The dark figure was sliding backward in an exceptionally fluid motion that defied the laws of physics, his feet alternating across the tiles while his body moved in reverse, performing the "Moonwalk" Xiao Yan knew so well.
He was also humming a strange, tuneless melody that sounded as though it belonged neither to this world nor to any known instrument.
Upon reaching the end of the roof ridge, the dark figure abruptly stopped. His entire body tilted at an unbelievable angle, forming an almost forty-five-degree angle with the roof, yet he remained steady without falling.
A moment later, he lightly straightened again. With one hand gripping his belt, he thrust forward forcefully to the rhythm of his humming. That dance... could only be described as "outrageously saucy."
Clutching his books, Xiao Yan watched everything with his jaw hanging open, his mind utterly blank. He recognized that dark figure. It was Xun'er's Guard. This Dou Huang expert was now on his roof... performing such an... uninhibited dance?
Just as Xiao Yan's worldview was about to collapse and rebuild itself, Ling Ying completed the final move of his dance on the rooftop. He spun around with a sudden, extravagant flourish, spread his arms, and let out a short, ringing cry.
"Woo!"
That turn brought him face-to-face with Xiao Yan, who stood in the courtyard holding a stack of books, utterly speechless.
The air froze at that instant. The intoxicated, saucy expression on Ling Ying's face stiffened immediately. That perpetually expressionless face, usually concealed in shadow, flushed bright red at a speed visible to the naked eye, like a freshly boiled shrimp.
Then, with a puff, a cloud of white steam burst from the top of his head in an exceedingly exaggerated fashion.
The next second, before Xiao Yan could react, a sharp