Insufficient balance

  Kou's words warmed my heart, and I smiled, saying, "Don't worry, we're a team, after all. I'll never forget you guys. How are Touka and Shuuji doing?"

  "Although the wound is severe, they no longer have to worry about their lives. Just rest more and you'll be fine. You should also get some rest, don't say any more, I'll call you when it's time to eat."

  "Okay, eyelids are really a bit swollen, I'll sleep for a while." All problems have been solved, although not very perfect but still acceptable, I feel a sense of relaxation, comfortably entering the dreamland.

  I don't know how long it's been, but something smells so good. A tempting aroma pulled me out of my sleep, and I opened my eyes dazedly. Wow, everyone was eating. I weakly asked: "Is there any for me? I'm starving."

  Miss Wen was also in the room, seeing that I had woken up and smiled saying: "I just called you, and you woke up, really hungry, get up and eat." A maid supported me half lying down and half sitting up, placed a small table on the bed, brought over a bowl of thick soup and some pastries.

  I shamefully said: "Sorry Teacher Wen, I didn't fulfill my own mission."

  The teacher gently shook his head and said, "Child, you've done very well, but in the future, don't easily use life magic. I'm not like Lauren, nor is Beichi that unreasonable. If it's a fair match, we'll definitely win. Actually, failure isn't necessarily bad for you all; it lets you know your shortcomings. Work hard from now on, and let's eat first." The last sentence was directed at everyone.

  I couldn't care about talking to others anymore, because the saliva in my mouth was too much. The light yellow soup sent a nose-piercing aroma, and I took a sip before speaking. Wow, it's so fresh! I couldn't help but ask: "What kind of soup is this? It's so delicious."

  Xiu Shi replied, "This is the imperial court's secret recipe called 'Zhong Xian Tang', it's made by simmering a variety of wild game and fungi with old ginseng, lingzhi mushrooms, deer antlers, he shou wu and many other precious medicinal materials for a very long time. It's extremely valuable, you're really lucky to have tried it this time, haha."

  My face turned bright red, and I muttered: "What do you mean I've had enough to drink? Haven't you guys had any?" Everyone burst out laughing, and I couldn't help but laugh too. It wasn't until it hurt my wound that I stopped. The friendship was like a thick soup that filled the entire room, and having gone through life-and-death tests together made everyone's relationship much closer.

  I finished eating my own share quickly, but everyone else hadn't finished yet. I looked around and saw that Dong Ri was eating the slowest, so I asked him: "Is your pastry delicious?"

  On a winter day, looking at me with longing eyes, he chuckled and said, "Here." He tossed one over, and I caught it accurately with my mouth. Turning back to Xiū Sī, I said, "Wow, Xiū Sī, your soup is different from mine, what flavor is it?" Upon hearing my words, everyone couldn't hold back anymore, and Gāo Dé's rice cake sprayed out of his mouth. I anxiously shouted, "Don't waste it if you're not going to eat!"

  In the end, it was Teacher Wen who came to everyone's rescue, "Chang Gong, if you want their lives, just keep talking. Their wounds are almost bursting open. You should eat a little less, your body is too weak and eating too much will be bad for you."

  After listening to Teacher Wen's words, I lay down with dissatisfaction. I've never eaten such good food before. Next time, I must eat more. Taking advantage of everyone's inattention, I secretly told the maid to ask the chef to prepare more for me next time.

  Every day is a nutritious feast, everyone's injuries are healing very quickly, more than 10 days have passed and they are basically all recovered, but I really don't want to recover so quickly, I haven't had enough of the delicious food in the palace yet.

  That day, Teacher Wen thought we were all good enough, so he took us to meet the Emperor. I think this was necessary; we couldn't just eat so many good things from others without even saying hello.

  The palace and maze I think should be equated, in just a few minutes I was dizzy, and the others didn't seem to be much better.

  We arrived in front of a very grand building, and Teacher Wen said that this was the Diligent Government Hall of King Zhuda. Everyone approached together, and Teacher Wen directed us to kneel down together. We followed him shouting "Long live! Long live! Long long live!" and so on. After finishing the slogans, I secretly lifted my head to take a peek upwards.

  Is this the King of Xuda? On the dragon throne, a man sat upright, wearing a very luxurious robe, probably over 70 years old, with a straight waist and shining eyes.

  "No need for formalities, let's dispense with the pleasantries."

  The King of Xuda obviously appreciated us and asked if we were willing to be officials. Half a day passed without anyone making a sound, I only realized that they were all looking at me, what was I supposed to do? I'm not even from Xuda, but I had no choice but to take the lead, so I made up some grand reasons for myself. It was nothing more than saying we're still young, this competition made us realize our skills are still far from perfect and we need to learn more, and in the future when our martial arts skills are accomplished, we will definitely serve the country and so on. Teacher Wen couldn't help but laugh secretly.

  It's okay, this King of Xuda is really open-minded and didn't make things difficult for us at all. He just encouraged us a couple of sentences and then let us withdraw.

  Finally back in Teacher Wen's little wooden house, although there's no delicious food to eat, but it still feels good here because of the freedom.

  After returning, the five of us never parted ways again. Every day, we exercised together and practiced martial arts. I taught them some simple light magic that they could understand, and I also learned many things from them and Teacher Wen that I didn't know before. Time flew by quickly, and three months passed unknowingly.

  Although I don't want to leave these close friends, I still have to complete my own mission. I found Teacher Wen and said: "Teacher, thank you for your guidance and care over the past few days. I think I'm going to leave now to fulfill the mission that Teacher Di taught me."

  Teacher Wen patted me on the shoulder and sighed, saying: "To be honest, I really don't want to let you go. Now you are just like my own student."

  I smiled and said: "Originally I was your student anyway, in the future I will come back to see you all again."

  "Alright, go tell everyone and pack up to leave tomorrow," said Teacher Wen with a sigh. I nodded and went back to the courtyard. When I told everyone that I was going to complete the task assigned by Teacher Di, they surprisingly didn't seem sad, which made me feel a bit depressed. After packing my things in the room, all I had to do was wait for tomorrow's departure.