Seeing the two of them gaping, Ye Tong couldn't help laughing. "What are you two imagining?"
"My dear sis, do you even hear what you're saying?" Ye Yu sneaked a glance at Xu Mu, then spoke to Ye Tong.
"We don't have to take everything off. On a beach or at a big public pool, do they split men and women?" Ye Tong asked.
Hearing that, Ye Yu finally realized it was her thoughts that were impure. Since the topic was bathing, she'd assumed "naked." If it was like this, she was still a bit shy, but she could accept it.
Xu Mu didn't say more. The bath was big enough for three anyway. However, the sisters clearly didn't understand what the Marrow-Cleansing Pill actually did—namely, that the body would expel filth afterward.
"Alright, I'll run the water first."
Xu Mu headed to the first-floor bath, opened his storage space, and took out another Marrow-Cleansing Pill. Then he undressed.
Before long, Ye Tong and Ye Yu arrived one after the other. Ye Tong wore fitted black underlayers; she usually wore skirts. Today was the first time Xu Mu truly "appreciated" those legs—leg for days.
Catching him staring, Ye Tong shyly covered her chest and sat in the bath.
Soon Ye Yu came in too, dressed in beige. To Xu Mu's surprise, there was a pronounced cleft up front—actually a bit fiercer than Ye Tong. Youth really did have its advantages.
Compared to Ye Tong, Ye Yu was far more bashful—after all, Xu Mu and Ye Tong were an old married couple. But when she saw his defined abs, her cheeks warmed, and she hurried into the water to sit by Ye Tong.
Xu Mu took out a Marrow-Cleansing Pill and swallowed it. "You two, take yours."
They both did. Within seconds the effects hit all three: first heat, pores opening, then sweat beading everywhere.
"So this is the Marrow-Cleansing Pill?" Ye Tong looked at her flushed skin in surprise—then her expression changed. Pale rosy skin began to exude a thin, oily black grime—utterly filthy. Ye Yu was the same.
Plop!
They practically submerged at the same time, leaving only their heads above water.
"Don't look! It's gross!" Ye Tong said, flustered.
"The pill is literally cleansing internal impurities. We've never purged them in all these years—being filthy is normal," Xu Mu said, as black residue also appeared on his own skin. He smiled at them. "Want me to scrub your backs? Professional service."
"No, no!" they chorused, mortified to be seen like this.
Grinning, Xu Mu went to the shower to wash off his own grime. As years of buildup flushed out, the whole world seemed clearer. This stuff really worked.
—
The sisters kept only their heads above the water and hurried to wash after Xu Mu left. He waited on the sofa; before long, both emerged, each in a simple throw-on dress.
"Not bad—you both look even prettier," Xu Mu said, giving them a once-over.
[Favorability +10]
[Favorability +10]
They'd noticed it too—their complexions looked better in the mirror.
"Next is this pill—one each."
Xu Mu produced Qi-Gathering Pills and handed them over.
"This one won't have more grime, right?" Ye Yu asked preemptively. If so, she'd use her own bathroom upstairs.
"Definitely not," Xu Mu smiled.
They swallowed them together. The pills melted instantly, but unlike the Marrow-Cleansing Pill, which liquefied, the Qi-Gathering Pill turned to vapor and was absorbed.
Both Ye Tong and Ye Yu frowned as pain rippled through their bodies—as if they were packed with gas that couldn't escape, like they might burst.
Ye Yu flopped onto the sofa, rolling from the pain. "You jerk, did you poison me? If you want me, just say so!"
"Endure it. Look at your sister," Xu Mu said evenly. This was just opening the spiritual channels. Once the meridians linked, qi could flow.
Crack!
Ye Yu suddenly felt something inside blow open; the strange pressure vanished at once. A moment later, Ye Tong felt the same.
"Alright. Clench your fists—can you feel a current of power flowing inside?" Xu Mu asked, smiling.
They tried—and indeed felt it.
"Come on, carry me," he said to Ye Yu, stepping in front of her.
"You're heavy. What if you squash me short?" she pouted—but Xu Mu had already leaned onto her back.
She braced and—surprisingly—hoisted him up with ease. She could feel that beyond her own strength, an inner force was helping her. She even gave a little hop—still easy.
"Good. Get used to that power first," Xu Mu said. He wouldn't push them further yet; haste makes waste. Once their realms stabilized, he'd continue with more Qi-Gathering Pills.
After all that, they sat down to dinner. During the meal, Xu Mu told Ye Tong he'd be going out afterward. Not only Ye Tong, but even Ye Yu didn't think much of it now.
—
Dusk fell.
Xu Mu drove to a park where several Buick GL8s were parked. At the front stood Wang Biao. When he saw Xu Mu's Escalade, he hurried over.
As soon as Xu Mu stepped out, he found Wang Biao and thirty burly men lined up with machetes, calling respectfully:
"Brother Xu!"
Xu Mu pressed his temple, speechless. "I told you—no fighting tonight. We're going to hit targets."
He got back in the car. "Old Wang, bring everyone to Tianxia Foot Spa."
"Got it!" Wang Biao turned to the others. "Put the blades away!"
Led by Xu Mu, the group headed to Tianxia Foot Spa. The exterior lights were lavish, and the lot was packed—Cadillac CT4s, CT5s, CT6s, and more.
Dozens of them strode in together. The security and staff, startled, thought some faction was here to smash the place and hastily called the manager.
Soon a chubby, suited middle-aged man jogged over. Seeing Xu Mu at the head, he quickly plastered on a smile. "Br—Brother Xu… Is something wrong? Did someone in our shop offend you?"
"No. We're just here for foot baths," Xu Mu said. "Let me see your technicians."
"Of course." The manager panted back to the front desk, grabbed a tablet, and hurried over. "Brother Xu, they're all on here."
Xu Mu flipped through quickly and stopped at No. 13. "I'll take No. 13," he said, handing back the tablet.
The manager turned toward Wang Biao, smiling. "And the rest of the brothers, please pick—"
"No need. We're all choosing No. 13. Get us a big private room," Xu Mu said coolly, hands in his pockets.