Bengtie: My death fueled their madness.

The daily training program is nearing its end.

"Master, will we conduct the high-temperature endurance training as usual today, until we can't take it anymore?"

While waiting for instructions, Jingliu still found it incredible.

When she woke up one morning, she found that her body had changed drastically.

While washing up in the morning, I simply held the porcelain cup as usual, but I crushed it because I didn't control my strength.

Training became easier, and after the weighted long-distance run, she only had to breathe rapidly for less than half a minute before returning to normal.

The subsequent sword-wielding training and attack precision training were all completed smoothly and in one go.

It's like being reborn.

She even felt that today's high-temperature training might last a long time.

Qi Zhimu replied, "No need."

"Alright, disciple will do it now... Eh?"

Jingliu was stunned, wondering if he had misheard.

"What did Master just say?"

"You can end the training when you feel you're close to your limit. From today onwards, all training will be conducted according to this standard," Qi Zhimu said calmly.

You heard right.

Jingliu thought he would be happy to finally be free from those grueling training days.

But unexpectedly, I felt a strange emptiness in my heart, and even... I wasn't used to it.

It's like if I don't faint at night and my master takes care of me until I naturally wake up the next day, I always feel like something is missing.

"Is it because I passed the adult exam?"

I guess so.

Qi Zhimu thought for a moment and then added an extra explanation.

"You are no longer the weak person you used to be. Your physical condition has barely achieved the training goals. From now on, you just need to proceed step by step."

"..."

Jingliu suddenly fell silent.

Since she began her hellish training with her master, she could guess what would happen after she fainted, even though she didn't know the details.

She's used to it.

It's not a big deal that her master saw her naked; after all... she only has her master now.

Living with one's master for the rest of one's life seems like there's nothing wrong with that.

But the master's answer just now revealed a deeper meaning: he was beginning to care about the difference between men and women in the master-disciple relationship.

Even though her master did nothing wrong, why did she feel a sense of loss?

Is it because they fear that this concern will gradually become a barrier between them?

Jingliu is still young and leads a fulfilling life, rarely interacting with outsiders.

During his several campaigns and periods of rest, he would not discuss with his comrades any topics unrelated to eradicating the evil forces.

Therefore, she couldn't understand it.

She believed that a disciple should be completely open with their master, and that the master's actions implicitly endorsed this idea.

But now it seems... not, or rather, not entirely.

Jingliu had imagined more than once how her master would take care of her expressionlessly after she was completely exhausted and lost consciousness.

First, he treated her wounds using unknown methods, then cleaned her up thoroughly and threw her into the bathtub to wash away the filth.

Finally, I put on my pajamas and carried it back to the room.

...No, perhaps not so gentle.

More likely, they'll carry it on their shoulder or around their waist... casually toss it onto the bed, turn off the lights, close the door, and leave.

The reason I don't want to talk to her much is probably because I don't want to embarrass her, right...?

Her master was never gentle, but at least he cared about her physical condition.

For example, the day she had her first period...

Doesn't this kind of interaction imply that there shouldn't be any barriers between master and disciple?

She couldn't figure it out, and didn't understand it; she needed time to find the answer.

"Disciple understands."

"This is your Jade Wheel Control Jade Sign. Starting tomorrow, arrange your own time to go to the Tianbo Division Training Cave to learn the basic piloting techniques of military star rafts, which are fighting ships."

Qi Zhimu handed over a small military-grade star raft starter and instructed:

"Although frontline soldiers and aviators belong to different systems, they are both members of the Cloud Cavalry Army."

"Battlefield situations can change in an instant, and pilots can encounter all sorts of unexpected events. If you can pilot a warship to pursue the enemy or retreat, you can play a crucial role."

"Although the Cloud Cavalry does not require frontline soldiers to master the skill of piloting warships, having an extra skill increases their chances of survival."

Jingliu cleared his mind of distractions and took the jade tablet: "I will study it diligently."

"Alright, go ahead. In seven days, you will be assigned combat missions. You will need to join the army to attack several Houyhnhnm tribes."

"Master, do you have any missions coming up?"

"An urgent hunting mission is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Jade Palace has sent a monitoring report that a large tribe of Xuan Claw hunters exists in a star field 39 light-years northwest of the Yaoqing route."

The relevant information immediately flashed into Jingliu's mind.

The Xuanzhao Hunters are mercenaries within the Buliren species, and you may encounter them in any battle.

The Xuanzhao Buli people possess exceptional endurance and stealth, excelling in hunting, assassination, and fear tactics. They also possess a far more acute sense of smell than other Buli people.

Every year, many Cloud Knights die in sneak attacks that are impossible for Xuanzhao Buliren to defend against.

Although she was far from being able to directly confront Bu Liren's elite forces, she understood how troublesome those bastards were.

"That large tribe is highly likely to have a Nest Father-level abomination, so Master's journey may take quite some time," Qi Zhimu continued.

Only a few words remained in Jingliu's mind: This journey may take quite a while.

Could it be... going to take another two years or more?

"Mianxue and Qinghan will be accompanying me on this expedition, leaving you alone at home. You must not slack off in your training."

"In addition, small-scale battles may occur frequently in the near future. Remember not to break formation or advance recklessly on the battlefield."

"I remember, I will strive to catch up with my master's footsteps." Jingliu solemnly expressed his determination.

Then, she prepared to board a civilian starship and fly towards the Cloud Rider training camp.

Since the training ground at home is not suitable for high-temperature training, we still need to go to the Yunqi Army Camp Cave.

Before leaving, Qi Zhimu added some words.

"If you find it inconvenient to travel back and forth, you can apply to be stationed at the Yunqi military camp. During non-emergency martial law periods, you won't have to go through many troublesome procedures to return."

The patrolling cavalry always set off with the awareness of facing death, so they did not insist on stationing themselves in military camps.

"...It's no inconvenience at all, thank you for your concern, Master." Jingliu declined without even thinking.

As the hatch closed and the wheel spun, the starship quickly took off and joined the high-altitude flight path.

Qi Zhimu stood still, lost in thought.

Jingliu's tone just now... seemed a little strange, but I couldn't quite put my finger on why.

……

At night, after Jingliu finished training, the Starship flew over the empty training ground and landed in the backyard docking area.

A faint smile appeared on her face.

She actually managed to endure the low-standard heat tolerance training for almost two hours today.

Compared to yesterday, it represents a leap forward.

It's easy to understand that her amazing progress must be related to what her master did for her and the training he designed for her.

…I'm becoming more and more dependent on my master.

With my master around, it seems like all difficulties can be easily overcome.

division……

Before he could even utter a word, Jingliu's foot, which had just stepped onto the threshold, suddenly froze. He stood there, stunned, staring blankly into the room.

Qi Zhimu and Qinghan walked out of the room one after the other.

It was a cold and quiet room...

Her clothes looked slightly disheveled, her cheeks and neck were flushed, and her hands were tying silk ribbons around her waist.

Jingliu felt his mind begin to go blank, and his eyes gradually became vacant.

What happened between them?