Inside the cave, Mu Qingyun finished tidying up the bowls and chopsticks. She was about to step outside to the beach to rinse them off simply.
As soon as she stepped out, she unexpectedly bumped into Mu Xueyao and the others.
"Oh, what a coincidence. We meet again," Mu Qingyun said with a faint smile, eyes glinting with amusement.
On the livestream chat, the reactions exploded:
"Holy crap, this is pure drama!"
"Oh my god, I knew it! This cave really is Mu Qingyun's place. Now we have some real entertainment."
"Wait, I have to grab some spicy protein powder. This show is more exciting than any TV drama."
"I never thought I would watch a livestream and be left speechless. This plot is crazy, no scriptwriter could have written this."
Back in the scene, Mu Qingyun tightened her grip on the pot she was holding. Across from her stood Mu Xueyao and the others, their faces full of shock and surprise. Mu Qingyun's lips curved into a subtle smile.
"It is you again?" Deng Yijie's heart skipped a beat, a sudden chill running down his spine. The cruel and ruthless tactics Mu Qingyun displayed the other day were still fresh in his memory.
Mu Qingyun glanced at him but said nothing. Yet she did not leave either.
"Um, were you just eating something?" Mu Xueyao approached slowly, her smile warm and gentle as she stood before Mu Qingyun. "Could I exchange some water for it?"
"No," Mu Qingyun answered decisively, her eyes narrowing slightly as she watched the expression on Mu Xueyao's face change abruptly before quickly returning to normal.
"Why are you so unreasonable? We are not stealing from you, just offering an exchange. Why can you refuse?" Deng Yijie's anger flared. He glared fiercely at Mu Qingyun but in the end, his threats were empty words.
Why refuse to trade?
Mu Qingyun sneered coldly. She had heard this kind of talk before. In her previous life, when she was living in a dilapidated temple, an old woman had bullied her and her companions. After Mu Qingyun caught some food, that old woman had said almost the same words.
Later, when she ascended to the throne, that same old woman died a slow, starving death by Mu Qingyun's order.
"Because I want to," Mu Qingyun said icily, shooting him a sharp glance. She casually set the pot down and flames suddenly flickered, dancing fiercely around her right hand. "If you do not like it, I am ready to settle this anytime."
The livestream chat erupted once more:
"Wow, so cool! Mu Qingyun is amazing."
"Too awesome. I love this."
"I like this kind of person. I bet he has a bright future at the military academy."
"Wait, I never watched Mu Qingyun's livestream before. His fans sound crazy and outrageous."
"Girls, come on! Charging the ugly guy's livestream! How dare he talk like that to our princess! Giving her some food won't cost him a thing, but he acts like it would."
Mu Xueyao's gentle smile remained as she said softly, "Are you not short of water?"
But in her eyes flickered a dangerous glint. Raised with privilege and care since childhood, no one had ever dared to disrespect her so blatantly before.
"Whether we are short of water or not is none of your business," Mu Qingyun said disdainfully, lips curling in a smirk. "Just mind your own affairs."
"How can you speak like that!" Deng Yijie could not tolerate it any longer. He would never allow his beloved to be wronged in front of him.
Yet as he looked at Mu Qingyun's right hand, blazing with flames, and remembered his still aching arm wrapped in bandages, he did not dare rush forward.
"Is this how you talk? Are you deaf or illiterate?" Su stepped forward from behind and sneered coldly.
It was clear that once back at the academy, he would have to check the approval process thoroughly. How could someone with such poor character even pass the military academy's review?
The First Military Academy tolerated some lack of skill and occasional bad temper, but poor conduct was absolutely forbidden.
In recent days, Su had seen many types of people—bullies, cowards, and those with bad morals. Such people were not even worthy of being called human.
"You!" Deng Yijie was infuriated but did not dare make a move.
"Enough of your nonsense. Get lost and do not obstruct my sight," Su said coldly, glancing at them before crouching to pick up a bowl. He began walking toward the shoreline.
"I will go with you," Mu Qingyun quickly grabbed his arm.
Before leaving, she cast a cold glance back at the furious group behind them. "Remember this—do not covet the cave. If you do, I will not show mercy."
With that, the two strode confidently toward the beach, completely ignoring the scowling faces behind them.
"Not bad. Your tongue is pretty sharp," Mu Qingyun said, turning to look at Su with interest. From the first time she met him, he had been timid and fearful, but now he could even insult others.
"That is only because I am very angry. Did you not hear how outrageous he was?" Su quickly returned to his usual cautious demeanor, looking just as timid as before.
Seeing this, Mu Qingyun felt slightly disappointed.
Progress was good; stagnation was dangerous. Yet despite following her for so long, Su had not changed much.
"Starting tomorrow, we will wake up at dawn each day," she said, glancing at Su, "I will teach you some close-combat techniques. You must learn to walk silently. Mastering these attack skills will help you use stealth and surprise to protect yourself."
"Dawn?" Su focused on the unfamiliar word. "What time is dawn? I have only heard this in costume dramas."
Mu Qingyun raised her eyebrows, searching her memory. "Dawn is from seven to nine in the morning. We will start at seven."
Seven o'clock? Seven o'clock!
How long had it been since Su woke up at seven for training?
"Is there a problem?" she asked, noticing Su's reluctant expression. Her tone left no room for argument.
"No, no problem," Su quickly shook his head. If he was going to play the coward, he might as well commit fully.
Satisfied, Mu Qingyun nodded and said nothing more. Together, they walked to the shore.
The livestream chat was aflame again:
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, I ship them so hard—Mu Qingyun and Su are too sweet!"
"This is a training arc. Mu Qingyun is making Su stronger so they can enter the military academy together and maybe even share a dorm!"
"Ah, living together means they can do all kinds of things, you know, that and that!"
"What are you even saying? I do not understand a word."
After cleaning the dishes on the beach, the two returned to the cave.
But as they entered, they saw Xiong Ruoyou curled up in a corner, while Fan Xuanye was glaring coldly at Mu Xueyao and the others.
Mu Qingyun frowned as she looked at the three. Tsk, how shameless—they had really come inside.
Su's eyes flashed with impatience as he thought these people really had no sense to barge in like this.
"I do not care if you are a princess. This is our place. I do not want to live with you. Leave now!" Fan Xuanye snorted coldly, folding his hands as his snake body coiled on the ground, ready to strike.
Xiong Ruoyou, hearing the noise, turned her head with a pained expression but then looked away, aggrieved. Hmph, she had just defended the princess a moment ago—did it really require such harsh scolding?