Chapter 235 – Eternal Bonds (Part 5)

Warm spring water bubbled up from beneath their feet—some subsided quietly before reaching the surface, while others churned up small waves, releasing wisps of steam that drifted lazily upward on the breeze, eventually dispersing into the blue sky, white clouds, and rustling leaves.

“Whose idea was this? Soccer first, then hot springs—genius~” Fang Zheng said, closing his eyes as his body relaxed completely in the warm water. Comfortable, blissful.

“Probably some travel agency planner and the resort’s marketing team, huddled in some obscure corner, bonding over their shared vision, signing contracts in a flash, and afterward, realizing they both wore the satisfied smiles of a bountiful harvest.”

“Couldn’t you be a little more romantic, sunny, poetic, or at least vaguely positive?”

“You’re romantic, poetic, sunny, and full of positivity—did you get a discount on your trip?”

“I hate you TAT”

“You asked,” the innocent Deputy Commander of Ghost Server Legion murmured, also closing his eyes. In the fresh embrace of nature, amid the soothing hot spring, even his soul seemed to grow languid. “I just wanted to be a man quietly soaking in water…”

The open-air hot springs were built along the mountainside, with dozens of pools of varying sizes following the terrain. The one Fang Zheng and Meng Chudong occupied was small, fitting only four or five people. Tucked away in a secluded spot that required extra walking to reach, it was rarely visited, making it especially tranquil. Whether by coincidence or design, the pool was aptly named “Silent Spring,” the two dark green characters carved into a standing stone at its edge, framed by lush greenery—a touch of elegant charm.

“Honestly, I could’ve saved that last goal. If I had, we would’ve won 11-10…”

“I think out of those 11 goals, you could’ve saved 10…”

“First time in such an important match, nerves were bound to hit… Even their goalkeeper didn’t perform well…”

“That’s because their goalkeeper was a mole…”

“No way, Grave Sweeping Scroll had no reason to be a mole…”

“Coffin Shop was running an underground betting pool outside the match. Grave Sweeping bet on us to win…”

“…”

“…”

“Birdy, I’m getting sleepy…”

“Me too, but drowning is a risk…”

“But I really don’t want to open my eyes…”

“Neither do I, but I suggest you do.”

“Weren’t you sleepy? Why do you suddenly sound so awake…”

“…”

“Strange, does the water feel colder to you…”

“…”

“Birdy?”

Receiving no response, Fang Zheng reluctantly pried open his eyes—only to understand why Birdy had suddenly perked up. Holy shit, who wouldn’t be wide awake upon discovering an extra dude had silently joined the pool?!

ice Iceborn: “Apologies for the intrusion.”

Fang Zheng: “No worries, you’re very quiet.” So quiet I didn’t even notice you slipping in, damn it!

Catching the sarcasm, Iceborn chuckled faintly.

For some reason, Fang Zheng felt the water temperature drop several more degrees. At this rate, the hot spring would turn into a polar plunge! TAT

“Weren’t you soaking with your guild earlier? What brought you here all of a sudden…” Birdy-kun finally stepped in after hearing his leader’s silent wails.

The usually composed ice Iceborn actually fell into an uncharacteristic silence at this question—a silence filled with visible internal struggle. After what felt like ages, he finally managed a strained reply: “They were too noisy…”

Fang Zheng and Meng Chudong narrowed their eyes in unison, sensing an ocean of unspoken context behind those four words. =_=

[Tiger Pool]

Liaodong Iron Cavalry: “Dammit, when did Iceborn sneak off?”

Festive Lantern: “By the time we noticed, he was already gone.”

Grave Sweeping Scroll: “He’s always ghosting around like that.”

Ray-Ban: “Should we keep going?”

Beckham: “Absolutely. This is a battle of male pride!”

Ice on Fire: “Alright, on my count—one, two, three, stand!”

Splash—

Three minutes later…

Grave Sweeping Scroll: “Hurry up, it’s getting chilly out here.”

Ice on Fire: “Patience. I have to be fair, impartial, and transparent.”

Festive Lantern: “Can you even judge accurately through swim trunks?”

Ice on Fire: “Want to take them off?”

Festive Lantern: “Nah, nah, gotta keep it decent in public.”

Five minutes later…

Ice on Fire: “I declare Ray-Ban the winner!”

Festive Lantern: “No way! Laozi can’t lose! I’ll prove it right now—!!!”

—The eternal struggle of male pride: measuring up.

[Jade Pool]

Don’t Stop the Meds: “What’s all that racket next door…”

X: “Who the hell knows.”

Little Willow: “Their leader really is ghost-like.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Ghosts are still cuter than that damn monkey.”

War of the Gods: “Monkey?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Milk is Mom!”

Rain Ceases: “Uh, Boss, maybe I’m slow, but could you elaborate on that analogy…?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Where are we right now?”

Mocha: “Hot springs?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “The name of the springs!”

Rain Through the Woods: “Jade Pool?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Exactly. So what happens at the Jade Pool?”

Rain Through the Woods: “…The Peach Banquet?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “As expected of Keychain! The Peach Banquet! I’m like the Queen Mother of the West, you all are the Seven Fairies, and that damn monkey¹From Journey to the West. The Queen Mother of the West, a powerful Taoist goddess, holds a legendary Peach Banquet at her celestial home, the Jade Pool, to grant immortality to the gods. The Seven Fairies are her daughters or attendants. The story’s protagonist, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), was not invited, so he crashed the party, stole the peaches, and caused chaos in Heaven., just because he’s got some skills—”

Dutch Souvenir: “Boss Yao, if I may interrupt.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Hm?”

Dutch Souvenir: “I’m all for bashing Ghost Server Legion, but… hard pass on this Queen Mother and Seven Fairies cosplay. =_=”

[Falling Blossoms Pool]

Born in 1994: “Did I just hear someone mention Ghost Server Legion?”

Drink Your Sister 3X: “Did you? Must’ve misheard.”

Born in 1994: “Oh, maybe I just like your leader too much~ So I’m hallucinating~”

Sister Blood Bull: “Girl, mind if I ask—what do you like about our leader?”

Born in 1994: “Well, at first, it was because your guild was so fun, always full of surprises. But later, I was completely won over by your leader’s personal charm. He’s seriously the most cheerful, handsome, badass gaming legend I’ve ever met… Hey, why’d you splash water in my face? TAT”

Sister Blood Bull: “Probably trying to cool you down.”

Drink Your Sister: “No, I was hoping for a full wake-up call.”

Born in 1994: “I’m not hypnotized! Take this—!”

Drink Your Sister: “Ah! Hahaha…”

Sister Blood Bull: “^_^”

[Red Wine Pool]

Mad Lad: “Well, the girls are going wild.”

Thousand Mountains: “They seem really happy…”

Mad Lad: “Wanna join? You splash me, I splash you?”

Thousand Mountains: “You think that’d be a sight worth seeing…?”

Mad Lad: “Why not? Just a matter of who pukes first.”

Thousand Mountains: “Let’s get back to business. =_=”

Mad Lad: “Not swapping.”

Thousand Mountains: “I’ll throw in a signed jersey.”

Mad Lad: “Oho, now we’re talking. Which team?”

Thousand Mountains: “Haha, the photo will tell you.”

Mad Lad: “Shit, you brought your phone in here? Didn’t they say no—”

Thousand Mountains: “Shh—”

Mad Lad: “Tch, you complain about my phone lagging, but yours is flipping pages in slow motion—hey hey hey hey—”

Splash.

Thousand Mountains: “Plus a limited-edition phone.”

Mad Lad: “Deal. =_=”

……

They say good times are fleeting, but in truth, “good” and “fleeting” are inseparable companions. Wherever joy appears, brevity follows—because no matter how long the happiness lasts, it never feels like enough. And brevity, in turn, makes the joy shine even brighter.

It’s like a seasoning, deepening the love for precious moments, making them all the more cherished.

The Huaxia KTV Championship had Fang Zheng buzzing with excitement since the gathering was first announced. After the hot springs, a quick rest, and a quick dinner, he made a beeline for the designated private room. The organizers had even thoughtfully placed a sign outside: “Huaxia KTV Championship in Full Swing!” Unfortunately, some bastard had scribbled a glaring addendum in red marker on the blank space—No Mic Hogs or Ghost Server Legion Leaders Allowed.

Was this even legal?! TAT

Even worse, while none of the arriving contestants admitted to writing the note, they unanimously endorsed its sentiment. The Ghost Server Legion Leader raged: “You people are insane—!”

The crowd stood firm: “We’d rather be insane than endure your singing.”

Outnumbered and overpowered, the Legion Leader reluctantly joined the judging panel, spending the entire competition casting curse debuffs on contestants. When the winners were finally announced, the organizers graciously invited him to perform as a grand finale. After sulking all evening, the Legion Leader finally brightened up, eagerly showcasing the duet he’d secretly practiced—switching effortlessly between male and female vocals:

“I’ve finally become someone’s toy boy~

Living off a sugar mommy, eating and playing all day~

Years of love cut clean in two~

Leaving you heartbroken, what can I say~”

“You’ve finally become someone’s toy boy~

Tell me, how much is dignity worth anyway~

All I can do is cry my tears~

Nothing left to complain~”

That night, many Huaxia brothers who witnessed the KTV Championship agreed it was a profoundly meaningful event—one that reshaped their views on money and love.

Time marches on, indifferent to farewells.

“So this is the last activity,” Fang Zheng murmured, watching sunlight glint off the water droplets on the raft. He hesitated to step on, as if doing so would mean the final curtain call.

Birdy suddenly vaulted onto the raft without warning, sitting down carelessly despite the dampness, then looked up at Fang Zheng. “If you had only five minutes left on your game card, what would you do?”

Fang Zheng froze, then slowly grinned. “Show off—”

The Ghost Server Legion Leader’s spirited energy ignited the others. No more melancholy, no more hesitation—everyone boarded their vessels with gusto!

The Ghost Server raft filled up first, but before Mad Lad and 2B could paddle away, the fully loaded Big H warship launched a fierce assault with water scoops and buckets!

Fang Zheng retaliated immediately, heaving a scoopful of water back—

Big H howled: “Only splashing allowed, no throwing the damn scoop!!!”

The clumsy Legion Leader hastily urged Mad Lad and 2B to row, and soon, the Ghost Server warship entered the true currents!

As the raft drifted forward, putting some distance between them and their pursuers, the Ghost Server crew finally caught their breath—especially 438, who quickly stowed his glasses in a waterproof pouch.

“Told you not to wear them,” Mad Lad said sagely. “In water battles like this, anything extra is dead weight.”

438 nodded fervently, enlightenment dawning. “No wonder Your Sister and Sister Blood Bull didn’t join us.”

Fighter Jet: “They’re on the ladies’ special raft—just cruising and sightseeing.”

438: “No attacking?”

Fighter Jet: “Of course not.”

438: “Got it. NPCs!”

Mad Lad: “No, they’re GMs who can ban you.”

Fang Zheng listened idly, about to praise Mad Lad’s analogy, when Your Uncle suddenly shouted: “Boss, look out!”

The moment the warning left Your Uncle’s lips, Fang Zheng knew he was doomed. He accepted the Dutch Chamber of Commerce’s “love baptism” with resigned grace—but last he checked, riverside vendors only sold scoops and buckets…

“Where the hell did you get water guns?!!!”

The Dutch leader, gripping his water gun with textbook form, beamed from the bow of his raft. “Saving the best for last—I approve!”

Fang Zheng narrowed his eyes, grinding his teeth as he discreetly opened a hand behind his back. Crossplayer quickly placed a water-filled scoop into his palm. Oblivious, Don’t Stop the Meds remained in his triumphant pose, gazing skyward, while Fang Zheng tightened his grip on the new weapon, waiting for the rafts to drift closer, closer… Wait, why the hell are you two rowing in circles?!

2B and Mad Lad were equally frantic—they weren’t professional rafters, okay? Learning curves existed!

Finally lowering his gaze, the Dutch leader frowned. “What’s with the spinning?”

A Dutch onlooker who’d witnessed everything offered his verdict: “They’re taunting us.”

Unacceptable. Battle mode: activated!

At first, the skirmish retained some playful charm. But as the two rafts drifted mid-river, their plastic arsenal of pots, pans, and scoops shattered under brute force, the water fight devolved into a full-blown shipwreck scene. =_=

The first to go overboard was Fighter Jet, who’d long since lost his oar to the void. While others fell with a simple splash, his fall was a symphony of flailing—splash-splish-sploosh-splish-splash—

Mad Lad: “The hell are you doing? Cramp?”

Fighter Jet: “I CAN’T SWIM SAVE ME—!!!”

Polly: “Pull your arms in, stand up straight, and prepare to be amazed.”

Fighter Jet: “What kinda nonsense—huh? Wait, the water’s only up to my waist?!”

Polly: “Told you. Magic.”

Fighter Jet: “…Boss, I’m officially on your side. Your sarcasm is too OP. =_=”

Though shallow, the fast current made prolonged standing risky, so the crew hauled 2B back aboard. But before he could settle, the Dutch raft came barreling toward them!

Ghost Server braced for impact, attacking the moment the enemy entered range—

The Dutch retaliated in kind—

Both rafts rocked violently under the frenzied movements of their passengers—

Splash! Don’t Stop the Meds went under!

Realizing the water was shallow, he immediately tried wading back to his raft—but Ghost Server wasn’t having it. Multiple hands dragged him onto their vessel instead!

Don’t Stop the Meds blinked. “Why’d you pull me up?!”

The Legion Leader’s reply: “Heh heh heh.” Three sinister chuckles.

A terrible premonition struck Don’t Stop the Meds…

“Hello, prisoner~\(≧▽≦)/~”

He knew it!!!

But—

“Never. My heart belongs to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.”

“Rather die than yield?”

“Rather die than yield!”

“Fine. You chose this! Looks like we’ll need Your Uncle to—”

“I’ve decided to defect.”

A true man keeps his word—once committed, he dives in headfirst, leaving the past behind and embracing his new role with gusto—

X: “Boss Yao, why are you splashing me?!!! TAT”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “New raft, new rules.”

Rain Ceases: “Can we fight back then?”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “Try me.”

Splash!

Don’t Stop the Meds: “…”

Thousand Mountains: “You said to try. ╮(╯_╰)╭”

Thus, hierarchy was discarded, and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce entered a new era—leaderless… no, more like leader-hunted.

But rivers, like life, are unpredictable. After tangling for most of the journey, the two rafts unexpectedly drifted apart in the final stretch—only for Ghost Server to cross paths with Iceborn Squad.

The Iceborn raft, commanded by ice Iceborn himself, was a picture of composure—his clothes soaked but not disheveled, his gaze as sharp as ever. Yet this scene now left even this methodical leader baffled: “Boss Yao, isn’t this spy act a bit obvious?”

Don’t Stop the Meds twitched. Before he could retort, 438 chirped helpfully: “He’s not a spy!”

Iceborn nodded. “Traitor, then.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “…”

438: “Yep! ~\(^o^)/~”

No need to confirm so cheerfully!!!

Iceborn Squad had two rafts to Ghost Server’s one. The odds were clear.

“Fight?” ice Iceborn asked, the epitome of chivalry—as if a “no” would make him withdraw to avoid bullying.

But Fang Zheng recognized high-level taunting when he saw it. He turned to his crew: “We’re outnumbered. Do we fight?”

The answer came in unison: “Fight!”

Even defector Don’t Stop the Meds felt the adrenaline. Gripping his weapon, he readied himself—only for the Legion Leader to bellow: “Then let’s show our spirit! Remember Paris Fashion Week’s runway?!”

2B, Mad Lad, 438, Polly: “Of course!”

Crossplayer, Your Uncle: “We weren’t there, but we’ve heard the legends!”

Legion Leader: “Then what are we waiting for? Brothers, let’s go!”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “…”

What kind of tactic is Paris Fashion Week?! And why is everyone stripping?!

Your Uncle: “Yao Yao, hurry up and strip too.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “WHY?!!!”

438: “Bare chests boost morale!”

Crossplayer: “Just pretend it’s the Paris Fashion Week runway.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “WHERE’S THE FASHION?!!”

Mad Lad: “As a veteran, let me tell you—this is Underwear Week.”

Don’t Stop the Meds: “…”

I regret everything XX where are you guys save me this guild is full of lunatics I’m scared TAT

How the rafting ended, how goodbyes were said, how everyone dispersed—Fang Zheng’s memories grew hazy, as if his mind resisted the parting. He only vaguely recalled Thousand Mountains pulling out a camera after disembarking, snapping photos of mountains, water, comrades, and himself in every conceivable pose. Soon, others joined in—small groups, whole guilds, immortalizing their brightest smiles against the landscape.

Ghost Server took a family photo too. One wasn’t enough—they roped in March, Coffin Shop, Passing Master, Spring Field Blossom, and many others for more.

Five days had passed since the trip ended.

Thousand Mountains finally remembered his duty—

[QQ Group [VIP]—Actually, We’re Not Close]

[Group Bio: Who are you?]

[Group Notice: Please rename yourselves. Thanks.]

[Members (101/177)]

No Birds Over a Thousand Mountains 18:00:05

Photo pack uploaded to shared folder. Download at will~

Big H 18:00:42

Thanks! [clapping]

Silent Hill 18:01:12

Everything’s there?

No Birds Over a Thousand Mountains 18:01:59

Yep~ All photos taken for Huaxia buddies are included—over 200. Didn’t sort them by folder though, too much work.

ice Iceborn 18:02:18

Not sorting is understandable. But why are your selfies in there…

No Birds Over a Thousand Mountains 18:02:14

Oops, must’ve accidentally included them while zipping~\(≧▽≦)/~

Brother Eastwind 18:02:26

Eighty-plus accidental selfies?!!!

Your Uncle 18:02:44

NOOOO I JUST USED MOBILE DATA TO DOWNLOAD THE WHOLE THING!!!!!!! TAT

“What’s got you grinning at the computer?” Birdy leaned against the bedroom door, watching Fang Zheng with mild amusement. “Your husband’s calling you for dinner.”

“Coming~\(≧▽≦)/~” In the grand scheme of things, food reigned supreme.

With a click, the bedroom fell silent except for the hum of the desktop fan.

The minimized chat window left only the wallpaper visible—a screenshot crammed with players. The graphics weren’t stunning, but the crowd was massive, so much so that the editor had nestled four words into the moon’s disc:

Huaxia Brothers, Eternal Bonds.

• 1
  From Journey to the West. The Queen Mother of the West, a powerful Taoist goddess, holds a legendary Peach Banquet at her celestial home, the Jade Pool, to grant immortality to the gods. The Seven Fairies are her daughters or attendants. The story’s protagonist, Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), was not invited, so he crashed the party, stole the peaches, and caused chaos in Heaven.