Han Yue Leaves, Lu Heng Trains Like His Life Depends on It

Before dawn had fully broken, the courtyard was so quiet that one could hear dew dripping from the leaves.

Lu Heng opened his eyes and first glanced out the window. The door to Han Yue's room was shut, with no sign of movement.

He rose and pushed open the door. Qing Lin was returning from the well with a basin of water, and upon seeing him, she paused.

"Brother Lu Heng, Sister Han Yue left before dawn," Qing Lin said softly. "She said not to wake any of you, afraid it would delay her journey."

Lu Heng said nothing. He walked to the closed door and stood there for a while.

The room was empty. The bedding had been folded neatly, and a note lay on the table. The handwriting was slender yet firm, bearing only one sentence: Take care of yourself, and don't let Zi Yan eat too many Magic Cores.

He folded the note and tucked it into his robes before turning toward the main house.

Xiao Yi Xian was already busy by the stove. When she saw him enter, she glanced at the note in his hand.

"What did the letter say?"

"She told me to take care of myself." Lu Heng touched the note again. "She also said not to let Zi Yan eat too many Magic Cores."

Xiao Yi Xian smiled faintly, stirring the pot twice with her ladle.

"She was worried about that before she left. And you, spoiling Zi Yan every day—you even dared to take out a Seventh-Rank Magic Core."

"You all caught me before she got to eat it." Lu Heng sat down on a stone stool and rubbed his brow.

Qing Lin passed by with the basin and could not help adding a word.

"Zi Yan asked me yesterday when