Extremes in Both Directions

In a hotel in the Blue Country, Ritsuka and Reines had just finished gathering information and handed it all over to Chaldea analysis. Although the Blue Country had implemented many security measures, time is a master key that can open all locks.

Just as she finished her work and was about to report, she happened to see a white figure in the corridor.

Calling it white is a bit inaccurate, because this time, that pure white figure was adorned with a touch of bright red.

"Miss Qin, are you injured?"

Ritsuka immediately stepped forward, looking at Qin Liangyu with concern. Faced with this concerned gaze, the latter subconsciously took a step back.

"No, this is... the enemy's blood. Zhang Xianzhong has already been dealt with by Bai Mo."

"I see." Ritsuka breathed a sigh of relief, took her hand and said, "Then go wash up quickly. It's very unhygienic to leave this blood on your body for too long, and it will smell bad."

Let's go, I was just thinking of trying out the bath here.

Faced with this enthusiastic young woman, Qin Liangyu couldn't refuse, and was thus half-pulled into the bathhouse. The hotel was magnificent, and its bathhouse was built like the water play area for fairies in Realm of Immortals costume films.

They even cultivated lotus flowers and lotus leaves that can grow in hot water.

"Phew, that feels good."

Ritsuka lay in the pool, her short red hair soaking in the water, making her feel completely limp. Qin Liangyu, standing beside her, looked at the magnificent bath and couldn't help but feel a sense of resistance.

She walked to the side and used a wooden bucket to scoop water to wash herself.

Bai Mo had previously advised him to take a bath, as Zhang Xianzhong's blood might contain toxins from Nidhogg's Bite.

The poisonous Bai Mo can be used to resolve the issue, and the curse can be mostly cleared away, but it's best to perform a "cleaning" process. There's still some "filth" in this poisoned blade, which is the power of the Ibuki God, so it's best to go through a "cleaning" procedure.

Ritsuka looked at Qin Liangyu, who was washing herself in a wooden bucket, and was somewhat puzzled:

"Miss Qin, why don't you come in for a soak? It has lots of medicinal herbs added; it's great for your skin."

"No need, that's too wasteful, I'm not used to it." Qin Liangyu said while scooping water, "Such pleasures will only corrupt my heart, and you shouldn't pursue material enjoyment too much."

A bath is just a bath; as long as it cleanses the body, that's enough.

Ritsuka watched her actions, then silently picked up a wooden basin and imitated Qin Liangyu. Upon seeing this, the latter smiled.

Sure enough, although the child had no physical strength, he possessed a unique spirituality.

Similar behaviors can sometimes be the first step in bridging the gap; people are always willing to accept others who are similar to them and who can accept their own characteristics and rules.

"Ritsuka, you can't indulge in pleasures either. Sometimes, this is a form of spiritual practice."

"But cultivation is for results. Miss Qin, after you finish, you might return to Mount Li, so this can only be considered a way of life. Besides, isn't the place where the Qin Shi Huang lived far more luxurious than here?"

Upon hearing Ritsuka's words, Qin Liangyu paused, as if she were recalling the artists in the lower levels of the Epang Palace and Bai Mo from that time.

A chill ran down her spine. She clearly remembered that Bai Mo had just said:

"I have never endorsed the Qin Shi Huang's rule, and I don't think it was correct at all."

Her gaze darkened. Bai Mo's relationship with the Qin Shi Huang wasn't good, at least not in her eyes. Now that the Blue Country was no longer a threat, would his next target be the Qin Shi Huang?

Can former comrades become enemies?

She pondered for a moment and decided to try persuasion, but considering that Bai Mo had communicated directly with the Qin Shi Huang, she doubted she could win against him...

She glanced at Ritsuka beside her and decided to start with her.

"Ritsuka, do you also oppose the Qin Shi Huang's rule?"

The moment she finished speaking, she felt an urge to cover her face. This wasn't a conversation; it was practically an interrogation! Good heavens, I'm a farmer; asking me to do the work of a mediator is completely beyond my capabilities...

Just as Qin Liangyu was preparing a new topic, Ritsuka spoke.

"Hmm? Are you referring to the Epang Palace? It's definitely more comfortable there than this hotel. Everything there is handmade, and the understated royal elegance it exudes is impossible to ignore."

I asked you to talk about His Majesty's reign, and all you did was enjoy the guest rooms in the Epang Palace?

Qin Liangyu inwardly grumbled, but seeing the look in her eyes, Ritsuka immediately changed the subject.

"I've already answered; everything is handmade. Just like people working in the land to reap a bountiful harvest, isn't that the right thing to do?"

"That's natural. Within the Great Qin territory, as long as they pay enough taxes, the rest is theirs."

"So that means 'no work, no food,' right? Then why is it that I, a guest completely disconnected from this world, can enjoy those luxurious handcrafted items, while those who labor can only live in cave dwellings?"

Qin Liangyu was momentarily speechless. Suddenly, she sensed something was amiss. Wasn't she there to persuade her to accept His Majesty's views? Why did she feel like the initiative had been lost?

"That's an exception; you've benefited from His Majesty's grace... Yes, mainly because if this standard of materialism isn't maintained, won't the people eventually become just like the people of the Blue Country?"

"Miss Qin, even wild animals will seek out better food to provide more nutrition for their offspring. Some people pursue a better life for their own selfish reasons, while others pursue a better life for the happiness of those around them."

There are also people who simply can't stand seeing ordinary people unhappy and want to lead them to pursue a better life.

The girl put the bucket down, and when Qin Liangyu met her orange eyes, she suddenly felt as if she were completely exposed to her, which was indeed the case now.

"Miss Qin came here because you believe that if you can bring the people of Blue Country back to their original way of life, they can live more stably, right? See, you also harbor a desire for a better future."

"Then... I won't deny it, so you mean to say that your world is better than the world His Majesty governs?"

"Well... it's hard to say, after all, some places are still ravaged by war."

"So..."

"But no matter what, I don't think we should force people to give up a better future. Because people want their mothers to be well-fed and clothed in their old age, and they want their children to be well-fed, watered, and grow up healthy."

At the very least, this right shouldn't be taken away. If your family were still alive, they would definitely want you to live a better life.

Ritsuka's words left the female general, who had only ever seen farmland and battlefields, speechless. Seeing this, Ritsuka smiled and took Qin Liangyu's hand.

"So go try that bathtub, it even has a massage function."

"No, that makes no sense at all!"

"No way! I also hope that you, as my friend, can live a better life."

She was stunned when she heard this.

Why did I want to advise her? If it was out of concern that we might turn from friends into enemies, then it's clear that she no longer needs to worry about that.

If the concern is that they might raise their swords against the Qin...

Looking into Ritsuka's sincere gaze, Qin Liangyu was at a loss for words. She was pulled into the bath by Ritsuka and felt the comfort of her skin. For a moment, Qin Liangyu was also at a loss for words.

Forget it, let's just consider it... treatment. Yes, that kind of psychological therapy or something. I was so disgusted by Zhang Xianzhong, so using this a little to cleanse my mind should be okay, right?

Looking at Ritsuka beside her, who was beaming with happiness, Qin Liangyu sighed deeply, convincing herself and vowing to work harder to eliminate this laziness.