Chapter 133: Setting Sail

"Are you leaving?" Leisina was taken aback; she had not expected Ye Tian to depart so suddenly.

"I need to return to the Imperial Capital," Ye Tian said. "I intend to deliver those letters personally."

"Must you?" Leisina asked.

"I don't trust anyone else with the task," Ye Tian said, scratching his head. "It won't take long."

"When are you leaving?" Leisina asked.

"In three days," Ye Tian replied earnestly. "Don't go anywhere until I return. Stay safe within the academy. Don't worry, I will be back as soon as possible."

"I'll see you off," Leisina insisted.

"Good grief, this trip is supposed to be a secret. If you come along, how can I keep it quiet?" Ye Tian chuckled. "It's settled. Just remember to send over the magic cores; I need to get them to the old man."

"Alright, take care of yourself," Leisina said.

"Don't worry, Miki is still in the Imperial Capital. If things go wrong, I'll just ask him for help," Ye Tian said with a grin. "Pieces must be placed on the board one by one; that is the way of the emperor. Princess, you still have much to learn!"

"I don't want to learn that!" Leisina muttered.

"Fine, I'm heading out. I've been busy all day and I'm exhausted!" Ye Tian laughed. "I'm off. You get some rest early, too."

As Ye Tian stepped out, Leila was just coming in. Seeing the murderous look in her eyes, Ye Tian hurriedly ducked away. Back in his room, he threw himself onto the bed with a sigh of relief, feeling as though he didn't want to move a muscle.

Just then, a pair of gentle hands began to massage him. Startled, Ye Tian turned his head to see Mora. "You're back," he said with a smile, then laid his head back down. "Grei, your senses are getting dull."

"I just didn't feel any killing intent," Ye Tian laughed. "That feels great!" He couldn't help but moan in satisfaction. "To the left, a little lower—yes, right there." Ye Tian contentedly directed Mora to continue her service.

"By the way, Mora, what do you think of this distant relative of Leisina? Can he be trusted?" Ye Tian asked.

"Don't you already have your own conclusion?" Mora said softly.

"I just wanted to hear your opinion," Ye Tian replied.

"He is not to be trusted," Mora whispered.

"Reason?"

"He has been in contact with people from the Imperial Capital."

"Oh, did you find out who?" Ye Tian asked.

"No, the other party is very cunning," Mora replied. "And it seems another faction has intervened as well."

"I felt it too," Ye Tian said, stretching his limbs comfortably. "I caught an assassin; his status shouldn't be low. By the way, do you know about 'Sky Wolf'?"

"I do," Mora nodded.

"That man was carrying this bow." Ye Tian turned his head. "Do you want it? It's under my bed."

"No, you'd better keep it." Mora paused for a moment before continuing her gentle ministrations.

"Grei!" Leila's voice rang out at the door.

"Oh, great," Ye Tian muttered. As he turned his head, Mora had already vanished. "Coming, coming!" He hurried to open the door, only to be met by an irate Leila.

"Still angry?" Ye Tian said with a placating smile.

"Hmph!" Leila angrily shoved a basket into Ye Tian’s chest, which he caught, and then she stormed off. Ye Tian smiled, turned around, and went back inside.

After locking the door, a figure lunged into his arms and planted a deep, lingering kiss on his lips. "So sweet!" After they pulled apart, Ye Tian grinned. "Did you miss me?" Mora’s voice whispered in his ear.

"I did," Ye Tian said earnestly. Mora’s fiery lips met his again, and her soft hands slipped inside his clothes. "Ugh!" Ye Tian let out a muffled groan as Mora’s small hand gripped him and began to gently caress.

"You'll have to take responsibility for this!" Ye Tian whispered in her ear after they parted. She gave him a bewitching look and gently knelt down. "Ugh!" Ye Tian’s eyes widened as her warm, soft mouth tightly enveloped him.

Ye Tian suddenly pushed her away. "You don't like it?" Mora asked.

"No, it's not that. I just don't want you to feel wronged," Ye Tian said seriously.

"You're wrong, I don't feel wronged at all," Mora said, gently embracing him. "Being with you, I am willing to do anything!"

"So am I!" Ye Tian pulled Mora onto the bed, shed their clothes, and thrust himself into her with force. "I want you—more!" Mora bit his shoulder, crying out in a muffled voice.

The night deepened. The room was shrouded in darkness, save for the two silhouettes on the bed, entwined with such intensity that it felt as though they were striving to melt into one.

In Ralph’s secret chamber, Purta was still howling. He had completely lost his reason, and what little remained had been extinguished by the bottle beside him. Ye Tian had played a game of "breaking the hawk," placing a small vial filled with poppy paste next to Purta.

The scent of the poppy paste relentlessly assaulted Purta’s sanity. Eventually, desire outweighed reason, and Purta finally succumbed; all he could think of now was that intoxicating, ethereal high.

"There," Ye Tian said, gently pushing the bottle forward. "My dear Mr. Purta, can we have a proper chat now?"

"Give it to me!" Purta gasped weakly.

"Okay, let's play a speed game. The faster you answer, the sooner you find your bliss!" With that, Ye Tian dabbed a tiny amount on the tip of Purta’s nose.

***

"I didn't expect this kid to have such a background," Ralph said with a chuckle to Ye Tian, who was packing up. "Is this all you need?"

"This will do. These are useful to me; I don't know much about the rest," Ye Tian said, organizing his pack. "By the way, this is for you." Ralph handed Ye Tian a small box.

"What is this?" Ye Tian asked curiously.

"Crystal eyes, handcrafted by me. Much better than yours," Ralph said with a grin.

"Is that so? Thank you!" Ye Tian opened it to find several sets of colored crystal glasses resting inside.

"Small matter. Anything else? Like dyes?" Ralph gestured to the test tubes beside him.

"No, I don't know how to use those, and I have my own," Ye Tian said, patting his bag. "I can make what I need from these."

"It's a pity you aren't an alchemist!" Ralph sighed. This guy knew more than he did!

"Hehe, no interest," Ye Tian tucked away the box of glasses. "By the way, what are you going to do with that VIP in there?"

"Don't you worry about that; I have my own methods," Ralph said smugly. "Just pour some amnesia potion down his throat."

"Better be careful," Ye Tian warned.

"Pfft, I was wandering the continent before you were even born!"

"A hero shouldn't boast of past glories!" Ye Tian laughed. "The waves behind the Yangtze push the ones in front; each generation is better than the last!"

"Fine, you win!" Ralph was speechless. Where did this kid come up with all these sayings?

"Take care," Ralph said. "Those old foxes in the Imperial Capital are people who would devour you without even spitting out the bones. Be very careful."

"Don't worry, I'll be fine. I'm just going to play around a bit," Ye Tian smiled.

"Play around?" Ralph watched him with a squint. "Right, go play a big game then."

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" Ye Tian asked, puzzled.

***

"Grei, why are you heading out again?" Leila asked softly as she helped him pack.

"Miss Lifier is heading back and needs an attendant, so I'm just going to help for a few days," Ye Tian said. "I'll be back soon."

"Grei, I know many things aren't as simple as you say, but I will wait!" Leila stood on her tiptoes, kissed him, and ran off, her face flushed red.

"Hehe." Ye Tian touched the spot where she had kissed him and smiled helplessly.

"Respected Miss Lifier, sorry to keep you waiting!" Ye Tian said respectfully, gently helping her into the carriage. "Old Black, you've grown sturdy lately!" He patted the black horse, which nuzzled against him.

"Let's go!" Ye Tian gave a light tug on the reins. Old Black let out a whinny that startled a flock of birds. "A fine horse!" A connoisseur nearby marveled. "Giddy-up!" Ye Tian flicked the reins, and Old Black surged forward.

***

"Brother Dirufi." On the academy's clock tower, Leisina sat quietly. Fortunately, the tower was high, and few people looked up there, or it would have caused a stir.

"Perhaps you should have gone with him," Dirufi said, standing quietly beside her.

"Brother Dirufi, I'm sorry," Leisina said, hanging her head.

"Silly girl, there is nothing to be sorry for!" A smile broke across Dirufi’s icy face. "From the moment you existed, you have been my sister, and you always will be."

"Thank you, Brother Dirufi!" Leisina leaned against his leg and burst into tears.

"I am willing to do anything for you!" Dirufi said softly.

***

"Miss Michelle, why are you standing here?" a maid asked, seeing Michelle staring blankly at the gate. "Are you alright? Are you sick?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Thank you." Michelle shook her head gently and walked away in silence.

***

"What's wrong? Is your heart hurting?" Ilika asked her friend quietly.

"Am I very stupid?" Lisa's tears suddenly began to fall.

"Fool, anyone would act stupid when facing something like this," Ilika said, gently hugging her. "Cry it out, you'll feel better."

***

"Grei, tell me, what are you actually planning?" Inside the carriage, Lifier suddenly appeared and sat down next to Ye Tian.

"It's windy out here, go back inside," Ye Tian said.

"No, tell me what you're planning," Lifier insisted. "I know about your relationship with Leisina, so this trip back can't be that simple."

"And what do you think I'm planning?" Ye Tian turned his head with a grin.

"I don't know, but you're definitely not up to any good," Lifier said indignantly.

"True, I plan to find a deserted spot and sell you off," Ye Tian teased.

"Hmph." Having failed to get a straight answer, Lifier went back inside, annoyed. Ye Tian laughed and pulled the reins: "Giddy-up!"

Old Black had good stamina. Even though it was just one horse, by nightfall, Ye Tian calculated they had covered over a thousand miles. Looking at Old Black, it seemed only slightly tired; it appeared to have plenty of potential.

"Grei, your horse is quite something!" Lifier looked with surprise at the lean horse. Though it looked a bit fuller now, compared to the massive warhorses, Old Black still looked rather slender.

"Of course, look who picked it!" Ye Tian said with a grin. "Right?" Old Black immediately turned its head away. "You dead horse, how dare you defy your master! Rebellion, is it?" Ye Tian jumped three feet high and started teasing the horse. The man and beast engaged in a playful scuffle, making Lifier giggle.

Finally, Ye Tian admitted defeat. "Hmph! No dinner for you tonight!" he grumbled. Old Black glanced at him, took a bite of grass, and began to chew slowly.

"Haha, you're so clumsy, you idiot!" Lifier laughed until her stomach hurt.

"Hmph, keep laughing and you won't get any dinner either!" Ye Tian snapped.

"Hmph, you're my attendant now. What, you want to rebel against your mistress?" Lifier shot him a look.

"Fine, you win!" Ye Tian stomped off into the nearby woods, returning shortly with two wild chickens. "Today, I'll show you the consequences of offending me!"