I lifted my nose and sniffed her body, "Is this the scent?"
The fox spirit possessed a natural body fragrance, somewhat like cologne. Both men and women who smelled it would develop an ambiguous affection. I, having smelled it more often, had grown accustomed to her scent.
"Mmm, isn't this quite pleasant!" The fox spirit frowned, not understanding why her sisters disliked it.
"Scents are divided into two types," I explained. "One is the scent of food, a fragrance that makes one's mouth water. The other is a non-food scent. While it's pleasing to smell, human instinct tells the brain that this scent is not edible. For example, perfume sold in markets, though pleasant, you wouldn't pour it on a sandwich as jam, would you? Would it still be edible?"
The fox spirit suddenly understood, "So there's such a thing to learn!"
This was knowledge the demon tribe couldn't comprehend. After all, she only liked eating raw meat. Even the outside demons, though they were skewering meat, would undoubtedly choose unseasoned, original meat when it was truly grilled, rather than seasoned, cooked meat with a fragrant aroma.
"Then will you practice with me?" I asked. I was free anyway. As long as they didn't call me to work, I wouldn't actively seek it out. Just as demons disliked cooked meat, I disliked the taste of raw meat; it was too fishy. Every time the demonesses returned from hunting, if conditions permitted and it wasn't wartime, I would ask them to brush their teeth before speaking to me.
"Okay, how shall we practice? I heard Instructor Chu is teaching you kung fu?" the fox spirit asked curiously.
"Did you bring your nine knives?" I asked.
"I did, they're in the changing room outside."
"Go get them... Never mind, I'll go with you. We shouldn't delay their cooking." I stood up. The floor here was a bit slippery, and I feared accidents.
I went with the fox spirit to the women's changing room. Their outer clothes were all stored here. They had all changed into swimsuits. They must have played in the water for a while while I was sleeping before preparing the roast meat feast. I had slept for about three hours!
I put on my own clothes and sneakers. The fox spirit wanted to wear clothes too, but I stopped her, "Don't wear them. Take off your swimsuit."
"Ah? Here... here? Is that appropriate?" the fox spirit asked shyly.
I frowned, "What are you thinking! It's for your convenience to transform. Bring the knives and come out with me."
"Oh, oh, I misunderstood, hehe!"
I left the changing room first and came to the lobby of the bathing center. The staff had already been cleared out, and the lobby was now empty.
A moment later, the fox spirit, in the form of a large white fox, quietly padded out. Nine daggers were tied to each of her tails.
I had it stand three meters in front of me and attack me with its daggers.
The white fox tilted its head, frowned, and shook its head, indicating that it wouldn't work.
"It's alright, come on," I smiled.
The fox spirit was anxious to speak and couldn't. It transformed back, with nine daggers hanging from its hair, and said to me, "Boss, are you crazy! How could you possibly dodge my attacks! It's not important if you get hurt, but what if you die! Wouldn't they skin me alive and sell me for money!"
"I just learned some kung fu, and I wanted to test it out. You can gradually increase your speed," I said.
"No, no, at least... at least you should have a weapon to block."
I thought she had a point and nodded. The humanoid fox spirit tiptoed back to the changing room and brought out Old Ba's steel short staff. I had tried this staff before; it was solid and felt very heavy. However, picking it up again this time, it felt much lighter, definitely due to increased muscle strength.
I performed a flourish with the staff, "Come on!"
The fox spirit transformed, raised its nine daggers, and its eyes gradually became fierce as we faced each other...