NOVEL WEB Chapter 127 Safe Landing
The journey was uneventful. Even when Demon Beasts stirred trouble in the waters, they were quickly subdued by the warriors on the Sharp Shark Giant Ship.
Three days later, pulled by numerous boatmen from both banks of the river, the Sharp Shark Giant Ship entered the port.
Hong Yuan, holding Yue'er, stood on the deck with Mo Shan, watching the boatmen.
"Truly magnificent," Hong Yuan remarked softly, watching group after group of boatmen pull the long ropes, slowly hauling the giant ship to the dock.
"It's passable, I suppose," Mo Shan conceded with a reluctant nod.
While the sight of hundreds of men maneuvering a large ship was surprising, it paled in comparison to a battlefield. On the battlefield, where the earth split and the sky shattered, lives were extinguished every moment. Apart from third- and fourth-stage Martial Artists, no one dared claim they could survive. Even such Martial Artists, if targeted, could only await their demise. Having followed Mo Jiuyou for many years, Mo Shan had seen too many powerful figures from the Martial Arts world perish, trapped in military formations.
"HEAVE-HO! HEAVE-HO!"
The boatmen's loud chants echoed as they continued to pull the giant ship forward.
Soon, the Sharp Shark Giant Ship docked.
Passengers disembarked in waves, while laborers on the shore constantly sought employers. The scene was bustling with activity.
Amidst this, Hong Yuan and Mo Shan quickly left the area, heading straight for the Flying Boat Dock.
The Flying Boat Dock, which harbored various flying boats, resembled an airport from Hong Yuan's previous life. Without encountering any significant issues, Hong Yuan successfully reached it.
After paying one hundred thousand Energy Stones, Hong Yuan and his two companions boarded the Rain Swallow Boat.
The captain of the Rain Swallow Boat was an Elder from the Phoenix Creek Sect's Talisman Array Hall. With a Phoenix Creek Sect Elder presiding, safety was absolutely assured. Among the flying boats traveling between the Phoenix Creek Sect and Nanyang Government, it was second only to the Phoenix Heron Flying Boat, far surpassing others.
Amidst a roaring sound, the Rain Swallow Boat slowly ascended.
Seated in his private cabin, Hong Yuan used a Sting Bee Worm placed outside his door to observe the scene below.
The land grew smaller and smaller; the people on the ground gradually shrank to the size of ants.
Nanyang Government, farewell for now. Hong Yuan thought.
His time spent 'gilding' his experience abroad had given Hong Yuan a full understanding of the power of influence and what it meant to rally hundreds with a single call. It had also filled his storage bag to bursting and even led him to develop a killer move, 'Flying Oriole,' granting him the ability to fly.
Flight—something so many could only dream of. Yet now, it was firmly within his grasp. His flying speed even surpassed that of the Green Wind Roc King of Thousand Beasts.
「Pengcheng, Dongyu District.」
Since Hong Yuan had entered 'seclusion,' Dongyu District had gradually returned to its former liveliness, even gaining a few extra layers of a unique clamor.
One day, Dongyu District received three uninvited guests. They settled in a secluded courtyard, constantly watching the activities of the Dongyu District Official's main office and monitoring Hong Yuan's movements.
These three were cultivation disciples from the Qinglu Taoist Temple.
Each possessed the martial prowess of a peak second-stage Martial Artist, capable of challenging ordinary third-stage Martial Artists who had consolidated their Taoist Ture Body.
Once the signal arrived, they would brazenly burst into the Dongyu District Official's main office and ambush Hong Yuan on the spot!
"Fan, that kid Hong Yuan is in seclusion. Do we really need to wait here every day? I've heard Pengcheng's Violet Night Pleasure Boats are quite something," a disciple with a sharp chin and monkey-like cheeks said with a snicker.
Fan, sitting on a wooden stool, glanced at the disciple, rather speechless. It was clear this disciple's cultivation was lacking; he had failed to overcome his restless mind and possessed utterly insufficient determination.
"Zhun, what are your thoughts?" Fan turned to the disciple named Zhun, asking his opinion.
Zhun looked disdainfully at the sharp-chinned, monkey-cheeked disciple, inwardly scornful.
"Hong Yuan's strength isn't even comparable to Guan Lan's," Zhun said solemnly. "I alone am enough to deal with him. If you want to go, Senior Brother, then go."
Guan Lan?! Fan was momentarily puzzled, but he soon recalled who Guan Lan was. According to a spy planted within the Phoenix Creek Sect, Guan Lan had been the top performer in the sect's Grand Competition the previous year. His strength and talent were both first-rate and warranted serious attention.
Hearing Zhun's assessment, Fan slowly nodded, tacitly agreeing.
In truth, there was nothing remarkable about Hong Yuan. The three of them targeting him was merely Li Zixing seeking revenge.
The sharp-chinned, monkey-cheeked disciple ignored the sarcasm in Zhun's words. He grinned and walked out the main gate.
They had already laid an inescapable trap for Hong Yuan. Even if he could fly, he would absolutely not escape their pursuit!
Compared to the Phoenix Heron Flying Boat he had once traveled on, the Rain Swallow Boat was not only inferior in safety but also in its onboard facilities, which were far less impressive. The Phoenix Heron Flying Boat was like a castle in the sky, equipped with all sorts of amenities. In contrast, the Rain Swallow Boat resembled a small factory, offering very few areas for passenger activity. Even those that existed were mostly gambling dens.
Hong Yuan had no interest in gambling, and neither did Mo Shan.
Confined by the uncomfortable environment, the month-long journey on the flying boat even made little Yue'er restless with boredom. And Hong Yuan couldn't possibly let Yue'er sleep through the entire month; that would be too contrary to Human Tao.
Fortunately, Hong Yuan had a Red Dragon Carp.
"Fishy, swim fast, swim fast!" Yue'er coaxed, patting the water's surface. The Red Dragon Carp beneath was "startled" into darting about, and for a moment, her giggles filled the air. A smile also touched Hong Yuan's lips.
You're a smart one, little red fish, knowing what's good for you. Hong Yuan thought to himself.
Initially, this Red Dragon Carp had been arrogant and unruly, even daring to bare its sharp teeth at his little niece. But under Hong Yuan's 'patient' guidance, it finally became more tractable and learned to play along with Yue'er.
Time passed, bit by bit, and Hong Yuan drew ever closer to the Phoenix Creek Sect's residence.
Soon, the Rain Swallow Boat reached its final destination, landing in Fengqing County.
After another two days, Hong Yuan and his two companions arrived at Phoenix River Town, just a stone's throw from the Phoenix Creek Sect. They settled in a courtyard to await Zhu Wushang's arrival.
「Nighttime.」
As soon as Zhu Wushang received the news, he rushed over from the sect.
"Uncle!" Yue'er exclaimed gleefully, running towards Zhu Wushang the moment she saw him.
Zhu Wushang lifted her high, gently pinched her cute nose, and asked with a smile, "Well now, did little Yue'er miss her uncle?"
Yue'er's eyes darted around. Remembering the promise she had made to her father and mother, she said in a childlike voice, "Of course, I did!"
Zhu Wushang didn't expose her little fib, happily playing with his niece while Hong Yuan waited quietly to the side.
Only when Yue'er grew tired did Hong Yuan finally have a chance to speak with Zhu Wushang.
At this moment, Zhu Wushang looked at Hong Yuan with an expression full of helplessness. He truly had to concede defeat when it came to the temperament of this exceptionally talented junior brother.
The slightest sign of trouble and you run back here? You really are...
"Don't return to the sect for the next six months. Just take good care of yourself," Zhu Wushang said, his tone melancholic.
"Mm, rest assured, Senior Brother," Hong Yuan replied.
After Zhu Wushang left with Yue'er, Mo Shan also bid farewell to Hong Yuan the next morning.
Thereafter, Hong Yuan's life in his Original Body returned to tranquility.