Chen Tang said, "Sorry to make you worry. Things are settled here; let's head back."

"What?"

Qingmu glanced around and said woefully, "Do we really have to run back? I can't take it anymore; I'm too exhausted to move."

Chen Tang smiled and said, "You don't need to move. Just sit tight."

With that, he whistled.

Within a few breaths, a shadow darted out from the woods beside the main road, enthusiastically running towards Chen Tang. It was the Thunder Leopard.

Chen Tang mounted the horse and extended his hand, "Come on up."

With a knowing smile, Qingmu seemed to see through everything. Her lips curved slightly, yet she didn't reach out, merely giving Chen Tang a half-smiling gaze.

Chen Tang earnestly said, "Don't be fooled by this horse's skinny appearance; it can easily carry two people and runs very fast."

Qingmu rolled her eyes at him, displeased.

Is it really about the horse?

Qingmu snorted, "I trust the horse; it's just you I have doubts about."

"You're overthinking this,"

Chen Tang patted his chest, making a solemn vow. "I'm not swayed by temptations, my Dao Heart is steadfast; my self-control is guaranteed. Besides, you're my sister—what improper thoughts could I possibly have."

"Liar,"

Qingmu mumbled, then leaped gracefully, her clothes fluttering elegantly like a startled swan, and in the blink of an eye, she was seated in front of Chen Tang.

She was bolder in her words, occasionally teasing Chen Tang, sometimes inadvertently showing a hint of charm, mainly due to the cultivation technique she was practicing.

Truly being this close to a man, yet still her first time.

Chen Tang took a deep breath, told her to sit tight, and drove the Thunder Leopard toward Wu'an County at full speed.

Riding together, initially, they maintained decorum with a bit of space between them.

But as the Thunder Leopard accelerated suddenly, Qingmu naturally leaned back, inadvertently falling into Chen Tang's arms.

"Little brother, you did this on purpose, didn't you?" Qingmu said softly.

"Sister Mu, don't worry, I'm not interested in women!"

Chen Tang, in an exaggerated tone, said, "A woman would only slow down my sword-drawing speed!"

Yet, despite such words, the close physical contact made Chen Tang feel a little restless.

Qingmu felt the warmth from Chen Tang's chest, her cheeks blushing hotly.

She quickly activated her cultivation technique, trying to calm her mind.

But the cultivation method itself required a man and woman to practice together, harmonizing the elements of nature, which made her feel even more disturbed, nearly losing control.

Feeling a wave of regret, Qingmu couldn't help but recall an old story from years ago.

A stout old man, once the greatest thief in the land, kept many cultivation secret manuals in his hometown.

Her Master had warned her not to enter a certain room, filled with forbidden books, though she could explore anywhere else.

Being just a child, the more her master forbid it, the more curious she became.

She always heard her master touting about superior cultivation techniques and world-class secret manuals. She wondered how formidable these forbidden books must be to earn such a label.

One day, she seized an opportunity to sneak inside and see the legendary forbidden books!

She picked up the topmost book and began to read.

The content inside was indeed eye-opening, completely unlike any cultivation method she had ever seen.

Each page depicted two undressed little figures in various strange postures, closely attached, with peculiar expressions that seemed both in pain and pleasure.

Accompanying them were matching texts.

"The primal transformation initiates, cosmic furnace blazes, intensity forged into might, melting softness subdues--."

"Casting the bodies of man and woman, manifesting the two elements of yin and yang--."

"Observe the nature of men, who are inherently strong and set in square--."

Back then, she was innocent and couldn't understand much, yet just flipping a few pages turned her cheeks scarlet.

Despite sensing the book's content wasn't quite right, she couldn't tear herself away; the novelty was thrilling, instinctively she started practicing it.

Every chance she got, she ran to that room to practice diligently with the forbidden book.

Every time, she walked out flushed red, dripping sweat, her body feverish.

By the time her Master discovered her, she was nearly proficient with the forbidden book.

"What a disaster!"

Qingmu only remembered the stout old man exclaiming furiously, then expressing helplessness, sighing, and muttering, "Who knows which scoundrel boy will benefit from this later--."

Recalling these past events, Qingmu's mood calmed significantly.

Suddenly, she felt something unusual around her lower back.

That little brother of hers seemed to be losing steadiness.

"Isn't your Dao Heart supposed to be sturdy and unyielding?"

"I wasn't moving, blame the horse for sprinting too fast--."

"Remember, I'm your sister."

"Liar."

"Aren't you uninterested in women, saying they interfere with your sword-drawing speed--"

"I use a knife; it doesn't affect--."

...

The Thunder Leopard carried them both without any loss of speed.

Before dawn broke, they reached the vicinity of Wu'an County.

Chen Tang dismounted first, exhaling deeply.

This journey had been quite taxing.

Even with his great self-control, he nearly faltered.

If he wasn't determined to return to Wu'an County before dawn, his defenses might have collapsed.

Chen Tang patted the Thunder Leopard's rump, "Go have some fun, remember to return to the city yourself."

"This horse is truly remarkable; over two-hundred miles covered in just over an hour, yet it shows no sign of fatigue."

Qingmu expressed great surprise, "Even a Ferghana Horse reputed to run a thousand miles a day might not match this. Is it really okay to let it go?"

"No problem,"

Chen Tang said, "Once the gates open at dawn, it'll enter the city on its own."

Chen Tang and Qingmu headed towards Wu'an County, soon reaching the city walls.

They used the Gecko Wall-Climbing Technique to avoid patrolling guards on the walls, slipping silently into the city.

Chen Tang quietly slipped into the training grounds first, removing the Three-Stone Bow slung on his back. He checked to ensure all bloodstains were thoroughly wiped clean before putting it back.

Only then did they sneak back to the inn.

Neither had slept all night; they needed to rest quickly.

During the day, they still had to attend the rating test at the training grounds.

Chen Tang felt especially worn out.

Since the day before yesterday, he hadn't rested.

The journey from Changze County to Wu'an County was exhausting.

Upon reaching Wu'an County, he hadn't closed his eyes for two days and nights, then the ride back-and-forth to Changze County overnight, and a grueling battle. He was already exhausted.

As soon as Chen Tang's head hit the pillow, he fell asleep.

After an unknown time, a knocking on the door woke Chen Tang.

By then, daylight had broken outside.

Having rested less than an hour, he felt utterly fatigued and powerless, reluctant to rise.

But remembering today the news from Changze County would arrive, and he needed to show himself publicly to clear any suspicions, he struggled to get up, groggily opening the door.

It was Mei Yingxue and the others, coming to call Chen Tang for breakfast.

Upon opening the door, Mei Yingxue was startled by Chen Tang's appearance, asking, "Did you not rest well?"

"What's wrong?"

Chen Tang asked.

Turning back, he picked up a copper mirror, noticing the huge dark circles under his eyes, as if he'd taken two punches.

Yet it was no big deal; with his constitution, some proper rest would see him recover.

"Well, just can't sleep well in a new place."

Chen Tang casually fibbed a response.

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