Chapter 379 - 379: Home Sweet Home (2)

Time is but just a line once put into words.

It was gone as quickly as the broken space fragments inside the storage bag.

Soon, even the pouch itself got sucked away by the unseen black hole.

Bubai dusted off his hands and sensed the minimal expansion of his private storage warehouse.

"Hm. Just as I thought. A low-grade pouch really won't have much of an effect anymore. Only mid-grade or higher will bring about visible expansion..."

Makes sense.

When the pond was small, even a spoonful of water felt generous.

Once the pond gets bigger, it takes much more to raise the water level.

The same applies to storage space.

The bigger the room, the more volume required to expand the borders even by a single inch.

Bubai glanced at the lonely mid-grade pouch. He wanted to absorb that too, but…

"Better to keep it. Still has its uses. Besides, just vanishing one pouch should be enough for a smokescreen…"

If anybody investigated where the rest of his loot went, his explanation: hidden stash.

Of course, if there really were treasure hunters sniffing around for his loot, they'll never find his hidden stash in a million years, even if they dug up the sect's foundation and flipped it inside out. Haha.

Bubai chuckled and reached to pick up the yellowed gown soaking in the pool nearby—Shua!

Water sluiced off and out...

He gave the gown a few shakes and watched the water droplets roll off as if every thread of the robe was waterproof. Both inside and out.

Spiritworm silk robe – impervious to water. As a bonus benefit, it was easy to wash.

"Well… easy, but not perfect." Bubai gave the inner side a sniff. "Some faint odor is still there. Too bad, deep cleaning the robe is a whole other story."

Might need a specialized seamstress to do the job.

But that luxury's not something he would pay for, even if he can afford it now.

"Anyways, this is good enough to wear."

The gown was still a bit wet, but Bubai slipped it on without caring.

"Nicesu. With this on, I don't have to worry about my inner robes turning into tatters again during the next fight. Should be able to plow right through explosive tags now. Haha!"

More confidence was good, but when Bubai thought about the real killers who have yet to show their muscles, he can only rein in his arrogance.

"Be stable, be stable. We'll see how things turn out…"

The future is hard to predict. Just be prepared to the best of his abilities.

Bubai stuffed a pouch into his undies and fastened another to his waist.

"Hm. I'm about finished up here…"

Everything's packed into their respective pouches – the pair he'll carry to combat and the mid-grade destined to be left behind.

Next is…

Bubai looked over his shoulder and saw his iceberg-face waifu arriving beside him. A smile bloomed like spring. "Everything good?"

"En." Xiao Lan nodded and settled down next to him, dipping her slender feet, perfect as carved jade, into the cool water.

Looking at her cold, beautiful side profile, Bubai can't help but rest his hand on top of hers and rubbed it softly.

Her glassy-blue eyes turned to quietly stare at him.

Grinning like a child who'd caught a rare fish, Bubai grabbed the mid-grade pouch and handed it over like a trophy.

"Lan'er, look at what I earned this time! There's a lot in here!"

Xiao Lan didn't take it nor did her stare break. Her eyes were all on him and only him.

Bubai's grin turned a little sheepish. "Uh. I left ten spirit stones in there. You can use those for cultivation..."

Still no reaction. Not a blink. Not even the twitch of an eyelash.

Bubai quickly set down the bag and swapped it for something more eye-catching.

"Lan'er look! This gourd is a water-attribute magic tool—just right for you! Carrying it around, you won't have to worry about not having water for your sword skills!"

But the woman didn't even spare it a glance.

Bubai felt... she was quite hard to please all of a sudden.

He awkwardly put down the gourd.

"That, uh… Lan'er, if you don't like these, just tell me what you want. I'll bring it back for you, even if I have to turn the world upside-down and stake my lif—"

A single finger shushed his lips.

Those eyes, clear as glacial springs, locked onto his and their owner firmly declared: "You safe... enough."

Uoof! Critical hit.

Bubai chuckled happily. "Lan'er oh Lan'er, why do you look more and more beautiful every time I see you?"

Xiao Lan tilted her head slightly, then like a second instinct, her gaze drifted down to his lower body.

Just as her other hand reached out to help free the little man down there, Bubai caught it.

Their eyes met again.

"No want?"

Bubai smiled warmly. "Just stay by my side, that's enough."

Those glassy eyes wavered for a bit then lowered. Their owner turned forward to stare at her feet idly swaying in the water.

Bubai also looked forward. He felt everything was so peaceful and wanted it to stay that way, but…

He can't hold back the words that wanted to jump out.

"The gourd, you can refine and fill it when you have spare time."

"En."

"Remember to eat dinner later."

"En."

"Don't push yourself too hard. Rest if you're tired."

"En…"

A head slowly and quietly rested on his shoulder. Bubai fell silent. Well... let her get some rest.

A spirit bean got popped into his mouth. Spirit stones appeared in his free hand. Mysterious dantian cultivation formation activate!

Time to make up for some of the energy loss in his dew pool.

The sand in the hourglass peacefully flowed to the other side...

Alas, no matter how much he wanted to stay in his comfortable state, happy times eventually come to an end.

Rumble... rumble... rumble.

Xiao Lan's lashes slowly fluttered open and she quietly removed her head from his shoulder.

Coming face to face with her, Bubai caressed her cheek. "Lan'er, it's time for me to go back."

"En…" She leaned in, connecting her forehead with his. "Wait for you."

Bubai closed the gap and gave her a soft peck on the lips...

He didn't get the chance to sink into that warmth because a light bulb already appeared outside the doorway.

He reluctantly separated from his waifu and rose to his feet.

The peace got wiped from his face. All that was left was a steely, scheming battleborn that never looks back.

Arriving in the hallway, he met up with the redhead secretary leaning against the wall with arms folded.

"Tch. You sent me off to run errands. I thought you had something important to do, but you were just playing house here with your lover."

Bubai flatly stared back at her. "Less nonsense. My things?"

Miss Hong tossed over a pouch. "Here. Took me forever to haggle with those eunuchs."

Bubai peered inside.

A multitude of colorful dishes—steamed, roasted, stir-fried—crammed the small space. Not a single spirit stone was left.

Where did they all go? That much was obvious.

As for whether she pocketed any, that was well within his considerations.

If you want loyalty, a little sweetness must be given here and there.

This much, he had calculated. And this much, he was satisfied with.

Bubai fastened the pouch to his waist and led the way forward. "Let's go."

The battlefield calls. The stage awaits.

There's sharks circling his boat, allies to be made, debts to settle, risks to take…

But everything was for the greater good.