As evening approached, Li Xing finished dinner with everyone and prepared to visit the local famous hot springs. According to the locals, bathing in the hot springs that day was believed to wash away misfortune and ward off illness.
This time, Li Xing was not going to the hot springs with Xiang Rin and Yūkimaru. Upon entering the men's bath, Li Xing saw two old men using a wisteria branch to sweep it over each guest.
"Wisteria, huh? How nostalgic! But isn't wisteria born for love and dies for love? Can this thing also be used to ward off disaster?" Li Xing chuckled lightly, then shook his head and walked over. After all, this wasn't his world, and cultural customs were bound to be different. His own thinking was a bit too biased.
"Master, a baptism with wisteria will bring you good luck," one of the old men said when Li Xing approached, explaining to him. Having lived here for so long, the old man could tell Li Xing was not a local and didn't know the customs.
"Is that so? Then I'll trouble you." Li Xing shed his clothes and allowed the two old men to sweep the wisteria branch over him. He then took the white towel offered by an old man, wrapped it around his lower half, and walked inside.
The moment he stepped into the hot spring, Li Xing felt that something special had been added. After soaking, a unique fragrance would linger.
"It is indeed good. It seems I came on the right day. However, coming to a place like this and not doing anything feels like something is missing."
"Byakugan!"
Li Xing faced the women's bath and immediately used the Byakugan's clairvoyance. This was Li Xing's first time using the Byakugan. Although the method was a bit unconventional, Li Xing felt it was the correct way to use it.
As far as his vision could reach, graceful figures appeared. However, the world in his eyes was black and white. Li Xing was not satisfied and immediately upgraded it using his Tendo power. The black and white image gradually gained color.
Xiang Rin, who was soaking in the women's bath, suddenly felt a chill. Being highly perceptive, Xiang Rin immediately knew she was being spied on. Just as she was about to unleash a punch towards Li Xing's direction, Li Xing's voice suddenly appeared in her mind.
"Xiang Rin, don't make a fuss. It's me. I'm just curious."
Xiang Rin immediately stopped her movement: "Honestly, Jun Xing, if you want to see, why not just come over and soak with us? I'll chase everyone else away."
"No, no, no. Others worked hard all year for this rare moment of leisure. Let's not disturb them. I won't look anymore." Li Xing immediately stopped spying. If this escalated, they might be driven out of town.
"Xiang Rin's perception is probably second only to mine in the ninja world. At such close range, she could even detect me." Li Xing couldn't help but admire Xiang Rin's strength; she was truly a monstrously perceptive ninja.
...
After soaking for a while, Li Xing left the hot springs, changed into the yukata bought by Xiang Rin and Yūkimaru, and waited outside for them to come out.
Not long after, Xiang Rin, Yūkimaru, Yuri, and Kurenai came out together. All four had changed into yukatas, each in a different color: red, yellow, green, and black.
As soon as Xiang Rin came out, she rushed over to hug Li Xing and winked at him frantically, making Li Xing feel awkward, especially since he had just seen everyone.
"Yo, Miss Kurenai, you look beautiful today. You should have listened to me long ago. Life should be fun; you must know how to enjoy it. Don't spend all your time dealing with those cold kunai." Li Xing, feeling the atmosphere was a bit awkward, decided to shift the focus and complimented Kurenai.
Kurenai blushed a little. Usually, her life revolved around missions. Being complimented on her beauty by such a handsome man for the first time made her feel shy, but she felt Li Xing was too young.
"Th-thank you. You look very handsome today too..." Kurenai stammered after a long pause, using Li Xing's words to compliment him back.
Li Xing was too lazy to tease her further. He immediately took Xiang Rin and Yūkimaru's hands and walked out. "It's getting late; we should hurry to get a good spot. The fireworks festival is about to begin."
However, Yuri pouted: "Brother Li Xing, what about me? I'm completely ignored!"
Yūkimaru shot Li Xing a glare, let go of his hand, and went to Yuri's side, taking her hand. "Little Yuri is of course the most beautiful tonight! Your Brother Li Xing doesn't know how to appreciate you."
Li Xing chuckled awkwardly. He had indeed overlooked the little cutie just now.
"It's not that I overlooked you, but Yuri is too cute. I couldn't think of any words that would do you justice. Since you're out playing, I'll do whatever you ask today."
Hearing Li Xing's words, Yuri's smile returned. "Then can I sit on Brother Li Xing's shoulders? My father used to carry me like this when I was little. Even though I couldn't see before, Father would still patiently describe the world around me."
"Alright! Brother Li Xing will do whatever you want today. Come on up, I'll take you to see the fireworks." Li Xing walked up to Yuri and slowly squatted down. Yuri immediately climbed onto Li Xing's shoulders and sat down.
Seeing this harmonious and happy scene, Kurenai couldn't help but feel a trace of doubt. Was the Akatsuki organization truly a group of heinous criminals? Li Xing's demeanor was that of a polite and kind person.
"Hey, what are you spacing out for? Let's go! Xing-kun and Yuri are already far ahead." Xiang Rin and Yūkimaru came to where Kurenai was standing, each taking one of Kurenai's hands, and together they chased after Li Xing and Yuri.
Being pulled along, Kurenai decided not to dwell on her thoughts anymore. Just as Li Xing had said, life should be enjoyed. She would take this chance to relax tonight.
...
On the streets, men and women were everywhere, mostly couples out on dates. In the center of the street, a group of bare-chested men were carrying a palanquin, on which rested a golden statue of a deity.
"Wow! Is this the Tenfukujin that people worship?" Yuri, riding on Li Xing's shoulders, had the closest view of the golden statue and exclaimed in surprise.
"It should be. I've never seen it before. This is both our first time experiencing such things." Li Xing was also curious about this Tenfukujin statue. Speaking of gods of fortune, Li Xing knew of the Seven Lucky Gods. Among them, Ebisu was the god of wealth, and there seemed to be one in Konoha Village.
"Thank you, thank you, Brother Li Xing. You're the first to show me the colors of the world, and now you're bringing me to see such a lively scene." Yuri's old habit resurfaced, and she kept thanking Li Xing.
However, these thanks felt like a knife to Li Xing. He always felt that he had destroyed Yuri's home, and such a kind girl shouldn't have to endure these hardships.
"You don't need to thank me. Even without me, you could have felt the world with your heart."
"Alright, alright, you two, let's hurry up. If we delay any longer, we won't get good seats!" Xiang Rin, sensing Li Xing's guilt, quickly interrupted them.
...
Passing through the streets, Li Xing and his group arrived at the location where the fireworks festival was to be held that night. It was by a river, with over a dozen boats in the middle of the river. They were quite fire-conscious, knowing to set off fireworks in the middle of the water.
Finding a spot to sit, they quietly awaited the grand spectacle of the night fireworks. It was a competition among the dozen or so fireworks boats, with each vying to showcase the most beautiful and spectacular fireworks.
(This fireworks festival is a modified version of the Tenjin Matsuri in Japan. I must say, their fireworks are quite beautiful. Whether it's the blooming of cherry blossoms or the changing of autumn leaves, they always have some festival or event. The only drawback is the mosquitos by the river. Fireworks are banned in China, so we can't see them anymore.)