Chapter 295: Returning to Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, Liu Erlong's Embarrassment
The setting sun sank toward the west.
The carriage wheels rolled over the smooth bluestone pavement, producing a gentle, rhythmic sound.
The wooden carriage swayed slightly with the rise and fall of the road.
Looking into the distance, the towering city walls of Heaven Dou City had already come into view.
The dark greenish-black walls stretched for dozens of miles; the barriers, built of brick and stone, appeared heavy and solid.
The battlements atop the walls were neatly arranged, casting long shadows beneath the setting sun.
The majestic presence of the empire's capital intimidated travelers coming and going.
The carriage slowly came to a stop beside a relay station along the official road.
This place was not far from Heaven Dou City.
The tea stall beside the relay station was still lit, with a few scattered travelers resting and drinking tea.
The coachman bowed and asked for instructions, waiting for the next order.
Lin Qingmo lifted the carriage curtain and looked toward the distant city.
The wind carried the warmth of the sunset as it brushed past his hair.
He then turned back to face Bibi Dong beside him.
"Sister Donghuang, we're about to arrive at Heaven Dou City. Where do you plan to go afterward?"
Bibi Dong's fingers, which were rubbing the fabric of her clothes, paused slightly.
A complicated, unreadable emotion flashed through her purple pupils.
She naturally wanted to stay by Lin Qingmo's side.
The days and nights they traveled together had made her grow attached to this rare sense of ease and warmth.
She did not need to bear the heavy shackles of being the pope, nor face hidden schemes and calculations, nor remain trapped inside a cage woven from hatred.
But she could not.
She was the pope of Spirit Hall—the woman holding the greatest authority across the entire continent.
Her every action affected the balance of power between the two great empires and Spirit Hall.
She could not willfully remain in Heaven Dou City, nor could she bring disaster upon Lin Qingmo.
"I cannot stay in Heaven Dou City."
Bibi Dong's voice was very soft, yet it carried an unchangeable determination.
"I need to return and personally handle matters related to the Four Single Attribute Clans to ensure nothing goes wrong."
If these hidden dangers were not removed, she would not be able to leave with peace of mind.
Lin Qingmo's brows furrowed slightly.
His tone carried a disappointment that was difficult to conceal. "I see."
He had initially thought Sister Donghuang would stay in Heaven Dou City for some time.
Their journey together had been far too short.
Bibi Dong's heart suddenly tightened.
How could she not want to accept this invitation?
But reason ultimately suppressed the surging emotions within her.
"After I finish dealing with the matters at hand, I'll come to Heaven Dou City to find you again."
Bibi Dong's voice became much gentler.
Her fingertips lightly brushed across Lin Qingmo's cheek.
They carried a slightly cool touch, like a clear spring flowing through a mountain stream.
"Take good care of yourself. Don't always force yourself to shoulder everything alone."
"When you encounter trouble, don't always charge forward by yourself. Think more about your own safety."
"If anything happens, use the communication token I gave you. No matter where I am, I will rush over immediately."
Her clothes fluttered with the evening wind, drawing a purple-gold arc through the air. Bibi Dong transformed into a purple-black streak of light and disappeared into the afterglow of the sunset.
Inside the sealed carriage, her faint cold fragrance still lingered.
Lin Qingmo gazed in the direction where she had disappeared for a long time before finally withdrawing his gaze.
...
Half an hour later.
The setting sun had completely sunk below the horizon, leaving only a faint orange-red glow in the sky.
The evening wind carried a slight chill, signaling the approach of night.
Lin Qingmo appeared before the entrance of Heaven Dou Academy.
The school's white marble gate stood tall and majestic, the gilded plaque glowing faintly in the twilight.
When the guards at the entrance saw him arrive, they all bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with reverence.
The badge on his chest announced his identity: captain of Heaven Dou Academy's Royal Fighting Team and the most dazzling genius of the entire academy.
Lin Qingmo strode straight into the academy.
He passed along the tree-lined paths on both sides.
The plants and trees swayed gently in the evening breeze, bringing a faint, refreshing fragrance.
The sounds of insects rose and fell among the grass, making the academy beneath the twilight seem especially peaceful.
Without stopping, he headed directly toward the independent courtyard on the back mountain of the academy.
That was Liu Erlong's residence.
The back mountain was dense with trees, far from the noise of the main campus, making it exceptionally quiet.
After leaving the academy for so long, aside from Xiao Wu, the person most worried about his safety should be Liu Erlong.
After all, that day, he had only left Teacher Liu Erlong a letter before quietly departing. He hadn't even given any additional explanation.
Liu Erlong's personality was fiery, so she must have been worried about him for a long time.
Naturally, the first thing he did upon returning was to report that he was safe, to prevent her from worrying day and night.
Lin Qingmo arrived at the courtyard entrance and raised his hand to knock.
The knocking sounded especially clear in the quiet back mountain.
"Who is it?"
Liu Erlong's voice came from inside the courtyard, carrying a trace of laziness.
"Teacher Erlong, it's me, Lin Qingmo."
Lin Qingmo replied.
Soon, hurried footsteps approached from within.
Shoes scuffed across the stone path, growing louder with each step.
In just a moment, the courtyard gate was pulled open.
Liu Erlong stood in the doorway, wearing a loose white sleeping robe.
Her long, wine-red hair still carried moisture, with water droplets hanging from the tips.
The droplets slid down her hair, wetting her shoulders and forming faint damp spots on her clothes.
It was clear she had just finished bathing and had not yet changed into proper clothes.
She looked at Lin Qingmo, and the laziness in her expression was instantly replaced by surprise and joy.
"Ah Qing? You're back!"
Liu Erlong's voice carried obvious happiness, along with a trace of worry she couldn't suppress.
She stepped forward and pulled Lin Qingmo into the courtyard.
Then she closed the gate behind them, blocking out the sound of the wind outside.
She reached out and held Lin Qingmo's arm, her fingertips moving across his shoulder and back.
She carefully checked him for injuries, worried he might have been hurt outside.
Before Lin Qingmo could even react, the temperature of her fingertips had already transmitted through his clothes to his skin, a warm sensation coming from his arm.
The fragrance of Liu Erlong after bathing lingered around his nose.
Mixed with her unique scent, carrying a faint fiery aura, it entered his senses.
Her sleeping robe was already loose, and with slight movements, it revealed her graceful curves.
The collar was slightly open, exposing her delicate collarbone.
"!!!"
When Lin Qingmo saw this scene, his body immediately stiffened, and he became restrained.
He didn't know where to place his hands or feet, instinctively shifting his gaze away.
A faint warmth colored his ears.
"You brat, you ran off for so long without saying a word."
Liu Erlong's tone was reproachful, yet filled with deep concern.
"I thought something had happened to you. If I hadn't known from your letter that your master was protecting you, I would have taken people out to search for you long ago!"
"Do you know how worried Xiao Wu and the others have been these days?"
She checked him thoroughly, confirming there were no wounds or hidden injuries.
Only then did her tense shoulders relax, and she let out a breath of relief.
The long-suspended heart finally settled.
It was only then that she noticed Lin Qingmo, who had remained silent, looked stiff.
When she looked up, she saw his gaze deliberately averted.
Her cheeks grew hot, and her ears turned slightly red.
She hurriedly took two steps back, adjusting her collar and tightening the fabric of her sleeping robe.
Her fingertips trembled slightly, and her movements carried a hint of panic.
For a moment, the atmosphere grew awkward.
The gentle rustling of leaves in the courtyard accompanied the quiet between them.
There was no more conversation for a while.
End of Chapter