Chapter 756: Bathing in the Imperial Hot Spring
The Royal Hot Spring in the castle tower was once a great place for shogunate officials to relax and unwind, but since the death of the Second Thunder God, it has lost its former glory.
With the major changes in shogunate officials and the unfamiliarity of the newly joined people of Kaijima with the habit of bathing in hot springs, the Royal Hot Spring was abandoned for a long time.
Although Yae Shinko had the place cleaned up early in the morning, the sense of desolation caused by being unused for a long time could not be concealed.
When Shao Yun walked in, he could clearly feel the desolate atmosphere.
The two witches led Shao Yun to take a bath first, and then prepared a pair of shorts for him.
Shao Yun, wearing a pair of shorts, walked into the hot spring.
For him, there is not much difference between taking a hot spring bath and a regular hot bath.
However, unlike a regular hot bath, soap cannot be used in an onsen.
Shao Yun didn't care too much about it. He quietly enjoyed the warmth and comfort brought by the hot spring.
After a while, the sound of light footsteps was heard. Shao Yun looked up and saw the Eightfold Son of God slowly approaching.
She was only wrapped in a soft white bath towel, which gently fit her graceful figure and outlined her charming curves.
Yae Kamiko's slender thighs were faintly visible in the mist from the hot spring.
She was not wrapped in a bath towel, and the exposed collarbone and the part covered by her shoulders added an indescribable charm.
"You came really early." Yae Shinko said softly as he looked at Shao Yun who was already soaking in the hot spring.
Shao Yun's gaze fell on the Yayoi Son of God wrapped in a bath towel, and he couldn't help but sigh that this Yayoi Son of God was indeed worthy of being the legendary "fox spirit", and one word to describe him was "charming".
However, unlike Ying's pleasing-to-the-eyes beauty, Yae Shinko's beauty is more of a charm, not Ying's.
Shao Yun simply took a quick look at the Eightfold God Child and felt that he was uninteresting. He then moved his eyes away and asked nonchalantly, "Did you ask me to come to the castle tower just to take a hot spring bath?"
Yae Shinko smiled slightly, wrapped in a bath towel and stepped lightly into the hot spring pool.
As she entered the water, layers of delicate ripples appeared on the surface.
Then, she sat down next to Shao Yun and answered at a distance: "Why? You helped me a lot in dealing with Hiiragi Chisato's affairs. As a reward, I'd like to invite you to take a hot spring bath. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Shao Yun curled his lips slightly, obviously not interested in the reward.
He said bluntly: "Compared to taking a hot spring bath, I actually prefer you to take out a mountain of Mora as a thank you gift..."
When he heard that Shao Yun wanted Mora, the Eightfold Son of God looked embarrassed.
Inazuma's finances are now under the management of the Coral Palace. She only has a small treasury in Yaedang, which is definitely not enough to satisfy Shao Yun. She can't cut off another part of her own tail to make a scarf for Ying!
"This is the royal hot spring of the castle tower, a place that is priceless." Yae Shinto deliberately emphasized the word "priceless".
Shao Yun seemed quite indifferent to this. He just nodded casually, neither refuting nor showing any special interest.
"Oh I see..."
After all, this place is just a big bathtub. What's so expensive about it?
Seeing this, Yae Shinko rolled his eyes and asked casually, "Would you like something to drink?"
Shao Yun didn't even think about it and answered without thinking: "Do you even need to ask? Of course it's wine..."
It's just a dinner for the bride of Yae Shinko, I can still afford it.
So she said to the witch not far away: "Okay, come, bring the wine."
After a while, a woman dressed in a shrine maiden's costume came in carrying a tray.
On the plate was a pot of Inazuma sake and two small cups.
Yae Shenzi picked up the wine jug gracefully and poured a glass for himself and Shao Yun.
Shao Yun took the wine glass, tilted his head back and drank it all in one gulp, feeling the light and sweet aroma of Inazuma wine spreading in his mouth.
……
In this way, Shao Yun and Yae Shenzi enjoyed the fine wine in the warm hot spring water.
After a few drinks, Yae Shenzi suddenly raised his glass and said slowly: "Shao Yun, you confuse me..."
Shao Yun was slightly stunned when he heard this. He didn't understand why Yaye Shenzi said this. He looked at Yaye Shenzi, waiting for her to continue.
Yae Shenzi tilted his head, stared at Shao Yun with a sharp gaze, and continued to ask: "Why did you suddenly become so kind and come to help?"
Shao Yun pursed his lips, thought for a moment, and then gave an answer.
"The reasons are actually quite complicated, but if you want to understand it in a nutshell, you can say that Ying brought me here."
Afterwards, Shao Yun intentionally changed the subject and asked, "By the way, what is Hiiragi Chisato's current situation like?"
Yae Shenzi noticed that Shao Yun had deliberately changed the subject, but she still followed Shao Yun's question and talked about Hiiragi Chisato's situation.
"As for Chisato Hiiragi, she has become even weaker since she had an abortion last night."
"I have arranged for the miko to take good care of her. Once her body recovers to a certain degree, I plan to let her meet Kamajiro."
When Shao Yun heard that Yae Shinto had made comprehensive arrangements for Hiiragi Chisato, he nodded to show his understanding.
"Oh, that's how it is……"
Then, Yae Shenzi asked Shao Yun another question, "By the way, why did you have that expression last night?"
Shao Yun seemed a little confused when he heard this question. He asked in confusion, "What expression?"
Yae Shinko recalled: "Last night when I sought your advice, you showed an embarrassed and reluctant expression on your face, which didn't seem to be in line with your usual style."
Shao Yun originally didn't want to talk about this matter, but when he thought that Ying's pregnancy was not something difficult to talk about or shameful, he decided to share this good news.
"How should I put it..." Shao Yun hesitated for a moment, then said slowly, "Because Ying is pregnant, I'm about to become a father, so I might become a little indecisive when making some decisions..."
When Yae Shenzi heard Shao Yun say that Ying was pregnant, she looked at Shao Yun with wide eyes, and was very shocked by the news.
"You're going to be a father? Ying is pregnant?"
Shao Yun nodded and replied calmly: "Yes, that's it."
Seeing Shao Yun's calm reaction, Yae Shenzi couldn't help but feel a little surprised.
She originally thought that Shao Yun would appear more excited or nervous, but he seemed unusually calm, which made Yae Shenzi feel a little out of place.
How could she know that Ying had been pregnant for almost half a year, and Shao Yun's excitement had already passed... or rather, it had only subsided temporarily. When the child was born, he would be so happy that he would be extremely happy.
"I see..." Yae Shinko said thoughtfully, "I never thought that one day I would see that you have such a... kind side."
……
Shao Yun and Yae Shenzi soaked in the hot spring for a while and drank two pots of Inazuma wine.
After a while, perhaps because the heat from the hot spring made the alcohol work faster in the body, Shao Yun began to feel a little tipsy.
At this moment, as if emboldened by alcohol, Yae Shenzi suddenly asked Shao Yun a question that had always been hidden in her heart: "Shao Yun, have you ever thought about the future?"
When the Eightfold Son of God mentioned the word "future", Shao Yun slowly shook his head, his tone sounding unusually indifferent.
"I don't know," Shao Yun said, "It's a blessing for me to be alive and see the sun the next day... The future? Haha, I don't have the time to think about it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Shao Yun suddenly turned his head and looked at the Eightfold Son of God. He smiled faintly and asked jokingly, "Why? You want to protect me?"
Yae Shinko shook his head calmly, and then explained in a calm tone: "I still say that Istaru will definitely not let you go."
"My existence is only to ensure that the Seven Gods' structure is not broken and to avoid causing too much commotion."
Having said that, Yae Shinko paused for a moment, thinking about how to better express his meaning.
Then, she reminded Shao Yun earnestly: "The truth will eventually come out...Those things that cannot be exposed to the light will eventually be exposed to the light."
Shao Yun seemed to not care about the warning from the Eightfold Son of God, or rather, even if he cared, it was useless.
He shrugged his shoulders and said nonchalantly, "Come on, anyway, I already have enemies with quite a few people, so I don't mind one or two more. Too many lice won't itch, and too many debts won't worry you!"
……
Yae Shenzi looked at Shao Yun who was so calm in front of her, so she asked another question, and asked sincerely: "Have you ever thought that you might have fallen in love with someone you shouldn't love?"
When Shao Yun heard this, he suddenly became alert.
He frowned and asked, "What do you mean?"
Seeing this, Yae Shenzi sighed helplessly, and then slowly said: "Do you remember the Rongcai Festival a long time ago? At that time, I chatted with the God of Wind for a few words..."
However, Shao Yun hurriedly interrupted the Eightfold Son of God, and with a hint of anger in his voice, he said, "But I just fell in love with Ying, and this is a fact that cannot be changed!"
Seeing Shao Yun's resolute reaction, Yae Shenzi was silent for a moment, then said softly: "Have you really never thought about it? I've heard a lot of things from Barbatos. Putting it all together, maybe it would be a better choice for you if you didn't fall in love with Ying."
Shao Yun did not respond immediately, but after thinking for a moment, he gave a reason.
"People always need to be loyal to something, such as the country, Mora or faith. Just like you are loyal to Baalzebub, I am also loyal to Ying."
"Besides, I swore an oath before, so please don't make that assumption anymore."
After listening to Shao Yun's explanation, Yae Shenzi couldn't help but pinch her nose bridge, trying to make her thoughts clearer.
However, perhaps because of the alcohol or the hot spring, or both, her mind was still a little confused, with various thoughts intertwined, making it difficult for her to make sense of it.
"Yeah...it's true..." Yae Shinko murmured to herself, "You know, ever since the Thunder God, I've become a little sensitive."
"Sometimes, I can't help but fantasize about some things, such as..." Her voice gradually trailed off.
If you hadn't fallen in love with Ying, perhaps Baalzebub wouldn't have died, but she didn't dare to say it, because if she did, she would die now.
At this moment, Yae Shinko missed her good friend "Yumematsuki Ruixi".
"Hey, it would be nice if I could dream about Yue Ruixi. I feel like I really need some psychological counseling right now."
"Dream of Yue Ruixi?" Shao Yun muttered.
Yae Shenzi looked at Shao Yun and explained, "You may not know her. She is a good friend of mine. She left Inazuma several years ago to travel and study."
"She is the Dream-Eating Tapir, a natural psychologist. If she were here, she might be able to help me resolve some of the problems in my heart."
Shao Yun nodded thoughtfully and said, "I see..."
……