Chapter Eighty-One: Soaking Feet

"Disciples of Yuntian!" Ouyang Zhenghe's expression was grave. Though this disciple named Jiuming was not well-known within the vast Yuntian Sect, nor did he have any particular reputation on the Linglong Continent, the very fact that he bore the character of Yuntian's Punishment Hall already indicated that his spiritual prowess was extraordinary. He had not expected Hu Feng to act so swiftly—once again, he found himself a step behind in front of Master Guihai.

Those sect leaders who attached themselves to Ouyang Zhenghe now watched Hu Feng intently. They knew Hu Feng's character; he would not have come merely to flaunt himself. They all awaited what would unfold next.

Hu Feng did not keep them waiting long. Xuan Yuanjian spoke up, "Elder Ouyang, I have already spoken with Young Lord Guihai. The matter of handling these peripheral affairs will be entrusted to our Iron Cavalry Guild and the allied leaders of the Three Sects and Four Gangs. You, at your venerable age, should consider taking some well-earned rest."

Even a clay Buddha would have been roused to anger by now, let alone Ouyang Zhenghe, faced with such a pressing and impertinent junior. He roared, "Hmph, Hu Feng, let me tell you this: unless I receive direct orders from the old City Lord Guihai, the Order of Ruthlessness shall not be withdrawn for a single day. You wait and see—let us find out who will earn the final favor here in Guihai City, and who will be forced to slink away with their tail between their legs!"

Hu Feng burst out laughing. "Very well, I shall await your good news with patience." With that, he waved his hand and, with the allied leaders of the Three Sects and Four Gangs, strode elegantly out of the Hall of Righteousness.

"Ah, ah!" Nalan Xiner let out a sound of pure satisfaction.

Beside her, Wu Luohua looked at her with utter disdain. "I never thought a girl could eat so many buns and still look so dainty. The most impressive thing is, she’s still calling out for food!"

Nalan Xiner patted her round little belly. "That’s a burp of satisfaction, not hunger," she declared, before turning to Tian Huashan. "Uncle, now that we’ve eaten, is there anything beautiful to see in Guihai City? I don’t want to look at mountains—after seeing the thirteen peaks of Yuntian Sect, I’m nearly sick of them."

Tian Huashan had already resigned himself to accompanying them for the entire day. Smiling, he said, "If not mountains, then how about water? Guihai City, as the name suggests, is not only home to the Guihai family but is a true city of water. There is a spring here, whose waters billow with steam in winter so that even the common folk need not wear clothes inside—quite an enjoyment. In summer, it becomes delightfully cool, perfect for dispelling the summer heat. It's truly a marvelous place."

Undressing? Bathing? Wu Luohua glanced at Gan Yu beside him, first feeling a surge of excitement, then shaking his head vigorously—not out of self-reproach for his wicked thoughts, but because how could he let another farm his own field? "No, no, not interested, not at all," he protested vehemently.

"I want to go!" Nalan Xiner, perhaps sent by heaven to torment Wu Luohua, seemed to forget the word "save" and became his mischievous angel instead.

"In that case, Yu, why don’t we just learn to go along with it?" Wu Luohua quickly suggested.

But Gan Yu said, "Young Master Wu, I have long heard of this peculiar spring in Guihai City and always wished to see it, but never had the chance. Now that fortune smiles on us today, why not follow Xiner’s suggestion and go together?" She glanced at Wu Luohua’s face and added with a soft smile, "If you don’t wish to bathe, soaking your feet will suffice."

With no alternative, Wu Luohua glanced at Mo Bai, only to see that Mo Bai had already followed Tian Huashan’s direction onward, so he could only nod in agreement.

The spring burbled ceaselessly, bubbles rising to the surface. It was an immense spring, requiring a good quarter of an hour to cross from one side to the other—a rare natural wonder. Yet, for some reason, though this place was usually crowded with people, today only a scattered few could be seen.

The little witch, gleeful and dancing, rushed to the spring’s edge, about to make a move, but suddenly froze. Staring at the clear spring water, her face flushed red. Fortunately, she caught sight of her own reflection in the water and realized what she was about to do—this was, after all, a public place.

Several lascivious companions standing behind her inwardly sighed in disappointment. Then they saw Gan Yu remove her embroidered shoes, dipping her jade-like feet into the water. They were exquisite—neither too large nor too small, fair with a rosy glow. The moment they touched the spring water, they became even more delicate and pink. Gan Yu let out a soft moan of comfort, as if all her past worries and sorrows had melted away.

Wu Luohua, just as he was admiring the scene, suddenly felt water droplets splash onto his face. Looking over, he discovered that the little witch was now imitating Gan Yu, dipping her own feet into the spring. Her feet were beautiful too, but her movements were anything but graceful; she kicked them about wildly, splashing water everywhere. Wu Luohua rolled his eyes toward the sky—what a world of difference! Thank goodness he had met Gan Yu; otherwise, if he had developed feelings for the little witch only to discover she wasn’t his type, he would have regretted it bitterly. With this in mind, he glanced at Mo Bai, silently thinking: Mo Da, oh Mo Da, will you be able to tame this little beauty?

Mo Bai, facing a gentle spring breeze, gazed at the unusual spring water, and couldn’t help but think of someone, and of a certain place—Rainchill Pool. That fairy-like elder sister, how do you fare now? In the days without me, are you lonely? Perhaps, when tiredness overtakes me, I shall return there and stay with you forever.

"Eh? Why is he here?" Just as everyone was enjoying the unique spring, Tian Huashan suddenly turned around and spotted a young man. This person left a deep impression on him, for perhaps tomorrow they would be enemies. Tian Huashan always remembered his enemies well.

With Tian Huashan’s question, Mo Bai also turned his head. He managed a wry smile, not expecting to see this person here. Nalan Xiner was startled as well and called out, "Senior Brother Jiuling, over here! We’re here, come join us!"

It turned out to be Jiuling. Jiuling’s brow furrowed—why would he run into Mo Bai and Nalan Xiner here? This was most inconvenient. With that thought, he raised his voice, "Junior Sister Nalan, I’m just passing through. Senior Brother has sent me on an errand elsewhere." With that, he left the springside in slight frustration.

Nalan Xiner was puzzled and said naively, "What’s so urgent? Are Senior Brother and the others also coming for the Spirit Rising Tournament? Isn’t this a war between Yihua Sect and Guihai City?"