The First Batch of Hidden Weapons

Xiao Wu didn't mind, plopped down opposite him, picked up the teacup on the table, and drank it all in one gulp. "That pool over there is so comfortable, it's just that Sister Yanyan is too noisy..."

"Hmm." Lin Chen responded, his gaze returning to her face before shifting away again. "Let's get ready for a late-night snack; it should be arriving soon." He then poured himself a cup of tea and drank it all in one gulp.

"Brother Lin Chen, why is your face a little red?"

As Xiao Wu spoke, she moved closer to Lin Chen, tilting her head to examine him from a distance of less than a foot.

The faint scent of herbs gently enveloped him once more, and the warm breath brushed against Lin Chen's face like a light feather, lightly tickling him.

"... You must have been soaking in a hot spring. The water was so hot." Lin Chen looked away, picked up his teacup, and took another sip. His movements seemed natural, but his ears involuntarily burned.

"Oh--from soaking in the hot springs." Xiao Wu drawled, her eyes curving into crescent moons, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Then... Brother Lin Chen, why are your ears red too?"

Just as Lin Chen was about to explain, he suddenly heard a knock on the door. "Sir, your late-night snack has been delivered."

Lin Chen got up and opened the door. A waiter in a gray cloth shirt came in carrying a food box. "The manager said that you gentlemen have been traveling all day and shouldn't eat too much meat and fish. Some mild and nourishing medicinal food will best relieve your fatigue and calm your mind." The waiter arranged the dishes one by one, wiped his hands, and said, "Please enjoy your meal, gentlemen. If you need anything, just let me know."

At the head of the table was a clay pot of ginseng chicken soup, its broth clear and bright, with a few red dates and goji berries floating on top. The subtle sweetness of longan mingled with the flavor of ginseng, making it incredibly tempting to open the lid. There was also a plate of stir-fried yam and wood ear mushrooms, a plate of honey-glazed lotus seeds, and a dish of sliced poria cocos cake, white, soft, and glutinous.

Xiao Wu's nose twitched twice, and her eyes immediately lit up. "Wow, this chicken soup smells so good!"

Just as she was about to serve the chicken soup, she seemed to remember something, tilted her head, and glanced around the table again. "Hey, shopkeeper, why don't you have your local jujube wine?"

Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper hurriedly explained with a smile, "Miss, it's not that our shop doesn't keep wine, but you two are still quite young, so the manager didn't arrange it for you. However, the old gentleman staying in the middle room, the manager had someone send him a pot of aged yellow wine, saying that as he gets older, he needs a sip or two to sleep soundly."

"Seniors have wine, but we don't?" Xiao Wu puffed out her cheeks, looking displeased.

"Don't be offended, young lady. Medicinal food paired with tea is just as nourishing. Our shop's refreshing tea is especially good for relieving fatigue and dryness. How about we bring you two an extra pot?" The waiter spoke shrewdly and skillfully, quickly changing the subject. He then deftly took a small purple clay teapot from the bottom of the food box, filled it with hot water, and placed a pair of celadon cups on it. "Please enjoy, sirs. I'll take my leave now."

Xiao Wu looked at the pot of tea, then at Lin Chen, and smiled, "Never mind, let's just have the soup then. There will be plenty of opportunities to drink later."

"Dream on." Lin Chen pushed the bowl of chicken soup in front of her. "Drink the soup first."

The two of them quietly enjoyed a late-night snack over the pot of ginseng chicken soup and several dishes of medicinal cuisine. The soup was exceptionally well-cooked, with a pure and mellow ginseng flavor, and the chicken was so tender that it melted in your mouth without needing to be chewed.

Xiao Wu drank two bowls of wine, then ate two pieces of Poria cocos cake before wiping her mouth contentedly and letting out a long yawn. "I get sleepy after eating... Brother Lin Chen, I'm going to sleep now."

"Mmm. Go to sleep."

Xiao Wu crawled into the inner part of the bed, wrapped herself in the blanket, and soon her even breathing could be heard.

Lin Chen did not get into bed immediately. He sat cross-legged on the edge of the bed, closed his eyes, and activated his Void Divine Eye.

He tested the edge again and again, neither rushing forward nor stopping. His Soul Power flowed slowly along his meridians. He cultivated for an unknown amount of time. When Lin Chen opened his eyes, the wick had already shrunk by more than half, and the flame was dim and almost extinguished.

He quietly blew out the light and lay down on the outside of the bed.

Xiao Wu was fast asleep, her breathing steady. Lin Chen closed his eyes, the burning sensation from when the Divine Eye was activated still lingering in his mind. After a while, his consciousness gradually sank.

In the middle of the night, a leg suddenly wrapped around his waist.

Lin Chen suddenly woke up with a start, turned his head, and saw that Xiao Wu had rolled over at some point, one leg was brazenly across him, and she had rubbed against him, her face buried in his shoulder, her warm breath brushing against his neck, evenly wetting it.

Lin Chen remained frozen, lying on his side, even his breathing was soft. In the darkness, only Xiao Wu's blurry outline could be seen; she was sleeping soundly.

"Mmm..." Xiao Wu mumbled in her sleep, then snuggled closer to him.

Lin Chen kept his eyes open, listening to the faint sound of the Lanxi River outside the window. After a long time, he finally fell into a deep sleep again.

The next morning, just as dawn was breaking, Dugu Bo's knock on the door rang out precisely on time. "Get up! We're leaving in half an hour!"

Lin Chen opened his eyes and found that Xiao Wu's legs were still draped over him, her head had rolled off his shoulder and into the middle of the pillow, and one hand was still clutching the hem of his clothes.

He gently moved the leg away and pulled the hem of his clothes out of her hand. Xiao Wu groaned sleepily, turned over, and fell asleep again.

"Xiao Wu, get up."

"Just a little longer..."

"Master is urging us."

"Hmm..."

She sat up slowly, without even opening her eyes, and groped to put on her coat.

Breakfast was simple as usual: hot porridge with pickles. The four of them finished eating in silence, then packed their belongings and prepared to leave. The carriage drove out of Moon Spring Inn again and headed southwest along the dirt road by the river.

The morning light shines on the surface of the Lanxi River, making it shimmer with tiny golden scales.

After the carriage had been traveling for a while, Dugu Bo's voice came from ahead. "Let's speed up today, cross the Balak Kingdom, and go straight to Suotuo City. We'll rest for half an hour, then continue on our way."

"Suotuo City?" Xiao Wu peeked out. "I passed through there once with Brother Lin Chen before."

"The territory of the Balak Kingdom is rather chaotic, close to the border of the Star Luo Empire. All sorts of people flock there. The sooner we cross over, the better, to avoid any unexpected trouble."

Dugu Bo's tone was decisive and left no room for negotiation, "Don't stop too long on the road. Get to Suotuo City as soon as possible, feed the horses, and then leave."

Meanwhile, in Heaven Dou City.

Three burly figures arrived at the entrance of the Heaven Dou Royal Academy early in the morning.

Leading the group was Tai Nuo, a burly man dressed in a gray short jacket, his thick forearms covered in calluses from years of blacksmithing. He carried a heavy wooden box, its four corners reinforced with fine iron, which looked to weigh at least a hundred pounds.

Behind him followed two equally robust young men, both skilled members of the Strength Clan, each carrying a bulging bundle on their backs.

Tai Nuo strode into the academy gate, stopped a passing student, and asked in a gruff voice, "Young man, may I ask where Young Master Lin Chen is?" His loud voice attracted the attention of several passing students.

"Lin Chen?" The student was taken aback. "He went out for training with Senior Dugu Bo. They've been gone for several days, and they haven't said when he'll be back."