As they walked, Zhuang Mocheng asked, "I saw Miss Xiao Yi playing the zither. Have her injuries healed?"
Chen Xiaojun paused at the question, then smiled. "Her injuries? They were only minor wounds. They healed long ago."
Zhuang Mocheng mused inwardly, She took a blow head-on from a powerhouse like the Silver Wolf Saint King and recovered so quickly. This Xiao Yi is even stronger and more resilient than I imagined.
His estimation of Xiao Yi rose another few notches.
Then Zhuang Mocheng asked with concern, "What about you? I heard you were badly injured fighting the Wolf Bandits Lord. How are you doing now?"
A smile curled at the corner of Chen Xiaojun's mouth as he replied casually, "I'm doing all right, though I do need some more time to recover."
"So, Elder Zhuang, I'd like to request a leave of absence. I'll return to my studies once my injuries have healed."
Zhuang Mocheng immediately nodded like a chicken pecking at grain, his voice full of concern. "That's no problem. Just focus on recovering. Don't worry about your studies."
"Come back whenever you're well."
They walked side by side, chatting as they went, and before they knew it, they had passed through the gates of the Duke's Mansion.
At the gates, they waved goodbye. Zhuang Mocheng boarded the carriage waiting nearby, and as it slowly set off, it disappeared around the corner of the wall.
Chen Xiaojun stood where he was, watching the carriage depart. He shook his head and muttered, "Honestly, dealing with these old men-all that official talk and picking over every word-takes more brainpower than commanding a battle."
"But there's no helping it. We're studying at the academy, after all."
With that, he turned and walked back with light steps.
Returning to the garden, Chen