Xiao Wu raised her head.
Yang Xing wore his ever-present smile, unhurried as always. Yet when his eyes rested on her, there was no perfunctoriness or reluctance in them—only calm, matter-of-fact certainty.
Xiao Wu's nose stung. She blinked hard twice, forcing back the moisture in her eyes, then nodded firmly.
"Mm."
Ning Rongrong watched the scene from the side, and the tightly wound string in her chest loosened slightly. She had known Yang Xing for nearly two months. This lousy liar of a master loved making grand claims, but so far, his words had always turned out to be true.
She took a deep breath, reached out to grab Xiao Wu's wrist, and gave it a squeeze.
"Did you hear that? Master said he'll handle it." Her usual liveliness returned to her voice. "You're Ning Rongrong's good sister. Let's see who dares touch a single hair on your head."
Xiao Wu was infected by her dashing spirit and burst out laughing.
Yang Xing withdrew his hand and turned toward the courtyard.
Halfway there, he stopped and raised his right hand.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Three golden talismans shot from his hand and sank into three sides of the residence's surrounding walls. The instant they entered, golden light flashed across the walls before vanishing, leaving everything calm as though nothing had happened.
"No training today." Yang Xing waved without looking back. "Get some rest. Master's going out to handle something."
Just as Ning Rongrong was about to ask more, Yang Xing's figure vanished before her eyes.
"Again with this!" She stamped her foot. "Every time, he just leaves whenever he wants!"
Xiao Wu stood quietly where she was, gazing in the direction Yang Xing had disappeared. The fingers clutching her skirt gradually relaxed.
Heaven Dou City, Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, East Palace.