When they left Lou Gao's workshop, the afternoon sun was just right, dyeing the streets of Gengxin City a warm gold.
Xiao Yun looked at the sky, then at the three women beside him—Shui Bing'er was cool and frosty, Zhu Zhuqing was calm as water, and Spirit Flame Maiden was looking around curiously, her amber eyes full of wonder.
It was her first time leaving the Hundred Thousand Volcanoes, her first time seeing such a bustling market, her first time seeing so many different kinds of people. Everything looked fresh to her.
"There's still plenty of time. Let's stroll around the street," Xiao Yun said, looking at Spirit Flame Maiden. "Bing'er, Zhuqing, take her around properly."
Shui Bing'er and Zhu Zhuqing exchanged a glance and nodded at the same time. Spirit Flame Maiden's eyes lit up. "Teacher Xiao, can we really?"
"Go on." Xiao Yun smiled. "Don't go too far. Be back at the inn before dark."
The three women walked along Gengxin Main Street.
Gengxin Main Street was the busiest commercial street in Gengxin City, stretching from the southern city gate all the way to the northern city gate. Shops lined both sides—weapons, armor, ore, jewelry, silk, medicinal herbs, snacks.
One moment Spirit Flame Maiden ran to the front of a weapon shop to look at sabers and swords, the next she ran to a snack stall to smell the food, then she ran to a silk shop to touch the fabric.
Shui Bing'er and Zhu Zhuqing followed behind her, watching her wide-eyed, country-bumpkin look, and both could not help laughing.
The three women were all young, beautiful women with outstanding looks and distinct temperaments—Shui Bing'er was cool as ice, Zhu Zhuqing was calm as water, and Spirit Flame Maiden was passionate as fire. Walking together, they drew an