As the lake blockade grew increasingly rigorous, attempting to travel from the inner circle toward the outside had already become a very difficult task. Baiyi's numerous identity shifts were actually carving a path for herself amidst the various factions.
Eventually, she transformed into a wisp of dark shadow, slipped into the slightly chilly lake water, and swam stealthily for a moment. She halted at the very outer periphery of the chaotic lake surface, beneath the shadow of a painted pleasure boat where colorful lanterns hung high. The nocturnal colors and thick fog, illuminated by the colored lanterns, formed bizarre and kaleidoscopic hues, also serving as the finest cover.
After waiting a short while, Baiyi stripped off her clothes in the water, washed herself clean, and then slipped upward without a sound.
This painted pleasure boat was much more spacious and refined than the one belonging to Seyin just moments ago. It was seven zhang long and about two zhang wide, built in the structure of a multi-storied tower ship and divided into upper and lower tiers. The upper tier consisted of open-air pavilions, pillars, and corridors for recreation and leisure, while the lower tier was where the people on the ship resided.
Baiyi was stark naked, resembling a water ghost emerging from the deep. Without alarming anyone, she slipped into an independent cabin on the lower tier.
The cabin was divided into inner and outer sections by a Green Gauze Cabinet, and further arranged with screens, a zither table, an incense burner, and other items, making it quite elegant. On the carved-post bed in the inner chamber, a set of clothing had long been prepared. Yet she merely picked up a piece of sheer gauze, casually draped it over her delicate body, turned back to stroke the zither table on