173: Chapter 174 It's late at night, where to sleep?

Fang Yanqing finally recovered from her petrified state. Taking a deep breath, she tried to make her voice sound as calm as possible: "Lu Chen, manage your wife."

The voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached the ears of Lu Chen, who was downstream washing the Snow Chickens.

Upon hearing Fang Yanqing's shout, Yang Huangyi thought she had done something wrong.

Tears immediately welled up in her eyes, and her voice carried a sob: "Sister Fang, I... I just wanted Sister Xiaofu to feel your... your wonderfulness too. I didn't mean to hurt you..."

Lu Chen shuddered, nearly letting the Snow Chicken in his hand fly away.

"What's wrong? What happened?" Lu Chen rushed over in a few strides, holding the washed Snow Chicken as if he were going to put out a fire.

Seeing Lu Chen's nervous expression, Fang Yanqing couldn't help but burst into laughter.

At that moment, two crystal teardrops finally fell from the corners of Yang Huangyi's eyes, dripping into the hot spring and creating ripples.

She looked truly pitiable.

Seeing this, Lu Chen felt incredibly distressed. He dove into the hot spring so abruptly his shorts almost floated off.

He pulled Yang Huangyi into his arms and comforted her softly: "Huang Yi, be good. Sister Fang wasn't talking about you, she was talking about... about me!"

As Lu Chen spoke, he secretly gave Fang Yanqing a look, meaning: Sister, please give me some Face and don't lower yourself to a child's level.

Fang Yanqing rolled her eyes at Lu Chen, thinking: You brat, you're certainly good at shifting the blame.

After speaking, Lu Chen turned to look at Yin Susu, who was soaking in the hot spring with an expression of one enjoying a good show.

Yin Susu winked at him playfully and made a Face, as if to say: How was it? This young miss's acting is pretty good, right? This is as much as I can help you today.

Lu Chen gently patted Yang Huangyi's back and continued to coax her: "Huang Yi, look, Sister Fang is beautiful and kind-hearted, how could she blame you? She was... she was just joking with you!"

Yang Huangyi looked up at Lu Chen with teary eyes: "Re... really?"

"Of course it's true!" Lu Chen said decisively. "When have I ever lied to you?"

Yang Huangyi's tears turned into a smile as she reached out to grab the Snow Chicken in Lu Chen's hand: "Lu Lang, you caught so many Snow Chickens! We're in for a treat tonight!"

Lu Chen hurriedly hid the Snow Chicken behind his back: "Don't touch, don't touch! I just washed them clean. I'll roast them for you all in a bit!"

"Oh..." Yang Huangyi obediently withdrew her hand.

Seeing Lu Chen's flustered state, Fang Yanqing couldn't help laughing again: "Lu Chen, look at you, just keep spoiling this little wife of yours."

"Hehe," Lu Chen scratched his head. "Sister Fang is joking. Huang Yi is still young; she only recently left the Ancient Tomb and still needs more experience."

"Young? I don't think she's small at all! It's quite big under her bellyband!" Yin Susu chimed in again, playing the rogue. "Sister Fang, don't you agree?"

As she spoke, Yin Susu deliberately puffed out her chest, her meaning clear: Look, who's the one who's truly well-endowed!

Fang Yanqing glared at Yin Susu: "Miss Yin, stop causing trouble!"

"How am I causing trouble?" Yin Susu looked innocent. "I'm just telling the truth!"

"Alright, alright, stop messing around! You guys continue," Lu Chen quickly mediated. "I'll get all the Snow Chickens ready and roast them for you!"

Fang Yanqing shook her head at the chaotic scene, thinking: What kind of people are these?

Looking at Fang Yanqing's graceful figure, Yin Susu couldn't help but praise her again: "Sister Fang, your figure is truly amazing! If I were a man, I would definitely fall for you!"

Fang Yanqing shook her head helplessly, thinking: These people are truly beyond hope!

Ji Xiaofu finally reacted: "Lu Lang, why haven't you gone to roast the chickens yet? Don't tell me you want to soak in the hot spring with us too?"

Lu Chen smiled and said, "What's wrong with that? Aren't you all wearing your undergarments?"

With that, Lu Chen slid through the water like an eel to Fang Yanqing's side, nudged her gently with his elbow, and winked: "Right, Sister Fang?"

Fang Yanqing was stunned by his sudden intimate gesture, her body stiffening slightly. She gave him a sharp glare but said nothing.

Ji Xiaofu watched on, confused. Her brow furrowed as she couldn't help but ask: "Lu Lang, why... why do you also call my Master 'Sister'? This... isn't the seniority all messed up? It's completely chaotic!"

Lu Chen laughed loudly, turned to Ji Xiaofu, and said with a serious Face: "Xiaofu, look, Susu calls her Sister, so I can't exactly not follow suit, can I?"

"Should I call her Auntie Fang instead of Sister Fang? Wouldn't that be even more chaotic?"

Ji Xiaofu was stunned by his twisted logic. Thinking about it carefully, it seemed to make some sense.

She opened her mouth to argue but didn't know where to start, so she could only sigh helplessly: "What you say... is true, I suppose."

Seeing this, Lu Chen struck while the iron was hot: "Xiaofu, as you know, I come from the mysterious and unpredictable Jie Sect of the Nine Heavens!"

"In our Jie Sect, we value being free and easy. We don't have as many convoluted rules as the mortal world."

As he spoke, he pointed to the sky with great solemnity, as if there really were an entrance to the Immortal Realm there.

"Produced by the Jie Sect, it must be of the highest quality."

Looking at his mystical demeanor, Ji Xiaofu felt convinced for some reason, despite her lingering doubts.

After all, the man before her could ride the clouds and mist!

She nodded gently and said softly: "I do believe what you say."

"After all, you are unique, able to ride both clouds and cranes..."

Lu Chen chuckled, leaned into Ji Xiaofu's ear, and whispered: "That's right. Look whose man I am!"

Ji Xiaofu flushed crimson at his sudden sweet words. She punched him lightly and scolded: "Always so improper!"

Lu Chen laughed heartily and dove into the water, sending up a spray.

The steam from the hot spring was dense, shrouding their figures as laughter continued to ring out.

Lu Chen surfaced, wiped the water from his Face, and shouted: "Wait for me, I'm going to roast the chickens for you!"

Without waiting for an answer, he dove back into the hot spring and disappeared into the mist.

...

A bonfire was lit on the shore. The cleaned Snow Chickens were placed over the fire, sizzling and emitting an enticing aroma.

Yin Susu appeared from nowhere, took a deep breath, and praised: "Wow, it smells so good! Brother Chen, your skills are truly amazing!"

Lu Chen smiled proudly, his hands moving constantly as he sprinkled seasonings and skillfully flipped the roasting chickens: "Of course. Look who I am!"

Fang Yanqing, Ji Xiaofu, and Yang Huangyi also gathered around. Looking at the golden, glistening roast chickens, they couldn't help but swallow their saliva.

"Come, come, don't just stand there, let's eat!" Lu Chen waved his hand grandly.

The four women didn't stand on ceremony either. They stepped forward, tore off pieces of roast chicken, and began to feast.

"Mm, delicious!"

"So fragrant!"

"Lu Lang, this roast chicken is so good. Last time you promised to make me Iron Pot Stewed Goose, don't you dare forget!" Yang Huangyi didn't forget to settle old scores while eating.

The group sat around the bonfire, eating roast chicken and telling jokes, feeling extremely content.

Until night fell and the stars dotted the sky.

On the cliffside, the bonfire flickered, and shadows swayed.

The moonlight shone on them, casting long, long shadows.

In the distance, the flock of cranes let out clear cries, as if providing an accompaniment for them.

The night in the Kunlun Mountains was quiet and beautiful.

This warm scene was like a painting, frozen within the Kunlun Sacred Realm.