Saddle Horse Eight Clouds (Part 1)

  For a period of time afterwards, when Hong didn't have any tasks, he would go to Ning Ci's home to cultivate the Peacock Method, while Ning Ci cultivated his physical skills in a secluded place.

  Ning felt that his progress in practicing Tai Chi was not great, lacking a decent opponent, and still had a long way to go. However, now that there were many masters in Konoha, Ning didn't want them to know about his true strength.

  Moreover, the coordination between Blood Succession and Body Technique had already become extremely smooth. Ning Ci knew that relying on Blood Succession, even if he were to fight against Kai, as long as he wasn't using all eight gates, he definitely wouldn't be able to defeat himself.

  Of course, Ningci knew that this judgment was not necessarily accurate. Kai's combat experience was far beyond Ningci's, and relying solely on his physical skills to create a name for himself in Konoha was a testament to his mastery of taijutsu.

  To work behind closed doors is ultimately not a good method.

  Watching Hong practice the Peacock Method in the room, Ning thought of that girl who had made herself his partner.

  "Ningci, you're back!" Hong also noticed Ningci at this time, put away his Chakra and walked out.

  "What do you want to eat tonight?" Hong asked softly.

  Ning was taken aback for a moment, this feeling of being cared about, after coming to this world, had only been expressed by Hong Kou just now, and the feeling in his heart was very complicated. Before long, Ning reacted, "Whatever."

  Looking at Hong walking towards the kitchen, the slender figure in Ning's heart had a warm feeling, and he smiled self-deprecatingly. How did I become so sentimental? He thought about how to ask Hong about the matter of the Eight Trigrams Sealing Style. From the animation, it could be seen that this matter was also very oppressive for Hong. Following the orders of Huoying, but because of his own incompetence, he ruined a girl full of hope...

  Until Hong was ready with dinner, Ning didn't know how to bring up the matter.

  Looking at Ning Ci holding his chopsticks but not saying a word for half the day, Hong asked somewhat puzzled: "What's wrong, you don't like these dishes? What do you like to eat, tell me and I'll help you make it."

  The inquiring voice startled Ning Ci, who looked at the bright red eyes flowing with faint concern. Ning Ci smiled slightly, and now it was Hong's turn to be surprised. Since meeting the boy in front of him, he had only seen a calm expression on his face, except for the occasional glimpse of a faintly shy smile when he inadvertently revealed his true feelings. Now, Ning Ci actually smiled, and this feeling was really strange.

  For some reason, Hong's heart ached slightly. What had caused this child to become the way he was now? Apart from the apathetic feeling on his body, the occasional flashes of pain that slipped out were unusually deep and bitter. What had happened to him?

  Ning couldn't help but pay more attention to Hong's affairs.

  After the two finished eating, Ning didn't return to his room to meditate as he usually did. Instead, he stayed there, and Hong knew that this unusual behavior meant he had something to say. He poured a cup of tea and waited for Ning to speak up.

  "Where is your horse now?"

  Ning's words immediately made Hong's heart skip a beat. How did he know about Bayun? And why was he asking about Bayun? These doubts were quickly covered up by the bitterness in his heart,

  Looking at Hong's slightly trembling body, Ning silently considered for a long time how to talk to him, but couldn't think of any good way. He sat down beside Hong and took hold of his still-trembling slender hand, the soft and smooth feeling didn't linger in Ning's heart for long

  Hong was stunned for a moment, feeling Ningci's tight grip on herself, a sense of dependence swept across her mind. For some unknown reason, Hong suddenly hugged Ningci and burst into tears.

  Ning Ci was very unfamiliar with this scene, hesitated for a long time, stretched out his hand to hold the thin and weak shoulder, silently comforting her. There was no ambiguity, no flirtation, at this moment there was only that faint warmth around them.

  After crying for a while, Hong felt much better emotionally, having vented out all the grievances in her heart. She sat up straight, smiled slightly with some embarrassment, and said, "Sorry, I was rude."

  After calming down a bit, Hong looked at the boy in front of her, with a hint of shyness in her eyes. "How did you know about Yayoi? Can you tell me?"

  Ning hesitated for a moment, thought about it, "I've heard that her abilities are very useful, especially to me, I need her very much."

  She furrowed her delicate eyebrows, although she knew that Ning Ci's words were not true, but she didn't want to pursue it either. What she wanted to know now was the deeper meaning behind Ning Ci's words, which required Yayoi's ability. In Hong's opinion, Ning Ci's current strength was in no way weaker than the special Jonin in the village, and yet he still needed to find Yayoi who possessed a powerful ability... what did he want to do?

  "Yakumo's powers have been sealed by me." The tone was surprisingly tinged with a hint of resentment, but Red didn't seem to notice. Looking at Nigiri, he simply nodded and didn't show any reaction. Red said somewhat discontentedly, "Don't you want to ask why I sealed her powers?"

  Ning Ci found it a bit strange how Hong was acting now, but he still shook his head honestly.

  "You... I was jealous of Yakumo's abilities, afraid of her potential, afraid that she would one day surpass me and become the village's top illusionist ninja..." Akane's words trailed off as she saw Nigiri reach out with his right hand to gently stroke her cheek, the faint cool sensation sending shivers down her spine once again, rendering her unable to continue speaking. Her alabaster skin flushed a delicate pink, exuding an alluring aroma...

  "Don't splash dirty water on yourself, I won't believe that kind of stupid reason. If you're that kind of person, I wouldn't like you either. As for the reason, don't even mention it." Ning said calmly, but the determination in his tone deeply moved Hong.

  Ning said it was his true intention, even if he hadn't seen the animation, after this short period of getting along, Ning himself could also see Rea's personality, like what she said, Rea would never do that.

  "No need to say more, I'll help you solve this matter. Even if Jian Yun is your apprentice, I won't let things go on like this between you two. You don't have a way out, but I do."

  Hearing Ningci say that, Hong looked at him in surprise and happened to see Ningci's eyes turn purple, emitting a strange and seductive color. Hong knew what Ningci meant was that his eyes could do something extraordinary, but did he have some other incredible ability?

  Ning didn't give Hong a chance to ask questions, and it's not suitable to continue the conversation now. He withdrew his purple pupils, feeling a bit reluctant to let go of the hand that was caressing Hong's right cheek. "Let's talk about it tomorrow, get some rest."

  Here I'd like to explain, especially the issue of Jonin and Tokubetsu Jonin. In the anime, I didn't see any introduction of Tokubetsu Jonin, it's something I privately made up in the book. Tokubetsu Jonin is above Jonin. Otherwise, I always felt that strong ninjas like Kakashi and Kaito being on the same level as regular Jonin was a bit unsatisfying. Yeah, that's how it is!