Night fell.
The ferry left the harbor and was enveloped in misty rain, leaving only the faint glow of lights along the riverbank visible.
Soybean-sized raindrops battered the deck. Xie Jinhuan folded his oil-paper umbrella beneath the Boat Tower's eaves, while Bu Yuehua straightened her skirt a little and asked:
"What did you and Zisu go off to do just now? Why were you so secretive, looking at me like you had something to say but couldn't..."
Xie Jinhuan had happened upon the Azure Nether Sword Manor's eldest senior sister. When he saw Senior Sister Hua again, he would definitely lose his composure, but he did not go into detail now. He merely put an arm around her shoulders and headed back:
"Let's talk in our room. Anyway, something interesting happened."
Bu Yuehua asked no more questions and went upstairs carrying Reed-Flower Chicken, who had promptly fallen asleep after eating and drinking her fill.
The ferry ran directly to Misty-Wave City without stopping along the way, a voyage of roughly three days. It was practically packed to the rafters. Most of the common travelers squeezed onto the decks or into the passageways, and wandering performers could even be seen singing ballads and telling stories beneath the eaves.
Nangong Ye had originally intended to book three rooms, but Xie Jinhuan was kindhearted. Though he no longer lacked travel money, he had booked only one room to leave accommodations for fellow cultivators.
Now Xie Jinhuan passed through the corridor and pushed open the door. Lamplight illuminated the rather small room, where the table, chairs, and stools had been neatly arranged.
Big Ice Lump, dressed in a black skirt, sat cross-legged in meditation on the bed. She had replaced the bedding with clean sheets and pillowcases she had brought herself, and had even