Meanwhile,
“Bang!”
A surge of spiritual power surged forth, repelling the black-robed assailant who had attempted a sneak attack.
The man in the black robe crumpled to the ground, coughing up several mouthfuls of blood before lying motionless.
“Your Highness,” Yong Ye swiftly entered the courtyard, surveying the lifeless bodies strewn around. “Everything’s been taken care of.”
Amidst the scattered corpses, Di Qin stood with his hands behind his back, his countenance as cold as sharp blades.
Upon hearing Yong Ye’s report, Di Qin lifted his gaze to the silver moon hanging in the sky. “Twelve days have passed. It’s time for me to return.”
Yong Ye voiced his concern, “Your Highness, shouldn’t you head back to the imperial capital first to check on…”
“Who are you concerned about?” Di Qin interrupted, his tone icy. “My nearly blind father or the young lady from the Nangong family?”
Yong Ye’s mouth twitched, unsure of how to respond.
“I’ll leave the rest to you.”
“Understood,” Yong Ye accepted the orders.
Di Qin inquired, “Did you uncover the information I tasked you with?”
“Your Highness, the information of Miss Nangong’s parents are shrouded in secrecy. No one knows their whereabouts. However, we had agents tailing her brother, and they discovered that her parents visited the Shangyu Kingdom. Yet, their stay was brief, and they departed. This is all we have found so far.”
Di Qin’s brow furrowed slightly, “Find out more as soon as possible.”
“Yes,” Yong Ye acknowledged.
One night elapsed, and Huang Quan, having finished her ablutions, emerged from her room. She noticed an array of delectable breakfast dishes and a pot of porridge neatly arranged on the stone table in the courtyard.
“Quanquan,” Nangong Mian arrived early, carrying the last tray of snacks. When he saw Huang Quan standing at the stone table, he greeted her with a smile. “Are you hungry? Let’s eat.”
Huang Quan looked at him and responded with a smile, “Congratulations on your promotion, Third Brother.”
Nangong Mian set down the snacks he was holding and smiled in return. “Thanks to you, Third Brother was able to advance so quickly. In the future, Third Brother will focus on training, and you can handle the rest.”
“Yes,” Nangong Mian responded, feeling completely reassured by Huang Quan’s power and alchemical skills.
“That’s right,” Nangong Mian added, thinking of something while eating. “Quanquan, it’s been over ten days since Ye Qin left. Are you sure he’ll come back?”
“Third brother, he will come back,” Huang Quan asserted. “I believe in him.”
Nangong Mian sighed helplessly, “Why are you so fond of him?”
Huang Quan couldn’t admit that part of it was because of his good looks or that his deathly aura helped her control her life energy. So, she kept her thoughts to herself.
“I’m good to him, and he’s good to me,” Huang Quan explained with a smile. “Plus, I enjoy the food he cooks.”
Nangong Mian raised an eyebrow, “So, you don’t like the food I prepare?”
“Of course not,” Huang Quan reassured him. “I also enjoy what you cook.”
Nangong Mian teased, “I can’t keep you at the female courtyard if you keep this up. You might end up liking him.”
Huang Quan just smiled.
Nangong Mian then mentioned, “The college has arranged some special training in the past few days. I have to attend. Would you like to join?”
“Special training?” Huang Quan inquired.
“It involves sparring with people of higher cultivation levels to gain practical combat experience,” Nangong Mian explained.
“I’ll pass,” Huang Quan decided. She felt her combat experience was already sufficient and didn’t need further enhancement.
“Alright,” Nangong Mian agreed. “I’ll be returning very late every day. Don’t wait for me. Make sure to get a good night’s rest.”
“Okay,” Huang Quan obediently replied.
Nangong Mian left after their breakfast, and Huang Quan, with nothing else to do, decided to leave the courtyard for a walk around the academy. However, before she could exit the academy gate, she was intercepted by the dean.
