Vacation

Over the next stretch of time, Huangfu Ji and Liu Erlong often studied Martial Soul resonance together.

Huangfu Ji felt that they might be able to develop a Martial Soul Fusion Skill from it, and Liu Erlong was more than willing to cooperate. In any case, there was usually nothing else to do besides cultivation.

They learned the academy's lessons quickly. Before even a full school year had passed, Huangfu Ji had already finished the sixth-year curriculum.

None of it was particularly difficult for him. After being reborn, his memory had become exceptionally strong; he could remember simple material after a single glance. Besides, while at the Duke's Mansion, he had often taught himself Soul Master knowledge.

There was basically nothing left for him to learn at the Junior Soul Master Academy.

So he applied to Cheng Yao for special permission, allowing him to skip classes from then on.

Naturally, Cheng Yao agreed. His only condition was that Huangfu Ji could not leave the academy.

With the Dean's special approval, Huangfu Ji never attended class again. Liu Erlong was the same; she had learned nearly all the academy had to offer as well. Though she had a fiery temper, that did not mean she learned slowly.

Thus, the academy gained two children who did not need to attend class.

The teachers had no objections. Teaching Grand Duke Qingyang placed enormous pressure on them, especially since Cheng Yao frequently kept watch over them, so they dearly hoped Huangfu Ji would stop coming to class.

Zhao Yuan was green with envy. He did not want to attend class either, so he wanted to apply as well—and his reason was perfectly justified: he needed to protect Huangfu Ji.

However, Cheng Yao rejected him outright and informed his father, Zhao Gu.

That very day, Zhao Gu stormed into the academy and gave his precious son a vicious beating in the Dean's office. Then, once he was done, he flicked his sleeves and left, leaving behind only Zhao Yuan with his swollen backside.

As a result, when it came time to sleep that night, Zhao Yuan could only lie facedown on the bed. It nearly made Huangfu Ji, who had received no professional training, burst out laughing.

Zhao Yuan was utterly depressed.

"Why? Why can you two skip class?"

Huangfu Ji let out a smug little laugh.

"Because Erlong and I have already finished learning everything taught at the Junior Soul Master Academy. The teachers have nothing left to teach us."

There was nothing wrong with what he said. His theoretical knowledge now surpassed that of the academy's teachers. He knew much that many teachers did not; if this continued, it would no longer be the teachers teaching him, but him teaching the teachers.

"Ahh!"

Zhao Yuan threw his head back and complained to the heavens.

"Heavens, earth, ancestors!"

"Why couldn't you give me such an intelligent brain and eyes that never forget what they see?"

After venting, he buried his head directly into his pillow.

He was not actually a poor student, but compared to Huangfu Ji and Liu Erlong, he fell far too short.

When people were compared, some were bound to die of envy; when goods were compared, some were bound to be thrown away.

And just like that, the school year passed, and the academy's vacation days arrived.

In the dormitory, Zhao Yuan had already finished packing.

Seeing Huangfu Ji standing by the window, he hesitated for a moment before asking anyway.

"Grand Duke, why don't you come to my house first?"

He knew Huangfu Ji could not return to the Duke's Mansion. If he went back, what awaited him might be another round of house arrest. He could only remain at the academy.

Watching the students leave in groups of three and five outside, Huangfu Ji's eyes held a trace of envy that was difficult to detect.

"No need. Go home."

"But..." Zhao Yuan wanted to say more, but Huangfu Ji raised a hand to stop him.

"Don't worry. I'm safe within the academy."

Zhao Yuan said nothing more. The moment he opened the door, he saw Liu Erlong walking this way. She had finished packing as well; her mother was waiting for her outside the academy.

"Is Huangfu in the dormitory?" Liu Erlong asked.

Zhao Yuan nodded, then left.

After entering the dormitory, Liu Erlong looked around.

"Damn, we're both students, so why is your dormitory so nice?"

It was her first time visiting Huangfu Ji's dormitory. She had assumed that, since they lived in the same dormitory building, the difference would not be too great. But seeing it today, she realized she had been too naive. How could the mighty Grand Duke Qingyang possibly live poorly?

Especially when this place was the territory of the Duchy's loyalist faction.

Huangfu Ji did not explain. Instead, he asked, "Why haven't you gone home?"

Liu Erlong said, "I'm about to leave. My mother is already waiting outside the academy."

"Aren't you going home?"

Huangfu Ji looked at her with an expression as though he were looking at an idiot.

Liu Erlong suddenly understood.

"Oh, I almost forgot. The Duke's Mansion is like a prison to you."

At the mention of this, she became furious.

"That Yuan Hao is really awful."

"When I grow up, I'll definitely help you teach him a harsh lesson."

Huangfu Ji chuckled softly but said nothing more.

Liu Erlong suddenly had an idea and suggested, "Since you can't return to the Duke's Mansion, why not come to my home instead?"

"The holiday lasts two months. I'll be so bored with no one to play with."

Over this school year, she had grown accustomed to having Huangfu Ji by her side. Without him cultivating alongside her, she felt as though something was missing.

Huangfu Ji smiled and waved his hand.

"No. I can't leave the academy, nor can I leave Qingyang City."

"I see." Liu Erlong's expression fell slightly. She had hoped Huangfu Ji could go home with her, so she would have company throughout the holiday.

Yet he was unable to leave this place.

The dignified Grand Duke Qingyang could not even make such a decision for himself.

"Be careful, okay? When school starts again, I'll bring you some cake my mother made."

"I'm telling you, my mom's cake is really delicious."

"Mm." Huangfu Ji nodded with a smile.

After Liu Erlong left, he was the only one remaining in the dormitory, and the academy grew quiet as well.

After a brief moment of melancholy, Huangfu Ji threw himself into cultivation. Even during the holiday, he could not afford to relax in the slightest.

After leaving the academy, Liu Erlong boarded a carriage, where her mother was waiting for her.

They had not seen each other for a year, and she had missed her daughter dearly.

Upon seeing her mother, Liu Erlong immediately began chattering endlessly about life at the academy. Mother Liu simply listened quietly as her daughter spoke.

She could tell that Liu Erlong had changed somewhat since enrolling in the academy. She had become more lively.

When she heard that her daughter's friend was Grand Duke Qingyang, the smile on her face immediately froze.

Although she had only brought her daughter to Qingyang three years ago, she knew much about Qingyang. She had never expected her daughter to become friends with Grand Duke Qingyang, and for a moment, she did not know what to do.

She came from a poor background and had once been a courtesan. Back then, she had spent one night with Yu Luomian, the second head of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and afterward, she became pregnant with Liu Erlong.

She had never hoped to enter the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan. She only wished for her daughter to grow up safely and live a happy life.

Yet now, she had become acquainted with Grand Duke Qingyang.

No one knew what Huangfu Ji's future would hold. After all, he was only a puppet at present. What if her daughter ended up being implicated because of him?

Naturally, she was happy that her daughter had a friend, but this friend's status was simply too high.

Even if he was a puppet, he was not someone a person like her could come into contact with.

He was a grand duke. In the entire Heaven Dou Empire, only Grand Duke Qingyang bore the title of grand duke. This rank was lower than that of a king, yet higher than that of a duke, standing between the two.