Chapter 111: The Plan Unfolds
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
The salty sea breeze whipped through the air, carrying Yu Zhao’s clear voice across the deck as she posed her question, “Boss Wu, if I may ask, where is your ship headed next?” The query hung in the air, causing a ripple of unease among the crew. Their sharp, suspicious glances made it evident they were hiding something.
Boss Wu, however, kept his expression calm, though his laughter was a bit too hearty, as if to mask any underlying tension. “No harm in telling you,” he said, his voice casual. “This ship’s been hired by Lady Hua and her entourage. We’ll be taking them to their destination first, then I’ll make my return. You and your brother can rest easy. I’ve taken your fare, and I’m a man of my word. I’ll get you both safely to land.”
Yu Zhao offered a polite smile, her eyes narrowing slightly as she gauged his sincerity. “Hearing that from you is indeed reassuring.”
As they conversed, Lady Hua sauntered over to Ji Han Zhou, her movements deliberate, her hips swaying with a practiced allure. “Young man,” she purred, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness, “Where are you headed? The trip is long—would you like some company?” Her eyes sparkled with a suggestive glint as she delivered the line with a playful wink.
Ji Han Zhou felt a cold shiver crawl down his spine. The memories of their previous encounter—unpleasant and unwanted—came rushing back. His response was immediate and laced with irritation. “Stay away from me!”
Lady Hua’s confident smile faltered, surprise flashing across her face.
In all her years within the cultivation world, no man had ever dared to reject her advances so bluntly.
What had begun as a simple game, a way to amuse herself with this young man, now took on a different tone. As she examined him more closely, she found his features far more striking and handsome than she had initially noticed. Her heart, usually so guarded, began to race.
“Young master,” she cooed, her voice now softer, more inviting, “I mean no harm. Perhaps we could become friends?”
“No!” Ji Han Zhou’s rejection was even sharper, cutting through her words like a blade.
Being rebuffed twice in quick succession, Lady Hua’s expression darkened. “You…”
“Lady Hua,” Yu Zhao interrupted smoothly, stepping between them with a demeanor that was both calm and resolute. “My junior brother is naturally reserved. I hope you won’t take it personally.”
Lady Hua’s eyes flicked between Ji Han Zhou and Yu Zhao, her confusion morphing into amusement. She burst into laughter, the sound rich with newfound understanding. “So that’s why he’s so cold and distant! It seems the young master already has someone in his heart. There’s no need to worry, I never force myself on anyone. If I’d known, none of this would have happened.”
“I…” Ji Han Zhou stammered, caught completely off guard by her assumption. Words failed him as he tried to formulate a response.
To Yu Zhao, his reaction appeared as though he was being unfairly accused and couldn’t find the words to defend himself.
“Junior Brother Ji,” she thought with a hint of sympathy, “To protect your dignity, you’ll have to endure this misunderstanding for now.”
“Thank you, Lady Hua,” Yu Zhao said, her tone courteous as she sought to defuse the situation. “I appreciate your understanding. Let’s leave things as they are for now, and we can sort out any misunderstandings once we reach land.”
Lady Hua gave a graceful nod, her amusement lingering as she finally walked away. The moment she was out of sight, Yu Zhao exhaled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.
But Ji Han Zhou? He was left standing in a swirl of embarrassment and confusion, his face flushed a deep red. His heart pounded erratically, a mix of emotions flooding his mind. Did Senior Sister Yu Zhao actually believe Lady Hua’s words? Why hadn’t she said anything? Why didn’t she ask him for the truth? And if she did, how could he even begin to explain?
Ji Han Zhou’s thoughts spun out of control, a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty that left him reeling.
…
Another day and night slipped by, but the tension on the ship only grew thicker. The three Long brothers, particularly the youngest, Long Three, were on edge. He paced back and forth, his frustration boiling over as he finally approached Boss Wu, his voice sharp with irritation.
“Boss Wu, you said this journey would take ten days. It’s been fifteen now—why aren’t we there yet?” Long Three’s eyes flashed with impatience as he glared at the seasoned sailor.
Boss Wu remained unruffled, his voice calm and measured. “Brother Long Three, navigating the seas is never an exact science. Unexpected delays are common, and no one can predict how long a journey will truly take. Besides, we have other passengers on board. I ask for your patience.”
At the sound of Long Three’s voice, Yu Zhao, who had been resting with her eyes closed, slowly opened them. Her gaze met Long Three’s, her eyes cool and assessing as she watched him. His eyes were cold and calculating, a stark contrast to the polite smile she offered him. The smile seemed to irritate him further, and with a scowl, he turned back to his brothers, clearly still annoyed but slightly more subdued.
Yu Zhao’s thoughts began to churn. The group seemed hastily thrown together, with the members unfamiliar with each other. Since she had boarded the ship, they had avoided meaningful conversations, and even their glances lacked any real connection.
Of course, they might have been putting on a show for her benefit, but Yu Zhao doubted that. Given the strength they appeared to possess, they had little reason to be wary of her or Ji Han Zhou. The only plausible explanation was that their mission was of significant importance, and they were taking every precaution to avoid any leaks, even the slightest one.
The more secretive they were, the more intrigued Yu Zhao became. She had heard countless tales about the Southern Sea—a place brimming with both danger and unimaginable riches. So far, she had encountered nothing but danger, with no treasures to show for it. But perhaps this time, thanks to this peculiar group, she might finally get a glimpse of the legendary wealth hidden in the Southern Sea.
Three more days passed since Long Three’s outburst, and the tension on the ship continued to rise. Even the usually composed Zhao couple had begun to inspect the horizon with increasing frequency. Yu Zhao noted that they had been at sea for nearly twenty days now—twice as long as Boss Wu had initially estimated. It was no wonder everyone was growing restless.
Boss Wu, too, seemed to be feeling the pressure. When Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou had first boarded the ship, he had been all smiles and chatter. Now, his face was drawn, his eyes shadowed with worry.
On the twentieth day, the Long brothers could no longer contain their frustration. They rose as one, their combined presence like an approaching storm. Boss Wu, who had been staring out at the endless sea, turned to face them, his expression serious.
“Boss Wu, it’s been twenty days. Don’t you think it’s time you gave us some answers?” Long Three’s voice was low and dangerous, echoing the impatience of his brothers.
The Zhao couple, who had been standing silently to the side, now directed their steely gazes at Boss Wu, their quiet scrutiny adding to the mounting tension.
Off to the side, Lady Hua watched the scene unfold, arms crossed, a faint smile playing on her lips. She seemed to be enjoying the drama.
Boss Wu took a deep breath before speaking. “Brothers of the Long family, respected Zhao couple, you all know who I am. I would never joke about something as serious as this. My miscalculation was an error, and for that, I apologize. But I swear on my life, the information I received is accurate!”
Seeing the simmering anger in the group, Boss Wu quickly added, “I understand your frustration, and I sincerely apologize. If I’m wrong, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it right.”
After some tense discussion, the Long brothers and the Zhao couple reluctantly agreed to give him one last chance. They had already invested twenty days into this journey, and turning back now with nothing to show for it would be a bitter defeat. Better to press on, even if it meant taking a risk. If they succeeded, the rewards would be great. If they failed, well, they could always take out their frustration on Boss Wu.
For now, the storm of discontent was temporarily calmed.
Throughout the exchange, Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou remained silent, watching and listening carefully. They took note of every word spoken, every subtle gesture made. Information was power, and in a situation as uncertain as this, they needed all the power they could get.
Finally, on the twenty-fifth day of their voyage, a small island appeared on the horizon. It looked just like the one they had been searching for.
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
“Big Brother, look! We’ve arrived! Finally, we’re here!” Long Three exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
“The rumors were true! They were true! Hahaha!” Long Second added, his laughter booming across the deck.
“Wang Zhen, you’ve worked hard all this time,” Long Three said, turning to his comrade with a rare smile.
“Dear, as long as I’m with you, no journey is too hard,” responded Madam Zhao, her voice soft as she clung to her husband’s arm.
Amid the excitement and relief, Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou exchanged a glance. Whatever this island was, it’s finally within reach, and with it, the real purpose behind this voyage would soon be revealed to them.