60: Chapter 60 Apology

At this time, in the academy's girls' dormitory, Dugu Yan was in Ye Lingling's room.

She had just finished unpacking and was sitting on the edge of the bed, boredly flipping through a casual book she had brought with her, but she couldn't keep reading after just a couple of pages.

She turned her head to look at Ye Lingling, who was sitting at the desk.

Ye Lingling was sitting upright at the desk, practicing calligraphy with a fine brush, her focused expression making it seem as if she had completely forgotten her surroundings.

"Lingling, don't you find this boring?"

Dugu Yan tossed a crumpled ball of paper at her as she spoke. Ye Lingling tilted her head slightly to dodge it; her brush tip paused for a moment on the paper before she continued writing.

Dugu Yan curled her lip, looked around boredly for a while, and then suddenly spoke to Ye Lingling as curiosity struck her.

"Lingling, why don't we go find Bai Qi to hang out? His courtyard is so grand; it must be more fun than the dorms."

Ye Lingling finished her last character, gently placed the brush on the inkstone, and looked up at Dugu Yan, her voice as soft as ever.

"It's already night; that might not be appropriate."

Dugu Yan lay flat on the bed and said indifferently while looking at Ye Lingling.

"What's wrong with it? My grandpa said I should Cultivate with him, and besides, it's just classmates visiting each other. It's fine."

After saying that, Dugu Yan scrambled up and, without taking no for an answer, grabbed Ye Lingling's arm and headed out, talking as she walked.

"Let's go, let's go. I haven't had a good look at his courtyard yet. We left too quickly during the day and didn't explore enough; it'll be peaceful at night."

Ye Lingling was half-dragged to her feet and followed along helplessly.

The two of them crossed the academy paths and circled around to the main entrance of Bai Qi's courtyard.

However, the courtyard gate was tightly shut, and no lights were on inside. The entire courtyard seemed exceptionally quiet in the dark night, with only the rustling of the wind through the flowering vines on the walls.

Dugu Yan stepped forward and knocked on the door.

No one answered.

She knocked several more times, each louder than the last, but there was still no response.

"Is he not in?"

Dugu Yan said in confusion, pushing against the gate, but it wouldn't budge.

She frowned, found a stone to step on, and peered inside on her tiptoes.

It was pitch black with not a hint of movement.

"Strange, where could he go in the middle of the night?"

Dugu Yan stood with her hands on her hips, her face full of confusion.

She poked her head in for another look, then sighed, brushed the dust off her hands, jumped down, and led Ye Lingling back.

Dugu Yan grumbled as she walked, "I'll come back tomorrow morning. It's not like he could have vanished."

Just as the two were leaving, Bai Qi had just finished his Hidden Weapons.

Completely unaware that someone had come by, he was still immersed in his own World.

Bai Qi picked up the structural diagram for the Powder Shooting Shadow, spread it out on the table, and studied it carefully. After mentally reviewing it, he began attempting to forge it.

He worked tirelessly for another long stretch until the clock on the wall pointed to three o'clock, finally completing three sets of Powder Shooting Shadow.

Bai Qi checked them once more and placed the three sets of Powder Shooting Shadow on the workbench. He looked at them; there were six people but only three sets—not enough to go around.

After some thought, he simply didn't put them into leather bags, instead placing them separately on another table to give out once he had made enough.

He stood up; that was enough for today. He had to get up early tomorrow to go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School and couldn't go without any rest. He tidied up the forging table and headed up the stairs.

Returning to the bedroom, Bai Qi washed up briefly, lay down on the bed, and closed his eyes.

His mind was still on Battle Armor. As he thought about it, he fell asleep.

After waking up, Bai Qi sat cross-legged on the bed and Cultivated for half an hour.

As the sky began to brighten, Bai Qi went to wash up. When he stepped out, he happened to see Liu Erlong's figure approaching through the distant bamboo forest.

Seeing this, Bai Qi took a few strides out of the courtyard and went to Liu Erlong's side, taking the small basket from her. Liu Erlong looked at Bai Qi and asked curiously.

"Where were you last night?"

"I didn't go anywhere!"

Bai Qi entered the courtyard first. Carrying the basket to the pavilion, he began setting the meal while speaking.

Liu Erlong closed the gate behind her after entering and followed Bai Qi toward the pavilion.

"Then why did Dugu Yan and the other girl say they went to find you, but you didn't even respond?"

After setting out the food, Bai Qi looked at Liu Erlong as she sat down in front of him and asked in confusion.

"They came last night? I was tinkering with some things in the basement last night, so I probably didn't hear them."

Liu Erlong glanced at him upon hearing this but didn't ask further, and the two began to eat.

After the meal, Bai Qi took out two exquisite leather bags from his storage ring, one large and one small, and placed them on the table.

"Teacher Erlong, these two sets are for Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling. Inside are the Silent Sleeve Dart and the Godly Zhuge Crossbow. Since they came to find me last night and I didn't hear them, consider these a formal apology."

Liu Erlong hadn't heard of these before. She curiously took the leather bags, opened one, and examined the contents.

She touched the mechanism of the crossbow's body, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes; it was such an exquisite item.

After marveling at it, she wrapped the leather bag back up.

"Let's go, come with me."

Bai Qi nodded at her words and followed Liu Erlong along the path to the front of the girls' dormitory.

Liu Erlong went upstairs to find Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, while Bai Qi waited below.

Before long, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling came down with Liu Erlong.

Seeing Bai Qi, Dugu Yan huffed and said crossly.

"Where did you run off to last night? We knocked on the door for ages, but no one paid us any attention."

Bai Qi smiled apologetically.

"Last night, I was busy in the basement and didn't hear you. That's why I'm here today specifically to apologize."

He handed over the two leather bags.

"One set for each of you, consider it a meeting gift."

Dugu Yan took the leather bag and opened it. Her eyes immediately lit up, but she still asked curiously.

"What... is this?"

She picked up the sleeve dart and touched it, then looked at the Godly Zhuge Crossbow beside it, turning them over and over several times. Even though she didn't understand them, she couldn't bear to put them down.

"You made these?"

Bai Qi nodded.

"I made them last night. Give them a try."

Ye Lingling also took her share, opened it for a look, and nodded gently, her voice very soft.

"Thank you."

She held the leather bag to her chest, her gaze lingering on Bai Qi for a moment, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly. Though the arc was small, she was indeed smiling.

Afterward, the group went to the training grounds, where he gave them a demonstration.

After seeing it, Dugu Yan couldn't wait to strap the sleeve dart to her wrist and try it out, saying with a smile.

"At least you have a conscience."

Seeing that both of them were using the items, Bai Qi said.

"Familiarize yourselves with the Hidden Weapons first. I'm going out for a bit and will be back in a few days."

Dugu Yan already knew about Bai Qi's plan from yesterday, so as she fiddled with the Godly Zhuge Crossbow, she said without looking up.

"Go ahead, go ahead."

Meanwhile, Ye Lingling held her leather bag and asked softly.

"Where are you going?"

Bai Qi replied casually.

"To the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, to bring a few people back."

Ye Lingling nodded and didn't ask further.

After speaking, Bai Qi turned and walked out of the academy, with Liu Erlong following to see him to the gate.

"Be careful on the road."

Liu Erlong stood inside the courtyard gate and spoke to Bai Qi.

Bai Qi waved to her and strode out toward the academy's exit.

The gates of Lanba Academy gradually receded behind him, and the official road ahead stretched straight into the distance.

Bai Qi quickened his pace, mentally calculating his itinerary for the day.