Chapter 244: Arch-Enemy (Revised)

Although he arrived late, the landlady's prepared lodging was still perfectly arranged, with a complete hall and bedroom, and a small hot spring pool with living thermal water at the back.

As night deepened, Xie Jinhuan stripped off his robes and leaned back in the steam-filled pool; as his limbs sank into the warm water, the bitter cold and exhaustion of days of travel gradually dissipated.

The only regret was the lack of a few beauties to attend him; otherwise, it would be a true post-battle celebration.

Just as Xie Jinhuan thought this, the big ghost who followed him like a shadow appeared in the pool, as expected.

To fit the environment, Ye Hongshang changed into a red gauze dress; petal embroidery covered her vital areas, while below she wore puffy red small cloth, leaning against the pool's edge like a soul-stealing, charm-snatching beauty snake.

?!

Seeing this scene, Xie Jinhuan immediately perked up, leaned close, and launched a sneak attack with his hand; although he didn't clip through the model, his hand was pushed down.

"You still have the mind to celebrate? Do you know your trouble is huge?"

"Hmm?"

Xie Jinhuan glanced at his wife, who had just experienced a dramatic rise and fall, with slight confusion:

"What big trouble?"

Although Ye Hongshang had sealed part of her memory, she remembered the past of forcibly snatching things alongside Xiao Qixia; now her right hand flipped lightly, producing a crystal ball to begin a scene replay.

Seeing this, Xie Jinhuan leaned close to examine carefully, and soon images appeared inside the crystal ball:

A narrow, cramped tree hollow, illuminated by dim yellow firelight.

The very plump Bu Nangong Xianzi lay in a man's arms, her tall figure displaying tempting tension and Bai Xi skin so smooth it seemed ready to burst, even revealing the fine textures of the fresh, dewy spot...

Holy crap—?!

Xie Jinhuan's eyes narrowed; he quickly raised his hand:

"No, no, this isn't appropriate. Hmm... Elder Bu's status is special, indeed a bit troublesome, but..."

Before he finished speaking, the crystal ball suddenly went black, then switched back to other scenes; the little mischievous ghost beside him even added:

"Sorry, got it wrong."

"?"

Xie Jinhuan felt his ghost wife was deliberately sending him fan service, but he certainly couldn't blame the ghost for it; he immediately began re-examining, only to discover his trouble was indeed huge.

The scene in the crystal ball showed two women; among them, the red-haired female spear-wearer clad entirely in Jin Jia, looking mighty and imposing, was clearly his benefactor, the Valkyrie.

The other, a girl with a child's face and huge breasts wearing a green Daoist robe, was obviously Master Mo Mo and Master Bing Tuozi, though at that time she had black hair and looked incredibly spiritual.

The replay speed was fast, but the process was simply the Valkyrie seeking treasure, with Qixia getting there one step ahead; after several such exchanges, the Valkyrie directly broke down and started snatching Qixia True Person's opportunities too, but lost nine out of ten times...

But finally, the Valkyrie was injured and achieved physical dissolution; the two went together to the Wu Sect chaos, and at the last moment reconciled; Qixia True Person, with tears in her eyes, gave all the opportunities they had once fought over to the Valkyrie and the Gu family, compensating what couldn't be returned with other resources, including but not limited to—the Northern Zhou national treasure Dragon Emperor Mace, Hu Gu Teng, Phoenix Feather Grass, Sixty-Year Lotus, Fish-Scale Copper, and Jin Shi...

Just these heavenly treasures, picking out any single one would make a Super-Grade cultivator envious, yet Qixia Laomo forcibly returned two large wooden crates!

The Valkyrie's heart knot untied, and she departed west on a crane; Qixia True Person, having lost an old rival who was both enemy and friend, wept uncontrollably...

And now the Valkyrie isn't dead!

"Damn..."

Xie Jinhuan knew Bai Mao Nangong Xianzi's style well; like him, only he snatched people, no one snatched him.

Having been tricked by her arch-enemy into 'faking death' and losing most of her assets, when Bai Mao Nangong Xianzi emerges from seclusion and learns of this, won't she instantly turn into a white-haired hedgehog out of rage?

And he, stuck in the middle, might find it hard to survive...

Realizing the severity of the problem, Xie Jinhuan straightened up slightly:

"Uh... Before Qixia True Person entered seclusion, she said she had grown indifferent to grudges, planning to find a quiet place to live in seclusion, idly watching flowers bloom and fall, calmly observing clouds roll and unfold..."

Ye Hongshang put away the crystal ball and shrugged slightly:

"Even if the True Person of Qixia has let go, it is because countless opponents perished in the chaos of the Wu Sect; among them, the Valkyrie, to prevent demonic transformation, even committed suicide. This affected her the most, and she mourned on Mount Zihui for half a year. If she discovers she was deceived... shudder."

Xie Jinhuan didn't know what scene would unfold then, but since Qixia True Person suffered such a great loss, she would surely demand tenfold compensation, making the Valkyrie understand what cruelty means...

Isn't this a complete disaster...

Xie Jinhuan pondered carefully and asked:

"Qixia True Person should still be some time before emerging from seclusion; is there any way to resolve this grudge beforehand?"

Ye Hongshang shook her head: "No. Either Great Beauty Gu returns the treasures in full, or Little Qixia must strip her down to her underwear; you're on your own."

Xie Jinhuan took a deep breath; since he couldn't handle this matter now, and Bai Mao Nangong Xianzi should still be some time before emerging from seclusion, he could only 'trust in future wisdom'.

After just a moment of idle chat, outside came Wan Yi's hurried, panicked voice:

"Xie Jinhuan?"

Xie Jinhuan immediately turned back with a smile:

"I'm here, I was just..."

Whoosh—

The sound of the door opening, accompanied by a crowd of footsteps...

Tap tap tap...

?

Xie Jinhuan frowned, realizing something was wrong, and quickly hid himself further in the pool.

And sure enough, as the national beauty with glasses poked her head out, a large group of beauties directly rushed in; Mo Mo behind them wanted to warn but didn't have time.

Lin Zisu moved her legs quickly, following behind her aunt; glancing up, she saw the misty pool and Xie Lang's wet, tempting body; her eyes froze, and before she could look closely, her aunt Lin Wanyi, face flushed red, covered her eyes:

"Go, go, go..."

"Eh~~~ I didn't see anything..."

Lin Zisu still wanted to pull her hand down for a peek, but was ruthlessly pushed out by her cold aunt.

Zhao Ling, being a guest in a foreign land, was unfamiliar with the room layout; as soon as her left foot crossed the threshold and she realized the situation inside was wrong, she pulled her foot back, only giving a few strange glances.

Duoduo's eyes lit up immediately; she quickly assumed the role of a caring little padded jacket, ran into the room to fetch flower soap and a bath towel:

"Young Master Xie, why didn't you call a maid for your bath?"

The maid following behind also curiously peeked her head out.

Xie Jinhuan being watched while bathing was truly a bit awkward; he hurriedly said:

"Your Highness the Princess, please wait a moment; I will come out immediately."

Zhao Ling was already reassured once she confirmed Xie Jinhuan was fine; at this moment, she called out Duoduo, who had been sneaking in to find fun whenever she saw an opening, and spoke in a calm tone:

"It is no matter. You have just arrived after a long journey; rest well first. As for the matters of Northern Zhou, this Princess will handle them for you; you need not worry."

"On my way here, I met a criminal investigator from the Ministry of Punishment and have already roughly explained the situation at Lishan. Your Highness the Princess need not worry too much; I can handle it myself."

"Is that so?" Zhao Ling felt it was a bit precarious but did not ask further. Taking her maid with her, she took her leave. Along the way, she noticed that among everyone, Seeing Mo Mo was the most conservative, standing in the outer room with an air of "do not look at what is improper." Zhao Ling frowned, walked up, grabbed her best friend, and pushed her inside:

"Qingmo, take good care of him and check if Xie Jinhuan has any injuries."

"Eh?"

Linghu Qingmo was stunned; the moment she turned around, the door was shut.

Xie Jinhuan naturally did not refuse this; he raised his hand, wanting to pull Seeing Mo Mo over, but where could Linghu Qingmo possibly do the work of serving a man while he bathed? Once her best friend left, she wanted to run out.

But just then, Lin Wanyi, who had coaxed Zisu back, secretly and sneakily hurried in on a fast horse to see her lover. Seeing Linghu Qingmo trying to leave, she immediately stepped aside:

"Miss Linghu, go rest early; I can handle this."

"……?"

Linghu Qingmo had many things to say to Xie Jinhuan; being chased out immediately upon meeting seemed absurd. Thinking it over, she raised her hand to block the path:

"He is bathing; what are you doing going in? Let us wait outside."

Lin Wanyi blinked her eyes, revealing an expression of "how novel!":

"I am going in to check his pulse, wash his face, and scrub his back; what else could I do? If you are not going in, go back to sleep early; do not stand there delaying matters."

?

Linghu Qingmo thought this flirtatious sister had a rather thick skin, but it was truly hard to refute her. She was also a beloved companion wearing the bracelet of a principal wife; what would it look like if she slunk away in disgrace at a time like this? But she could not really go in either...

Xie Jinhuan had not seen his two good wives in a long time; he was so eager he could cry. He called out:

"I will hold up the towel; it is nothing. Why not both of you come over? Let us discuss the countermeasures together."

Lin Wanyi was indeed worried about Xie Jinhuan; she did not say much then, bypassed the little Taoist nun who "wanted to fall in love but feared being drilled," and arrived at the bath pool to examine Xie Jinhuan's condition.

Linghu Qingmo pressed her lips together, her hand resting on the doorframe. After hesitating repeatedly, she still could not swallow this indignity; she latched the door, turned around, and came to the front.

The moment she stepped in, she discovered that Lin Wanyi, who was plump and tall, had unfastened her deep green long skirt by the bath pool, revealing the lace undergarment and black suspenders beneath. That plump, white moon made one dizzy just looking at it...

!!

Linghu Qingmo's steps suddenly halted; her eyes widened:

"What are you doing taking off your clothes?"

Lin Wanyi was actually shy too, but this little Taoist nun was truly in the way; she could not show weakness in front of her. Turning her head back, she spoke with righteous indignation:

"How can I check his body from the shore? Do you want me to jump in wearing my skirt?"

Linghu Qingmo thought she could squat beside him, but before she could refute, this flirtatious sister strode her long legs into the water, treating her as if she were not an outsider at all...

Splash~

Seeing Wanyi enter the water in her battle attire, Xie Jinhuan's thoughts were not entirely clear. He raised his hand, instinctively wanting to slap the moon, but Seeing Mo Mo was still staring, so he could only turn around and tentatively ask:

"How about you wash too?"

Linghu Qingmo's eyes grew cold; the meaning was clearly—Even if I wash, can I wash with you?

Lin Wanyi turned Xie Jinhuan's face back, leaned him against her side, and held his wrist to check his pulse:

"If she won't wash, so be it. Does it hurt on your body? You look like you expended a lot of energy; how do you still have burns?"

"Uh..."

Xie Jinhuan was somewhat caught between a rock and a hard place.

Linghu Qingmo stood alone at the back, watching Lin Wanyi and Xie Jinhuan exchange lover's affection. She took a deep breath, considered things slightly, gritted her teeth, turned around, and left the room.

Click~

Xie Jinhuan thought Seeing Mo Mo had been angered and run off, but he discovered the sound had instantly reached the next room, then flown back, with "rustling" noises outside...

Lin Wanyi turned her head, somewhat puzzled, but soon the door was pushed open again.

Linghu Qingmo, who had originally been wearing a thick winter skirt, had changed into a white nightgown of silky texture. It reached past her knees, revealing her fair calves and the tight lines of her waist and hips. Although her face was flushed, her demeanor remained as cold as ice. She walked to the edge of the bath pool and jumped directly into the water.

Splash~

Lin Wanyi was splashed in the face with water; her willow eyebrows immediately stood up in anger:

"Why are you bathing while wearing clothes?"

The nightgown on Linghu Qingmo was of excellent quality. Although it clung to her body curves once in the water, it was not translucent and did not reveal her nakedness. Her gaze dared not look at the areas covered by the towel; she only stared at the flirtatious Physician opposite her:

"Are you not wearing clothes too?"

Lin Wanyi looked down at her playful magical artifact, gritted her teeth, and replied:

"Can what I am wearing even be called clothes?"

"You know that, do you?"

Xie Jinhuan indeed felt that a short separation was better than a long marriage; how could he endure this? Seeing Mo Mo was inexperienced; reaching this step was already very difficult. He did not stir the pot or push his luck further. Instead, he put one arm around each of the two women:

"Alright, alright, let us speak of serious matters. This time, I may have been ambushed and set up by a demonic Daoist. The situation is extremely serious and particularly urgent..."

Hearing these words, Linghu Qingmo immediately became serious. She intended to ask, but then discovered that this lecher beside her had casually slid his left hand into the Physician Lin's lace magical artifact and grasped the large bowl, making Lin Wanyi shiver.

Linghu Qingmo had not been pinched before, but when had she ever seen such a scene? She intended to say the safe word, but bullying Lin Wanyi was not the same as bullying her; how wasteful to miss such an opportunity. Therefore, she gazed at the ceiling, pretending not to see, and listened to Xie Jinhuan's narration.

As a result, Xie Jinhuan truly pushed his luck; seeing her say nothing, his hand began to slide down her back.

"Let her check your body properly. If you move around recklessly again, I will drag her out."

"I am not going out. If anyone is going out, you go out..."

"You..."

"Fine, fine, let's get to the point..."

Linghu Qingmo had been bickering with this big vase the whole time; Xie Jinhuan only spoke of getting to the point while his hands showed no courtesy at all. With no other choice, he decided that a short pain was better than a long one, and quickly helped rub shoulders and wash the face, though his eyes kept staring at the ceiling, refusing to look where he shouldn't.

Splash, splash...

Xie Jinhuan leaned in the bath, hugging on both sides, speaking of the arduous journey from Southern Jiang to Northern Zhou, while actually watching the reactions of the two. The Ghost Bride, originally leaning opposite to watch the show, found it boring halfway through and came over, lying in his arms to join the fun.

With triple the joy, Xie Jinhuan felt he was about to bleed from his qi...

(End of this chapter)