Chapter 135: Return to the Imperial Capital

“So fast!” Ye Tian guessed that Old Hei’s pace was pretty good. It wouldn’t take half a month to get back, but he hadn’t expected the griffon to be twice as fast as Old Hei!

“Are those creatures found in the wild?” Ye Tian asked with a grin.

“Probably,” Lifi’er pondered. “The griffons of the Babylon Royal Knights are bred and raised artificially. The wild ones are far more ferocious and difficult to control. I once heard someone say they captured one, but it stubbornly refused to form a contract and even tried to attack its owner. In the end, they had no choice but to kill it.”

“What a pity,” Ye Tian sighed. “With your strength, you should be able to capture one.”

Lifi’er said, “If you want to know where to find them, I can tell you.”

“Where?”

“The Beast Forest.”

“That place?” Ye Tian was surprised.

“You’ve been there?” Lifi’er asked.

“No, how would I have been there?” Ye Tian chuckled. “I only heard about it when I was a cook.”

“That’s a paradise for beasts. Even fifth-level beasts on the outskirts aren’t rare. If you venture inside, you might even encounter divine beasts!” Lifi’er smiled warmly. “Do you want to try?”

“I’m not going!” Ye Tian pouted. “I still have a lot to live for.”

“Coward,” Lifi’er scoffed.

“Then you try,” Ye Tian laughed. “I’m not interested in griffons, but you are!”

“I’m not going either!” Even a mage like Lifi’er wouldn’t dare venture alone deep into the Beast Forest. If they encountered a high-level beast tide, even a Grand Mage would have to retreat, let alone a lower-ranked one.

“Wait a moment, I’ll go fetch some water,” Ye Tian said.

“I’ll come with you,” Lifi’er thought for a moment. “I want to wash my hair.”

Ye Tian looked at Lifi’er’s icy blue long hair. “It’s so clean!”

“I haven’t washed it all day; it’s driving me crazy!” Lifi’er suddenly got angry. Ye Tian suddenly remembered how these young ladies would bathe dozens of times a day, and some with cleanliness obsessions would even wear gloves to wash themselves.

“Alright then, Old Hei, let’s go too!” Ye Tian called out. Old Hei stopped chewing the grass in his mouth and slowly trotted over.

“Let’s go, I’ll take you to wash up.”

“What about the carriage?” Lifi’er asked. “Take it with us. If we can camp by the river, let’s stay there overnight.”

“Sounds good!” Lifi’er immediately brightened.

“Is that necessary?” Ye Tian looked at the delighted Lifi’er and pouted. He harnessed Old Hei to the carriage. “Alright, this way, let’s go!” Ye Tian gently pulled the reins, and Old Hei set off with steady steps.

“Gray, are you sure there’s water there?” Lifi’er poked her head out.

“Don’t worry, there definitely is.” Ye Tian lightly tugged the reins. “Old Hei, this way!” Old Hei immediately changed direction and ran toward the spot Ye Tian indicated. After a while, they indeed found a small water pond.

“There really is!” Lifi’er exclaimed.

“Get down!” Ye Tian reached out and helped Lifi’er down.

“You go first, I’ll bring some things over.” Ye Tian detached the carriage from Old Hei. “Eat something first. I’ll help you wash up in a bit.” Patting Old Hei’s rump, the horse leisurely took a few steps and lay down.

“Here, this, yes, this!” Ye Tian took some items from his treasure pouch, then took Lifi’er’s makeup bag to the pond. Lifi’er had already taken off her high heels and dipped her feet in the water, playing comfortably.

“You’re like a little girl,” Ye Tian said, then set Lifi’er’s makeup bag aside and gently opened a small box. “Let me apply this for you; don’t open your eyes.” He picked a bit with his fingernail and put it into her hair.

“What did you put on?” Lifi’er asked curiously.

“Close your eyes; it might hurt them.” Ye Tian sprinkled some water, and bubbles immediately appeared on Lifi’er’s hair.

“Isn’t this shampoo?” Lifi’er was surprised. “You use this too?”

“What’s wrong? Not allowed?” Ye Tian didn’t explain. This wasn’t ordinary shampoo—it was a secret hair care powder from Yan Zhi Hall, reputed to make even a seventy-year-old woman’s hair as silky as a young maiden’s.

Of course, that was exaggerated, but it did soften the hair. Ye Tian had brought some as a gift before and kept a box for himself, though he rarely used it.

“It’ll be done soon.” Ye Tian gently massaged Lifi’er’s hair, letting the foam blend fully, then rinsed it with water and softly towel-dried it.

“Huh, why did it dry so quickly?” Lifi’er touched her hair. Ye Tian had just finished drying, but it was dry already. Strange.

Ye Tian thought in frustration, I used my inner strength to dry it for you! Then he handed her a glass mirror. “See how it looks?”

“Wow, when did my hair become so smooth?” Lifi’er happily admired her hair. Though dry, it still felt moist, as if fully hydrated.

“That’s great.”

“Glad you’re satisfied!” Ye Tian picked up a horn comb and slowly combed Lifi’er’s hair.

“Gray, what brand of shampoo did you use? It works so well; I’ll buy some when we get back,” Lifi’er said excitedly. “What’s that scent? It’s so fragrant!”

“Osmanthus,” Ye Tian smiled. “It’s not sold anywhere; it’s unique.”

“You made it yourself?” Lifi’er asked in surprise.

“Not really,” Ye Tian chuckled. “Don’t ask; it’s just not sold.”

“Hmph.” Lifi’er pouted in dissatisfaction. Ye Tian smiled and continued combing her hair. “By the way, do you know how to style your hair?”

“No,” Lifi’er replied bluntly.

“Then I have bad news. I can’t do the style you had earlier, but I can braid. Is that okay?”

“All right,” Lifi’er hesitated but agreed. If others saw her hair down, it wouldn’t be good!

“Make it look nice!” Lifi’er threatened.

“Don’t worry, it won’t look bad.” Ye Tian skillfully braided her hair. Soon, a thick, long braid was done. “How’s this?”

“It’ll do.” Lifi’er was a bit reluctant but admitted it was better than having her hair loose. Besides, Ye Tian’s braiding wasn’t bad.

“Do you know other styles?” Lifi’er asked.

“A few, maybe tomorrow,” Ye Tian said. “You play for a bit; I’ll help Old Hei wash.”

With a whistle, Old Hei ambled over leisurely, not tired from travel.

“Come here.” Ye Tian chose a suitable spot and prepared his tools, quietly waiting for his “lord” to arrive.

“Thanks for your hard work!” Ye Tian smiled as he applied some powder to Old Hei. It was an insect repellent powder with a faint scent, unnoticeable to most humans but detested by insects due to their keen sense of smell. Ye Tian gently rubbed it on and slowly poured water to wash him.

“Good job, good job!” Ye Tian cheerfully brushed Old Hei’s mane.

“How’s the water temperature?” Ye Tian asked. Old Hei snorted, signaling it was acceptable.

Ye Tian continued scooping water with a bucket to rinse.

“All clean now!” Ye Tian used a dry towel to wipe Old Hei thoroughly, including his hooves.

“Run a couple of laps!” Ye Tian patted Old Hei’s rump. With a snort, Old Hei ran lightly along the riverside.

“Gray, you treat him too well,” Lifi’er said with a hint of envy.

“Of course, we rely on him to get back!” Ye Tian packed up cheerfully. “By the way, tonight we’re having fish soup. I’m going down to catch some.”

With that, Ye Tian shed his coat and jumped in.

“I want to wash too!” Lifi’er looked at the sparkling water, suddenly longing to bathe. She changed clothes in the carriage, then comfortably jumped into the pond.

“Hehe, this is good!” Ye Tian surfaced holding two plump fish, just as Lifi’er swam nearby.

“Pfft!” Blood splattered three feet as Ye Tian suddenly sneezed, dropping the fish back into the water.

He quickly covered his nose and turned around. “The fish got away!”

Lifi’er swam over, displeased.

“Don’t come closer!” Ye Tian warned.

“What’s wrong?” Lifi’er asked, puzzled. Then she saw red marks on Ye Tian’s face and laughed. “What’s this, little brat? Got a nosebleed?”

“Just stay away,” Ye Tian suppressed his excitement. Water ripples slowly approached as Lifi’er came close and gently patted his shoulder. Ye Tian turned his head, and the almost-stopped nosebleed began again.

“Hehe, do I look good?” Lifi’er stood up and showed off her perfect figure. Tall and curvy, her snowy skin was alluring. The killer was she wore only a strapless top and pink panties, revealing everything Ye Tian could see.

The triangular bandeau barely covered her proud bosom, leaving most exposed, especially the deep cleavage that could drown anyone.

“Are you okay?” Lifi’er smiled and approached the stunned Ye Tian.

“I’m fine. Do you women all like to dress so boldly?” Ye Tian grumbled. He’d seen brothel women before, but they were nothing compared to Lifi’er.

“This is a bikini, every woman’s favorite!” Lifi’er retorted. “All girls love wearing them. Go to the beach and see—they all dress like this.”

“Oh, I know.” Ye Tian felt gloomy. If he ever went to the beach, would he be doomed?

“You okay? Still bleeding?” Lifi’er teased, delighted. “So you’re scared of this! Just wait till I deal with you later!”

“I’m fine. It’ll stop soon,” Ye Tian said, calming his nerves.

“All right, I’ll swim a while longer!” Lifi’er laughed and plunged back into the clear pond. She was reluctant to leave.

Ye Tian took a deep breath and dived to catch fish.

He didn’t see any big turtles or the like, but that wasn’t a problem. He found a large fruit shell and started making fish soup.

“Gray, won’t it leak like that?” Lifi’er came out of the water, gently drying her perfect figure.

“Dear Miss Lifi’er, could you please dry yourself inside the carriage?” Ye Tian said helplessly. Having a nearly naked beautiful woman around made his blood boil.

“No, what if you get the carriage wet?” Lifi’er argued. “What, can’t handle it?” She tugged at her bikini strap, making her proud bosom tremble, forcing Ye Tian to turn his head quickly.

“Hmph!” Lifi’er smugly strode back to the carriage. Ye Tian was burning with desire, but if she kept teasing, he’d be the one suffering. So the woman wisely stopped.

“I’m not giving it to you!” Lifi’er thought.

After changing, Lifi’er wiped her hair and came out. Ye Tian’s braid had been undone; she carefully towel-dried her hair. The evening breeze could cause a cold, which would be troublesome.

“Huh, you’re quite smart,” Lifi’er said, seeing Ye Tian cover the fruit shell with a thick layer of mud.

“Thanks for the compliment.” Ye Tian stirred the fish soup. Though it was a simple stew, the aroma was enticing, making Lifi’er eager for a bowl.

“Is it ready?” Lifi’er asked, taking a deep breath.

“Wait a little longer.” Ye Tian stirred again. It was nearly done, just reducing the fire underneath. Then he ladled some into a fruit shell bowl and handed it to Lifi’er.

“Where’s the spoon?” The rustic lifestyle surprised Lifi’er, leaving her somewhat unprepared.

“I think I brought some.” Ye Tian recalled Leila had prepared some and hurriedly searched. He finally found a small box. “Here!” He handed it over.

Inside were knives, forks, spoons, all in sets. People here valued dining etiquette, regardless of wealth or how sumptuous the food was. Ye Tian still had much to learn.

“Tastes good.” It wasn’t heavily seasoned, but the fish’s freshness was intact, with a special light fragrance.

“Drink more.” Ye Tian smiled.

“Mm, it’s quite tasty. Gray, you’d make a good chef,” Lifi’er praised.

“Not bad. If I ever lose my job, I can switch to being a chef,” Ye Tian joked.

“Then I’ll definitely hire you!” Lifi’er scooped another spoonful, savoring it.

“Why can’t my family’s chef cook like this?”

“Different methods,” Ye Tian laughed. “A hundred cooks make a hundred flavors.”

“But yours tastes better.” Lifi’er finished elegantly and reached out for more.

“There’s plenty. Drink up.” Ye Tian happily served another bowl. “Finish quickly and get some rest. We have to travel early tomorrow.”

“Why worry? No bandits on this road,” Lifi’er said confidently. This was the main route to the Feipuli Academy. Who would dare cause trouble here?

“If we meet bandits, who knows who’ll be the unlucky one!” Ye Tian grinned wryly. “Get some rest. I’ll do your hair in the morning.”

“All right, I’m going to rest. You should too,” Lifi’er took Ye Tian’s handkerchief, gently wiped her mouth, then put it away.

“Wait, give it back!” Ye Tian reached out.

“Cheapskate! A girl gave it to you,” Lifi’er pouted.

“True.” Ye Tian didn’t deny it.

“Hmph.” Lifi’er tossed the handkerchief into Ye Tian’s hand and went to rest in the carriage. Ye Tian carefully folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his chest pocket.

In truth, Ye Tian had underestimated Old Hei’s pace. In just ten days, they easily returned to the imperial capital.

“Shall we go in?” Lifi’er noticed Ye Tian hesitating and asked.

“Why not go in?” Ye Tian smiled, ran his golden hair through, then pulled the reins. “Old Hei, let’s go!”

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