335. Spying

"Ah—"

Right after Qian Renjue’s words fell, Zhu Zhuqing was thrown back into the mud pit by Ah Yin, lying exhausted in the muddy water.

Her body, weighed down by the triple gravity, trembled slightly as she struggled to stand up.

Her cheeks were flushed, but this time, she didn’t wipe the mud from her face, worried her embarrassment might show.

“Pfft, pfft…”

The little cat girl spat out some mud, looking downward shyly as she softly replied, “Yes, Teacher, Zhuqing understands…”

Qian Renjue chuckled and shook his head, turning his ring to release the triple gravity, and then instructed Ayin, “Ah Yin, help Zhuqing get out of there.”

“Yes, Master,” Ah Yin replied obediently, standing at the edge of the pit.

With a wave of her hand, the interwoven Blue Silver Emperors retracted, forming tendrils that gently lifted Zhu Zhuqing by her waist and set her down at the pit’s edge.

Whoosh—

Qian Renjue disappeared from the tree branch and reappeared before Zhu Zhuqing in an instant.

Looking at her, he saw her petite face smeared with mud, her body and hair coated in dirt.

“Teacher…” Zhu Zhuqing whispered, glancing up, her head bowed as if embarrassed by her messy appearance.

Her little cat ears drooped, while her tail hung limp behind her.

“Yes,” Qian Renjue replied softly, reaching out to pinch one of her drooping, pink cat ears. “I’ve told you not to push yourself too hard while training. You’re still young, and overexertion isn’t suitable. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Teacher… Zhuqing understands,” she replied, blushing and lowering her purple eyes in shy obedience.

With that, Qian Renjue gently ruffled her mud-covered hair. Behind her, three large wooden tubs filled with clean water appeared under the nearby shade.

“Ah Yin, help Zhuqing wash up, and give her a light massage as well.”

“Yes, Master,” Ah Yin replied with a respectful bow.

Qian Renjue smiled and said to Zhuqing, “Go ahead, once you’re all cleaned up, we’ll have lunch.”

“Okay, okay!” Zhu Zhuqing quickly nodded and headed over to Ah Yin.

Just as Zhu Zhuqing turned away, Qian Renjue and Ling Yuan heard a faint gasp.

"Sister…!"

In the dense underbrush, Zhu Zhuyun lay flat on the ground, trying to stay hidden.

Her short hair and mature, graceful figure were dressed in a tight leather outfit with a lace trim visible at the neckline.

Although the distance made it difficult to recognize faces, she would recognize her younger sister’s form anywhere.

The sight of Zhu Zhuqing’s muddied figure and her obedient demeanor toward the blonde man stirred an unsettling feeling within Zhu Zhuyun.

She could hardly believe that was her younger sister, the pride of the Zhu family, rolling in the mud and seemingly at the mercy of an outsider.

Gritting her teeth, Zhu Zhuyun scanned the faces of Qian Renjue and his companions, her gaze filled with resentment.


---

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhuqing reached the tubs, bowing slightly to Ah Yin.

“Sister Ah Yin, I’ll need your help again.”

“Thank the Master, not me,” Ah Yin smiled as she raised her hand.

Blue Silver Emperor vines wove around the three tubs, creating a natural enclosure. Only a small gap at the top allowed light to seep in.

“All right, Zhuqing, go ahead.”

“Okay.”


---

Outside the Blue Silver Emperor enclosure, Qian Renjue sat cross-legged, while Ling Yuan knelt beside him brewing tea.

Handing him a cup, she softly asked, “Your Highness, are you not concerned she might expose us?”

“Let her do as she pleases. I can reach Zhuqing anytime. It’s no threat to us,” Qian Renjue replied confidently, taking the tea with a calm smile.

Ling Yuan nodded slightly, offering a trusting smile as she watched him, feeling a sense of peace from his calm demeanor.

Moments later, the Blue Silver Emperor enclosure disbanded, revealing a freshly cleaned and neatly dressed Zhu Zhuqing.

“Teacher!” She approached Qian Renjue with a respectful greeting.

“Yes, sit down and rest a bit,” he nodded, pulling dishes from his spatial storage and placing them on the grass.

“These dried fish snacks were specially made by Nana.”

“Thank you, Teacher, and Auntie!” Zhu Zhuqing’s face lit up, and she licked her lips at the sight of the golden fish snacks.

“Enjoy while it’s hot,” Qian Renjue smiled, patting her head.

“Teacher should eat first!” she insisted, picking up a piece of fish and offering it to him, her cheeks tinged with blush.

Chuckling, Qian Renjue leaned in and took a bite.

As he savored the crunchy snack, Zhu Zhuqing’s eyes formed crescent smiles. For her, these recent days felt happier than even before she’d awakened her martial spirit.

Every training session, despite its difficulties, felt sweet, filled with warmth and sincerity.

“Eat more—these make great snacks to keep with you.” Qian Renjue took out a jar filled with dried fish.

“Thank you, Teacher. I’ll work hard and never disappoint you!” she said, holding the jar close with determination.


---

Time passed quickly as Zhu Zhuqing enjoyed her lunch. Soon after, Qian Renjue departed with Ling Yuan and Ah Yin, vanishing into the forest.

“How could this be?!”

Zhu Zhuyun’s eyes widened as she watched, disbelief plastered on her face as she saw her sister’s cheerful bounce as she left. “Are they human or ghosts?! They just disappeared like that?”

Retreating quietly, Zhu Zhuyun finally stood up and hurried over to the mud pit, surveying the area with a scowl.

“Damn it! Where did those people come from, and what are they after?” she muttered bitterly.

Looking in the direction her sister had left, her expression turned somber.

“Sister… is this the secret you’ve been hiding?”