The early morning air in Ginkgo Alley was thick with the rich aroma of bone broth.
Saina squatted at the kitchen doorway, holding the newly forged dark-red short axe as she stared blankly at a pile of pine logs.
The strength of a fourth-rank knight was simply absurd. She had only tapped one lightly just now, yet a log half a meter thick had exploded into a shower of splinters that scattered across the entire courtyard.
Su Li stood bare-chested beside the well, holding that war sword as wide as a bench and using it as a mirror while casually pinching a piece of iron into a razor to shave with.
Elena came downstairs in silk pajamas and let out an enormously exaggerated yawn.
"This fourth-rank aether is tormenting me too much. I couldn't sleep all night—it feels like boiling water is running through my body." Elena walked to the stone table, sat down, and gulped down a large mouthful of cold water from the teapot.
Saina turned her head and bluntly exposed her. "You're just craving a man. Who was it last night that clung to Su Li's hand and refused to let go, insisting he straighten out your meridians?"
"I wanted to." Elena lifted her chin, utterly defiant.
Su Li tossed the iron shard onto the flagstones and wiped his chin with a towel. "Enough, both of you. After breakfast, we still need to head into the city and get a feel for things. We made such a huge commotion last night—there'll definitely be eyes everywhere outside today."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The courtyard's heavy wooden gate was pounded with tremendous force, making both the gate and its frame shake.
Saina rose with her short axe in hand, strode to the gate, and pulled open the bolt with one