The next day.
Early morning.
Zhu Zhuqing woke up early, as did Ning Rongrong, who had slept beside her. Both had been unable to sneak out to find Tang Yin last night due to their mutual suspicions, leaving them secretly frustrated.
After getting up and heading downstairs to the first floor, they noticed Ah Yin and Liu Erlong were already in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
What puzzled Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong slightly was the exceptionally bright, joyful smiles on Liu Erlong and Ah Yin's faces today. They radiated blissful contentment, looking exactly like how Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong felt after being thoroughly cared for by Tang Yin all night—relaxed and satisfied the next morning.
"Zhuqing, Rongrong, you're awake? Come sit down. Breakfast will be ready soon. After eating, we need to hurry to the Star Dou Great Forest. Rongrong, you'll be heading back home."
"Yes, Teacher Ah Yin."
They replied and took their seats.
Tang Yin walked in shortly after. Seeing Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong at the table, he sat beside them and struck up a conversation.
Soon after breakfast, the five arrived at the main gate of Heaven Dou Royal Academy. They saw Yu Xiaogang, Flender, Zhao Wuji, Tang San, Dai Mubai, Oscar, and Ma Hongjun already waiting.
Ning Rongrong greeted them, explained she needed to return home, then bid farewell and left for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School.
After Ning Rongrong's departure, Tang Yin, Ah Yin, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing hired a carriage and took the main road straight toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
Initially, Yu Xiaogang suggested they all run from Heaven Dou Royal Academy to the Star Dou Great Forest, using the journey as physical training—a teaching method he'd employed before, like making Tang San and the others run with weighted rocks back at Shrek Academy.
But before he could finish, Tang Yin refused outright. Running as training might suit a废物 (fèiwù, waste) like Yu Xiaogang or ordinary soul masters, but for Tang Yin's current physique and strength—and those of Ah Yin, Liu Erlong, and Zhu Zhuqing—it was a waste of time. Meditating in the carriage would be far more beneficial.
As Yu Xiaogang opened his mouth to loudly lecture Tang Yin on the benefits of his method, Liu Erlong, Ah Yin, and Zhu Zhuqing immediately sided with Tang Yin. They bluntly stated: "We'll take the carriage. You can run to the Star Dou Great Forest if you want."
With that, Liu Erlong, Ah Yin, and Zhu Zhuqing boarded Tang Yin's carriage. Tang Yin cracked the whip, and the carriage sped off toward the Star Dou Great Forest, leaving a dumbfounded Yu Xiaogang behind.
Watching the receding carriage, Yu Xiaogang's face darkened at Liu Erlong's words. But then he reasoned she must be deliberately distancing herself because she was carrying his child. Convinced by this thought, his expression eased.
"Master, I think Tang Yin has a point," Ma Hongjun ventured cautiously. "Running there wastes time, and at a certain level, this training method really isn't suitable anymore."
Yu Xiaogang shot him a fierce glare. He then looked at Flender, Zhao Wuji, Oscar, Dai Mubai, and the others. Seeing their expectant gazes and clear lack of enthusiasm for running, he reluctantly conceded and agreed to take carriages.
They hired two carriages and set off after Tang Yin's group.
"Oscar, have you noticed something odd about Dean Liu Erlong and the Master's relationship?" Ma Hongjun asked quietly inside their carriage, recalling Liu Erlong's attitude toward Yu Xiaogang and recent observations. According to Yu Xiaogang, Liu Erlong was pregnant with his child, yet she was now distant from him and had followed Ah Yin without hesitation—and Tang Yin, though they didn't suspect him as the reason.
Oscar agreed it seemed strange. Zhao Wuji (also in the carriage with Dai Mubai driving) heard their whispers but didn't intervene—he too sensed something amiss.
Outside, Dai Mubai drove the carriage, his face grim as he stared at the vehicle ahead. Seeing his fiancée Zhu Zhuqing's closeness with Tang Yin, and having bedded numerous women the previous night, he was no fool: he knew Zhu Zhuqing was no longer a virgin. But he was powerless.
Though Zhu Zhuqing and Tang Yin were intimate, he couldn't prove Tang Yin took her virginity.
Tang Yin's strength far surpassed his own; even if he knew, he could only rage helplessly.
Zhu Zhuqing herself now outmatched him in strength.
For now, he could only suppress his fury, waiting for a chance to make them pay.
Tang Yin's Carriage
Tang Yin, driving outside, remained unaware of Dai Mubai's hatred—and likely wouldn't care. He called into the carriage:
"Zhuqing, come out here. I need to talk to you."
Inside, Zhu Zhuqing, meditating, opened her eyes. Seeing Ah Yin and Liu Erlong still deep in cultivation, she quietly slipped out.
"Tang Yin, you—"
Before she could finish, Tang Yin's arm snaked around her waist, yanking her onto his lap facing him. He crushed his lips against hers in a forceful kiss.
Zhu Zhuqing stared wide-eyed at Tang Yin, shocked he'd kiss her here—on an open road (though deserted), while driving, with Liu Erlong and Ah Yin just inside the carriage! Her heart raced wildly. Strangely, she felt a thrill of excitement mixed with the panic.
After the kiss, Tang Yin kept one hand on the reins, driving steadily, the other gripping Zhu Zhuqing's waist as he murmured:
"Zhuqing… you waited for me all last night, didn't you?"
"I… I did not!" Zhu Zhuqing denied, blushing fiercely.
Tang Yin knew her thoughts well. His hand slid lower, past her waist.
The carriage began to shake violently.
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