Scrubbing and washing simultaneously, both birds and the person were quickly becoming clean. "Next time, I must bring some soap or something. How long will it take to wash like this?" Du You remarked while washing.
The stench clung on stubbornly, refusing to be washed away. The self-generated mucus was alright, over time it would dissipate on its own. But the foul smell from the Highly Toxic Swamp was too overpowering to wash away.
If an ordinary person stayed too long in a dark place, they might be directly choked to death by the smell.
With Du You's vigorous washing, the fish in the creek suffered. As the highly toxic mucus was washed off, the fish around him began flipping belly-up and floated to the surface. He could only speculate if any unfortunate soul would get poisoned from eating these fish.
Quietly apologizing, Du You affirmed he was clean before setting off again with Xiaozi.
They wouldn't run into anyone because their paths were different.