Chapter 344: Chapter 65: Secret Order

After Chen Tang left, Ah Li curled up again in the corner of the cargo ship, sitting on the cold and damp wooden boards, her chin resting on her knees, staring blankly into space.

Chen Tang was somewhat strange, different from anyone she had ever met.

Her master had saved her, taught her martial arts, and given her tasks.

But her master had never cared about her past or asked her for her name.

This Chen Tang, despite knowing her for only a few days, seemed to care about her quite a lot.

Is it because I resemble his little sister?

The environment she was in, including the people around her, treated her as if she wasn’t a person.

Even she herself had never regarded herself as a person.

As a hermit, she underwent numerous cruel and inhumane training, one of which was not to see herself as human.

Once she had human emotions such as joy, anger, sorrow, and desires, she would inevitably have bonds and flaws.

She wouldn’t be able to remain calm and rational at all times.

But Chen Tang seemed to treat her like a person.

He talked with her, conversed, ate meals together, and occasionally made some jokes.

Even though she never laughed.

This feeling was very unfamiliar and very strange.

She had never felt it before and was somewhat unaccustomed to it.

Perhaps only faintly in her vague childhood memories did she ever feel something similar.

Fortunately, the master only asked me to follow him, not to kill him.

Ah Li thought to herself.

If her master ordered her to kill Chen Tang, she would still act.

But, in her heart, she would hesitate and waver.

—————–

The Shen family’s cargo ship sailed on the sea, relying on the wind and making decent progress; it was expected to reach a port on the Celestial Cauldron Continent by tomorrow.

That night, the night was tranquil, and the sea breeze grazed the face.

Chen Tang delivered dinner to Ah Li and came to the deck, where he saw Ye Yushi standing at the bow.

The moon in the sky, as bright as a pearl, hung high, the moonlight gleaming on her and on the dark, deep sea, resembling a beautiful painting.

Today is the Lantern Festival.

In the Divine Land, today’s streets and alleys would be adorned with lanterns and streamers, luxurious carriages, bustling with excitement.

But now, only the two of them, strangers in a strange land, drifted on the vast, endless sea.

Perhaps moved by the moment, Ye Yushi removed the jade flute from her waist, placed it at her lips, and her fingers danced over the flute holes, breathing in tune—its melodious sound like a mountain spring flowing, akin to the evening breeze rustling through the forest, delightful to hear.

At this moment, Chen Tang seemed to forget where he was, his ears no longer picking up the sound of the waves or the flapping of large sails.

That flute tune, sometimes light and lively, sometimes melodious and fluent, caused his mind to sway and immerse completely.

Within the flute’s tune, it seemed to construct a dreamy illusion realm.

In a daze, Chen Tang felt like he returned to a past life, sitting with family and celebrating the Lantern Festival, half real, half illusion.

After some unknown time, the flute music faded.

Chen Tang came to himself and suddenly realized he was already in tears.

In the lowest level of the cabin, a small figure stood at the edge, also in tears.

“Brother Chen cried.”

Ye Yushi turned slightly, looking at Chen Tang with a faint smile, her voice gentle.

“Alas.”

Chen Tang wiped his face messily with his sleeve, came to stand beside Ye Yushi, and sighed, “The Jade Flute Fairy, truly worthy of the name.”

“In the future, if you encounter any formidable foes, you don’t need to fight them; just let them listen to your tune, and all grudges and deep-seated enmities will be forgotten.”

Ye Yushi smiled slightly and said, “You’re talking nonsense again.”

Pausing, Ye Yushi said, “The Jianghu people gave me this title just because I’m adept with flute martial arts techniques; no one has actually heard me play the jade flute; you’re the first.”

Chen Tang’s heart was stirred, and he blurted out, “It’d be great if I could listen for a lifetime.”

Ye Yushi detected the deeper meaning in Chen Tang’s words, gazing at him with eyes flowing like water, rolling her eyes at him playfully yet reproachfully.

Chen Tang looked momentarily dazed.

That trace of charming demeanor was a feminine grace Ye Yushi had never shown before, so moving, like a fairy fallen into the mortal world developing a heart.

—————–

By noon the next day, the cargo ship reached the port.

Chen Tang and Ye Yushi wanted to obtain a map of the Celestial Cauldron Continent and bid farewell to Shen Yu on the ship.

Shen Yu was reluctant but knew there was no keeping them.

Just as Chen Tang and Ye Yushi were about to leave, the guest room door was suddenly pushed open by someone, and a woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat that covered most of her face walked in, then turned and shut the door.

“Who are you…”

Shen Yu was taken aback, feeling he hadn’t seen this person aboard the cargo ship before.

Seeing this, Chen Tang’s heart tightened; he flashed in front of Shen Yu, lowly shouting, “Be careful!”

If Shen Yu didn’t recognize this person, the most likely possibility was a hermit coming for assassination!

No one expected the hermit to come so quickly.

Their cargo ship had just docked, and already there was a hermit coming aboard unnoticed!

Clang!

The ancient sword was unsheathed.

Ye Yushi already had the sword in hand.

“Don’t be nervous.”

The newcomer removed the wide-brimmed hat, revealing an elderly face with partially white hair, looking cold.

“Granny Zijing?”

Shen Yu was slightly startled, unbelievingly asking, “What brings you here?”

This Granny Zijing took out a token from her bosom, handed it to Shen Yu, and said, “I follow the Young Master’s secret order to take you back to Chuansi City.”

“Ah?”

Shen Yu was startled but still took the token, examined it carefully several times, confirmed it was authentic, and handed it back, saying, “Does Uncle Wanderer have any business? Who does he want to take back?”

“You three.”

Granny Zijing said, “The specifics will be detailed when you return to Chuansi City; the military lord will naturally tell you. However, before going ashore, you must disguise yourselves to avoid attention.”

“There are spies from the Hermit Continent nearby, and once you show yourselves, you’ll definitely be discovered.”

Shen Yu nodded and then realized, quickly asking, “Has Uncle Wanderer learned about the Hermit Continent’s matter?”

Granny Zijing seemed to see Shen Yu’s concerns and said, “Rest assured, the military lord won’t trouble them.”

Chen Tang and Ye Yushi exchanged a glance.

Both initially planned to leave, but it seemed unlikely now.

Judging by the look of it, the other party didn’t seem to have hostile intent.

Otherwise, there was no need for such elaborate actions.

Granny Zijing said, “No time to lose, let’s start now.”

“Wait.”

Chen Tang suddenly said, “We…”

He was pondering how to speak when Granny Zijing seemed to figure out his intention, coldly stating, “You have half the time it takes to drink a cup of tea; any longer, and it may arouse suspicion.”

With that, Granny Zijing turned and left.

Chen Tang went over, peeked outside, and saw Granny Zijing had already disappeared.

“Is this person trustworthy?”

Chen Tang asked Shen Yu.

This Granny Zijing appeared too suddenly, making Chen Tang feel uneasy.

“No problem.”

Shen Yu thought for a moment and said, “At least that token must belong to Uncle Wanderer; no one else could forge it. Just…”

“What?”

Chen Tang pressed on.

Shen Yu hesitated and said, “It’s just that I also find it sudden; Granny Zijing has always served Uncle Wanderer closely, didn’t expect her to come here.”

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