Three days later, Misty-Wave City.
Spring rain had turned the earth a dark blue-black. A ferry packed with peddlers slowly emerged from the mist over the river and approached the crowded wharf.
On the Boat Tower's second floor, Coal Ball, transformed into a Reed-Flower Chicken, stood on the windowsill, tapping doggedly at the window with its claws.
Tap, tap, tap...
A faint feminine fragrance filled the room. The tables, chairs, and stools, originally neatly arranged, had fallen into some disorder. A black skirt and a water-blue dress hung over the folding screen, barely touched for three days, while shoes, stockings, and Dharma Artifacts lay scattered on the floor.
Behind the bed curtains, Xie Jinhuan leaned against his pillow and softly exhaled, feeling that time had passed so quickly.
Lin Wanyi lay rather weakly against his chest, her cheek buried against his shoulder, sleeping in a daze.
With nothing to do during the three-day voyage, Xie Jinhuan had spent all his time practicing. The big and little bespectacled girls got along in perfect harmony, taking turns going back to handle the branch's affairs and keeping everything in impeccable order. The only drawback was that Chu Wanyi was unfamiliar with her assets, rather like someone standing up to stamp on the accelerator. Had Sister Bu not had a foundation in the Martial Dao, even she could not have withstood it.
Nangong Ye, however, had not dared trade places with his disciple and go back to practice. After the endless sessions, he now lay sprawled beside them, unwilling to move.
Noticing that Coal Ball was about to revolt, Xie Jinhuan patted Bespectacled Girl's back and sat up.
"We're here."
"Oh..."
Lin Wanyi sat up groggily and, out of habit, cradled his head to help clear his mind and refresh him. At the same