For nearly an hour, the five stepped pools of the Eternal Cedar Bathhouse had kept a state of refined, meditative poise.
Elders in pale linen lounged against fragrant storm-cedar staves, sipping mountain barley tea and whispering about ancient poetry. Beastfolk mothers gently bathed their infants in shallow wooden tubs, while junior students moved with respectful caution. They took care not to let their cedar sandals click too loudly upon the wet dark rock flat stone slabs. The mist rose in silky, undisturbed ribbons toward the twin moons, weaving a rich mix of quiet dignity.
Then, from the eastern row of stone pillars, came the rhythmic, clear sound of heavy paws galloping across timber: thump-thump-thump.
Every set of ears in the pavilion perked up at the same time.
Emerging from the cedar archway, his midnight-black coat gleaming with silver star-pattern markings, was Xiao Hei. The Celestial Moon-Wolf King had spent the last two hours conducting his ritual outer edge check of the Floating Mountain’s outer cloud cliffs. Having confirmed that not a single void shard, hostile demonic spy, or wayward cloud-hawk posed the slightest threat to the safe hall, the great wolf was officially off duty.
And the great wolf was ready for a bath.
