Zhu Zhuqing's Lingering Attachment!

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers paused at the edge of the hem.

A moment later, she folded the thin blanket and placed it at the head of the bed.

"I wasn't that quiet last night."

"You grabbed my sleeve."

"What else?"

"You leaned over twice."

"Only twice?"

"The third time, I pulled you back."

Zhu Zhuqing raised her eyes to look at him.

"You remember clearly."

"You asked."

She did not continue questioning him.

Zhu Zhuqing got out of bed and put on her soft-soled ankle boots. The bandage on her right arm was still neatly in place.

Tang Feng picked up the ointment from the table.

"Change the dressing."

"Now?"

"Treat it first."

Zhu Zhuqing walked over to the table and held out her right hand to him.

Tang Feng untied the knot on the outer layer of the bandage and examined the edges of the wound.

Most of the scab had already fallen away, leaving only a few faint red marks.

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her gaze and watched his movements.

"How is it recovering?"

"You can't do sustained bursts today."

"Then I'll do short-distance training."

"That's fine."

"You'll teach me?"

"Mm."

Tang Feng reapplied the ointment and wrapped the bandage around her arm layer by layer.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the neat knot and gently touched it with her raised right hand.

"You bandaged it very carefully."

"That makes it less likely to come loose."

"That's not what I meant."

Tang Feng looked up at her.

Zhu Zhuqing did not explain. She merely drew her arm back into her sleeve.

A knock came from outside the door.

"Tang Feng, are you up?"

Dugu Yan stood outside the room.

Zhu Zhuqing looked toward the door, then at Tang Feng.

"She's here."

"It's time to train."

"Does she come this early every day?"

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing walked to the bedside and raised a hand to gather up her loose black hair again.

The hair ribbon wound around the ends of her hair, but she did not tie it tight right away.

Tang Feng looked at her.

"Need help?"

Zhu Zhuqing turned around and handed him the ribbon.

"You do it."

Tang Feng took the ribbon and stood behind her.

Her jet-black hair cascaded down her back, with several strands falling at her waist.

He gathered her hair and used the ribbon to tie it behind her head.

Zhu Zhuqing turned her face slightly.

"Is it tight?"

"It won't come loose."

"I'm asking whether it's too tight."

"Just right."

She raised a hand and touched the hair ribbon.

"This time, you remembered."

The door was knocked on again.

"Tang Feng?"

"Come in."

The door was pushed open.

Dugu Yan stood in the corridor, carrying two paper packages in her hands.

She first saw Tang Feng, then looked at Zhu Zhuqing standing by the bed.

Zhu Zhuqing's right arm was wrapped in fresh bandages, and her black hair had just been tied up.

Dugu Yan's gaze lingered on the hair ribbon.

"How did Miss Zhu rest last night?"

"Very well."

"What about the wound?"

"Tang Feng just changed the dressing."

Dugu Yan raised her eyes toward Tang Feng.

"You changed it?"

"Mm."

"The infirmary staff didn't treat it for her?"

"She wanted me to examine it."

Zhu Zhuqing turned her head and glanced at him.

"I asked him to look at it."

Dugu Yan handed one of the paper packages to Tang Feng.

"Breakfast."

Tang Feng reached out to take it.

But Dugu Yan did not let go.

"There are three portions today."

"For her?"

"For the two of you, and one for me."

Tang Feng looked at the package.

"You've already eaten?"

"No."

Dugu Yan released it and turned to walk outside.

"Then let's eat together."

Zhu Zhuqing picked up the outer robe from the table and draped it over her shoulders.

As she walked to Tang Feng's side, her sleeve lightly brushed the back of his hand.

"She's waiting for you."

"Mm."

"Aren't you going?"

"I am."

The three of them arrived at the dining hall.

Dugu Yan opened the paper packages. Inside were steaming meat buns and three bowls of porridge.

She pushed one bowl in front of Tang Feng, then set another before Zhu Zhuqing.

Zhu Zhuqing had just picked up a wooden spoon when Dugu Yan asked:

"Still too hot?"

"This time, it's just right."

Tang Feng glanced at her.

"She said it was too hot when she drank porridge last night."

The wooden chopsticks in Dugu Yan's hand paused.

"You remembered?"

"She said it."

"I said it before too."

"You said it wasn't sweet enough."

Dugu Yan looked up.

"You remembered that too."

Ye Lingling was not around, so Tang Feng pushed the porridge in front of him toward her.

"This bowl is cooler."

Dugu Yan did not take it.

"I'm not drinking yours."

"You said it was hot."

"It isn't hot anymore."

She lifted her own bowl and took a sip with her head lowered.

Zhu Zhuqing looked at Dugu Yan, then at Tang Feng.

"Her porridge isn't hot either."

"I know."

"Then why did you push yours over?"

"She hadn't eaten anything."

The fingers holding Dugu Yan's wooden spoon paused slightly.

She picked up a meat bun and placed it on Tang Feng's plate.

"Eat this."

Zhu Zhuqing also picked up a meat bun and placed it on Tang Feng's other side.

"This one just came out of the steamer."

The two meat buns sat side by side on the plate.

Tang Feng glanced at them.

"I can't finish them."

"Then split them."

Dugu Yan picked up her chopsticks and divided one of the meat buns in half.

Zhu Zhuqing split the other meat bun as well.

At the same time, both of them placed half a meat bun before Tang Feng.

Their movements paused for a moment.

Dugu Yan withdrew her chopsticks first.

"Eat mine."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at her.

"There's still mine by his hand."

"Then eat them both."

Tang Feng placed the two halves of the meat buns onto their respective plates.

Dugu Yan looked up at him.

"You certainly know how to divide things."

"This way, nothing goes to waste."

Zhu Zhuqing lowered her head and took a bite of the meat bun.

"This works too."

Dugu Yan said nothing more. She merely lifted her bowl and slowly drank her porridge.

After breakfast, the three of them returned to the training ground together.

Dugu Yan walked on Tang Feng's left.

Zhu Zhuqing walked on his right.

The wind swept through the corridor, and the three of their sleeves brushed lightly together.

Dugu Yan looked at Zhu Zhuqing's right arm.

"Today, you'll only practice footwork."

"I know."

"You can't push yourself."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded.

"I'll listen."

Dugu Yan turned to Tang Feng.

"She listens to you."

"Team members should follow orders."

"What about me?"

"You too."

Dugu Yan raised her hand and straightened the Captain's Emblem on Tang Feng's chest.

"What if I don't listen?"

"Then I'll say it again."

"You'll keep saying it?"

"Until you remember."

Dugu Yan looked at him for a moment, then gently pressed a finger against the edge of the emblem.

"Then I'll remember today."

Standing beside them, Zhu Zhuqing suddenly reached out and touched Tang Feng's sleeve.

"Once training begins, teach me first."

Dugu Yan's hand stopped in front of Tang Feng's chest.

"Why should he teach you first?"

"My injury needs controlled intensity."

"I can control mine too."

"You're in charge of Poison Thread."

"Then train both of us together."

Tang Feng looked at them both.

"First stealth, then burst attacks."

Dugu Yan withdrew her hand.

"I'm joining too."

Zhu Zhuqing gripped the edge of Tang Feng's sleeve.

"You can't teach only her."

"I won't."

Dugu Yan glanced at that hand but said nothing.

Tang Feng walked into the training ground.

Dark Blue Vines rose from the ground, splitting into several thin strands that coiled around the Wooden Stakes in the distance.

"Zhu Zhuqing, get within three steps of the target."

"Dugu Yan, seal off her retreat."

Zhu Zhuqing moved.

The hem of her black clothes swept close past her calves, and her steps landed without the slightest disorder.

Emerald green Poison Threads simultaneously slid along the ground.

Tang Feng stood at the edge of the training ground, his gaze fixed on where the two of them landed.

"Begin."

Seven days later.

Heaven Dou Royal Academy.

The morning wind passed through the training ground.

Tang Feng withdrew the Destruction Blue Silver Emperor, and the Dark Blue Vines receded from the stone slabs.

Zhu Zhuqing stood between three Wooden Stakes.

Her right arm had already recovered. Her black training clothes clung to her waist, and her tied-up long hair fell down her back.

Dugu Yan stood on the other side.

Three Poison Threads coiled around the Wooden Stakes, sealing off every possible landing point for Zhu Zhuqing.

"That's enough for today."

Tang Feng closed the Record Book.

Dugu Yan withdrew her Jade Phosphorous Serpent Martial Soul.

"You're leaving?"

"Yes."

"Now?"

"I'll depart this afternoon."

She walked over to Tang Feng and removed a blade of grass caught on his shoulder.

"Hu Liena will be waiting for you in Spirit City."

"We made the arrangement seven days ago."

"I know."

Dugu Yan lowered her head to look at the Emerald Green Jade Pendant at his waist.

The jade pendant still hung there.

She reached out to check the knot, then turned the jade so its face pointed forward.

"You can't take it off."

"I won't."

"You can't take it off after entering Slaughter City either."

"Yes."

Dugu Yan raised her eyes.

"The people there aren't normal Spirit Masters."

"I know."

"If Hu Liena acts on her own, tie her up."

Tang Feng looked at her.

"How?"

"With your Blue Silver Emperor."

Dugu Yan stepped half a pace closer, her fingertips pressing beside his collar.

"After all, you're very good at it."

Zhu Zhuqing walked over from the center of the training ground.

"If she refuses to follow orders, her movements should indeed be restricted."

Dugu Yan turned to look at her.

"This time, you actually think the same way I do."

Zhu Zhuqing stopped to Tang Feng's right.

"Slaughter City doesn't allow Soul Skills."

"The Martial Soul can still be released."

Tang Feng raised his left hand.

A Dark Blue Vine grew from his palm.

There was no glow from Soul Rings on the vine, but its serrated grass-like leaves remained sharp.

"The Destruction Blue Silver Emperor itself can fight."

Zhu Zhuqing looked at the vine.

"What about your domain?"

"I can use it."

"That's good."

She raised her hand and touched Tang Feng's sleeve.

"When will you return?"

"I'm not sure."

"One month?"

"Not enough."

"Two months?"

"Maybe."

Zhu Zhuqing's fingers tightened slightly.

"I'll stay in Heaven Dou City."

"Shrek Academy is already preparing to leave."

"That's their business."

She did not let go of Tang Feng's sleeve.

"After you return, keep teaching me."

"Alright."

"You can't forget."

"I won't."

Dugu Yan stood beside them, looking at their arms pressed together.

"I want to keep training too."

Tang Feng nodded.

"Alright."

"You can't teach only her."

"I won't."

Only then did Dugu Yan look away.

At the other end of the corridor.

Ye Lingling walked over carrying a wooden box.

Today, she wore a light blue dress, her black hair hanging to her waist.

"This is for you."

The wooden box was set on the table.

Tang Feng opened the lid.

Inside were medicine, bandages, and several pills that restored Soul Power.

"There are no healing-type Spirit Masters in Slaughter City."

Ye Lingling arranged the medicine bottles one by one.

"The ointment goes on the left."

"The Soul Power recovery medicine goes on the right."

"The red bottle can only be used after blood loss."

"Do you remember?"

Tang Feng looked at the wooden box.

"I remember."

Ye Lingling raised her eyes.

"Say it again."

"The ointment is on the left."

"The Soul Power recovery medicine is on the right."

"The red bottle is used after blood loss."

She nodded lightly.

"This time, you remembered clearly."

Tang Feng stored the wooden box in his Storage Soul Tool.

Yu Tianheng, Yu Feng, and the Shi Family Brothers also entered the training ground.

Yu Feng held the championship trophy in his arms.

"Captain, what should we do with this?"

"Leave it at the academy."

"You're not taking it with you?"

"Slaughter City has no need for a trophy."

Yu Feng lowered his head and glanced at it.

"Then I'll keep it for you."

Dugu Yan immediately reached out.

Text:

"Give it to me."

Yu Feng hugged the trophy tightly.

"The captain said to put it in the academy."

"My residence is in the academy too."

"But this is the team's trophy."

Yu Tianheng raised a hand and pressed it onto Yu Feng's shoulder.

"Let Dugu Yan keep it."

Yu Feng raised his head.

"Why?"

"Because you can't beat her."

Emerald Green Poison Mist rose from Dugu Yan's fingertips.

Yu Feng immediately handed the trophy over.

"I was planning to give it to her anyway."

Dugu Yan took the trophy and turned to place it on the corner of the table.

"When Tang Feng returns, let him decide where to put it."

Tang Feng did not object.

Shi Mo walked up to him.

"Captain, be careful on the road."

Shi Mo nodded along.

"We'll wait for you to come back."

Yu Tianheng raised his right arm.

Blue-violet dragon scales covered the back of his hand.

"The next time we meet, I'll catch up to your soul power."

Tang Feng glanced at the lightning flickering around him.

"Break through level fifty first."

Yu Tianheng's arm froze in midair.

Yu Feng could not help laughing.

"The captain is still the same."

Tang Feng put away the Record Book.

"After I leave, training cannot stop."

Everyone nodded at once.

"Got it."

Afternoon.

Outside the academy.

A carriage was parked beneath the stone steps.

Tang Feng placed his luggage in the carriage.

Dugu Yan followed behind him.

"I'll see you to the city gate."

"No need."

"I'm already out here."

She stepped into the carriage first and sat by the window.

Zhu Zhuqing also walked over.

She carried a black bundle in her hand.

"Food for the road."

Tang Feng accepted the bundle.

"Thank you."

Zhu Zhuqing did not leave.

She glanced at Dugu Yan inside the carriage.

"I'll see you to the city gate too."

Tang Feng did not refuse.

The three of them boarded the carriage together.

The wheels rolled over the stone road outside the academy as the carriage slowly headed toward Heaven Dou City's gate.

The carriage was not very spacious.

Tang Feng sat in the middle.

Dugu Yan and Zhu Zhuqing sat on either side of him.

When the carriage turned a corner, it swayed lightly.

Dugu Yan took the chance to grab Tang Feng's arm.

Zhu Zhuqing's shoulder also leaned against him.

The sleeves of all three of them pressed together.

Dugu Yan did not let go.

"Will the people in Slaughter City steal Storage Soul Tools?"

"They will."

"Then keep your important things safe."

Her gaze fell on the Emerald Green Jade Pendant.

"Especially that."

"I've already put it away."

Tang Feng raised a hand and pressed it over the pendant.

Dugu Yan watched his fingers.

"What if the pendant gets lost?"

"I'll compensate you when I come back."

"I don't want a new one."

She raised her face.

"I only want this one."

"It won't be lost."

Only then did Dugu Yan lean back against the carriage wall.

Zhu Zhuqing opened the bundle she had brought.

Inside were dried meat, water, and several sweet cakes.

She picked up a sweet cake and handed it to Tang Feng.

"Eat one."

"It's not even evening yet."

"You can eat on the road too."

Tang Feng accepted the sweet cake.

Zhu Zhuqing watched him finish it, then held the waterskin out to him.

"Is it sweet?"

"Sweet."

"I didn't add honey."

"There's sugar in it."

"You could taste that?"

"Mm."

Zhu Zhuqing nodded lightly.

"Use a little less next time."

Dugu Yan looked at the sweet cakes in the bundle.

"You made them?"

"Mm."

"Shrek Academy teaches that too?"