The younger sister's face was flushed with red, and she lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone. "I promised you..." she murmured.
Lu Yao was overjoyed, "The heroine is indeed trustworthy, her promise worth a thousand in gold. I like that!"
The younger sister playfully punched him, then took out a piece of white silk, spread it out, and lay down on it with her eyes closed.
There were too many wonderful things about Liao Qe, but what attracted Lu Yao the most was her fair, creamy skin.
Natural beauty without ornament, a lotus born from clear water, filled with the boundless charm and vitality of youth, akin to "The Peach Blossom Spring"—lush grass so green, fallen petals in profusion. Narrow at first to an outsider, but after passing through it dozens of times, the path suddenly opens up to a bright clearing.
Liao Qe was blushing all over, her pretty face showing surprise, "Sister, you big liar!!! It's nothing like what you said!"
~~~~~~~~
Liao Ya, who was preparing to go to bed inside the house, suddenly felt like sneezing, a bit confused. She was practicing Organ Refining, so how could she catch a cold?
Then, she heard a strange sound, like the mewling of a kitten.
Liao Ya immediately realized what it was and spat disgustedly.
Lying in the Sleep Cultivation posture on the bed, she just couldn't settle down to sleep, the strange noise persistently drilling into her ears.
With no choice left, she pulled the blanket over her head.
Just as she was about to breathe a sigh of relief, it started again after just a few minutes! "That damn girl!"
~~~~~~~~
Early the next morning, Master Liao, who hadn't slept well, got up and started practicing her punches.
It was just getting light when she went outside and found her sister sneakily doing something by the well.
On closer inspection, she discovered she was washing a bedsheet.
Liao Ya said disdainfully, "How old are you to still wet the bed, aren't you ashamed?"
Liao Qe, who was secretly scrubbing a large stain with a washing board, jumped in fright when her sister startled her, her cheeks turning bright red, "I didn't! ..."
Hastily, she stuffed the bedsheet into the tub, trying to hide it from view.
"If not you, then was it Lu Yao?"
"It wasn't him either... Ah, I can't explain it to you." Liao Qe looked at her sister with a strange, full-bodied gaze. "You've deceived me bitterly..."
"..."
Liao Ya, uncharacteristically eating slowly, appeared on the verge of speaking several times but ended up simply stating, "With a long journey ahead, one must prioritize their health..."
~~~~~~~
The Military Preparations Dao Office.
The clerks passing by wore solemn expressions, and the servants without any status dared not even breathe too loudly, creating a stark contrast to the typically relaxed atmosphere, as if some major event was about to unfold.
Soon, an old, black luxury car drove in. After coming to a halt, the driver got out and respectfully opened the door.
A gender-neutral beauty stepped out of the car. Dressed in a gray women's suit and sporting an ear-length bob, her phoenix eyes slanted upwards, giving her an intimidating look, while her expression exuded confidence, as if she had everything under control. Experience the best from m|v|l|e|mp|y|r
The woman, flanked by subordinates, went straight to meet the Military Affairs Commissioner, with no one daring to intercept her.
The Military Affairs Commissioner—Lu Shijie, almost 60, was the highest-ranking official in the Military Preparations Dao Office.
He seemed to be expecting the woman's arrival, sitting casually behind a large mahogany desk, and greeted her coolly, "Princess Yongping, I presume."
Not only was his attitude impolite, but there was also no stool or tea offered.
An attendant immediately prostrated on the ground with hands supporting her, and Princess Yongping, using a person as her stool, sat down with poise and composure, holding an envelope in her hand.
"This is a decree from the Prime Minister's Office—the 'Yunzhou National Martial Arts Association' is officially established. From today on, Yunzhou martial artists will be under my administration," she stated.
With that, she carelessly tossed the envelope. It flew like a blade, piercing into the mahogany desk in front of Lu Shijie with a 'thud', embedding itself three inches deep.
Lu Shijie's eyebrows twitched: "I've been aware for quite some time, please, make yourself comfortable."
He pulled the envelope out of the desk, patted it lightly, and set it aside.
However, inwardly, he was shocked: Such skill was characteristic of someone in the Blood-Exchange Realm! This woman being only about 20 years old, her talent would be considered astonishing even among royal kin!
Princess Yongping's lips curled in disdain as she said,
"In these challenging times for our nation, not only have martial artists failed to aid the state, but many have caused trouble, even conspiring to create chaos. The Imperial Court will not sit idly by. I trust that you will make the right choices, Master Lu."
Without looking back, she left.
Lu Shijie's face was obscured by shadow, masking his expression.
Martial artists had always been under the Armed Forces Authority's management, but now there was a sudden shift in oversight. The transfer of power between departments in a feudal dynasty was bound to be filthy with intrigue.