Kiana hid behind a large tree, poking out just her small head, staring unblinkingly at the scene before her.
The little bug bit her lip, her palms digging so hard into the tree trunk that her knuckles turned white, her five fingers sinking into the bark like sharp blades.
Mei, my Mei, why, why—how could you!
If Kiana was the knight, then Mei was the princess.
And the pure princess, whom the knight was sworn to protect, was now being savored at will by the Evil Dragon.
The Evil Dragon's venom would drench the princess's entire body.
Once she was stained with the Evil Dragon's scent, she could never go back!
She wanted to flee, to follow the principle of 'out of sight, out of mind,' but her gaze seemed to be glued to the scene, unable to tear itself away.
"Damn it..."
Kiana pressed her thighs tightly together, a faint urge to urinate building within her.
Hold it in!
Fortunately, Ye Feng only took a shallow taste this time and didn't push Cangxuan too far.
He gently wiped the "facial cleanser" from her face before departing from Taixuan Mountain.
Just then, a cloud drifted over from the distance, shrouding the mountain.
Kiana gazed at the girl kneeling on the grass. She lay with her face to the sky, her hands hanging limply at her sides.
For some reason, this sight made Kiana think of a sinner awaiting judgment in a ruined, apocalyptic world. It was as if, in the next moment, a Spear of Longinus would plummet from the sky, pierce through her chest, and pin her to the earth.
"Mei..."
Was that really Mei?
It looked so much like her, but Kiana couldn't bring herself to believe it.
"Ah, right!"
Maybe it's just an NPC?
She barely even interacted with that scoundrel Ye Feng.
At this thought, Kiana's heart found some solace.
If it was just an NPC, then it was fine.
But she still had to be sure.
The little bug crept out from behind the tree. Just as she was about to step forward to check the situation, the moment her foot landed on the clearing of the Taixuan Mountain courtyard, she was instantly transported back to St. Freya Academy.
"!!"
What's going on?
Kiana immediately understood: Did Ye Feng find me?
He must have done that for me to see on purpose!
Hmph, so that's how it is. I'm not falling for your tricks!
"Honestly, I was just overthinking it. How could Mei ever get involved with a scoundrel like Ye Feng?"
The little bug's heart settled, now utterly convinced that the Mei she saw was an NPC.
"Tsk, it's so hot. I'm covered in sweat. I should go take a bath."
Kiana jogged towards the open-air hot spring.
The hot spring had been built just recently, surrounded by tall bamboo and peculiar rock formations. Hot water cascaded down, with bamboo fences separating the area into individual pools.
It was a very classic, Japanese-style open-air hot spring.
Dusk was approaching. The setting sun sank between the dusky mountains, and the crisp air was tinged with a soft warmth. In the land bathed by its light, countless specks of luminescent dust transformed into the brilliant sunset clouds on the horizon.
The changing room was made entirely of wood. Orange sunlight streamed through the wooden window, illuminating the tranquil dust motes dancing in the air.
Mei slipped off her thigh-high socks and tossed them into a bamboo basket, her heart a sea of tranquility.
It was reminiscent of a hot spring inn in Hakone, something Mei had mentioned to Ye Feng some time ago.
Upon entering this space again, Mei saw that he had created it.
"Did Mr. Ye Feng prepare this just for me...?"
At that thought, Mei's movements stilled for a moment. Her fair, slender hand rested on a wooden shelf, a flicker of emotion in her eyes.
"It feels like ever since I came here, everything has been changing for the better."
The news of her father and her inner turmoil over the Herrscher of Thunder had been two great mountains weighing on her heart.
These mountains, which had been suffocating her, were effortlessly moved aside by Ye Feng.
The time she spent in the kendo dojo afterward felt as warm and comforting as home.
Even though Kiana had repeatedly warned her, "If we get separated after coming in here, remember to meet on the school rooftop."
Kiana was always so cautious, but what danger could possibly exist in this place?
Her days at St. Freya were certainly happy, but the warmth and serenity of the kendo dojo were something she couldn't find anywhere else.
And besides, the noodles Mr. Ye Feng made were absolutely delicious. They had the "taste of a mother's cooking."
Her own mother's face had become a blur in her memory, but she was sure that if her mother were here, she would be just as gentle and caring.
"So, it must be, right?"
Mei zoned out for a moment before gently shaking her head.
She finished undressing completely, tying up her long hair to reveal the delicate nape of her neck and her fair ears. Then, she wrapped a white bath towel around her impressive curves, which were well beyond those of her peers.
Sliding open the door, she stepped towards the hot spring pool.
White steam billowed within, blanketing the area in a humid mist.
The pool, lined with smooth blue stones, was filled with shimmering water that reflected the slanting rays of the sunset, creating a dance of light and shadow.
Standing at the entrance, Mei's eyes immediately fell upon a figure already seated in the hot spring.
"...Mr. Ye Feng?"
Mei's eyes widened, a clear look of panic flashing across her features.
Ye Feng was sitting in the water, his upper body bare and a towel wrapped around his waist. He leaned back against a large rock, his arms resting on the edge of the pool.
"Hm? Mei?"
Upon seeing the girl, a flicker of surprise crossed Ye Feng's face, but he quickly regained his composure and waved. "Are you here for a dip too, Mei? Come on in, this pool is plenty big."
"Ah, no, that's not... Why is Mr. Ye Feng here?"
Mei lowered her head in embarrassment, her eyes daring only to stare at her own feet.
She had never imagined that Ye Feng would already be here.
Ye Feng blinked, a puzzled expression on his face.
"I always soak in this one. The pool exclusively for you, Mei, is over there."
Ye Feng pointed to the adjacent area. Mei's face instantly turned beet red, burning with heat.
She realized she must have walked into the wrong section.
But she had been walking this path for several days now. Was it really so easy to get them mixed up? The pure-hearted girl, her mind already muddled by the heat, was in no state to think clearly.
She bowed deeply and frantically towards Ye Feng, her body nearly parallel to the ground, her eyes squeezed shut.
"I-I'm so sorry! Mr. Ye Feng, I went into the wrong room... I am truly, deeply sorry!"
Saying this, Mei prepared to make her escape.
"Wait."
Before Mei could even turn, Ye Feng called out to her. "Since you're here anyway, what does it matter which pool you soak in?"
"Eh?"
Then she heard Ye Feng's gentle laugh. "What I mean is, this is a golden opportunity to close the distance between us. If I let you run away, Mei, I'd really be losing out."
Mei, her head still bowed, slowly opened her eyes, though she still didn't dare to look at Ye Feng in the pool.
Even with a towel covering his lower half, the smooth, well-proportioned muscles of his exposed upper body were a sight to behold, enough to make one's heart skip a beat.
"Um, what is Mr. Ye Feng talking about..."
"Well, I suppose I'm being a bit forceful."
Ye Feng sounded disappointed. "I didn't realize you disliked being with me so much, Mei. I apologize."
"Ah, no, that's not it!"
Mei shot upright, waving her hands frantically in front of her chest. "Disliking Mr. Ye Feng... there's nothing of the sort!"
Splash~~
Ye Feng gently stirred the water. This time, he spoke not with a question but with a calm statement. "The water is just the right temperature. You've been practicing your swordsmanship for so long, Mei. Come in for a soak. It will help ease your fatigue."
"Umm..."
The simple-hearted girl's mind was a complete mess.
At this moment, she felt like a marionette, and Ye Feng's words were the strings pulling her along.
Mei was so shy she wanted to burrow into the ground, but at the same time, she didn't want to refuse him.
Mei extended a round, alabaster thigh, her exquisite toes slowly dipping into the water. The moment her delicate toes touched the hot surface, they reflexively curled. The arch of her foot, like fine porcelain, tensed, revealing faint blue veins beneath skin so fair it was almost translucent.
Despite the initial discomfort, Mei mustered her courage. Her small hands clutched the edge of the towel at her chest as she resolutely pushed her elegant, snow-white foot into the water. As it submerged, her crystalline toes fanned out as if in release.
Finally touching the bottom of the pool, her other fair, rounded thigh followed, and she slowly lowered herself into the water.
As the water rippled and mist rose, Mei's smooth, rounded shoulders were exposed, glowing with a soft luster.
Once seated, Mei was overwhelmed with shyness. She kept her head down, her hands gripping the towel tightly, not daring to look at Ye Feng.
Ye Feng gazed at the bashful girl. Her neck was pristine, her skin as smooth and fine as a piece of beautiful jade.
Her lovely eyes were downcast, looking so moist they seemed ready to drip water, and her long lashes were beaded with tiny droplets.
She was truly a delectable sight.
Ye Feng remained where he was, making no untoward moves.
He seemed perfectly at ease, as natural as if he were meeting an old friend, which in turn helped Mei relax.
"Are you adjusting well here?"
"Ah? Oh... y-yes. It's all thanks to you, Mr. Ye Feng. About my father, and the matter with the Herrscher of Thunder... I still haven't properly thanked you."
"Don't be so formal. I didn't do much, I just shared some information with you. What do you plan to do from now on, Mei?"
"From now on?"
Ye Feng and Mei sat facing each other, his firm, lightly tanned skin a striking contrast to her fair, supple complexion.
The girl hesitantly lifted her head, a hint of confusion in her eyes.
Ye Feng asked, "You haven't thought about it?"
"Umm..."
Mei lowered her head, her voice tinged with sadness. "I really haven't thought that far ahead. Besides, I am the Herrscher of Thunder. As for the future..."
What future was there to speak of?
Mei had planted an electromagnetically-triggered bomb in her chest, set to detonate and end her life the moment her Honkai energy spiked.
"That's no way to think."
Ye Feng said, "A person needs to have dreams. Isn't there anything you want to do, Mei?"
Mei looked up, her gaze meeting Ye Feng's, and a flicker of emotion crossed her eyes.
"What about you, Mr. Ye Feng? Is there anything you want to do?"
"Me? I hope that in the future, I can still soak in the hot spring with Mei just like this."
"Eh?"
Mei averted her gaze, murmuring, "Mr. Ye Feng, please don't tease me..."
"Then... I hope that in the future, I can view the cherry blossoms under the moon with Mei?"
"...."
Mei turned her head slightly, saying nothing.
Cherry blossoms under the moon?
It would surely be beautiful.
However, the "Sakura" Ye Feng was referring to was Yae Sakura.
Placing Mei and Yae Sakura together was a dream he'd had for a very long time.
Speaking of which, that brought to mind a certain Raiden Shogun and a Guuji... playing a stacking game with them would surely be interesting as well.
Mei imagined a clear, moonlit night, cherry blossoms in full bloom, petals dancing in the air.
It was a beautiful and tranquil image.
It calmed her heart.
Mei seemed to forget that they were both in a hot spring. A relaxed smile graced her lips as she said:
"If it weren't for you, Mr. Ye Feng, I'm sure I'd still be lost and afraid right now."
The girl lowered her head gently, with the tenderness of a water lily bowing to a cool breeze. She looked quietly at Ye Feng.
"Your cooking is wonderful, Mr. Ye Feng, especially your noodles. I also look forward to viewing the cherry blossoms with you. Oh, and next time, let's invite Kiana, too. She's such a foodie, she would definitely love your noodles."
"Invite Kiana?"
Ye Feng smiled slightly. "Of course."
---o---
After Kiana's forceful tug, it took Ji Lin until nightfall to barely recover.
Being triggered by her own actions versus being touched by someone else were two completely different experiences.
Ji Lin, who had been left convulsing and trembling, desperately wanted to kick Kiana's butt with the tip of her sword.
However, she was a proper lady from a good family, a dignified and graceful woman.
In the end, she gritted her teeth and didn't tell Kiana the truth.
Aaaah~~ How could she possibly explain something like this?
Ji Lin could only find another excuse, claiming that "the power slumbering within me is about to awaken." Trembling and dripping with sweat, she forced herself to endure her weakness and fly away from the dormitory.
Kiana scratched the back of her head as she watched Ji Lin depart, feeling a little envious.
"The power slumbering within me." That sounded so cool.
Ji Lin didn't recover until that evening.
The next day, having learned her lesson, Ji Lin found a baseball bat bag to conceal her sword form.
She finally located Fu Hua at a construction site.
The once-immortal Celestial of Shenzhou was working a summer job for a meager wage.
She wore a tight black tank top, a white towel for wiping sweat draped around her neck. A white glare reflected off her glasses. She looked like an energetic and chivalrous young man.
Under the blazing sun, Fu Hua lifted two bags of cement with one hand, moving back and forth as if she were flying.
The Xuanyuan Sword, with Ji Lin inside, hid in a corner, watching Chiyuan at the work site. The tip of the sword nodded slightly.
"Is what Chiyuan is doing... also a part of her training?"
Cangxuan had once said: "Thus, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a person, it first visits their heart with suffering, and their sinews and bones with toil. It exposes them to hunger and subjects them to destitution. It confounds their undertakings. By these means, it stimulates their mind, hardens their nature, and supplies their incompetencies."
That must be it, right?
Ji Lin wasn't certain, but her admiration for Chiyuan grew even deeper.
After all, one always sees the person they admire through a filter.
"She must have her reasons for doing this."
Ji Lin didn't interrupt her right away, instead waiting until the sun began to set.
On a deserted slope, Fu Hua's seemingly thin and lonely figure cast a long, slender shadow on the road.
"Chi... Fu Hua."
Ji Lin hid the Xuanyuan Sword behind a tree and projected a phantom of herself.
"Hm? It's you?"
Fu Hua stopped in her tracks.
In an instant, all of her fatigue vanished as if it had never been there.
She clasped one hand behind her back and adjusted her glasses with the other.
"Hello, Ji Lin. May I ask why you were looking for me?"