With the unconscious Pan Bo slung over one of the Cloud Knights' shoulders, the group pressed on toward Starskiff Haven. Their progress, however, was slow; many of the wounded limped along with the help of the Cloud Knights, but the sound of their steps and labored breathing inevitably drew unwanted attention.
Before long, a group of Denizens of Abundance appeared ahead, blocking their route. The knights tensed, forming a defensive line, but before anyone could issue an order, Sushang stepped forward with her sword in hand.
"Master, let me handle this." She glanced back, determination burning in her eyes.
Qin Shaoqing opened his mouth to respond, but she had already dashed forward. All he could do was sigh, shake his head, and observe. His mind began charting the most efficient paths of movement and strike angles, silently comparing them to Sushang's choices.
And surprisingly, Sushang picked the correct option most of the time; her decision-making had improved greatly in life-or-death scenarios, and her quick judgments carried her sword to victory. Yet one thing became abundantly clear to Qin Shaoqing.
"Why are you trying to outspeed something that doesn't exist?" Qin Shaoqing muttered as Sushang returned triumphantly.
"Huh? What do you mean, Master?" she asked, blinking in confusion.
He flicked her forehead lightly. "Speed is important, yes, but you're racing ahead like you're trying to outrun the wind itself."
"Ow! But Master, you said speed is everything!"
"Yes," he replied while massaging his temple, "but you're trying to race a van with an F1 car."
The others stared blankly.
'Ah, right,' he thought, realizing his mistake. 'Cars don't exist.'
"Ahem—what I mean is, you're joining a running race but brought a Starskiff. Of course you'll win, but the cost of winning is too high!" With his clearer analogy, Sushang quickly realized the problem, but fixing it was another matter entirely.
"Master, I don't know how to… hold… back." Sushang's voice slowly faded into a whisper. To be a Cloud Knight is to be both an enforcer and a peacemaker, so the first thing they must learn is restraint.
You wouldn't see Cloud Knights running around killing people just because someone bumped into them, and if a drunk decided to pick a fight with a Cloud Knight, there would be no justification for using a real glaive to pacify him.
But Sushang wasn't just unable to hold back—she always fought with full strength to keep up with her peers. Due to the Xuanyuan Sword weighing heavily on her arms year-round, her muscles had grown accustomed to swinging with full force, making restraint difficult.
Qin Shaoqing was also partly at fault. He had always set Sushang's sparring partners to maximum difficulty, which forced her—constantly chasing her peers' backs—to run even faster.
'This girl learned how to run before she could walk…' Qin Shaoqing massaged his temple again. He blamed himself for being blind to her situation and even encouraging her to keep running faster.
"Sigh… we'll talk more when we reach Starskiff Haven." Qin Shaoqing left it at that. It wasn't a serious issue for now, but if left unchecked, it would greatly affect her stamina in future battles.
Sushang's shoulders drooped. She had wanted to impress him, to show how far she'd come, only to earn a sigh instead.
Qin Shaoqing noticed her downcast look and gently patted her head. "Don't beat yourself up. You did well—really well. This was my oversight, not yours."
Her eyes brightened. "Really?"
"Really," he smiled. "Your movements and judgment were sharp—though when you dodged left in that second exchange—"
He began dissecting her technique mid-sentence, pointing out each minor flaw in detail. Sushang leaned in, absorbing every word with full intent to remember them.
The Cloud Knights watching the exchange couldn't help but feel awestruck.
Most of them couldn't clearly see Sushang in action at all, yet Qin Shaoqing not only listed every move she made in great detail but also identified flaws in her judgment.
His easygoing demeanor contradicted the ocean-like wisdom he displayed, making them feel as though they had met a sage content with a mundane life.
All of them silently agreed that this unassuming master was not for show.
...
When they reached Starskiff Haven's gate, they sighed in relief, the tension finally easing among those unaccustomed to life-and-death situations.
The physicians in Starskiff Haven, having finally treated the critically injured, let out exhausted breaths. "Finally, that was the last of them." But before one could reach for a bottle of water, the gate opened again, revealing another wave of injured people.
'I shouldn't have said anything,' he cursed internally as he rushed forward, checking the severity of their injuries.
"Welcome back," the Cloud Knights stationed at Starskiff Haven instantly recognized Qin Shaoqing and greeted him with respect. He was the man who had saved them, after all.
"Don't address me as 'sir,' that feels too formal—especially coming from a Cloud Knight like yourself." Qin Shaoqing gave an easygoing smile. "Address me however you like. I'm just a citizen, and it's my duty to help my fellow Luofu citizens."
"Ahem!" The captain of Gentle Wind felt a vein throb at his temple as he watched the scene unfold. Who ignores their superior to greet someone outside the law entirely? Still, he let it go. He understood that the extraordinary existence known as Qin Shaoqing could not be compared to normal citizens—even if the man insisted otherwise.
"R-right, Captain Su Bang. I'm glad your unit returned unharmed. The Commander has tasked me with informing you that they require your presence as soon as you return."
Su Bang nodded, already guessing the reason for the summons.
"Well, Qin Shaoqing, it was a pleasure meeting you, but I must take my leave. I had hoped to speak with you longer, but that will have to wait." Su Bang bowed slightly in respect.
"Ha ha, the pleasure is mine. Meeting such an upright Cloud Knight puts me at ease." Qin Shaoqing returned the bow, and they parted ways.
Qin Shaoqing looked around for his beloved Sushang, only to realize she was nowhere to be found.
Ping!
[ShangshangOfficial: Sorry, Master. I was called by my unit. I need to go.]
[ShangshangOfficial: Bowing.png]
[ASmoothCriminal: Haha, no worries. Sort things out with your unit. I'll look around for a second disciple to teach.]
[ShangshangOfficial: Really?! Omg, I'm so excited—I can't wait!]
[ASmoothCriminal: Not really. I wasn't planning to accept any disciples in the first place, but your earnest pleas softened my heart.]
Qin Shaoqing pressed send while silently cursing his system, as it was the sole reason he had accepted Sushang in the first place. Without it, he would have rejected her outright.
Shaking his head, he put away his phone and looked around. Though this part of the Luofu was unfamiliar to him, one thing would never change—people he could steal from would always exist.