Crossing the azure as a black dragon

"lead the way."

Kewei is very aloof.

Black Flying Dragon clicked his tongue slightly and strode towards the adjacent commercial street.

The hot spring on the first floor is located in a small grove next to Agano and her family's residence, and you have to cross the shopping street to reach it.

"Are you comfortable staying here?"

Ke Wei strode alongside the Black Dragon, his gaze sweeping over the Sakura Empire destroyers wandering near the plaza, and casually asked a question.

"What do you think, Yuudachi?"

Black Flying Dragon didn't answer, instead passing the question to Yuudachi, who was eating a cookie.

"Comfortable."

Yuudachi stopped stuffing a cookie into her mouth, thought for a moment, and said.

"I also feel quite comfortable."

Black Flying Dragon answered honestly that if we're only talking about living conditions, this place is far superior to Donghuang.

When are you planning to go back?

Kewei gave a soft snort and kicked away a small pebble on the roadside.

"Once things settle down here, the exact time is uncertain. It's almost New Year's in Sakura Empire, which might cause some trouble."

Black Flying Dragon frowned and thought for a moment before speaking.

There are only a few days left until the Sakura Empire's New Year. They might have to wait until the New Year celebrations here are over before dealing with other issues.

"The New Year of the Sakura Empire?"

New Jersey, who was looking around, was drawn to Black Dragon's words.

"Yes, the New Year in Sakura Empire is January 1st of the Gregorian calendar. Look, these shops are already doing a thorough cleaning."

Black Flying Dragon looked at the shops on both sides of the commercial street. There were many shops here, but only a few were actually in operation. However, regardless of whether they were in operation or not, the shops inside and out were all cleaned up. Some of the doors even had straw ropes with zigzag white 'imperial coins' on them.

The scientific name for this straw rope is shimenawa. Hanging it at the door signifies that you will be protected by the gods in the new year. Ultimately, it is a custom of the Sakura Empire, since Nagato was also revered as the God Child.

"Hmm, I see."

New Jersey listened attentively to Black Dragon's explanation.

"Let's not talk about that, let's go soak in the hot springs first."

After regaining his composure, Hei Feilong quickened his pace, leading the group through the commercial street to a place that resembled a rural scene. This place was undeveloped, with trees and lawns everywhere, and a house could be seen every so often.

Is it still far?

After walking for a while, Kewei went up and sat on a bench by the roadside, tapped his legs, and looked at Black Flying Dragon with some dissatisfaction.

"It's in that grove of trees."

Black Flying Dragon pointed to a grove of trees in the distance. A path led straight to that grove, and a few hundred meters away was a courtyard house. From afar, a blue-haired girl could be seen tidying up the bed at the entrance.

"The grove of trees."

New Jersey wore a meaningful expression.

"...Did you see something strange?"

Upon hearing this, Black Flying Dragon also revealed a subtle expression. If she were a man now and invited Fear to soak in the hot springs in the grove, there might indeed be scenes unsuitable for children, but let's forget about it now.

"No, I just often saw men and women from the research base going into the woods when I was at White Eagle's place. I don't know anything about it."

The New Jersey shrug; the happier they are, the more they evade taxes.

Hermione, standing beside him, blushed slightly and reached out to cover Yuudachi's ears.

What are you talking about?

Kewei looked at Hei Feilong and the other two with a suspicious expression.

"It's nothing, let's take a shortcut. We can see the sea from there, and the scenery is quite nice."

Black Flying Dragon ended the conversation. She had been thrown into the sea by Longlong yesterday and hadn't been cleaned yet. All she wanted to do was take a bath and go back to sleep.

"I'm tired after running all morning."

As he spoke, Ke Wei stretched out his hands toward the black dragon.

Black Dragon sighed, walked up to Fearsome and turned his back, glancing at New Jersey at the same time. Silly Rabbit wisely looked away.

After bending down and squatting, a pair of fair hands reached out from behind and wrapped around Black Flying Dragon's neck. Then Black Flying Dragon's body sank down, and a warm, soft touch came from behind.

"It's so heavy, it weighs at least as much as four Yuudachi."

Black Flying Dragon supported himself on his formidable thigh and stood up, saying casually.

Fearless gritted his teeth and bumped his forehead against the back of Black Flying Dragon's head.

"Four of me?"

Yuu was also bewildered, and started counting on her fingers to figure it out, but Hermione, quick-witted and agile, stopped her.

Am I really that heavy?

This wasn't the first time Black Flying Dragon had complained that she was too heavy, which had made her somewhat insecure.

"Actually, it's not so bad, just a little heavier than others."

Black Flying Dragon, carrying Fearless on his back, stepped across the lawn and answered with a smile.

"Humph."

Ke Wei gave a soft snort, tightened his grip on the black dragon's neck, and closed the distance between them.

New Jersey watched the two from behind, scratched his cheek, and followed.

With one less person holding them back, the group's speed noticeably increased, and they arrived at the entrance to the forest in about ten minutes. A sign reading "Hot Spring →" was thoughtfully hung on a tree next to the entrance to prevent people from getting lost.

After turning several corners in the woods, Black Dragon stopped.

"Are we there already?"

The fearsome one, who had been keeping his eyes closed, slightly opened them and saw a hot spring pool about the size of a basketball court, steaming with heat.

"Is this how it's going to go?"

Black Flying Dragon glanced sideways and asked.

"Of course not, put me down."

As he spoke, Kewei let go of her hand and stood up on the ground again.

“Miss Kewei, this way.”

Hermione surveyed the surroundings and found an area where the fog was thickest, where a wooden sign could be used as cover to change clothes.

"Want to go with Yuudachi?"

Black Flying Dragon got up and stretched his wrists, then took off his jacket to reveal a sports vest underneath.

Let's soak together!

Yuudachi didn't stand on ceremony and quickly stripped naked and jumped into the hot spring.

"Be careful, there might be a submarine resting here."

Black Flying Dragon gave a few words of advice, folded his and Yuudachi's clothes neatly, and carefully stepped into the hot spring, making a sound of contentment.

"Hmm, it's hard to find a place like this even in White Eagle. No wonder so many people want Sakura Empire."

New Jersey styled her hair up and then soaked in the hot spring, closing her eyes in comfort.

"Haha."

Black Dragon laughed twice. Leaving aside her previous world, it would be quite difficult for the White Eagles of this world to take over Sakura Empire. Even if they succeeded in the end, they probably wouldn't leave behind any good places.

While chatting and laughing with New Jersey, Black Dragon's gaze would occasionally drift to...

From where Xiang Kewei and the other two were, their figures could be vaguely seen in the rising mist. The wooden sign could only block a limited view, and it did not prevent her from seeing what she wanted to see.

She doesn't know why, but she can't be bothered to look at things like New Jersey that are open and straightforward, while she finds things that are ambiguous and suggestive quite appealing.

Whoosh!

The water surface suddenly exploded, and Yuudachi stood up from the water, splashing water all over Black Flying Dragon's face.

"Reconnaissance complete, no submarines here!"

Upon realizing he had caused trouble, Yuudachi quickly reported it.

"..."

Black Flying Dragon wiped the water off its face, revealing a strange smile, and then dove down with a thud. Yuudachi reacted quickly, darting to the side and disappearing as well.

New Jersey shook his head slightly, resting his hands on the rocks by the hot spring, pretending to be very composed.

"Hey, where are they?"

Kewei finally changed his clothes, wrapped himself in a scarf, and walked out of the foggy area.

"There."

New Jersey pointed to the end of the hot spring.

As if in response to her, two heads popped out from the other side, looked at each other, and then disappeared back down.

"Can't you even be quiet when soaking in a hot spring?"

With a helpless sigh, Hermione carefully entered the hot spring. She didn't change her clothes and stood quietly to the side.

"I actually think it's better to be a bit noisy."

New Jersey said casually.

"why?"

It's rather strange.