The Unlucky Star and the Warm Pool

Ji Jie was considered a harbinger of ill fortune; in this region, no one dared to form a team with her to hunt demons.

While others, upon receiving a mission, would first ascertain the target’s strength and location, Ji Jie’s thoughts invariably turned to the reasons behind the demons’ attacks on humans.

She had often discovered that many demons, content in their solitary existence within the forest, rarely entangled themselves with humans.

Their outbreaks of violence invariably stemmed from human intrusion, from the slaying or theft of their most cherished possessions.

Ji Jie had encountered such scenarios far too often; each time, she would attempt to dissuade others from killing the demonic beasts.

Yet, humanity had long grown accustomed to the practice of slaying any demon sighted.

Moreover, the bones, flesh, and pelts of fallen demons could be exchanged for currency.

Since warriors relied on these resources for their livelihood, how could they simply abandon their hunt?

Thus, she was left with no choice but to act covertly.

Over the years, she had freed countless demonic beasts, often resulting in heavy casualties for her teammates.

Nevertheless, the fates of those individuals held no sway over her.

Tou, however, vehemently disapproved of her sparing any demons, and the Village Chief showed no inclination to retract the bounty mission.

Ji Jie merely smiled to herself, realizing she would have to orchestrate her schemes in secret.

This time, however, would prove to be her most formidable challenge, for Yue Ye Si was a Heavenly Human Realm expert, and rescuing a demon from her grasp would be an endeavor more arduous than ascending to the heavens themselves!

“No, Master, I merely thought that if we simply drove the demonic beast away, the mission would be far easier to complete!” Anticipating Tou’s imminent rage, Ji Jie quickly amended her statement, attempting to mask her true intentions.

“What? Do you doubt my Four-Master’s capabilities? It’s merely a Golden Body Realm demonic beast! If she can’t even handle something so simple, she might as well go home and raise children.” Tou dramatically swept a lock of hair from his ear, speaking with an air of smug superiority, as if the water monkey had already been subdued by his own hand.

“Of course, Miss Yue is formidable,” Ji Jie said with a smile. “However, I believe this isn’t the ideal time to hunt the demonic beast.

Let us first rest here in the village for the night, and tomorrow, after a hearty meal, we can proceed to hunt that Golden Body Realm water monkey.” She had decided to stall, hoping to gain more favorable time for her plan.

“A hearty meal…” Tou’s bright, expressive eyes swiveled mischievously.

Two free meals? Why ever not?

Besides, he had heard little Qiao Qiao mention that her mother was an excellent cook; if possible, he wouldn’t mind staying a few extra days.

“Hey, Master! It’s still quite early for dinner,” Ji Jie chirped, then turned to little Qiao Qiao.

“Little Qiao Qiao, are there any fun places around your village? Would you mind taking us sisters there?”

“What’s there to do in this rundown place? Four-Master, I think you should all go help Qiao Qiao’s mother cook!” Tou interjected, draping an arm over Yue Ye Si’s shoulder and pointing towards the kitchen, cutting off little Qiao Qiao before she could speak.

He was growing rather hungry and yearned for food without delay!

“This isn’t a rundown place at all!” Little Qiao Qiao increasingly suspected Tou was not a good person.

How dare he disparage her village?

She was determined to show him just how wonderful their home truly was.

Puffing out her cheeks, she retorted defiantly:

“Right next to our Fan Lake Village is Fan Lake, and within its spring-fed cave, there’s a warm pool!

Bathing there at night is incredibly comfortable!

Usually, it’s not open to outsiders, but since you’re here to rid our village of the demonic beast, I’ll make an exception and let you enjoy it just this once!”

“I noticed how clear the lake next to this village was when we arrived earlier today; its source must be exceptionally clean! To bathe there… I’m truly looking forward to it!” Ji Jie exclaimed with delight.

Had Tou not remained so stubbornly indifferent, she would have already pulled little Qiao Qiao away.

“Just a bath? I couldn’t care less.” Tou cast a furtive glance at the person beside him, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. ‘If we were to bathe together, could I perhaps drink the entire pool of bathwater like Kuafu?’ he mused mischievously.

“Hmph hmph~, sometimes you can even catch ‘tofu fish’ in there,” Qiao Qiao continued. “Slathered with our village’s special sauce, they’re incredibly delicious.

And if a tofu fish swims up to you while you’re bathing, it means your skin is exceptionally good.

I catch five or six every time I go in!”

Indeed, little Qiao Qiao’s skin was remarkably supple and delicate, possessing the soft, rosy texture of a newborn’s, truly pleasant to the touch.

As she spoke, her lips curled into an involuntary smile.

“Food!” Upon hearing talk of edibles, Tou’s ears perked up, and he craned his neck, only to quickly retract it, covering his mouth with a hand as he gave a light cough.

“Ahem! You only caught five or six tofu fish? If I went in, I’d surely catch hundreds, no! Tens of thousands!”

“My mother only ever attracts twenty-five at most, and you…” Little Qiao Qiao rested her chin in her hand, scrutinizing Tou for a moment before scoffing with disdain.

She continued,

“You have no ferocity, no backside… Mm-mm~”

“Master, don’t listen to her nonsense! Master smells wonderful; you’ll definitely attract many, many tofu fish.”

Seeing little Qiao Qiao attempt to verbally insult Tou, Ji Jie swiftly covered her mouth, then smiled at Tou with narrowed eyes.

Tou cast a cold glance at her.

With his mind preoccupied by food, he decided not to bother with the two of them.

Pointing at little Qiao Qiao, he commanded,

“You little brat, go get me that special sauce and lead me to the warm pool!”

“Yes, yes! Little Qiao Qiao, let’s go get the sauce together! Is it in the kitchen? We should grab plenty; if Master doesn’t have enough in the end, she might get angry!”

Ji Jie nodded vigorously, having no intention of releasing little Qiao Qiao’s mouth.

She simply dragged her along to the kitchen.

Tou, unhurried by the moment, wore a pleased smile.

Both delicious food and beautiful sights seemed to beckon him! Truly…

“This is absolutely wonderful! Isn’t it, Little Tou? You get to bathe with Master again! Hehehe~” Yue Ye Si seemed to have divined Tou’s thoughts, her lips curving into a knowing smile.

Upon hearing this, Tou’s face instantly clouded with displeasure.

Playfully, he hooked his fingers into the corners of her mouth, stretching her wide lips.

“Ouch, ouch, ouch~, Little Tou, please let me go!” Tou tugged harder, eliciting a muffled plea for mercy from Yue Ye Si.

“Now you know how formidable I am, don’t you? Let’s see if you dare to spout nonsense again!” Seeing her beg for mercy, Tou became even more audacious, thrusting his hand into her mouth and prying it open, playfully manipulating it.

“Oh… mm… I know… mm-mm… I know I was wrong…”

Yue Ye Si nodded frantically in surrender, but Tou was only growing more engrossed in his game.

His fingers moved upwards, pinching Four-Master’s nose into a pig-like snout, pointing forward.

Only when little Qiao Qiao and Ji Jie returned did he release his grip.

With a look of distaste, he wiped the moisture from his hands on Four-Master’s clothes, then grumbled impatiently,

“Are you two mimicking maggots crawling? You’re so slow!”

“Master, my sincerest apologies! The sauce wasn’t quite enough, so we asked Qiao Qiao’s mother to make a bit more, which caused a slight delay.”

As Ji Jie spoke, she presented the small bamboo basket in her hands to Tou, revealing several large jars of different flavored sauces within.

Tou licked his lips, then took out a small jar of sauce, opened it, dabbed a tiny bit with his finger, and placed it in his mouth.

“Ew~~, so sour~~.” Tou’s entire body bristled, and a shiver of sourness escaped him in a trembling voice.

“Pfft pfft!” Little Qiao Qiao couldn’t help but cover her mouth and let out two muffled laughs, though she dared not utter another word.

“Little Tou, you can’t eat sauce straight from the jar!” Yue Ye Si snatched the jar of sauce from Tou’s hand, finding her little disciple adorably foolish.

“I…” Tou’s face flushed crimson instantly.

He shot a furious glare at little Qiao Qiao, who was still trying to stifle her laughter, then gritted his teeth and snapped,

“You scoundrel, what’s so funny? Hurry up and lead the way!”

“Hmph~, foolish himself, yet won’t let others laugh~” Little Qiao Qiao grumbled under her breath as she walked to the very front.