Chapter 141: with translation of chapter title

It's 5 PM.

Translation: "Five o'clock in the afternoon."

Huangmu stopped on time, his teaching of Lanran.

Huangmu stopped on time, his teaching of Lanran.

Huangmu stopped on time, his teaching of Lanran.

I lost!

Translation: "\"I lost! \"" Keep quotes.

Lanran lay in the wreckage, his eyes vacant as he tilted his head back, staring blankly at the blue sky; at this moment Lanran completely looked like someone who had been trained (played) to the extreme (bad) limit by Huangmu.

trained (played) to the extreme (bad) limit

Thus line: "Lanran lay on the ruins, his eyes vacant, neck raised, staring blankly at the azure sky; at this moment Lanran completely looked like someone who had been trained (played) to the extreme (bad) limit by Huangmu."

Do you realize your weakness now?!

Translation: "\"Do you know your own weakness now?! \"" Keep quotes and exclamation.

Huangmu looked at the dazed Lanran and asked with a smile.

Translation: "Huangmu looked at the spirit‑scattered Lanran and asked with a smile."

I understand!

Translation: "\"I know! \""

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran immediately nodded.

Translation: "After hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran immediately nodded."

Good that you know! Remember your weakness, cherish your present weakness, and then strive to climb upward!

Translation: "\"Good that you know! Remember your weakness, cherish your present weakness, then strive to climb upward! \""

Sosuke! As your teacher, I see you have the potential to reach the summit!

Translation: "\"Zongyoujie! In my view as a teacher, you have the potential to reach the top... \""

as a teacher

Huangmu looked at the limp Sosuke Lanran, a faint smile curling his lips, and spoke softly.

Translation: "Huangmu looked at the limp Lanran Zongyoujie, the corner of his mouth showing a faint smile, and spoke softly."

Looks like, Teacher Huangmu, you really have high hopes for me!

Translation: "\"Looks like, Teacher Huangmu, you really have high hopes for me! \""

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran couldn't help but give a wry smile.

Translation: "Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran couldn't help but show a bitter smile."

Lanran also didn't know if it was his imagination, but he always felt that his teacher Huangmu had more confidence in his talent than he himself did.

Translation: "Lanran also didn't know if it was his illusion, but he always felt that as his teacher, Huangmu had more confidence in his talent than he himself did."

Well then, let's stop here for today~

Translation: "\"Well then, let's stop here for today~\""

Remember to come to the First Division captain's office at this same time tomorrow to find me.

Translation: "\"Remember to come to the First Division captain's office at this same time tomorrow to find me. \""

First Division captain's office

Huangmu said, then prepared to turn and leave on his own.

Translation: "Huangmu said that and then intended to turn and leave on his own."

From 1 PM to 5 PM, four hours of training time is already enough for Lanran now! Let him spend the remaining time exploring and training on his own……

Translation: "From one to five in the afternoon, four hours of training time is already enough for Lanran now! The remaining time can be left for Lanran to explore and train on his own……"

Teacher Huangmu……

Translation: "\"Teacher Huangmu……\""

Just as Huangmu was about to leave, the Lanran who had been knocked to the ground by Huangmu's flurry of punches clenched his teeth, overcoming the pain with sheer willpower; he forced his weary body to stand, got up from the ground, and called out to stop Huangmu as he was about to go.

Translation: "At the moment Huangmu was about to leave, the Lanran who had been knocked to the ground by Huangmu's barrage of punches clenched his teeth, overcoming the pain with great willpower; he forced his fatigued body to stand from the ground and called out to stop the departing Huangmu."

Huh?! Sosuke, what else do you need?

Translation: "\"Huh?! Zongyoujie, what else do you have? \""

Upon hearing Lanran's voice, Huangmu raised his eyebrows slightly, then lightly turned his body to look at Lanran.

Translation: "Upon hearing Lanran's voice, Huangmu raised his eyebrows slightly, then turned his body slightly to face Lanran."

Teacher Huangmu, please wait a moment! Before you leave, I still have some questions that need your help answering! I want you to tell me exactly what abilities you just used on me!

Translation: "\"Teacher Huangmu, please wait a moment! Before you leave, I, the student, still have some questions that need your help answering! I hope you can tell me what exactly those abilities you just used on me are! \""

Although I'm not talented, I've read quite a few books! Yet those techniques you just used, I've never seen them in the textbooks of the True Central Spirit Arts Institute, nor in the Spirit Arts Institute's library!

Translation: "\"Although I am not talented, I have read quite a few books! However, those techniques you just used, I have never seen them in the textbooks of the True Central Spiritual Arts Academy, nor in the library of the Spiritual Arts Academy! \""

Lanran looked at Huangmu, who was about to leave on his own, and voiced his doubts.

Translation: "Lanran looked at Huangmu, who intended to leave on his own, and voiced the doubts in his heart."

Oh? You mean 'Shunhong' and the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' that you just used as a teacher, right?!

Translation: "\"Oh? You mean 'Instant Coax' and the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' that you just used as a teacher, right?! \""

After hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu asked him.

Translation: "After hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu asked Lanran."

Exactly.

Translation: "\"Exactly. \""

Although Lanran didn't know the exact names of the techniques Huangmu had previously used on him, he could roughly infer from Huangmu's expression that the two techniques Huangmu just mentioned were the same ones Huangmu had beaten him with earlier.

Translation: "Although Lanran didn't know the exact names of the techniques Huangmu had previously used on him, he could roughly infer from Huangmu's expression that the two technique names Huangmu just mentioned were exactly the two moves Huangmu had previously beaten him with."

How so?!

Translation: "\"How so?! \""

I can grant you 'Shunhong' as your instructor, but honestly the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' is quite troublesome~

Translation: "\"I can readily teach you 'Instant Coax,' but honestly the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' is quite troublesome~\""

Huangmu now finds himself in a difficult situation.

Translation: "At this moment Huangmu found himself in a difficult situation."

Teacher Huangmu, if you were to simply give me the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' without any cost, would there be any impropriety? If so, let's just forget it for now……

Translation: "\"Teacher Huangmu, would there be any problem if you simply gave me this 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' without any cost? If there is any problem, then let's just forget it for now……\""

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran's eyes flashed with a gleam, then he pretended not to want to trouble his teacher as he spoke to Huangmu. However, the disappointment in his tone was undisguised; anyone could hear his reluctance.

Translation: "After hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran's eyes first flashed with a gleam; then he pretended not to want to trouble his master, speaking to Huangmu. However, the disappointment in his tone was not concealed at all, and anyone could hear his reluctance."

Haha, it's not because of that!

Translation: "\"Haha, it's not because of this reason! \""

It's just that, with your body, Lanran, you simply cannot learn the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm'!

Translation: "\"It's just that with your body, Lanran, you simply cannot learn the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm'! \""

To learn the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm', a key factor is that you must have a body strengthened by the Spirit King's power, just like the members of the Zero Division; with an ordinary Shinigami's spiritual body, you cannot bear this power—it's simply too strong for you.

Translation: "\"To learn the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm,' one key factor is that you need a body strengthened by the Soul King's power, just like the members of the Zero Division. With an ordinary Shinigami's spiritual body, you cannot bear this power; to you it is still too strong! \""

Upon hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu let out a light chuckle.

Translation: "Upon hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu gave a light smile."

Huangmu, as a teacher, naturally sees through Lanran's little tricks, but he can't be bothered to expose them.

Translation: "Huangmu, as a teacher, naturally saw through Lanran's little trick, but he couldn't be bothered to expose it."

Lanran is still too young; his actions are as immature as a block of white tofu, lacking experience……

Translation: "Lanran is still too young; his actions are as tender as a block of white tofu, lacking experience……"

Moreover, Huangmu truly had no intention of deceiving Lanran……

Translation: "Moreover, Huangmu indeed had no intention of deceiving Lanran……"

Although the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' is powerful, it reaches a height ordinary Shinigami can hardly attain!

Translation: "\"The 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' is powerful, reaching a height that ordinary Shinigami cannot attain! \""

However, the difficulty of mastering the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' is proportional to its power! One key to learning it is having a body composed of the 'Royal Key'! In other words, this technique is something only Zero Division members could possibly learn……

Translation: "\"However, the difficulty of learning the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' is proportional to its power! One key to learning it is that the body must be composed of the King's Key! In other words, this 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' is an ability that only Zero Division members could possibly learn……\""

At the same time, not every Zero Division member can learn this move; so far, only Huangmu has learned it from a monk, while the others still lack the necessary practice and cannot grasp the crucial secret! Therefore it's not that Huangmu refuses to teach Lanran; even if he did, Lanran would still be unable to learn it.

Translation: "\"At the same time, this move is not learnable by all Zero Division members; at present, only Huangmu has learned it from a monk's hands, while the others still lack the necessary practice and cannot grasp the crucial secret! So it's not that Huangmu refuses to teach Lanran; even if he did, Lanran would still be unable to learn it. \""

Lanran

You say, is the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' you just used learnable only by those Zero Division members whose bodies have been strengthened by the Spirit King?

Translation: "\"Tell me, is the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm' you just used learnable only by those Zero Division members whose bodies have been strengthened by the Soul King?! \""

If that's the case, Teacher Huangmu, aren't you also a member of the Zero Division?

Translation: "\"If that's the case, Teacher Huangmu, aren't you also a member of the Zero Division?! \""

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran immediately thought of something and asked him doubtfully.

Translation: "Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran immediately thought of something and asked Huangmu doubtfully."

Exactly.

Translation: "\"Exactly. \""

Upon hearing Lanran's words, Huangmu gave a light smile.

Translation: "Huangmu gave a light smile after hearing Lanran's words."

This is also why I previously told you that the Zero Division members' power far exceeds that of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads minus me—because your teacher I am myself a member of the royal special forces……

Translation: "\"This is also why I previously told you that the power of the Zero Division members far exceeds that of all the Thirteen Court Guard Squads except me! Because your teacher I am myself a member of the royal special forces……\""

Huangmu looked at Lanran and spoke seriously.

Translation: "Huangmu looked at Lanran and spoke seriously."

No wonder……

Translation: "\"No wonder……\""

Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran lightly nodded.

Translation: "Upon hearing Huangmu's words, Lanran lightly nodded."

If the so-called Zero Division members are all monsters like Huangmu, then the Thirteen Court Guard Squads truly cannot stand against them! For those royal special forces are no longer mere Shinigami; with the Spirit King's aid, they have transcended the existence of Shinigami.

Translation: "If the so-called Zero Division members were all monsters like Huangmu, then the Thirteen Court Guard Squads would indeed be unable to cope! Because those royal special forces are no longer mere Shinigami; with the Soul King's aid, they have transcended the existence of Shinigami."

Regarding the analysis of these two abilities, 'Shunhong' and the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm', I've written it all in this notebook; if you're truly interested in them, you can try practicing them in private. However, in my view, you basically cannot succeed in mastering the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm', so let's not discuss that; as for 'Shunhong', it's somewhat useless for you. In any case, do as you see fit~

Translation: "\"I have written the analysis of these two abilities, 'Instant Coax' and the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm,' in this notebook. If you are truly interested in them, you can try to cultivate them in private. However, in my view, you basically cannot succeed in cultivating the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm,' so let's not discuss that; as for 'Instant Coax,' it may be somewhat useless for you. In any case, decide for yourself~\""

Huangmu recorded the training methods for both 'Shunhong' and the 'Thousand-Reach Heaven-Piercing Palm' from his mind into a small booklet, then tossed it straight at Lanran.

Translation: "Huangmu recorded the cultivation methods for these two abilities, 'Instant Coax' and the 'Thousand Mile Heaven-Piercing Palm,' from his mind onto a small booklet, and then threw the booklet straight at Lanran."

This is……

Translation: "\"This is……\""

Lanran watched Huangmu wave his hand, using spiritual particles in the air to condense into a small booklet, and his pupils contracted sharply.

Translation: "Lanran watched as Huangmu, with a wave of his hand, used the spirit particles in the air to condense into a small booklet, and his pupils contracted sharply."

Thank you, Teacher Huangmu; I will take this seriously……

Translation: "\"Thank you, Teacher Huangmu, I will be serious……\""

Lan Ranxian first kept a calm expression, taking that notebook from Araki's hand.

Immediately after, Lan Ran thought silently, "If I'm not mistaken, Araki‑sensei's move isn't something ordinary Shinigami like us can control, right?!"

If I recall correctly, based on the books and data I consulted in the library of the Spiritual Arts Institute, in this world only the legendary Extinction Masters and a few special spirit‑ability users of the present age (Complete Manifestation technique users) can directly manipulate the spirit particles in the atmosphere for their own use. It seems my master truly harbors a colossal secret!

Lan Ran, using the information he had read in the Spiritual Arts Institute library, inferred the hidden meaning behind the ability Araki had just employed.

"So noisy~"

"If only Lan Ran's thoughts could be divided a bit more toward Geng Mu, that would be nice."

Meanwhile, Araki, striding forward, felt his head ache from Lan Ran's mental chatter behind him.

From Araki's perspective, among his disciples the two most gifted are certainly Lan Ran and Geng Mu, yet those two represent opposite extremes.

Lan Ran is a chaotic mind, full of dirty scheming! Before doing anything, he already envisions the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh steps after it! His brain is constantly in high‑gear, always calculating someone or something; he seems intent on outshining the heavens!

Geng Mu, on the contrary, has no scheming at all; his thoughts are limited to eating, drinking, sleeping, and fighting, fighting, and more fighting—bored to the extreme!

If Lan Ran's and Geng Mu's minds could be balanced a bit, they'd be practically perfect!

"Sigh…"

Thinking of this, Araki let out a long sigh.

What a pity, genius is always so distinct! Lan Ran Sōyūsei and that little bastard Geng Mu are both unique "raw gems" in this Soul Society.

Now we shall see how this master shapes them…

"Even a 'god' has weaknesses; I don't believe Araki‑sensei has none…"

Just as Araki took a big step forward, Lan Ran's inner voice sounded again.

"Heh, this kid is scheming again."

Araki's forward stride paused slightly; he was somewhat speechless at Lan Ran's rebellious nature.

At the same time, Araki was curious about what expression Lan Ran would show on the day he discovered Araki could eavesdrop on thoughts! That was truly something to look forward to~

Time flew by…

Since Lan Ran arrived at the First Squad's headquarters.

In the blink of an eye, three months passed.

During those three months, Lan Ran would arrive punctually at the First Squad's quarters at 1 p. m. each day to receive Araki's instruction!

Although Lan Ran's body became riddled with scars over those three months, his spirit remained steady! Hmm, his daily spirit was a stable kind of chaos~ As his mind grew increasingly fragmented, he learned more and more about the ability of his Zanpakutō 'Break, Mirror Flower Water Moon'…

As Lan Ran developed the Zanpakutō's ability, he came to regard this fragmented mental state as normal; after getting used to the feeling, his body even began to relish the sensation of his constitution strengthening through the beating, which kept his spirit constantly exhilarated—perhaps this is what Araki‑sensei meant by pain that brings joy…

Meanwhile, during those three months, Lan Ran finally discovered Araki's weakness…

That was probably the only good news Lan Ran had in the three months after becoming Araki's disciple.

Unfortunately, at the same time he found a piece of bad news…

This left Lan Ran, who treated Araki as a hypothetical opponent, unusually troubled.

First, the good news…

Lan Ran once used his Zanpakutō 'Mirror Flower Water Moon' to sneak into the First Squad's headquarters, hoping to uncover Araki's secret! He actually found a tiny trace.

He recalled that Araki‑sensei had told him that during the time Araki would be in the headquarters, he would spar in swordsmanship with the squad captain Maozhihua Lie of the Fourth Squad!

It was precisely because of that intel that Lan Ran hoped to spot any cracks in Araki during his bouts with other captains…

He saw that Araki and Captain Maozhihua Lie's jackets were both tossed onto the headquarters desk; besides the two squad haoris, Lan Ran also saw Araki's black Death‑Dominion armor lying outside…

In just a fleeting instant, Lan Ran's mind filled with countless conjectures.

But it didn't stop there! Lan Ran could conclude that Araki and Maozhihua Lie were hidden in a room within the headquarters, because he could clearly feel their spiritual pressure…

Moreover, Lan Ran could hear a series of 'Pa pa pa…' fierce combat sounds as Araki and Maozhihua Lie sparred.

Of course, Lan Ran could only think, "What the hell kind of sword duel is this?!"

The usually refined Lan Ran even couldn't help swearing.

At the same time, Lan Ran recalled a line Araki said: after sheathing his Zanpakutō, he punched him and said, "A sword is not such an inconvenient thing!"

"Can this be called swordsmanship? That's clearly spear or staff technique!"

Under the intense impact, Lan Ran even discarded the persona he had set for himself, constantly ranting in his mind.

"I truly fell for your evil, Araki‑sensei!"

"So this is the swordsmanship you told me about, refined through daily grinding?!"

"Hiss! Seems fine! Damn, what am I rambling about? Araki‑sensei has led me astray! The opposite sex and such are just distractions! Compared with the great thing I pursue, they're utterly irrelevant!"

In Lan Ran's eyes, Araki had always been an inscrutable figure, but that image finally shattered on this day!

No, Lan Ran thinks the relationship between Araki and Maozhihua Lie is perfectly clean…

But Lan Ran never imagined Araki and Maozhihua Lie were bold enough to have such an intense sword duel in the headquarters at noon! That means every time Araki‑sensei taught him, he had first fought the squad captain Maozhihua Lie…

…

Thinking that, Lan Ran felt speechless and dared not move forward to investigate; after all, both Araki and Maozhihua Lie are great masters, and the spot he was in was already the limit of his stealth—one more step and he'd be discovered, and then he'd be forced to report to Hell…

With that thought, Lan Ran quietly retreated outside the headquarters. As a result, he didn't notice the immortal Saitō, lying on the wooden floor of the back hall where Araki trained his swordsmanship, constantly gasping with his mouth wide open and his eyes slightly rolling white…

At one o'clock, Lan Ran gently knocked, then entered the headquarters, looking at the slightly pallid Araki and the flushed Maozhihua Lie, confirming his suspicion even more!

Thus Lan Ran reached a conclusion: Araki is not invincible; he does have a weakness. Araki's weakness is Maozhihua Lie! For Lan Ran, that was certainly good news…

However, after three months of observing Araki, Lan Ran was surprised to find that Araki's only weakness is Maozhihua Lie! In an instant Lan Ran's mindset collapsed; the good news he had previously gotten was all nullified by this conclusion…

Maozhihua Lie may not be as strong as Araki, but he can still easily slay him now! Moreover, in Lan Ran's speculation, as long as he remains within the Shinigami limit, a battle with Maozhihua Lie can never be guaranteed 100%, because the opponent also resides within the Shinigami's extreme range!

And once he surpasses the Shinigami limit, using Maozhihua Lie as a weakness against Araki becomes utterly pointless; when he does surpass the Shinigami, he'll be confident enough to face Araki head‑on…

Sometimes Lan Ran thinks, if his Zanpakutō weren't 'Mirror Flower Water Moon'—a hypnotic, illusion‑inducing blade—but something like 'Flowing Blade Like Fire' or 'Wild Sunlight' that could directly boost his combat power, that would be better…

"I will find a brand‑new weakness of Araki‑sensei!"

"I refuse to believe Araki‑sensei has only that one weakness!"

Lan Ran was not satisfied with his findings and decided to spend more time searching for Araki's weaknesses.

However, in the end Lan Zhan's conclusion was…

Aside from Maozhihua Lie, which can barely be called a weakness, Araki has almost no weakness anywhere on his body! This drives Lan Zhan almost crazy…

"Could it be that I have no chance at all of defeating Teacher Araki?!"

In response, Lan Zhan fell into a kind of despair.

"No! It's just that I'm too weak right now…"

"Once I become a bit stronger, I will definitely discover Teacher Araki's weakness."

Even so, Lan Zhan had to hypnotize himself.

Unfortunately, as time passed, Lan Zhan's knowledge of Araki's strength grew so much that when Lan Zhan finished the Hōgyoku and prepared to go to the Soul King Palace to carry out his plan…

Lan Zhan would rather spend a great deal of time arranging the far‑away present world, forging Kurosaki Ichigo's hometown, the Heavy Spirit Land of Kongzuo Town, into a King Key with secret arts! He refuses to defeat Araki and instead use Araki's bones to march openly to the Soul King Palace.

Because, for Lan Zhan, the chance of turning Kongzuo Town into a King Key is far greater than the prospect of openly defeating Araki head‑on—at least it's not a pitiful zero percent.

"Huh…"

Lan Zhan recorded all three months of his experiences in his mind.

The time reached twelve noon…

This time, Lan Zhan still arrived early at the main gate of the First Division's headquarters.

Only, this time Lan Zhan did not curiously enter the First Division's headquarters early.

The mental injury Araki inflicted on him last time has not yet eased.

Lan Zhan has learned his lesson, quietly staying outside the headquarters, patiently waiting for the battle between Araki and Maozhihua Lie to end…

By the way, ever since Lan Zhan uncovered the astonishing secret, he has also started calling Maozhihua Lie "master mother".

This made Maozhihua Lie's previous prejudice against Lan Zhan vanish, and she now accepts Lan Zhan as the next captain of Araki's upcoming Gotei 13.

At the same time.

Inside the First Division's barracks.

This time Araki and Maozhihua Lie are not merely practicing swordsmanship!

As Araki said, "Isn't a sword such an inconvenient thing?!"

For Araki, the first swordsman of the Soul Society, becoming a truly powerful swordsman requires more than just sword technique; currently Araki is training body arts with Maozhihua Lie…

Of course, these body arts are not Araki's original creations; he learned them from the manga The Outcast, specifically the female protagonist Feng Baobao's ultimate skill—called the Awei Eighteen Forms!

Just as Araki and Maozhihua Lie's long hair whirled wildly, sweat pouring like rain…

Maozhihua Lie suddenly halted.

"Hm?!"

This made Araki slightly startled.

"These moves are too old‑fashioned~"

Maozhihua Lie lightly licked her bright red lips and said to Araki with a hint of provocation,

"Oh? Do you still have a high trick?"

Araki heard this, his pupils flickered slightly; he hadn't expected Maozhihua Lie's swordsmanship to have further improved! The woman truly lives up to her title as the original "Sword Eight" and cannot be underestimated…

"Because I practice swordsmanship, my body is extremely flexible; moves that normal people can't perform are effortless for me! So the angles of my attacks on you will be rather cunning— you'd better brace yourself mentally, or you'll be easily cut down from under a horse…"

Maozhihua Lie said, her eyes gradually sharpening.

"Heh heh! You underestimate me…"

Araki heard this, cold sweat already beading on his forehead, yet his words remained firm.

"Then let me show you! I hope that after you see my combat technique, your Zanpakuto will be as rigid as your mouth! Bankai—All Exhausted!"

Maozhihua Lie said, directly activating her Bankai, wrapping toward Araki's Zanpakuto.

"Sss…"

Araki inhaled a sharp breath; facing Maozhihua Lie's attack, he almost Bankai'd by mistake.

But it's fine; Araki and Maozhihua Lie have an absolute gap in spiritual pressure, so he can still withstand this attack!

"Use whatever abilities you still have, go ahead!"

Araki said arrogantly.

"Heh heh, today I'll tell you why my name is called Eight Thousand Style!"

"Because the ways I can make you Bankai, to be blunt, number a full eight thousand~"

"Remember, a full eight thousand!"

Maozhihua Lie heard this, her eyes narrowing slightly; she finally became serious.