Chapter 39: Opening the Door to a New World

Chapter 39: Chapter 39: Opening the Door to a New World

Ling Qianjun thought of his eldest sister, who was all alone in Capital City. He wondered if she would be implicated by their situation and bullied by her in-laws. She had only been married for a few years and had given birth to a daughter. Before they were exiled, she had been pregnant again and was nearing her due date. He didn’t know if their sudden downfall would agitate her. He wanted to write her a letter, but the confiscation of their property had happened too hastily; they hadn’t even had time to see her before they left.

The Ling family had operated in Capital City for many years, so naturally, they had kept a few tricks up their sleeves. Their Hidden Guards and other assets were all still stationed there. Before leaving, Ling Qianjun had also sent people ahead to Lingnan to make arrangements, paving the way for their eventual arrival.

Having made up his mind, Ling Qianjun returned to his room. Even though he wanted to send a letter, it would have to wait until tomorrow morning. For now, he needed to return to Hua Buwan’s place to fetch the rest of their toiletries. However, he also had to keep up appearances here by having the waiter bring two buckets of hot water to their room to avoid arousing suspicion.

Once the waiter delivered the hot water, Ling Qianjun crossed back over to Hua Buwan’s place.

Hua Buwan had already finished writing in her little notebook and placed her online orders. Just as she stood up, she heard the automated voice chime, "WELCOME," from the back door. She helped Ling Qianjun move the items over, then took the bathtub into the bathroom to fill it with hot water.

The bathroom door was wide open. Ling Qianjun watched as Hua Buwan used the showerhead to fill the tub. Steam instantly enveloped the entire room, making it misty and hazy. He tentatively stepped inside. The scene before his eyes remained a modern bathroom; he hadn’t crossed back to Dongxuan Country.

Observing his actions, Hua Buwan figured it out as well. It seemed that only when the door was closed and Ling Qianjun opened it himself would it lead to Dongxuan Country. If the door wasn’t closed and he didn’t touch the handle, he couldn’t cross back. Similarly, if Hua Buwan were the one to open the door, it wouldn’t act as a portal either.

Once the tub was filled with hot water, Ling Qianjun carried it out of the bathroom, and Hua Buwan closed the door. Only then did Ling Qianjun reach out, open the door, and push the bathtub through. Sure enough, he vanished, returning to Dongxuan Country.

Watching this living person vanish into thin air, Hua Buwan felt an inexplicable trace of parting sorrow.

Ling Qianjun made two trips back and forth, bringing the rest of the toiletries over. Only one large bathtub remained, which he would come back for after Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge finished washing up.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the door.

Ling Qianjun slowly pushed a tub full of hot water out through the Any Door. Even though they were mentally prepared, the three people in the room still felt their jaws drop. They all stared with their mouths wide open, looking as if their jaws had dislocated and couldn’t be closed.

It took Ling Qianfan a moment to snap out of it, and he hurriedly stepped forward to help Ling Qianjun push the tub.

Looking at such a large bathtub, Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge were overjoyed. The longer they looked at it, the more unbearably itchy their bodies felt. They couldn’t help but reach out to scratch and rub at themselves.

"All right, Mother, Yunge, you two wash up first," Ling Qianjun said. "Call for us when you’re done, and Qianfan and I will take our turn. We’ll stand guard outside the door. Just shout if you need anything.

"Also, here is some soap. It’s the scented soap that the Demon uses—just rub it on your bodies. There are also towels, as well as toothbrushes, which are like the willow twigs we use for brushing our teeth. This is called toothpaste, which serves the same purpose as salt, only it cleans much better..."

As Ling Qianjun introduced the items, their heads leaned closer and closer to get a better look. It was as if the gates to a brand-new world had been opened for them. They were especially fascinated by the hairdryer that blew out hot air. One by one, they couldn’t resist sticking their heads near it, letting the strong, warm breeze blow over them continuously.

After they figured out how everything worked, Ling Qianjun and Ling Qianfan went out to stand guard at the door.

Xu Panqing and Ling Yunge immediately closed the windows. Their first order of business was to squeeze some toothpaste onto the toothbrushes and start brushing their teeth. Having gone so many days without brushing, they had long been unable to stand it, terrified that simply opening their mouths would suffocate others with their breath. However...