Chapter 397

Chapter 397: I Came to Chat with You

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Ming was practicing his martial arts techniques in the courtyard. He had taken off his blue robe, tying it around his waist as he threw punch after punch, each one cutting through the air like the wind. Beads of sweat rolled down his body, showcasing his chiseled muscles.

Ming’s physique wasn’t that of an exaggeratedly bulky man, nor was it akin to someone who relied on drugs like those from Blue Ocean Star. His muscles were the result of years of rigorous training, embodying the perfect balance of a warrior capable of slaying enemies and governing the nation with wisdom.

Most women didn’t prefer overly muscular men but admired this kind of well-toned physique. Some little girls might even drool upon seeing Ming’s abs.

Take her, for example.

“Ah!”

Ao Yiner burst into Ming’s courtyard, startled by what she saw. She quickly covered her eyes, though her fingers left a gap, revealing her sparkling gaze fixated on Ming, her cheeks blushing furiously.

Ao Yiner knew it wasn’t proper to stare, but she couldn’t help but marvel at how solid his muscles were. She even felt an urge to touch them.

Ming ceased his stance and stood up, addressing Ao Yiner, “Miss Ao, one should knock before entering someone else’s courtyard. Bursting in unannounced isn’t a good habit.”

“I saw your door slightly ajar, so I walked in,” Ao Yiner huffed, turning her head but still stealing glances at Ming’s abs.

“Is there something you need, Miss Ao?”

Ming decided not to dwell on the matter. She was just a spoiled little girl with no ill intentions, and since they were both guests from the Northern Sea, they wouldn’t meet again after this. He pulled on his robe, covering himself.

Seeing Ming hide his muscles, Ao Yiner felt a twinge of regret. He didn’t have to cover up; she certainly didn’t mind.

“I just came to chat,” Ao Yiner smiled.

“???” Ming thought he might have misheard, “What did you just say, Miss Ao?”

Ao Yiner lifted her head arrogantly, hands on her hips, looking all high-and-mighty, “I came to chat with you!”

Ming: “…”

Ming was utterly confused by her logic. Was it normal for your clan, Dragon Clan, to lack any sense of boundaries? As a man, he didn’t care much, but as a young lady, coming to his courtyard late at night could ruin her reputation.

Moreover, did they even know each other that well? She was a princess from the Eastern Sea, and he was an official from the Wu Kingdom. They barely crossed paths beyond fishing together earlier that afternoon. Was it too sudden for her to want to chat now?

“Miss Ao, it’s quite late…” Ming said diplomatically.

By Blue Ocean Star time, it was already ten o’clock at night. People would talk if she came visiting this late.

“It’s not late,” Ao Yiner looked up at the moon, “It’s early! I usually sleep past midnight.”

So she was a night owl.

Ming: “But I’m about to wash up and sleep.”

Ao Yiner: “You can sleep later! I have so many things to ask you~”

Ao Yiner inwardly grumbled. If he liked her, why wasn’t he seizing this chance to get closer? Instead, he wanted to sleep.

Ming: “…”

“Alright then, please take a seat, Miss Ao.”

Ming hesitated but decided against kicking her out. She posed no threat to him, and besides, he had questions of his own. Since she was here, he might as well try to extract some useful information.

“Okay~”

Ao Yiner happily sat down on a stool. Ming waved his sleeve, closing the courtyard gate to avoid passersby spotting her inside.

Sitting across from her, Ming poured her a cup of tea, “What would you like to chat about, Miss Ao?”

“Ming, Ming, let me ask you.” Ao Yiner’s eyes sparkled brightly, “How do land-dwellers survive without water?”

“…” Ming hadn’t expected such a naive question, which made him chuckle internally.

Initially wary of her, Ming now saw her as a genuinely innocent little girl, clearly overprotected.

“Your siblings and father must adore you very much,” Ming commented.

Ao Yiner pondered for a moment, nodding enthusiastically, “Yes, yes! I am Father’s only daughter, and both Father and my brothers spoil me. They always give me the best.”

“No wonder,” Ming sipped his tea, nodding.

Ao Yiner frowned slightly, upset, “Ming, you haven’t answered yet. How do land-dwellers live without water?”

“People on land breathe through their lungs, absorbing oxygen directly from the air. Fish are similar, using gills to filter oxygen from water,” Ming explained.

Ao Yiner thought carefully, “What is oxygen?”

“Uh…” Ming struggled for an explanation, “You can think of it as air.”

“Oh~” Ao Yiner nodded, “Then, Ming, are tigers on land really fierce?”

Ming: “…”

“For ordinary people, yes, tigers are indeed fierce,” Ming confirmed.

“I heard cats on land are cute,” Ao Yiner’s eyes shone.

Ming nodded, “They’re alright, but cats are unpredictable. Personally, I prefer dogs.”

“Do you have a dog?” Ao Yiner asked excitedly.

Ming: “No.”

“Oh~” Ao Yiner looked a bit disappointed.

“Miss Ao, I also have some questions for you,” Ming seized the opportunity.

“Go ahead, ask anything!” Ao Yiner straightened up proudly, hands on her hips, acting like she knew everything.

Ming thought for a moment, “How are the relations among the Four Seas?”