze firm.
"There are many ways to defend the Xianzhou; it doesn't necessarily have to depend on the sword in your hand." The corners of Qi Zhimu's mouth lifted by half a pixel.
"Charging into the fray doesn't stop one from strategizing either. Wasn't that how Grandmaster was back then?"
"You child..." Qi Zhimu chuckled and said no more... Half a year later, Jingliu returned in victory.
When she learned that Qi Zhimu had been teaching Jing Yuan during her expedition, her originally cold expression instantly dropped to the freezing point.
She found Jing Yuan the next day, trying her best to maintain a surface-level calm.
Sitting in the main seat, her fingertips lightly stroked the teacup, her voice devoid of emotion.
"Jing Yuan, how did your Grandmaster teach you these past six months?"
Jing Yuan only felt a chill run down his back and subconsciously sat up straight.
"Reporting to Master, Grandmaster taught me to proceed step by step and corrected many of my mistakes..."
He answered while carefully observing Jingliu's expression.
Jingliu keenly caught the phrase 'proceed step by step,' and her movements paused almost imperceptibly.
"He didn't make you practice until you lost consciousness?"
Jing Yuan was stunned and shook his head honestly.
"No. Grandmaster said that would harm the body. Every time I was about to reach my limit, Grandmaster would call a halt and let me rest and adjust..."
He wanted to add a few more words of praise, but suddenly realized that his Master's expression seemed more and more off.
Jingliu lowered her eyelashes, hiding the dark current that surged in her eyes for a moment.
Proceed step by step?
Harm the body?
Rest and adjust?
Ha... hahaha... What about her back then?
How many times had she practiced until she fainted? How many times had she thought she would die on the training field?
At that time, had Master ever said a word about harming the body? Had he ever called for a halt even once?
Why...?
Was it because Jing Yuan was more likable than her?
Or was it because... he gave all his severity to her, while leaving all his tenderness for others?
Jealousy, bitterness, and grievance.
All sorts of emotions intertwined and surged, turning into a bone-eroding sourness that rushed straight to her nose.
So Master also understood what it meant to proceed step by step, rather than only knowing simple and crude exponential pressure.
So Master also knew that practicing like that would kill a person... yet he could harden his heart against her.
Was she destined to achieve nothing and fail to reach where she was today if she had proceeded step by step?
It's not fair!
"Ma... Master?"
Seeing Jingliu's unpredictable expression, Jing Yuan didn't even dare to breathe.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No."
Jingliu forcibly suppressed the churning emotions in her heart.
She couldn't take out her anger on the innocent youth before her just because of Master's differential treatment... She couldn't... She looked up, her face having returned to its usual coldness.
"Since you've made progress these past six months, today's training volume will be increased by half. Remember, no slacking off."
Ah?!
"Yes... Master..."
Jing Yuan instinctively wanted to speak up, but could only swallow his words under that cold, hard gaze, running toward the Martial Arts Field with a bitter face.
Fortunately, the half-year of training had given him a solid foundation; he barely managed to complete the quota, but was so exhausted he collapsed on the ground, unwilling to move a muscle.
After Jingliu picked him up and sent him home on a starship, she headed straight for Qingxin Residence.
Having endured for a day, she couldn't wait to find Qi Zhimu and ask for a clear explanation.
Unexpectedly, two people who could barely be called friends were also there.
One was a Vidyadhara with horns on his head, dressed in luxurious clothes, with a handsome face but a slightly aloof temperament, playing chess against Qi Zhimu.
The other was a Foxian girl with lively eyes and a charming smile, radiating full vitality.
The chess players didn't move, but the Foxian girl watching the game broke into a smile first.
"Jingliu, you're back! Where did you go to relax? I thought you wouldn't be going out today."
"To fulfill my duties as a master." Jingliu's face didn't turn completely cold, and she relaxed slightly.
"Master?!"
Bai Heng's eyes widened, and her furry ears twitched as if she had heard something unbelievable.
"When did an ice-faced person like you take on a disciple?"
"Half a year ago."
"Why didn't you say so? That's too distant of you."
"There's nothing to say."
"Sigh, you really are... ahem, shh, quiet, quiet."
Bai Heng realized the chess game was still ongoing and her voice was too loud, so she quickly lowered it.
Jingliu's gaze swept across the chessboard and then landed on Qi Zhimu, unable to move away, while she spoke of other things.
"When did Imbibitor Lunae find the interest to play chess with an ordinary person?"
"...Uh, you're calling Senior Zhimu an ordinary person?" Bai Heng was embarrassed.
That's clearly a legend, okay!
One must know that on the Xianzhou, most of the successive Generals couldn't even claim those two words.
To put it bluntly, military merit alone isn't enough; one also needs a long enough tenure. Only with both is it possible.
The two women said no more and watched the game quietly.
About fifteen minutes later, Qi Zhimu placed his piece down.
Dan Feng nodded slightly and looked up at the opposite side.
"As expected of the legendary hero with the title of 'Instant Blood, Fading Rainbow.' Dan Feng is impressed."
"The term 'legendary hero' doesn't refer to people like me."
Qi Zhimu shook his head, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"I have long heard of Imbibitor Lunae's extraordinary grace. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved. On the battlefield of the Hunt expedition, I thank the High Elder for looking after my disciple."
"Senior is too polite. Miss Jingliu doesn't need my care. On the contrary, it is I who have received her care."
Dan Feng was not just being modest. Although he didn't think Jingliu's strength was greater than his own, after seeing her performance on the battlefield, he didn't have the face to follow her master's polite words and accept it.
Furthermore, this statement was true. Teng Xiao had already instructed that the safety of the Vidyadhara on the battlefield must be protected, and even he, the High Elder, was no exception.
"You two, the private hot spring bath has already been prepared. I hope you can find relaxation for your body and mind here."
"Thank you." Dan Feng nodded, stood up, and walked in the designated direction.
Seeing this, Bai Heng bumped Jingliu's shoulder.
"Let's soak together, and while we're at it, introduce me to the history of the famous wines here?"
"No, go by yourself. I still have things to do." Jingliu refused without a second thought.
"Oh, then I won't disturb you."
Bai Heng gave a respectful salute to Qi Zhimu, then skipped away with her hands behind her back.
The atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
Qi Zhimu had long seen that Jingliu had something to say. He didn't rush to speak, but reached for the wine jar next to him, then his expression froze.
"I'll go get it."
Jingliu immediately ran into the wine cellar.
Seeing the wine jar placed at the very top, she took it down.
Slightly anxious, she didn't notice a small slip of paper quietly floating down from the body of the jar.
On it were written four words:
—More than three years have passed.