"No way?"

Xia Xiao held Ah Zhu's hand, staring at the ball of light formed by the vitality on it, and then looked at her chest. The seal on it was indeed there, and the vitality could be released normally. After all this, Xia Xiao was confused. Ah Zhu was able to conceal his aura when he had no vitality, so his aura had never been exposed. This was not surprising, after all, he had known it for a long time. But the blood seal could not stop the release of her vitality? Could it be that she was not bound by this world?

Because Xia Xiao didn't know much about the blood seal, this was the first time he saw it, and he had never heard of it before. So he tried many times at the beginning, but he really couldn't use the vitality, and he couldn't even sense his own five elements space. The vitality tree that he was very familiar with also disappeared into nothingness. But Ah Zhu could use it, and he felt very unbalanced, but he looked at Ah Zhu a few more times, which made Ah Zhu shy.

"You're so annoying."

Xia Xiao realized what was going on when he saw Ah Zhu's blushing face, but he laughed at her and said:

"Aren't we going to sleep together? Are you shy about this?"

Ah Zhu took a breath, wanted to refute but didn't know what to say, so he could only make up his mind and muttered:

"There are so few rooms in the city, wouldn't it be better to leave one more room for others?"

"Come on, it's not right, let's wait until later!"

Xia Xiao said as he walked out. This time Ah Zhu did not stop him, but was secretly happy. She liked Xia Xiao like this. But after a while, Xia Xiao came back and reminded him:

"Don't let your imagination run wild. We'll talk about your life story when we get back to the academy. Take a good rest. We'll go to the mountains outside the city to catch rabbits this afternoon."

"Okay!"

Ah Zhu covered her chest, very strong. Although she didn't exert much strength in the morning battle, she was injured when she landed. Now her body hurts a little and she wants to sleep. But Xia Xiao didn't relax like her, but went to find Xia Jinghong.

Although Xia Xiao is now strong enough to defeat his father and has the same long-term vision as his father, it is better to discuss things with his father since he is around. It is never a bad thing to listen to his opinions. Xia Xiao has always been like this and has not changed because he has seen more of the world, which makes Xia Jinghong feel relieved.

Because of the previous battle of the Qulun practitioners in the Silent World, Xiyang City was affected. Among them, the houses where the Xia family army was stationed were the most damaged, and some people were injured. As the only general of this army, Xia Jinghong patrolled everywhere and cooperated with Xia Xu to repair the houses. At this time, the earth-based practitioners were very useful. After Xia Xiao came, before he could speak, Xia Xu and his adjutant went to the side to continue their work, and Xia Jinghong accompanied Xia Xiao to the side and went to the distant city wall. Since we want to talk, let's have a good chat.

"Are you worried about the bloody seal?"

"Well! The poison master said that it can't be solved in a short time, and it will take another month for it to dissipate naturally, so I am thinking about going back to the academy or staying in the army."

"Tell me what you think first."

This is Xia Jinghong's habit, and Xia Xiao deserves gratitude.

Since childhood, in order to cultivate his ability to think independently, his father would first listen to his own opinions on everything, instead of making decisions for his children like most parents. Although Xia Jinghong did this because he was often not at home and needed them to make their own decisions, it was a good habit anyway.

Xia Xiao said as he took a walk:

"It's convenient to go back, but it's not good to run to the academy when something happens. After all, what I'm doing now only represents myself and has nothing to do with the academy. The last poisoning incident was enough to trouble the seniors in the academy, and it's a bit too much to go back in just three days. If there are too many such things, I will feel bad even if the seniors have more patience."

"More importantly, Ah Zhu can use her vitality even if she is sealed. Her identity is a mystery. If I go back, I'm afraid she will be left in the academy, and I won't be able to come back. Now that Ah Zhu is gone, I can't leave the academy. Those people in the dark are always waiting for me to reveal my aura."

At this point, Xia Xiao held his father's arm and walked back. He kept controlling the distance, and it was impossible to walk all the way to the city wall. Seeing his action, Xia Jinghong secretly praised him. He was careless before and didn't consider this problem. Xia Jinghong looked at Xia Xiao's resolute profile and felt that he had indeed matured, but he didn't say it out loud.

"Dad, what do you think?"

"You should stay! What you said makes sense. A month is not a long time. This time, morale has received the strongest boost in a while. If you leave now, the impact will be too great and it won't be worth it. Besides, it will disappear on its own, so you don't have to worry too much. Just wait patiently."

"I'm afraid that Nanshang will launch a large-scale attack this month."

"There will definitely be attacks, but we will definitely be able to stop them."

"We still need to speed up the discussion of countermeasures."

"Originally before the war, Su Zhongmou and many counselors made various predictions and corresponding plans. But the strength shown by Nan Shang is stronger than we thought. Now in addition to the million elite troops, there is also a very troublesome Shenwei Army. If we want to save our lives and win in the hands of such Nan Shang, there should be no way to do it in a short time. However, this kind of thing can only be handed over to them. We are good at leading troops to fight, and we have to admire their open-mindedness in this regard. We can only wait."

"My second sister's talent in this area is gradually showing. Maybe she can come up with a plan that can alarm the alliance. But Dad, if that happens, the Southern Kingdom will probably make things difficult for my second sister. They definitely don't want to have such a smart woman in the family."

"Don't worry, smart women know how to protect themselves better than men."

Xia Jinghong couldn't help laughing as he spoke. His wife, Xiao Rong, was a smart woman who could easily manage the whole house. Even if he was often away from home, he could live a stable life in Zhenxun. No one would gossip about him, and no one would reduce their respect for his Xia Mansion. It was not easy to do these things. It was the same as managing the army, but it was more difficult. After all, the most talkative people in the world were not the soldiers, but the neighbors.

Xia Jinghong's three sons are all talented. The eldest, Xia Xu, is brave and good at fighting. Although he is a little tongue-tied and not good at arguing, he is very strong and has a way of leading troops. The second son, Xia Wan, is well-educated and proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. He is also well-versed in astrology, military tactics and ancient books. He can discuss political affairs and fight against treacherous villains. He is very smart. Although the third son, Xia Xiao, does not have the ability to lead troops and the wisdom of political affairs, he will definitely reach a position in the future that Xia Xu and Xia Wan cannot imagine.

More importantly, even though Xia Xiao gradually overshadowed Xia Xu and Xia Wan's talents, they did not feel jealous, but always cared about him as the eldest brother and sister. For Xia Jinghong, as a father, the harmony of the family is the most important. He has always valued family affection, and the Xia family, who have gone through many things together, are extremely united.

Xia Xiao chatted with his father for more than an hour. When the time was almost right, he led two horses back to the previous courtyard and set out with Azhu to catch wild rabbits in the mountains not far from Xiyang City.

Because he had run out of energy, Xia Xiao carried a bow and arrow, a dagger and some equipment, and made up for the roasted hare that was late for a quarter.

Without vitality, it is difficult to fly, but riding a horse is also fun. There are few people outside Xiyang City. Xia Xiao and Azhu walked towards the mountains in the afternoon. After spending several hours, they really caught a few fat rabbits and then started a small fire by the stream.

Ah Zhu was holding a bunch of dry firewood, very happy, and started a fire and roasted the rabbit with charcoal. When bubbles appeared on the rabbit meat, Xia Xiao, who was sitting on the boulder, slapped his thigh and said in surprise:

“I forgot to bring the seasoning!”

"ah--"

Ah Zhu was extremely disappointed, and her red nose made her look pitiful, but Xia Xiao took out a handful of salt and chili powder and sprinkled them on the rabbit.

"Look at you."

"How dare you lie to me!"

"What, you don't want to eat anymore? Put your fist down!"

"Okay!"

Ah Zhu roasted the charcoal fire, his eyes full of delicious food. Every few seconds he asked if it was cooked, his mouth watering. Xia Xiao answered again and again, and finally said impatiently:

"Go check those traps to see if there are any rabbits. You can eat them when you come back!"

Ah Zhu ran away without saying anything. She ran into the bushes humming a little tune and came back with the hare in her arms.

"Little bunny, you're so cute!"

Ah Zhu talked to herself and praised it a few words, but if it knew that this guy's mind was full of roasted rabbit meat that was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, it would definitely not be as obedient as it is now. It would not move even when she lifted it up by the scruff of the neck.

"Xia Xiao, there are two more super big rabbits."

Xia Xiao bent down and took a bite of the rabbit meat. It was so fragrant that his eyes turned red.

"Since you eat first!"

"I'll give you a taste."

"I don't believe it, let go!"

Ah Zhu held the whole rabbit in a very domineering manner, and the little sadness he had previously buried in the rabbit head disappeared, and he ate it very deliciously. In late autumn, it was really a very pleasant thing to have a few roasted rabbits like this, but Xia Xiao did not roast them immediately, but just tied the two live rabbits together.

"Not roasting?"

"Leave one for my father and my eldest brother. Food is scarce now. We should not forget our families when we have meat to eat."

"I haven't forgotten you either. Here, I'll give you a big rabbit leg."

"A whole rabbit, and you only give me a rabbit leg?"

"Then... I'll give you half another one."

Ah Zhu was very generous. She liked to eat delicious food, and she liked Xia Xiao even more. But Xia Xiao didn't want to, and she bowed her hands and let her eat. Ah Zhu smiled and said, "You are so nice." She was no longer polite and wanted to finish the delicious food.

"Want to drink?"

"A small sip."

Ah Zhu fanned his tongue, feeling the spiciness, but after a while he took another sip, and found the rabbit meat extremely fragrant. Although they did not eat all they could, in the evening, the two men rode their horses slowly back to Xiyang. Seeing them run out like racehorses and come back like this, the gatekeepers were envious. But even though they were envious, they did not have the ability to imitate them and did not dare to run out of the city.

Tonight Ah Zhu roasted the food and she delivered it. Seeing the smiles on Xia Jinghong and Xia Xu's faces, she vaguely felt that she could blend into this family, so she was very happy, and her mouth was slightly raised until she fell asleep. However, not far away, Xia Xiao was sitting in the room, and his face was serious when he looked at the person in front of him.

"Tell me, what's your purpose?"