"Yes!"
Shang Tiefeng left.
The fierce battle in the forest today had left him with considerable internal injuries, but he had been managing to hold on due to his profound martial arts skills.
Once he returns, he must immediately seclude himself to heal, or else if he leaves a lingering ailment, it would be troublesome.
Just as he bid farewell to Shang Tiefeng, Jiao Yousong from the Guangrui Martial Arts Hall arrived.
Although Zhao Ya hadn’t known him for long, only having brief contact while defending the North Gate.
Now, however, the two seemed to share an unspoken understanding like old friends, as Jiao Yousong handed a delicate small jar to Zhao Ya.
"This is a secret recipe ointment from our Martial Arts Hall, very effective for treating external injuries and bone fractures. My master asked me to bring it to see if it could help Master Lu."
Zhao Ya accepted the jar, and once again expressed his sincere gratitude.
Hearing this, Jiao Yousong rubbed his shiny head and chuckled.
"We’re like brothers, what’s all the formality for? My master said, during this period, the Dingtai Martial Arts Hall might face some troubles. Since I’m free anyway, I’ll come by every day to see who dares to cause trouble here."
At the end, a hint of murderous intent flashed across Jiao Yousong’s face.
Apparently, this man who seemed tough and honest was not someone to be trifled with.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Jiao. However, there’s no need to go to such lengths. If there’s truly an issue, I will notify you and request your assistance."
"Of course, I’ve been getting a bit tired of killing Exotic Beasts lately; I was thinking of finding a few people to slay to ease my boredom," Jiao Yousong laughed.
After he left, Zhao Ya took the medicinal ointments sent by both places back to the inner courtyard.
Lu Dingtai was still in a coma.
Meng Shiwen, Shen Dao, Miao Shaocheng, Xu De, and others were all attending to him in the room.
Meng Shiwen’s eyes were red, apparently from crying.
She had followed Lu Dingtai since childhood; he was like both mentor and father to her, so naturally, her feelings were very deep.
Zhao Ya sighed inwardly, walked to the bedside, and patted Meng Shiwen.
"Senior Sister, don’t be sad. Master is just slightly injured in his Primordial Energy. A few days of rest will be fine. Here are the medicinal ointments from both Guangrui and Ren Yong Martial Arts Halls. Please use them on Master."
Meng Shiwen nodded, took the medicine box, first pouring the internal medicine into Lu Dingtai, then applying the Blood Circulation and Blood Clotting Ointment on his hands, finally bandaging them.
After finishing all this, Lu Dingtai’s breathing seemed much steadier.
Meng Shiwen finally breathed a sigh of relief, then said, "You all have fought hard all day and are very tired. You should go rest. I’ll keep watch here."
"How can that be, Senior Sister, you’ve also had a tiring day. Let me take care of things," Xu De stepped up and said.
"No one should argue; tending to the sick requires a woman’s touch. So let me, as Senior Sister, handle it," Meng Shiwen insisted.
Shen Dao, Zhao Ya, and others exchanged glances, had to respectfully agree, then retreated.
In these troubled times, naturally, no one dared to leave the Martial Arts Hall. Even Xu De found a room to stay in.
After several days of battling, everyone truly was exhausted.
They hastily washed up, skipped dinner, and went to sleep.
Soon, the sound of snoring filled the air.
But Zhao Ya did not sleep.
He meditated, silently adjusting his Qi Blood, rising only at the break of dawn.
Once in the courtyard, there were Martial Arts Hall disciples patrolling for the night, the defenses were strict.
However, this was no challenge for Zhao Ya. Using the Concealing Breath Technique, Zhao Ya quietly disappeared into the night, vanishing in a few leaps.
The rear courtyard of the Shang Mansion.
In a small bamboo grove courtyard, Shang Luoluo and Zui’Er sat opposite each other, drinking tea and chatting.
But it was clear, Zui’Er was absent-minded, her thoughts elsewhere, her eyes fixed on the door, seemingly waiting for something.
Shang Luoluo knew well what Zui’Er was waiting for, and couldn’t help but smile inwardly.
This little girl, truly infatuated.
"Zui’Er, it’s so late. Your Ya probably won’t come. We should go to sleep first. Whatever it is, we can talk tomorrow, how about it?"
Zui’Er stubbornly shook her head, "No, Luoluo, if you’re tired, go sleep. I’ll wait here."
Shang Luoluo couldn’t help but smile at this, "But what if your Ya doesn’t come all night?"
"Then I’ll just wait here all night, isn’t that simple?" Zui’Er replied as if it were natural.
Shang Luoluo was taken aback, clearly not expecting such an answer from Zui’Er, then sighed lightly and murmured, "Such a silly girl."
Just then, the bamboo grove rustled outside the window, followed by a voice laughing, "My Zui’Er is not silly."
"Ya!"
Hearing this voice, Zui’Er was overjoyed, jumped up, and ran outside.
In came Zhao Ya through the door, and Zui’Er, disregarding anyone present, threw herself into his arms.
Zhao Ya laughed and patted her back, "Alright, alright, I’m back. There’s someone else here, don’t act like this."
Only then did Zui’Er, blushing, stand up and dare not look at Shang Luoluo.
However, Shang Luoluo was gazing at the moon outside the window all along, as if pondering why tonight’s moon was so round.
Only when Zui’Er stood up did she shift her gaze to Zhao Ya, then smiled lightly.
"You’re finally here. If you hadn’t come, I was afraid your Zui’Er’s soul would have flown away."
Zui’Er’s face turned even redder, murmuring softly.
"That’s... that’s not true."
Zhao Ya placed her behind him to make her less embarrassed, then laughed and said.
"Alright, stop teasing her, she’s shy."
"You know she’s shy, yet you came so late?"
"I’m sorry, something delayed me, that’s why I’m late."
"No need to apologize to me, I wasn’t waiting for you." Shang Luoluo chuckled.
Zhao Ya also chuckled.
He knew this woman was smart and sharp-tongued.
"Thank you, then."
"Thank me for what?"
"Thank you for taking care of Zui’Er."
Before heading out to battle the Exotic Beasts, in consideration of Zui’Er’s safety, Zhao Ya, after much contemplation, entrusted her to Shang Luoluo.
There were two reasons for this decision.
The first was that, with the elite of Dingtai Martial Arts Hall all dispatched, even Lu Dingtai himself, the Martial Arts Hall was no longer safe, increasingly dangerous instead.
After all, once the Exotic Beasts or individuals with ulterior motives invaded the city, the first target would be the major Martial Arts Halls.
The second was because Shang Luoluo was cautious, her home hid secret chambers and passages, which could be used to hide and ensure safety in times of great upheaval.
Of course, Zhao Ya knew this because Shang Luoluo had told him.
After a comprehensive assessment, Zhao Ya decided to hide Zui’Er in the Shang Mansion.
This was why Zhao Ya mentioned earlier that Zui’Er was placed in a very safe place.
After hearing Zhao Ya’s gratitude, Shang Luoluo curled her lips.
"Lack of sincerity, is this how you thank someone?"
"How should I thank you?"
"At least bring some gifts."
"Next time, next time for sure."
At this, Zhao Ya and Shang Luoluo exchanged smiles.
"Have a cup of tea," Shang Luoluo invited.
Zhao Ya nodded, "Alright!"
Because Zhao Ya knew, Shang Luoluo did not merely invite him for tea; she must have something to say to him.
Just as he had some things he wanted to ask her.
At a small tea table, Zhao Ya and Shang Luoluo sat across from each other.
Zui’Er sat at another side.
The silver-gray charcoal made the water in the kettle boil. Shang Luoluo expertly poured it into the teacups.
The cups were lustrous, bathing in the green tea, very pleasing to the eye.
As the hot water steeped the leaves, a gentle tea fragrance spread out, refreshing to the mind.
Though Zhao Ya wasn’t knowledgeable about tea, he could tell the unusual quality of the leaves.
"This is Drip Water Bud from Guangyuan County, producing only a thousand pounds a year. Most are sent to the Capital City, and a small package costs a hundred taels." Shang Luoluo explained.
Zhao Ya drank a sip and indeed found it aromatic, but then he put the cup down.
"It’s delicious but too expensive."
"Expensive? This is the cheap kind. In Capital City, even the butlers of noble families might drink this kind of tea," Shang Luoluo said calmly.
Zhao Ya was silent.
He knew Shang Luoluo was hinting at something.