Return to Heaven Dou Royal Academy, Liu Erlong's Embarrassment
The sun is setting.
The wheels rolled over the smooth bluestone slabs, making a regular, soft sound.
The wooden carriage swayed slightly as the road undulated.
Looking into the distance, the majestic city walls of Heaven Dou City come into view.
The dark blue walls stretch for dozens of miles, the brick and stone walls thick and solid.
The crenellations on the city wall are neatly arranged, casting long shadows in the setting sun.
The unique majesty of the imperial capital intimidated travelers.
The carriage slowly came to a stop at the post station beside the official road.
This place is not far from Heaven Dou City.
The teahouse next to the post station was still lit, and a few travelers stopped to rest and drink tea.
The driver bowed and asked for instructions, awaiting further orders.
Lin Qingmo lifted the carriage curtain and looked towards Heaven Dou City in the distance.
The wind, carrying the warmth of the setting sun, brushed against his hair.
He then turned around and faced Bibi Dong beside him.
"Sister Eastern Emperor, we're almost at Heaven Dou City. Where do you plan to go next?"
Bibi Dong's fingers, which were twisting the fabric, paused slightly.
A complex and difficult-to-decipher emotion flashed across his purple pupils.
She naturally wanted to stay by Lin Qingmo's side.
The days and nights spent together made her cherish this rare sense of ease and warmth.
There is no need to bear the heavy shackles of the Pope, no need to confront secret schemes, and no need to be trapped in a cage woven from hatred.
But she couldn't.
She is the Pope the Spirit Hall, the woman who holds the highest power on the entire continent.
Every move they make affects the balance of power between the two great empires and the Spirit Hall.
She couldn't recklessly linger in Heaven Dou City, lest she bring Lin Qingmo utter destruction.
"I cannot stay in Heaven Dou City."
Bibi Dong's voice was soft, yet it carried an unyielding resolve.
"I need to return and personally handle matters related to the Single Attribute Four Clans to ensure everything goes smoothly."
She cannot extricate herself from this situation without eliminating these hidden dangers.
Lin Qingmo frowned slightly.
Her tone betrayed a deep disappointment. "I see."
He had assumed that Sister Eastern Emperor would stay in Heaven Dou City for some time.
The journey the two of them took was far too short.
Bibi Dong's heart suddenly clenched.
How could she not want to accept this invitation?
But reason ultimately prevailed over the surging emotions.
"I will come to Heaven Dou City to find you again after I have finished dealing with the matters at hand."
Bibi Dong's voice softened considerably.
Her fingertips gently brushed across Lin Qingmo's cheek.
It has a slightly cool touch, like a clear spring flowing through a mountain stream.
"Take good care of yourself, don't try to handle everything on your own."
"Don't always rush headlong into things; take care of yourself a little more."
"If anything happens, use the Exclusive Communication Token I gave you. I'll come to you immediately, no matter where I am."
Her robes billowed in the evening breeze, tracing a purple-gold arc, Bibi Dong transformed into a streak of purple-black light, disappearing into the afterglow of the setting sun.
The faint, cool fragrance of her body still lingered in the enclosed carriage.
Lin Qingmo stared in the direction she disappeared for a long time before turning his gaze away.
Half an hour later.
The sun sank completely below the horizon, leaving only a pale orange-red hue on the sky.
The evening breeze carried a hint of night's chill.
Lin Qingmo appeared in front of the gate of the Heaven Dou Academy.
The majestic school gate, crafted from white marble, stands tall, its gilded plaque gleaming faintly in the twilight.
When the Guard saw him arrive, they all bowed and saluted, their eyes filled with awe.
The badge he wore on his chest proclaimed his identity— Captain the Heaven Dou Academy's Imperial Fighting Team, and also the most dazzling genius in the entire Heaven Dou Academy.
Lin Qing strode straight into the Academy.
He walked along the tree-lined paths on both sides.
The roadside plants swayed gently in the evening breeze, sending forth a faint, fresh fragrance.
The chirping of insects rose and fell among the grass, making the Academy exceptionally tranquil in the twilight.
Without stopping, they headed straight for the secluded courtyard on the Back Mountain of the Academy.
That was Liu Erlong's residence.
The Back Mountain is covered with lush trees, far from the hustle and bustle of the Academy, and is exceptionally quiet.
Besides Xiao Wu, Liu Erlong was probably the one who was most concerned about his safety during his extended absence from the hospital.
After all, he left only a letter for Teacher Er Long that day before quietly leaving the hospital without even a word of explanation.
Liu Erlong has always been a fiery person, so she must have been worried about him for a long time.
The first thing he did upon returning was naturally to let her know he was safe and sound, so as not to cause her any more worry.
Lin Qingmo walked to the entrance of the courtyard and raised his hand to knock on the door.
The knocking sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet Back Mountain.
Who is it?
Liu Erlong's voice drifted from the courtyard, carrying a hint of languor.
"Teacher Er Long, it's me, Lin Qingmo."
Lin Qingmo responded in response.
Soon, hurried footsteps could be heard from inside the courtyard.
The sound of footsteps echoed across the stone path, growing ever closer.
A moment later, the courtyard gate was opened.
Liu Erlong stood inside the door, wearing a loose white bathrobe.
Her long, wine-red hair was still damp, with water droplets clinging to the ends.
Water droplets slid down her hair, wetting the fabric of her clothes on her shoulders and leaving faint damp marks.
It was obvious that they had just finished showering and hadn't had time to change into proper clothes yet.
She looked at Lin Qingmo, her previously languid expression instantly replaced by pure delight.
"A-Qing? You're back!"
Liu Erlong's voice carried obvious joy, but also a hint of barely suppressed worry.
She went straight up to Lin Qingmo him into the courtyard.
He then turned and closed the courtyard gate to block out the wind from outside.
She reached out and grabbed Lin Qingmo's arm, her fingertips tracing his arm, shoulder, and back.
They examined his body carefully, fearing he might have been injured while out.
Before Lin Qingmo could react, the warmth of his fingertips had already seeped through his clothes to his skin, and the warm touch came from his arm.
The scent of Liu Erlong after his bath lingered around my nose.
Her unique scent, carrying a hint of fire, wafted into my nostrils.
The robe she was wearing was already loose, and with a little movement, her full figure was revealed.
The neckline was slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone.
"!!!"
Upon Lin Qingmo immediately tensed up and became very reserved.
For a moment, I didn't know what to do with my hands and feet, and could only subconsciously look away, not daring to look any longer.
A faint warmth involuntarily rose at the tips of my ears.
"You little rascal, you've been gone for so long without saying a word."
Liu Erlong's tone was tinged with reproach, but also with deep concern.
"I thought something had happened to you. If I hadn't known that you mentioned in your letter that you had your Master protecting you, I would have taken people out to look for you long ago!"
"Do you know how worried Xiao Wu and the others have been about you these past few days?"
She examined Lin Qingmo repeatedly for a long time and confirmed that there were no wounds or hidden injuries on his body.
My tense shoulders and back finally relaxed, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
My heart, which had been hanging in suspense for so long, finally settled down.
It was at this moment that she noticed Lin Qingmo, who had been silent all along, was behaving reservedly.
Looking up, I noticed his gaze deliberately averted.
Liu Erlong looked down at herself again.
"..."
Her cheeks were burning, and her ears were slightly red.
She quickly took two steps back, reached out and gathered the collar of her robe, tightening the open fabric.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and her movements were somewhat flustered.
The scene became slightly awkward for a moment.
The evening breeze rustled softly through the branches and leaves in the yard.
There was silence between them for a moment.