Chapter 43 Draft - Do Not Subscribe to Drafts, Please Await Revision

In the dead of winter, on the southeastern sea.

The sea breeze carried a salty, fishy smell.

Chu Liuxiang sat on the deck, in front of a teak table with a charcoal stove set up on it for protection from the wind.

The mackerel sizzled as it was grilled, and Chu Liuxiang, enjoying the aroma, picked up his wine glass and slowly sipped his wine.

The seagull circled overhead and flew away.

Hu Tiehua was surrounded by piles of crab shells.

He sucked on the remaining crab roe on his fingers, narrowed his eyes, and, as if listening to a joke, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, said, "You mean, 'The Divine Arrow Shoots the Sun' Wu Weiyang... was killed by an unknown nobody with a single arrow?"

Chu Liuxiang sighed and tapped his fingertips lightly on the table: "The one who died was not the real Wu Weiyang."

Hu Tiehua frowned and said, "It's not really Wu Weiyang?"

Chu Liuxiang nodded and said, "That's right, the one who died was an imposter?"

Hu Tiehua was startled: "Could it be that someone wants to use Wu Weiyang's death to incite the Phoenix Tail Gang and the Divine Dragon Gang to fight to the death?"

Chu Liuxiang picked up his wine cup but didn't drink it. He said softly, "Yangtze River transport."

The Yangtze River waterway is a huge piece of meat, and which power isn't secretly eyeing it?

The scene of the day of the incident is still vivid in my mind.

At that moment, Yun Conglong rushed down from the Sanhe Building and tore off the human skin mask from the corpse on the spot.

The face under the mask was unfamiliar; it wasn't Wu Weiyang's face.

What's most intriguing is Yun Conglong's expression; it wasn't shock, but rather a knowing sneer, along with a look of satisfaction. Immediately afterward, Yun Conglong took out a letter and handed it to Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang recognized the handwriting on the letter; it was indeed Wu Weiyang's own handwriting.

The letter resembled a pact of life and death, stipulating that if either Wu or Yun met with misfortune in the future, the other would lead both factions. Both were signed and sealed at the end.

It turns out that Wu and Yun were not the sworn enemies as rumored, but were actually sworn brothers.

But the real Wu Weiyang did indeed die tragically in a conspiracy.

The imposter who died from the arrow was merely a pawn of an ambitious man who coveted water transport.

Hu Tiehua broke open the crab claws and dipped the crab claw meat in ginger and vinegar: "So now, the person hiding in the shadows must be very annoyed."

Having failed to achieve his goal and instead exposed his own existence, that person must be more than just annoyed.

Chu Liuxiang touched his nose.

He has a very sensitive nose and can always smell scents that others can't.

For example, the smell of danger.

This imposter isn't dangerous; the real danger lies with the person lurking in the shadows.

But that arrow came too fast and too accurately.

It came at just the right time.

It was as if they had known about this all along.

They used a clever strategy to their advantage, guiding the situation to this point.

Moreover, Yun Conglong seemed to know who the murderer was.

Chu Liuxiang vividly remembered that when he inquired about the murderer, Yun Conglong spoke slowly, enunciated each word heavily, and spoke with a fierce tone: "No need for you to trouble yourself, Chu Liuxiang. I have already found the best candidate... I have asked her to avenge Wu Weiyang!"

This is very rare.

When people in the martial arts world encounter trouble, nine out of ten would be eager to come to Chu Liuxiang. The fact that Yun Conglong would rather seek help from others than from him is itself suspicious.

Chu Liuxiang then pressed him, asking, "The best person? What kind of person?"

Yun Conglong suddenly laughed, a cold laugh.

He said meaningfully, "A very special person, someone who can let those behind the scenes know what it means to have your efforts come to nothing."

"interesting."

Recalling this incident, Chu Liuxiang murmured to himself, "Was that little girl's arrow just a stroke of luck, or... was there something else going on?"

Hu Tiehua bent down and peeled the crab meat.

His fingers were very nimble; the crab meat was peeled out intact and neatly arranged on a small plate.

“Not many people can escape from you,” he suddenly said, a faint smile playing on his lips. “It seems our Chu Xiangshuai is showing mercy to women again.”

Chu Liuxiang clicked his tongue and said helplessly, "Little Hu, what nonsense are you spouting now?"

Hu Tiehua dipped the crab meat lightly in the ginger and vinegar sauce and put it in his mouth.

He chewed slowly, but his eyes remained fixed on Chu Liuxiang.

"What did I say?" Hu Tiehua feigned innocence. "Did I say something wrong? You really do care about that little girl who shoots arrows."

Chu Liuxiang was both amused and annoyed: "What are you thinking? She's a deadly female assassin!"

Hu Tiehua grabbed a crab shell and threw it over, sneering, "That's right, you were blinded by lust and let the female assassin go."

His movements were quick, but Chu Liuxiang tilted his head even faster.

"Lust is a double-edged sword." Hu Tiehua sneered. "But you're so stingy that you can't even bring yourself to capture a female assassin."

Chu Liuxiang dodged the crab shell attack, picked up a fish bone to retaliate, and said irritably, "I let it go? Which eye of yours saw that?"

Fish bones and crab shells flew back and forth in the air as the two were having a huge fight.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps interrupted the farce. The two looked up and saw that it was Ding Feng and Xiang Tianfei.

"The childhood friendship between Xiang Shuai and Master Hu is truly enchanting." Xiang Tianfei had regained some of his vitality and was no longer as listless as he had been a few days ago.

Ding Feng clapped his hands and laughed, clearly having overheard their conversation, and teased, "The little fish that can slip through the fingers of the Thief King, is it perhaps a mermaid?"

Hu Tiehua glanced at Chu Liuxiang: "Tch, he doesn't discriminate between meat and vegetables."

“Compared to some people who run away at the sight of a woman, never even having a chance to choose between meat and vegetables, I think it’s better to be unafraid than not to be,” Chu Liuxiang suddenly leaned closer and whispered to Hu Tiehua.

Hu Tiehua's face flushed red, and he slammed his hand on the table: "Bullshit! I... I'm just keeping myself pure... Unlike you, you smile like a cat that's stolen cream every time you see a girl!"

Chu Liuxiang smiled slightly, leisurely sipping his wine and eating his fish, ignoring Hu Tiehua who was jumping up and down in anger.

.

The sea breeze made the canvas flutter loudly.

Xiao Wu stood at the stern, gripping the thick auxiliary sail rope. He first pulled lightly, then released, gradually increasing the force, deliberately making his movements clumsy, trying to look like a pirate from the Purple Whale Gang.

Chu Liuxiang took a sip of wine, glancing over out of the corner of his eye.

He had seen many people disguise themselves, some skillfully, some clumsily, and the man at the stern was the latter.

The pirates of the Purple Whale Gang weren't particularly skilled in martial arts, and they inevitably swayed a bit in the turbulent waves. This man, however, stood incredibly steady. Although he was hunched over and dressed sloppily, his shoulders were neither slumped nor hunched, and his complexion didn't resemble that of a sun-baked sailor. From head to toe, he was as muscular as a spear, with a remarkably stable stance…

He doesn't look like a pirate at all.

He's probably a trained fighter.

The Purple Whale Gang's ship is truly full of hidden talents.

Xiao Wu pressed down his hat, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. He knew he was being scrutinized.

I never expected to run into the man who bought the egg pancakes that day, or rather, I never expected to run into Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang is incredibly clever; he's even more cunning than Bi Gan. If Chu Liuxiang wanted to, he could easily uncover anyone's secrets.

Xiao Wu had no idea how Chu Liuxiang had ended up on this ship bound for Bat Island. But he had to get to Bat Island, he had to retrieve the Peacock Feather!

The thought that the peacock feather might fall into the hands of outsiders made his temples throb wildly.

Xiao Wu secretly raised his eyes and met Chu Liuxiang's ambiguous smile. His heart skipped a beat, knowing that Chu Liuxiang had seen through his disguise but hadn't called it out. He immediately turned and walked towards the cabin to avoid being exposed by Chu Liuxiang in front of Ding Feng.

He didn't want to cause any unnecessary trouble before arriving at Bat Island.

"What is Xiang Shuai looking at?" Ding Feng suddenly asked.

Chu Liuxiang tore off a piece of roasted mackerel and said calmly, "It's nothing."

Ding Feng raised his glass and smiled, "You two are renowned throughout the land. It is truly my honor to drink with Xiang Shuai and Master Hu today."

Xiang Tianfei raised his glass and said listlessly, "It is also my good fortune."

Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua raised their glasses, saying, "You two are too kind."

The four men touched glasses from a distance and each drank their wine.

.

Xiao Wu hurried to the hatch and was met by a fragrant breeze, accidentally bumping into the other person's shoulder.

"Are you blind?" Jin Lingzhi raised her eyebrows.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry..." Xiao Wu bowed and scraped, pretending to be submissive, and retreated into the shadows.

He recognized the woman; she was Jin Lingzhi, the granddaughter of Madam Jin from Wanfu Wanshou Garden. She had a very grand entrance, and he had boarded the ship by hiding among Jin Lingzhi's several large suitcases.

As luck would have it, Jin Lingzhi had previously offered a large reward in the martial arts world for the Jade Peaches of the Bliss Palace, but he had kept quiet about it lately, just as rumors were circulating that Bat Island was going to auction off a few Jade Peaches.

Connecting these two pieces of news, Xiao Wu keenly sensed something amiss. He followed the ship to take a look and, sure enough, the ship was heading to Bat Island.

Xiao Wu pulled his hat down low and quickly slipped into the cabin.

"Walking without looking where you're going." Jin Lingzhi frowned, dusting off her sleeves as she walked onto the deck.

The moment the golden lingzhi appeared, the entire deck of the ship lit up.

She was dressed in dazzling jewelry, and the sunlight fell on her pomegranate-red skirt with gold thread, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Madam Jin of Wanfu Wanshou Garden has thirty-nine grandchildren, and Jin Lingzhi is Madam Jin's youngest granddaughter.

As the youngest of Madam Jin's grandchildren, Jin Lingzhi desperately needed this outstanding birthday gift to stand out among her siblings.

Chu Liuxiang originally didn't want to agree.

The divine couple at the Palace of Bliss have been in seclusion for ten years; their martial arts skills are probably already at a transcendent level. Are they expecting him to writhe his way in to beg for peaches?

Unfortunately, Hu Tiehua was given a poison by Jin Lingzhi, who threatened that either he would get her five jade peaches or she would collect Hu Tiehua's corpse.

Jin Lingzhi had clearly considered things more "thoroughly." After receiving the invitation from Bat Island, she immediately changed her mind.

Rumor has it that the grand prize this time is a jade peach from the Western Starry Sea's Palace of Bliss. Since a fair and square auction is possible, why risk your life at the Palace of Bliss?

Of course, to ensure everything went smoothly, she still "invited" Chu and Hu to accompany her.

In her words, "If the auction goes smoothly, he won't need to lift a finger; if he fails to win the bid, then we'll have to trouble Xiang Shuai to use his 'clever sleight of hand' skills."

"Sigh." Chu Liuxiang sighed softly.

He could have enjoyed the cooking of Song Tian'er, Li Hongxiu, and Su Rongrong on his own ship, waiting to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new.

If you want to blame...

Sigh, blame it on Chu Liuxiang for being such a scoundrel, insisting on following Xiao Hu around the world. Otherwise, why would he have ended up on this Purple Whale Gang's ship with Miss Jin and been humiliated?

.

Hu Tiehua was gnawing on a crab, his hands greasy from the food, when he suddenly heard footsteps. He looked up and saw that it was Jin Lingzhi. He immediately crossed his legs.

He glanced sideways at Jin Lingzhi, clutching the half-fat crab tightly in his hand, grinding his teeth and deliberately making a "tsk tsk" sound as he smacked the crab roe.

Seeing his unrefined eating habits, Jin Lingzhi disgustedly took out a handkerchief and covered her nose, afraid of smelling any foul odor.

Hu Tiehua lowered her voice, half-smiling, and said, "Oh, Miss Jin, why have you condescended to come up on this deck? Aren't you afraid of being bothered by these stinky men?"

"I do what I want! I can go wherever I want, it's none of your business!" Jin Lingzhi said irritably, snatching the last crab from his face. "Your slovenly eating habits are no different from those of a stray dog ​​on the street! You should mind your own business first!"

"Give it back!" Hu Tiehua slammed his hand on the table and stood up.

Just then, a wave rocked the boat, and he almost fell onto Jin Lingzhi.

"You reek of alcohol, it's suffocating." Jin Lingzhi dodged away with a look of disgust, slowly peeling off the crab's shell to reveal the golden crab roe inside. Seeing Hu Tiehua's wide eyes, she gently shook the crab. "Beg me, will you?"

Hu Tiehua's face turned bright red.

He had already been forced to drink poison by this girl once, so was he going to be controlled by her just to eat a crab?

Hu Tiehua turned her face away and said angrily, "...I'd rather die than beg you." Such a stubborn and unreasonable personality.

"Please sit down, we're all in the same boat, why ruin the harmony?" Xiang Tianfei quickly smoothed things over. "Of course, there's plenty of crab."

After saying that, he ordered his men to go down to the hold and bring up some large, fat crabs. These crabs were kept in seawater and their shells were opened from time to time to let them breathe, so they were still lively and active.

Hu Tiehua and Jin Lingzhi glared at each other before taking their seats.

Ding Feng took a sip of wine, smiling without saying a word.

Chu Liuxiang touched his nose, feeling a strange urge to jump into the sea and escape.

Anyone who encounters this pair of bickering lovers, "Clumsy" and "Grumpy," would probably feel the same way.

.

Ding Feng clasped his hands together, glancing at the black figure at the hatch.

"Gentlemen," Ding Feng suddenly raised his voice, "Brother Xiang mentioned crabs, which reminded me of an interesting friend."

He gestured toward the hatch and laughed heartily, "Brother Gou, it's an honor to meet Chu Xiangshuai and Hu Daxia, why don't you come and have a few drinks with us?"

"Then I shall accept your offer." A tall, thin man dressed in black came out carrying a huge box.

All eyes were on the large, heavy box, the kind of box that wealthy families used to store gold and silver jewelry.

"I am Gou Zichang, greetings to all you heroes." The tall, thin man called Gou Zichang smiled shyly. After taking his seat, he placed the box under his bottom, making him appear even taller.

Hu Tiehua asked curiously, "What's inside?"

Gou Zichang laughed and said, "They're just some things that are easy to get aroused by looking at them."

His tone of voice was somewhat intriguing.

Does watching this make you feel hot and bothered?

Everyone immediately thought of a priceless treasure and couldn't help but take a few more glances at the box.

.

After everyone was seated, Hu Tiehua suddenly noticed that there was still an empty seat.

There was no chair in front of that empty spot.

Ding Feng's gaze swept over the empty seats, his pupils suddenly contracted, and a barely perceptible fear flashed in his eyes.

Just as he was about to speak, a rolling sound came from nearby.

The sound of the wooden wheels rolling over the deck was exceptionally clear.

Everyone looked over and saw that the newcomer was wearing a Nuo mask and a green robe. The eye holes of the Nuo mask were very deep, and a clear jawline was visible at the lower edge.

Her hands rested on the armrests, her wrists slightly raised, her skin firm and smooth, like linden honey mixed with cream, exuding a lustrous sheen.

Ignoring the probing gazes of the crowd, the person gently pressed the armrest, and the wheelchair slowly rolled into the empty space.

Xiang Tianfei rubbed his blindfold, his heart burning with hatred, but he dared not lash out on the spot. The Bat Prince's plan was of utmost importance, so he had to endure it for now.

With a slight lift of his mask, You Mingjiang clasped his hands together and bowed, saying, "You Mingjiang from Blackwood Cliff greets everyone."

"This is..." Ding Feng forced a smile, "Elder You, the Grand Elder of Law Enforcement at Blackwood Cliff."

One stone stirs up a thousand waves.

Hu Tiehua's eyes widened.

His eyes nearly popped out, and the wine glass in his hand fell to the ground with a "crack," shattering into pieces.

Hu Tiehua stammered, "...The Grand Elder of Blackwood Cliff Law Enforcement? This..."

He subconsciously looked at Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang gently rubbed his temples and touched his nose.

Another formidable character has arrived. How many more "surprises" are there in store for him on this trip to Bat Island?

Revealing one's identity as the Blackwood Cliff Enforcement Elder in public is like a venomous snake slowly slithering into a woodpile in full view of everyone. It remains coiled and motionless, but if you rashly disturb it, it will bare its fangs and bite you with a "crunch."

In doing so, she became slippery.

Chu Liuxiang raised an eyebrow; this idea was quite bold.

Jin Lingzhi took two steps back, eyeing You Mingjiang warily. She had a terrible impression of Blackwood Cliff. As far as she knew, the Sun Moon Sect had a lot of blood on its hands. The entire family of Master Yu, a boxer from Jiangxi, was slaughtered by the Sun Moon Sect, including their young children. Their evil deeds were countless and too numerous to count.

One who stays near vermilion gets stained red, and one who stays near ink gets stained black.

It's best to keep your distance from people in such a heretical cult.

You Mingjiang scanned the people present one by one, and unexpectedly, her eyes met Chu Liuxiang's.

In an instant, she instinctively straightened her body.

Seeing this, Chu Liuxiang raised an eyebrow with interest. He was all too familiar with this almost instinctive wary posture.

The bloody incident at Sanhelou involuntarily flashed before my eyes, and then the image of the female assassin also popped into my mind.

Looking at the woman in front of me, she was in a wheelchair and had difficulty moving around, making it hard to connect her with the female assassin.

However, Chu Liuxiang felt uneasy, as if a cat had scratched his heart, and he always felt that there must be some kind of connection between the two.

"I am Chu Liuxiang." He extended his hand with distinct knuckles, his smile not reaching his eyes. "Elder You... you are young and promising. Your voice sounds somewhat familiar. Have you seen it somewhere before?"

Faced with his suspicion, You Mingjiang's voice was calm, but carried a hint of aloofness: "I have long admired your name, but have never met you."

Chu Liuxiang was not discouraged and took half a step forward: "Miss, your eyes are so similar to those of an old friend... Have you really not seen him recently? For example, in the streets near Sanhelou?"

You Mingjiang's heart skipped a beat, realizing that Chu Liuxiang was about to meddle again. The cold wind ruffled her hair, and she reached up to tuck a strand behind her ear. A soft laugh came from beneath her Nuo mask: "I've long heard of the dashing thief's romantic escapades, but alas..."

She tapped lightly on the armrest of her wheelchair, saying, "I only have eyes for young men with rosy lips and white teeth; I have no interest in old men!"

Chu Liuxiang: "..."

Hu Tiehua was so amused that he choked on half a mouthful of wine and laughed so hard he almost fell over: "Haha, this guy is really interesting."

A hint of embarrassment flashed across Chu Liuxiang's face. He touched his nose and said with a wry smile, "I don't seem to be that old yet..."

You Mingjiang's eyes flickered slightly, and she said calmly, "In that case, please keep quiet. Too much talk is annoying."

There's a saying circulating in the martial arts world: it's best not to speak in front of Chu Liuxiang.

That old fox is very cunning.

You say one word, and he can guess ten; you blink, and he can see right through you.

So she decided not to say another word to him.

Those who remain silent will never say the wrong thing.

.

Everyone couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

As everyone chuckled, a small boat moved forward on the waves. At the bow stood a young man with an unsheathed sword at his waist. The foam from the waves burst open beneath his suede boots, and his gray squirrel cloak billowed in the sea breeze.

He looked up and met You Mingjiang's gaze.

You Mingjiang was stunned.

Her eyes were fixed on the bow of the ship, her lips slightly parted, "The road..."

The tip of the tongue gently touches the teeth, as if wanting to say something but stopping short.

Lu Xiaojia arrived way too fast.

"Lu Xiaojia!" Gou Zichang, with his sharp eyes, shouted first, "He's carrying a sheathless sword at his waist!"

"Lu Xiaojia, the one with a bounty of 100,000 taels of silver offered by the Azure Dragon Society?!" Ding Feng's Adam's apple bobbed, a glint of greed flashing in his eyes. His gaze swept over Lu Xiaojia, and he thought to himself, "Bat Island is in dire need of someone like him. It's time to get some new stock."

Suddenly, a chill ran down Ding Feng's spine. He turned around and saw Elder You, who was wearing a Nuo mask, staring intently at him.

Ding Feng didn't know how he had offended her; he just felt that everyone from Blackwood Cliff was sarcastic and unpleasant.

He forced a smile in response, thinking to himself: Just wait, when we get to Bat Island, I'll settle things with you slowly.

"Lower the rope ladder! Young Master Lu, please—"

.

The lone boat continues to bob and sway in the waves.

Chu Liuxiang and Hu Tiehua kept a close eye on the small boat, but the people on board remained motionless, as if they were waiting for something.

You Mingjiang saw everything and sighed inwardly.

She hesitated for a moment, lightly tapping the armrest of her wheelchair, then suddenly scoffed, "That young swordsman, are you perhaps afraid?"

Her voice beneath the Nuo mask carried a hint of sarcasm, "Now that you've figured it's a pirate ship, why aren't you getting on? Are you scared? Even the murky wine on this pirate ship is better than you drinking the northwest wind."

Everyone thought her words sounded like a normal provocation. But the way she subtly dragged out the last syllable made it sound rather ambiguous.

Of course, the subtle, tingling undertones in those words were not something that others could understand.

Lu Xiaojia suddenly paused in her chewing, looked up, and a knowing glint flashed in her eyes.

Lu Xiaojia's figure had already soared into the air.

With a light touch of the suede boots to the rocks, she used the recoil to spin around and land steadily on the deck.

Hu Tiehua nudged Chu Liuxiang with his elbow and teased, "What do you mean by young? You're talking about a young master, and here comes a young master."

Chu Liuxiang smiled slightly and said with certainty, "I am very young."

.

The sea breeze was blowing and the waves were crashing against the ship's side.

As soon as Lu Xiaojia stepped onto the deck, her gaze pierced through the crowd and locked onto You Mingjiang.

Yu Mingjiang felt extremely uncomfortable under the gaze. On the surface, she remained calm, but inwardly she was cursing: Why did this jerk follow me here? He really doesn't care about the occasion at all!

Ding Feng looked at Lu Xiaojia as if she were a little lamb that had wandered into a wolf's den, his eyes gleaming with greed.

Who wouldn't be tempted by 100,000 taels of silver?

Noticing Ding Feng's malicious gaze, You Mingjiang's fingers clenched involuntarily, her knuckles turning slightly white. She gritted her teeth inwardly: Tonight I'll send you to meet the King of Hell!

Lu Xiaojia ignored the others and focused his gaze on You Mingjiang's legs. He stared at them for a while, his brows furrowing into a deep frown.

Knowing Lu Xiaojia's temperament well, You Mingjiang was afraid that he would ruin things, so she gently shook her finger to indicate that she was fine.

Seeing her gesture, Lu Xiaojia's expression softened somewhat.

Ding Feng touched his nose, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes: "Young Master Lu, now that you've boarded the ship, why don't we take a trip to Bat Island?" He raised the corners of his mouth slightly, and his voice suddenly lowered by three points: "That place... is quite a den of iniquity, a fox den."

When he mentioned "fox den," his smile deepened, but it carried a hint of something indescribable.

Lu Xiaojia's lips curled into a mocking smile: "What fox den? It sounds filthy, nobody wants to go there."

You Mingjiang smoothed his sleeves, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and said slowly, "All the people on this ship are going."

Upon hearing this, Lu Xiaojia immediately changed her tune, saying, "However, since it's called a den of iniquity, it must have a unique charm."

Sensing the subtle atmosphere between the two, Hu Tiehua chuckled softly, "This is getting interesting."

Chu Liuxiang rubbed the tip of his nose, smiling without saying a word.

There must be some unknown secrets hidden beneath that Nuo mask.

Ding Feng smiled and said, "I have long admired your name. It is a great pleasure to meet you on this ship today. All the distinguished guests here are among the best in the martial arts world. Please allow me to introduce you."

Lu Xiaojia's mind wasn't on these people at all, so she casually replied, "No."

Everyone was stunned, and the atmosphere became somewhat tense.

Ding Feng's smile froze.

His lips twitched involuntarily.

He had met many strange people, but Lu Xiaojia was the first to directly say "no" like this.

After a long while, Ding Feng slowly said, "Young Master Lu is indeed... extraordinary."

Beneath the Nuo mask, You Mingjiang's lips curled up slightly.

Jin Lingzhi had a fiery temper. She slammed her wine glass down, the bottom of which made a crisp sound as it hit the table.

She retorted angrily, "I don't even want to know you!"

.

As the ship rocked, the wheelchair slid slowly a distance. Seeing that Lu Xiaojia wouldn't suffer any losses, You Mingjiang went back to his cabin.

With You Mingjiang gone, Lu Xiaojia lost the will to argue.

He tossed a handful of peanuts high into the air, and in an instant, a flash of sword light appeared. Before anyone could even see the trajectory of the sword light, the snow-white, undamaged peanuts had already landed precisely in the wine glasses in front of each person, no more, no less, exactly one peanut in each person's glass.

The peanuts floated gently in the swaying liquor.

Lu Xiaojia sheathed her sword, ate another peanut, and said expressionlessly, "Could you please arrange a quiet place for me?"

Xiang Tianfei, holding a wine glass in his hand, slowly stood up and said coldly, "I, Xiang, will certainly do my best to be a good host, but as for this wine, you should at least do me the honor of having a drink."

Xiang Tianfei glanced at Lu Xiaojia with his one eye, a strange smile spreading across his face, as if he had seen something interesting.

Lu Xiaojia slowly peeled a peanut, flicked it with her slender fingers, and the peanut kernel landed accurately in her mouth.

He chewed his wine expressionlessly and said coldly, "Not drinking your wine means you're not doing me any favors?"

A cold glint flashed in Xiang Tianfei's one eye.

"Young Master Lu is too kind." He downed his drink in one gulp. "It's just that in this world of martial arts, there are those who don't show respect..."

The wine glass slammed heavily on the table, causing the fish, shrimp, and crabs on the plate to jump high: "They often don't live long."

His one good eye was fixed on Lu Xiaojia's chewing cheek, and a ferocious smile was forced onto his face: "Unless... you really have the ability to make people give you face."

Lu Xiaojia scoffed, "You guessed right, I won't give you a reward." His voice wasn't loud, but every word was clear.

Xiang Tianfei was shocked by Lu Xiaojia's rude and blunt rejection. His face twitched and veins bulged on his forehead.

Ding Feng quickly smoothed things over: "It's not uncommon to find men of the martial world who don't drink alcohol... Would you do me the honor of serving tea instead of wine?"

Lu Xiaojia didn't even lift her eyelids, and said coldly, "I won't drink tea or wine. I just want a quiet place where no one will bother me anymore."

He gently stroked the hilt of his sword, emanating a chilling aura that made people hesitate to approach.

These words were undoubtedly a resounding slap in the face to Xiang Tianfei in public. His face turned from pale to black, and his fists clenched so tightly in his sleeves that they cracked.

He took a deep breath, barely suppressing his raging anger, and sneered, "You're quite the aloof gentleman. But there's no quiet place prepared just for you on this ship! You're welcome to disembark and find somewhere else!"

Lu Xiaojia raised an eyebrow slightly: "Get off the ship? What if I say no?" As he spoke, he gripped the hilt of the unsheathed sword.

Xiang Tianfei was enraged by his words and was about to lash out when Ding Feng stopped him with lightning speed.

"Second Brother Xiang, Young Hero Lu must be tired. Why don't we arrange a cabin for him to rest properly?"

Not knowing Lu Xiaojia's background and not wanting to escalate the situation further, and not wanting to completely destroy this little lamb, Xiang Tianfei snorted coldly, suppressing his anger, and turned to instruct his subordinates:

"Go and arrange a cabin for him."

His subordinates responded and left.

Xiang Tianfei drank with a cold face, ignoring Lu Xiaojia.

Lu Xiaojia didn't care and turned around to walk in the direction You Mingjiang had left.

.

The rolling sound of the wheelchair over the ship's deck came to an abrupt end.

With his fingers gripping the armrest, You Mingjiang squinted, scrutinizing the familiar-looking back view in front of him.

The man was wrapped in the greasy clothes of the Purple Whale Gang, and at first glance, he really did look like a down-on-his-luck pirate.

Xiao Wu was carrying a mop, his back to her, burying his head in scrubbing the stubborn stains on the boat deck.

"Well hidden." Xiao Wu cheered himself in his heart.

No one would give such a second glance to this gloomy corner.

.

"Hey." You Mingjiang raised an eyebrow, lazily lifted his eyelids, and a mischievous glint flashed in his eyes.

The sudden sound made him freeze.

The hairs on the back of Xiao Wu's neck stood up in unison.

You Mingjiang deliberately dragged out her words and called out loudly, "I'm talking to you, you floor cleaner, turn around!"

Xiao Wu thought he had hidden himself perfectly.

He distanced himself from the crowd, hiding in a corner to do odd jobs, all to avoid Chu Liuxiang's gaze.

But to everyone's surprise, things didn't go as planned. In just a short while, their whereabouts were exposed once again. Chu Liuxiang was one thing, but now it was Jin Lingzhi, and this girl...

Who are these people on board?

Are all of these people sharp-eyed?

.

Fortunately, Xiao Wu reacted quickly.

He suppressed his accent, scratched the back of his head, and deliberately spoke in a gruff, seemingly simple-minded tone: "Miss, what do you want from me?"

"What do you want? What, can't you listen to what I'm saying? Do I have to personally ask you to turn around?"

You Mingjiang smiled and casually tapped the armrest, but her tone carried an undeniable air of authority.

Xiao Wu's cheeks twitched, and the mop in his hand made a "crunch" sound as he slammed it into the bucket with a "bang," splashing water everywhere and wetting half of his trouser leg. Only then did he straighten his shoulders and back and slowly turn around inch by inch.

The ship swayed gently, and the hanging oil lamps cast swaying shadows on the bulkheads, making the corridors flicker with light.

In the dim light of the oil lamp, Xiao Wu slowly turned around, but kept his head down, deliberately letting his greasy bangs cover his eyebrows and eyes. "Miss, I'm just a handyman..."

You Mingjiang paused for a moment, then suddenly chuckled softly.

Cleverness can backfire.

The thugs on board, who roamed the seas with impunity, had all witnessed her methods.

Therefore, the members of the Purple Whale Gang didn't dare to breathe loudly in front of her. Every single one of them, upon seeing her, wished they could bend over to the ground, shrinking their necks like quails.

The way they called out "Elder You" was done with trepidation, each person more respectful than the last, and they would never casually call someone "Miss".

You Mingjiang said with a half-smile, "A handyman? You look unfamiliar to me. When did the Purple Whale Gang hire such a delicate-skinned newcomer like you?"

Xiao Wu's heart skipped a beat.

Oh no, she's clearly trying to force him to reveal himself.

Is my disguise skill really that bad? Or is my acting so poor that it's not convincing enough?

On this voyage, we encountered far too many unexpected obstacles along the way.

"Raise your head." You Mingjiang rested her chin on her hand, drawing out the last syllable as she looked at him with great interest.

"I am ugly and would not dare to offend the young lady's eyes..."

"What are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat you."

She drew out the last syllable, like a cat toying with a mouse, "Could it be... you're feeling guilty?"

Xiao Wu's knuckles were white, his palms were covered in sticky cold sweat, his back was tense, and every muscle in his body was holding back its strength, ready to strike.

He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly looked up.

Knowing that pirates were exposed to the elements year-round and had dark skin, he deliberately applied beeswax to his face.

Unfortunately, his bone structure cannot be hidden.

Xiao Wu had high brow bones, a straight nose, deep-set eyes, and strikingly bright eyes that exuded an untamed arrogance. In addition, he walked very lightly, each step was very steady, and his back would unconsciously straighten up. No matter how shabby his clothes were, they could not hide his tall and slender figure.

He doesn't look like someone who makes a living on deck all year round.

The noise on the deck rose and fell.

His gaze fell on You Mingjiang's face, and Xiao Wu's pupils suddenly contracted. His Adam's apple bobbed, and he murmured incredulously:

"...How could it be you?!"

.

.

-----------------------

Author's note: [Good Luck Lotus] Teak is durable and does not easily warp or crack even under sun and rain, resulting in a long service life.

[Let me see] Thank you to the little angels for the nutrient solution:

[Heart] "Thousand Pounds" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +1, "Return" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +20, "Grape Peel" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +20, "Listening to Maple Leaves by the Tower" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +1, "Tao Tao Tao Tao Tao Tao Zi" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +10, "Green Wine Demon" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +1, "Thousand Yu" Irrigation Nutrient Solution +1 [Heart]

[Qingxin] 25.4.27 Mod Notice: Condensed essence + added interactive storylines; removed the character Xiao Meng; removed Lin Pingzhi's scenes, added Xiao Wu (Qiu Fengwu's) scenes; showcased the main characters of this instance [Qingxin].