Volume Three: “Golden Waves, Angry Halberd”
Sunsets and sunrises passed over the sea, terns soaring through the sky and fish leaping from the waves.
A fleet of over a hundred ships sailed majestically across the azure waters.
A horizon appeared on the distant sea. Nanzhu, standing at the bow and gazing ahead, turned and shouted, “We have arrived, we have arrived.”
Inside the cabin, Yu Qing and Mu Aotie heard the call and came out, with branches pressing down above the cabin door.
The three martial brothers stood at the bow, looking out. After more than two months of drifting at sea, they were finally about to step ashore.
The fleet was operated by the Bihai Shipping Company. The two hundred million freight charge had not been reduced, and Yu Qing had arranged it on credit.
You Lingluo had initially refused. He reasoned that a few million in debt from a Zhuangyuan scholar was manageable, and even twenty million could be repaid through writing or painting given his fame. But two hundred million was simply absurd.
The sum was far too large for him to authorise on his own. If anything went wrong, a loss of over two hundred million would be no trivial matter.
Yu Qing therefore suggested using a portion of the celestial peaches and peach trees as collateral.
You Lingluo was unfamiliar with such items and uncertain of their value, so he sought approval from his superiors.
The matter was naturally passed to Xiang Lanxuan, who would certainly know best whether those celestial peaches and trees were worth that price.
Xiang Lanxuan rejected it outright upon hearing it. She stated plainly that the celestial peaches and trees had been tainted by malevolent energy, their seeds ruined, and were completely unusable. They were worthless. They might fetch a small sum from gullible people who merely wanted a glimpse upon hearing of an immortal cave dwelling, but as an insider, how could she accept them as payment, especially for a two hundred million credit?
Besides, they already had thirty peach trees and a hundred crates of peaches, which were quite sufficient for either curiosity or experimentation. What use was it to hoard so many rotten peaches? They could hardly sell them themselves.
Nevertheless, Xiang Lanxuan showed a measure of courtesy by permitting Yu Qing to go into debt, allowing a two hundred million tab.
She knew Yu Qing’s proposed sales plan. Provided the goods arrived safely, fetching two hundred million would likely pose no problem.
Once she gave her word, You Lingluo felt reassured. With someone taller to bear the weight if the sky fell, he finally signed the contract with Yu Qing, granting him a year to settle the two hundred million freight fee.
Naturally, penalty clauses for overdue payment were also included…
Advance scouts at the coast had already brought a group of massive creatures, two hundred and seventy earth apes.
These were giant apes standing two to three zhang tall, with glossy black eyes, soft yellowish brown fur, and rather docile expressions.
As soon as the ship neared the shore, several earth apes immediately waded into the water and pushed the vessel against the bank, clearly accustomed to such labour.
The crew assisted with unloading, while the apes began taking over the cargo according to the advance team’s prior arrangements.
Each ape carried one peach tree on its back, resembling an open umbrella.
For the crates of celestial peaches, each ape carried twenty boxes. Spare apes were kept in reserve in case replacements were needed.
As for the accompanying guards, they could simply climb onto any of the apes and ride them.
Soon, the maritime convoy transformed into a land caravan, moving along the increasingly steep and rugged mountain range.
With their height and long strides, the apes covered considerable ground with each step. Moving at a brisk pace, Yu Qing and the others, who had climbed onto the peach trees to shield themselves from the sun, could feel the scenery rushing past on both sides.
The journey continued through another cycle of days and nights, with towering mountains, flowing rivers, rising elevations, and increasingly barren landscapes…
At Youjiaobu, outside the former Miaoqing Hall, Sun Ping lingered. She occasionally paused before a secret symbol on the courtyard wall that she had drawn herself, standing in gloom for a long while.
She came here every day to check, always waiting, or rather hoping, for her husband Zhu Shangbiao to return.
Zhu Shangbiao would understand the symbol on the wall. If he returned and saw it, he would know how to find her. Yet since their parting, he had not come back.
As usual, she stood lost in thought for a long time before leaving in dejection, wandering the streets of Youjiaobu like a lonely ghost.
As she walked, she suddenly heard a clamour and saw many people hurrying in one direction.
Following the crowd’s gaze, she saw trees continuously descending in the distance through shafts of light piercing the earth skylight.
Feeling rather curious, she immediately quickened her pace to see what was happening.
By the time she reached the skylight, onlookers had blocked the way. As a woman of modest height, she could only stand on tiptoe, which still did not give her a clear view. She could only see the trees continuing to descend, along with numerous crates.
“Celestial peach trees, are those really celestial peach trees?”
“I do not know. I just heard the skylight attendant say the declared cargo is celestial peaches and trees.”
“Ah, does that mean one of them is the Zhuangyuan scholar, the foremost talent in the world? Which one is he?”
“I do not recognise him either. None of these people look like scholars. Perhaps the goods have arrived but the person has not.”
“That Zhuangyuan scholar is truly remarkable. He can score full marks in all four imperial exams with a pen, and open immortal cave dwellings with a sword.”
By now, the discovery of the Little Cloud Realm was no longer a secret. Especially with Yu Qing’s involvement, rumours had somehow spread. It could not be helped, as too many people were involved. The commotion caused by the three major factions during their initial pursuit alone made secrecy impossible.
Furthermore, news that Yu Qing had acquired a large quantity of celestial peaches and trees after the Little Cloud Realm reopened spread throughout the cultivation world in just over a month.
Yu Qing was still aboard ship at the time and remained entirely unaware of his renewed fame.
Hearing the scattered chatter, Sun Ping felt a jolt through her mind and body. A surge of excitement instantly rushed to her head. Having naturally heard those rumours, she immediately pushed her way through the crowd. “Excuse me, please make way. Excuse me, please make way.”
Finally reaching the front, she immediately spotted the young man with a ponytail and a moustache in the crowd. She also saw the large fat man and the burly one. The three were directing workers to stack the continuously descending goods.
She attempted to push through immediately but was stopped by the guards at the entrance. “What is the matter?”
This earth skylight served as a freight passage. Only those with official business or holders of a Youju token could enter or exit through here.
Sun Ping currently possessed neither. She was about to claim she was with Yu Qing and the others inside, but hesitated, unsure if they would still acknowledge her.
She had seen Yu Qing turn hostile before. He had agreed to let the Miaoqing Hall sell fire crickets, only to renege without warning, ruthlessly allowing the hall to collapse.
Remembering this, she suddenly turned back, pushed through the crowd, and immediately ran off.
She hurried all the way to their inn, rushed into the small courtyard, and forgot to even knock before bursting into Tie Miaoqing’s room.
Tie Miaoqing was sitting with legs crossed in meditation. She opened her eyes at the sound, and upon seeing it was Sun Ping, sighed in relief. She slowly concluded her practice and asked, “Pingniang, what is the rush?”
“Miss, come with me quickly.” Sun Ping was already urgently pulling her up.
“Where are we going? What for?”
“A Shiheng has returned. I saw it with my own eyes. He brought back many celestial peaches and trees.”
“Ah!” Tie Miaoqing could not tell if she felt surprise or joy. She simply hurriedly struggled to free herself from Sun Ping’s grasp.
Sun Ping stared wide eyed. “Miss, do you not wish to see him?”
Tie Miaoqing’s face instantly flushed. “Pingniang, what nonsense are you talking about? People will misunderstand if this spreads.” As she spoke, she instinctively touched the small white flower at her temple and her black dress, constant reminders to outsiders that she was in mourning.
“Oh, I spoke without thinking.” Sun Ping tapped her own mouth, then spoke seriously. “Miss, what he holds are extremely rare items. According to Youya’s rules, anyone with an exclusive trade has absolute qualifications to establish a shop in Youjiaobu. Youya will coordinate the shop transfer for us. Miss, the chance to reopen the Miaoqing Hall has arrived.”
“This…” Tie Miaoqing hesitated and felt uneasy. “How could he give us a shop using items he worked so hard to obtain?”
Sun Ping spoke earnestly. “Miss, is it not obvious? Since he brought those goods to Youjiaobu, he certainly intends to sell them. Does it matter to whom? As long as you step forward, he will surely not refuse.” In her heart, she muttered that hardly any man could refuse her, and given their history, he would definitely help.
Tie Miaoqing’s cheeks grew warm again. She wondered if it was her imagination, but she felt Sun Ping’s words carried a hidden meaning. At the same time, the content of that calligraphy scroll flashed through her mind.
“Oh, Miss, now that this cargo has arrived, many will certainly be watching it. If we are too late and it falls into someone else’s hands, we will regret it too late.”
“Wait a moment.”
Urged by her words, Tie Miaoqing felt a bit rushed herself. Still, she walked to the wall, took a gauze hat, and as she passed the dressing table, could not help but steal a glance at her reflection in the mirror.
After stepping outside, she put on the gauze hat, letting the hanging veil cover her face, and was pulled into a quick run by Sun Ping…
Once all items had fully descended from the skylight, been properly stacked, and counted without error, a representative from the Bihai Shipping Company produced the delivery documents.
After Yu Qing signed and sealed them, the Bihai Shipping Company’s months long transport mission was officially concluded. They were only responsible for delivering the goods here, and would handle nothing further.
With the goods finally arrived, Yu Qing could at last feel completely at ease.
As the group began to disperse, he called out to Mu Aotie, “Lao Jiu, you keep watch here. We will return once our business is finished.”
Mu Aotie nodded, and Nanzhu left with him.
Reaching the exit, they saw a crowd gathered outside watching the spectacle. Unfamiliar with the place and unaware of the reason, they assumed it was always like this.
Just as he was bowing to ask the crowd to make way, someone directly in front asked tentatively, “Might I ask if you are the Zhuangyuan scholar, A Shiheng?”
“Uh…” Yu Qing was startled. Seeing the intense stares of the crowd, he sensed something was amiss. Reacting swiftly, his expression instantly darkened. “I have an irreconcilable feud with that Zhuangyuan scoundrel. If I ever see him again…” He cast a fierce, sweeping glare around.
Shua! Nanzhu suddenly drew his sword halfway, puffed out his chest, and declared loudly, “I will surely kill him!”
The accompanying Bihai Shipping Company staff exchanged glances and fell silent. Since the client wished to remain anonymous, protecting client privacy was part of their professional code.
Shua, the sword was sheathed again. Nanzhu bowed once more to request passage.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the two hurried away.
Just as they stepped out of the crowd, they encountered two women. One was smiling at them, clearly Sun Ping. The other was a slender figure wearing a gauze hat, instantly recognisable.
Both men paused simultaneously, somewhat surprised. They had not expected these two women to still be in Youjiaobu. Had they truly made it their home?
Nanzhu did not overthink it, his eyes already lighting up.
Seeing many eyes upon them, Sun Ping quickly made way and gestured with her hand, motioning for them to follow.