Chapter 43: The Calm Before the Assault

Bai Hu grabbed the bar of soap with trembling hands and began to rub it all over his body. The foam formed quickly, covering his skin with a white, fragrant layer. After ensuring that every corner of his body was covered, he took the showerhead and turned it on. The warm water ran over his skin, washing away the foam and accumulated dirt. He closed his eyes for a moment, enjoying the feeling of cleanliness and relief.

When Bai Hu finished rinsing, Xue Sha, who had been watching with a piercing gaze, spoke firmly. "Now that you are done cleaning yourself, it's your turn to clean me."

Without saying a word, Xue Sha took a backless chair out of his ring and sat down with a relaxed but authoritative posture. Bai Hu nodded timidly and grabbed the showerhead, wetting it first to ensure the water was at the right temperature. Then he put it back in place and took the bar of soap.

With careful movements, Bai Hu began to rub the soap on Xue Sha's head, creating a rich lather. As he did so, he asked softly, "Master, is this okay?"

Xue Sha, with his eyes closed, nodded slightly. "Yes, continue."

Bai Hu continued to lather his hair, making sure to cover every strand. Then he moved down to the neck and shoulders, rubbing carefully but firmly. Xue Sha remained still, enjoying the process.

When it was time to clean the body, Bai Hu moved delicately, rubbing the soap on Xue Sha's chest and arms. To clean the legs, he changed positions and stood in front of him. Xue Sha lifted his legs one by one, allowing Bai Hu to rub the soap on every corner.

After ensuring that Xue Sha's entire body was covered in foam, Bai Hu put the bar of soap back in place and began to wash thoroughly, rubbing carefully to remove any residue. Finally, he took the showerhead and started rinsing, letting the warm water wash away all the foam.

Bai Hu continued rinsing until there was no trace of soap left. He turned off the showerhead and placed it back in its holder, then stepped aside a bit, waiting for further instructions.

Xue Sha stepped out of the bathtub, letting the water slide down his muscular body. He walked to a cabinet next to the door, his bare feet making a slight sound on the marble floor. He opened the cabinet and took out two white, fluffy towels that smelled clean. He turned to Bai Hu, who was still in the bathtub, and said firmly, "Get out."

Bai Hu obeyed immediately, stepping out of the bathtub carefully to avoid slipping on the wet floor. Xue Sha handed him one of the towels and added, "Dry yourself quickly, then you have to dry me."

Bai Hu nodded, his eyes reflecting a mix of respect and obedience. He began to dry himself quickly, rubbing the towel against his skin, but in his haste, he left his hair still half-wet, dripping onto his shoulders.

Xue Sha, not caring about that, handed him his own towel and said, "Dry my hair."

Bai Hu took the towel and started drying Xue Sha with careful but efficient movements, his hands moving with precision. The sound of water being absorbed by the towel filled the silence of the bathroom.

Once he was completely dry, Xue Sha instructed, "Put the towels in that bin," pointing to a bin in the corner of the bathroom, next to a green plant that added a touch of freshness to the environment.

Bai Hu obeyed, placing the towels in the bin. As he did so, Xue Sha approached the marble sink and opened a drawer. Inside were toothbrushes made with boar bristles and polished wooden handles. He took out two and handed one to Bai Hu.

"Brush your teeth," Xue Sha ordered.

Bai Hu took the toothbrush and looked at it for a moment before nodding. Both stood in front of the large, gleaming mirror.

They turned on the faucet, wet the brushes, and dipped them into a bowl of charcoal powder with a carved wooden lid. The black powder adhered to the bristles, and they began to brush their teeth with firm, meticulous movements. The sound of the bristles against their teeth resonated in the bathroom. After a while, they rinsed their mouths with fresh water and spat several times, leaving the water tinged with black.

They left the brushes on the marble sink. Xue Sha took out his old clothes from his ring and handed them to Bai Hu, saying, "Here, put this on."

Then he left the bathroom, took off his wet underwear, and put on new clothes, feeling the dry, comfortable fabric against his skin.

Bai Hu left the bathroom dressed in Xue Sha's clothes, observing the surroundings with curiosity. Xue Sha took out a pillow and a thick blanket from his ring, placed them on the floor next to his bed, and said to Bai Hu, "You will sleep here."

Bai Hu nodded, grateful to at least have a place to sleep. Xue Sha extinguished the candles one by one, plunging the room into a tranquil dimness. Then he sat on the sofa in a lotus position to meditate, closing his eyes and breathing deeply.

While Xue Sha extinguished the candles, Bai Hu lay down on the blanket, settling in to sleep. He looked at Xue Sha for a moment before closing his eyes, feeling surprisingly safe in his presence.

The next morning, Xue Sha and Bai Hu woke up with the first rays of the sun filtering through the windows. They went down to the dining room, where the aroma of freshly made breakfast filled the air. They sat next to Bao Qing and the Butler, who were already enjoying their meal.

"Good morning," Bao Qing greeted with a smile.

"Good morning," Xue Sha and Bai Hu responded in unison, taking their seats.

Breakfast consisted of a variety of dishes: hot rice, grilled fish, fresh vegetables, and aromatic tea. They ate in silence, enjoying the food and the company.

After breakfast, they headed to the reception to return the keys to their rooms. As they handed over the keys, the clerk smiled at them and said, "I hope you had a pleasant stay. If you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask."

"Thank you, everything was perfect," Xue Sha replied, nodding courteously.

They left the building and found the carriages lined up outside, ready to depart. They got into one of them, settling into the leather seats as the carriages began to move towards the city gate.

The journey proceeded peacefully for a few hours, passing through a landscape of lush vegetation. Tall, leafy trees formed a green canopy over the road, and the sound of birds filled the air.

Suddenly, just as they were passing through a clearing in the forest, about fifty people emerged from the bushes. They wore worn clothes but carried weapons that looked like those of soldiers. Moreover, they moved in an organized formation, indicating military training.

"Stop!" shouted one of the better-equipped men, raising a hand to halt the carriages.