The sailboat drifted aimlessly on the sea.

The two men on the boat remained silent.

Catherine felt guilty and couldn't look Joey in the eye.

Joey was feeling annoyed and didn't want to look at Catherine sitting at the bow of the boat.

Although the two were separated only by a sail, it felt as if they were separated by thousands of mountains and rivers.

The awkward atmosphere lasted for about an hour before Joey spoke first: "Where are we going? Does your Grey Furnace City have a base on the continent of Budalas?"

"sorry!"

Catherine didn't answer Joey's question. Instead, she turned to him, looked at him seriously, and apologized.

"No need to apologize. I've already made an appointment with the bearded man; we'll meet in Baron City!"

Joey avoided Catherine's gaze and looked towards the distant sea.

"But……"

Catherine hesitated, though she was also unwilling to accept the news that the bearded man was really dead. In that situation, she didn't know how he could go on living.

"No buts, Big Beard won't die. I'll get you somewhere safe and sound, and then I'll go find him!"

Joey had no interest in admiring Catherine's alluring figure, her clothes soaked with seawater; at least not for the moment.

"Then take me to Saipan. I went there with my father two years ago, so the people there should recognize me!"

Seeing that Joey didn't want to talk about the bearded man anymore, Catherine didn't say anything more.

After thinking about what Joey had said, she mentioned the location, Saibanda.

"Saibanda? This seems to be a military port. Further north lies orc territory!"

Joey recalled the contents of the books he had read and said to Catherine with some doubt.

"Yes, it is a very important military port for the Alliance, and also a crucial stronghold for containing the tribal forces on the continent of Budalas!"

"To avoid a repeat of what happened in the gold rush town, I think it's safer to go directly to Saipan!"

Catherine didn't want to go to another unfamiliar town. She didn't want to see Daines missing again, or the bearded man's fate unknown.

It seems that people do need to experience some soul-stirring things in order to grow.

Catherine seems to have matured a lot now; she has learned to think and learn from her experiences.

That spoiled young lady's capriciousness seemed to have subsided considerably.

However, the price was indeed too high.

She lost her Daines University bachelor.

Joey lost his beard.

Joey shook his head, still unwilling to accept the news that Big Beard was gone. That simple-minded dwarf with the braided beard was someone he had made a promise with.

"Okay, then let's go to Saipan!"

"However, we don't have any supplies on board this time. We need to stop along the way to replenish our supplies before we can complete this voyage!"

Joey opened the auxiliary sail again, and relying on the map in his mind and observing the position of the sun overhead, he headed towards the nearest supply point.

Neither of them spoke on the way to the supply point; each was lost in their own thoughts.

Joey didn't know what Catherine was thinking, but besides contemplating the events of their voyage, he was also indulging in fantasies about Catherine.

After all, almost a day had passed since the incident with the bearded man, and Catherine, dressed in revealing clothing and staying at the bow of the ship, inadvertently caught Joey's eye, which was simply unbearable for him.

Food and sex are human nature!

Moreover, Joey is a strong, muscular man who is now full.

Ha, that's just how men are!

Sorry, big bearded man, today is the first day I've temporarily forgotten about you!

"Joey, there's a fire ahead!"

Catherine suddenly shouted excitedly to Joey, who was at the helm.

It was nearly midnight, and although there was moonlight, visibility at sea was not very good. Joey's sailboat was slowly moving along the shore.

"Okay, we've reached the supply point. Let's go check it out later!"

Instead of navigating to the mooring point, Joey stopped on the nearby shore and secured the sailboat's ropes to a huge banyan tree.

He led the way, with Catherine following behind him. Given the current situation, he dared not leave Catherine alone on the ship, and of course, Catherine didn't dare to be left alone either.

Walking along the streets of this village, all the doors of the houses were closed, and only the torches along the road were still burning.

It seems that the people in this village don't have much of a nightlife; going to bed early is the best way to pass the time.

But that's good too; at least it shows that this is a quiet and peaceful place, not so dangerous.

"Bang bang bang—"

Joey knocked on the door of the only inn in the village.

Who is it?

An old voice came from behind the door.

"Looking for a hotel!"

Joey replied through the door.

Then candlelight shone through the crack in the door.

A figure, occasionally cutting through the candlelight, slowly approached the main entrance.

"Squeak—"

The door was opened.

However, the door was only opened slightly, and an old woman with a wrinkled face hid behind it, peering at Joey through the crack.

"one person?"

The old woman asked another question, her eyes filled with wariness.

"two!"

After Joey finished speaking, he took a step to the side, and Catherine behind him was revealed.

"Come in quickly, come in quickly!"

The old woman glanced around, quickly opened the door, and let Joey and Catherine into the house.

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