Seeing the detailed training plan displayed on the Jade Sign, Jing Yuan let out a long breath of relief.
The days that followed felt like emerging from hell back into the mortal world. The training remained grueling, yet it always stopped precisely at the edge of his endurance. Even as the intensity rose, he could finish each session without collapsing on the spot.
Over time, Kanzaki began to find this cheap grand-disciple of his rather interesting. While Jing Yuan's talent for the sword did not match Jingliu's, his mind was exceptionally sharp. Whenever he visited Qingxin Residence, Jing Yuan loved to talk with him, especially about the war history of the Cloud Knights. When discussing certain famous battles, he often offered clever insights. Even when his observations carried the flavor of hindsight, they remained logically sound and surprisingly perceptive.
Kanzaki privately thought that rather than charging into battle, this child might be better suited to serve as a strategist or military aide.
"Have you ever considered transferring to the Divination Commission, or pursuing the path of a strategist?"
"I want to learn the sword," Jing Yuan replied, shaking his head. His gaze was firm. "I want to stand on the front lines and defend the Xianzhou, just like Master and Grandmaster."
"There are many ways to defend the Xianzhou," Kanzaki said, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. "It does not have to be through the sword in your hand."
"Charging into battle does not prevent one from strategizing either. Wasn't that how Grandmaster fought in the past?"
"You child…" Kanzaki chuckled and said no more.
Half a year later, Jingliu returned victorious from her expedition.
When she learned that Kanzaki had been teaching Jing Yuan in her absence, her originally cold expression froze over completely.
The next day, she summoned Jing Yuan. She sat in the main seat, her fingertips lightly tracing the rim of her teacup, and spoke in a voice stripped of all emotion.
"Jing Yuan, how did your Grandmaster teach you these past six months?"
Jing Yuan felt a chill run down his spine and instinctively straightened his posture.
"Reporting to Master, Grandmaster taught me to advance step by step and corrected many of my mistakes…"
He answered carefully, watching Jingliu's expression the entire time.
Jingliu caught the phrase "advance step by step." Her fingers paused almost imperceptibly on the teacup.
"He never made you train until you lost consciousness?"
Jing Yuan blinked, then shook his head honestly.
"No. Grandmaster said that would harm the body. Every time I neared my limit, he would stop the session and let me rest and recover."
He had wanted to add a few words of praise, but the words died in his throat when he saw his master's expression grow darker.
Jingliu lowered her lashes, hiding the turbulent emotions that flashed through her eyes.
Advance step by step?
Harm the body?
Rest and recover?
She remembered her own training. How many times had she pushed herself until she fainted? How many times had she believed she would die on the training grounds? Had her master ever once spoken of harming the body? Had he ever called for a halt?
Why?
Was it because Jing Yuan was more likable than she had been?
Or was it because he had reserved all his severity for her, and left his gentleness for others?
A quiet bitterness rose in her chest, sharp and lingering.
So her master understood the value of measured progress after all. He knew that reckless training could destroy a person… yet he had still driven her without mercy.
Was she truly so untalented that only such brutal methods could forge her into who she was today?
It was not fair.
"Ma… Master?"
Jing Yuan did not even dare to breathe as he watched the shifting expressions on her face.
"Did I say something wrong?"
"No."
Jingliu forced down the storm inside her. She could not vent her resentment on this innocent youth simply because of her master's different treatment. She looked up, her face once again calm and cold.
"Since you have made progress these past six months, today's training volume will be increased by half. Remember, do not slack off."
"Ah?!"
"Yes… Master…"
Jing Yuan swallowed whatever protest he had been about to make under that icy gaze and ran toward the training grounds with a bitter expression.
Thanks to the solid foundation built over the past half year, he barely managed to complete the new quota. By the end, he collapsed on the ground, too exhausted to move.
After Jingliu carried him onto a star skiff and sent him home, she headed straight for Qingxin Residence.
She had held herself back for an entire day. She could no longer wait to confront Kanzaki and demand an explanation.
When she arrived, two other people were already there.
One was a Vidyadhara with horns upon his head, dressed in luxurious robes. His handsome face carried a slightly aloof air as he played chess against Kanzaki.
The other was a Foxian girl with lively eyes and a bright smile, full of energy.
The chess players remained focused on their game, but the Foxian girl watching from the side smiled first.
"Jingliu, you're back! Where did you go to relax? I thought you would stay in today."
"I was fulfilling my duties as a master," Jingliu replied. Her expression did not grow colder; if anything, it softened slightly.
"Master?!"
Bai Heng's eyes widened. Her furry ears twitched as though she had heard something impossible.
"When did an ice-faced person like you take on a disciple?"
"Half a year ago."
"Why didn't you say anything? That's too distant of you."
"There was nothing worth saying."
"Sigh, you really are… ahem, shh, quiet."
Bai Heng realized the chess game was still ongoing and quickly lowered her voice.
Jingliu's gaze swept across the chessboard before settling on Kanzaki. She continued speaking of other matters.
"When did Imbibitor Lunae find the interest to play chess with an ordinary person?"
"…You're calling Senior Kanzaki an ordinary person?" Bai Heng looked embarrassed.
The two women fell silent and watched the game quietly.
Roughly fifteen minutes later, Kanzaki placed his final piece.
Dan Feng nodded slightly and looked across the board.
"As expected of the legendary hero bearing the title of Crimson Flash. Dan Feng is impressed."
"The term 'legendary hero' does not suit someone like me," Kanzaki replied, shaking his head with a faint smile. "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 does not require my protection. On the contrary, it is I who received her care."
Dan Feng spoke without false modesty. After witnessing her performance on the battlefield, he had no intention of accepting polite words he did not deserve. Furthermore, Teng Xiao had given clear orders to protect the Vidyadhara on the front lines, and even the High Elder was no exception.
"You two, the private hot spring has already been prepared," Bai Heng said with a smile. "I hope you can find some relaxation for body and mind here."
"Thank you." Dan Feng nodded, rose from his seat, and walked in the indicated direction.
Bai Heng bumped Jingliu's shoulder lightly.
"Let's soak together. While we're at it, you can tell me about the famous wines here."
"No. Go ahead without me. I still have matters to attend to." Jingliu refused without hesitation.
"Oh, then I won't disturb you."
Bai Heng gave Kanzaki a respectful salute before skipping away with her hands behind her back.
The atmosphere grew quiet.
Kanzaki had already noticed that Jingliu had something to say. He did not rush to speak. Instead, he reached for the wine jar beside him, then paused.
"I'll go get it."
Jingliu immediately turned and headed into the wine cellar.
She found the jar placed high on the shelf and took it down. In her haste, she failed to notice a small slip of paper that quietly fluttered to the floor from the jar's surface.
On it were written four simple words:
—More than three years have passed.