Stranger Danger

"Sounds interesting. Should the opportunity present itself, we may want to pay it a visit."

Ye Qing touched his nose and exchanged a look with Feng Qingyou.

"Hahaha..." Hu Da guffawed when he heard this. "I knew from the start that Brother Ye and Miss Feng are human-shaped dragons and phoenixes. I am sure that you will find the City of No Return one way or another."

He wasn't paying them a compliment. He might be a small fry, but he dared to say that his eye for people was well-honed from many years of travel. That was why he could tell that Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou were extraordinary people. It was also one of the main reasons he treated them with such deep respect.

Ye Qing smiled. "Let's hope that what you say will come true, Brother Hu."

The trio finally reached the end of the "road". It was a door that rippled and glimmered like water.

"Just pass through here, and you'll arrive at Floating Island."

Hu Da gestured. "Honored guests first, Brother Ye, Miss Feng."

The duo stepped through the door without hesitation. At first, they could see nothing and hear nothing. It was as if they had suddenly entered the vacuum that was space. The next moment, Ye Qing's vision returned to normal, and all kinds of sounds flooded his ears.

Right now, they were standing on a tall platform. Beneath the tall platform was a bustling city filled with people.

It was clear they had arrived on Floating Island.

"Welcome to Floating Island. Also, this city is called Floating City. Not bad, isn't it?"

Hu Da stepped out of the door behind them and looked down on the bustling city as well, beaming.

Ye Qing nodded in agreement. "I can see why it's known as one of the four great islands."

There were rows and rows of buildings in Floating City, and all of them looked artistic and cultured. The roads opened to all directions, the traffic of vehicles and people were neverending, and everyone was wearing happy smiles on their faces. It was lively and prosperous on the same level as some major cities on the continent.

Compared to Flying Stream Islands, it was like the difference between a moon and a firefly.

There was one thing he didn't like about the island though. It was far too crowded. As far as he could tell, every street and alley was jam-packed with bodies. The saying, "Sweat turns into rain, and sleeves turn into clouds" was usually an exaggerated metaphor about overcrowdedness, but here it was literally true.

Feng Qingyou asked curiously, "Is there a festival going on? Why are there so many people?"

"No, there's no festival." Hu Da replied, "This is just how Floating City is in the norm. If there is one thing Floating City has more than any other city, it is people."

"If you think this is bad, try visiting during an actual holiday or festival. It will take over an incense stick just to take a single step."

"But of course, Floating Island is a trade center. Most of the shops, inns, restaurants and so on are all centered around here. It's only natural it would be this crowded. The traffic is much more normal everywhere else."

Hu Da then added, "Come. Let's look for a place to eat. I'll tell you about everything you need to watch out for once we're there."

"Okay."

Hu Da quickly led them to a restaurant named Hundred Buxom Restaurant. It wasn't anything special, but its environment wasn't bad. When they arrived, Hu Da's boat fellows and workers were already waiting for them with tables full of dishes and drinks.

After entering his seat, Hu Da first toasted Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou for saving their lives. After exchanging pleasantries for a bit, they finally began eating lunch.

The atmosphere quickly turned lively after the group had downed a few cups of wine. Hu Da seized the opportunity and told Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou about the dos and don'ts on Floating Island.

Ye Qing was prepared, but the sheer number of rules one must obey on Floating Island still surprised him a little. One shall not steal, one shall not fight, one shall not cause trouble, one shall not flout the law, one shall not leave their houses during nighttime, one shall not cut the trees on the island, yada yada blah blah. Long story short, everyone on Floating Island was expected to know their place, keep to the straight and narrow, and not stir up trouble.

It wasn't long before everyone had satiated themselves. As Hu Da and his men had been sailing on the sea for months, they were planning to enjoy a good time as a matter of course. Although Hu Da swore on his soul that the "good time" he was referring to was absolutely proper, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou still turned him down kindly.

For one, they truly weren't interested. And two, they had important business to do.

After Hu Da and his group took their leave, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou soundlessly departed the Hundred Buxoms Restaurant as well. They rounded multiple corners until they arrived at a residence.

The residence looked tall, massive, and opulent. Its location was well chosen as well. Although located in the downtown area, it did not feel noisy or crowded. In fact, the environment was quiet, tranquil, and peaceful. It was also adjacent to the General Guard Office of the Floating Guards, so its safety was more than assured.

It was clear that the owner of this residence was either wealthy or noble. Most likely both.

Here at Floating Island, every inch of land was measured by gold. It was difficult enough to own a small house in this place, but a sumptuous, geographically excellent residence that occupied over a dozen fields of land? This wasn't something you could buy or build with just wealth. You needed at least a certain level of influence.

And that was exactly correct. The owner of this residence was Yu Hongfeng, twin brother of the master of this Floating Island, Yu Hongluan.

Few people knew of the name Yu Hongfeng though, much less the fact that he shared blood with the island lord herself.

Here in Floating Island—no, be it the thirty six islands or the seventy two islets, the people had only ever heard of Yu Hongluan, not Yu Hongfeng.

It wasn't because Yu Hongluan was purposely trying to keep the existence of her brother a secret, nor was it because Yu Hongfeng had any intention of keeping a low profile. Yu Hongluan was just so famous that her twin brother was utterly overshadowed.

Over thirty years ago, a major incident had taken place at Floating Island. The previous island lord, Yu Qiushui, had abruptly gone missing while visiting a friend. No one knew he was dead or alive, only that he left Floating Island without a leader.

The major clans of the Floating Island sensed an opportunity and colluded with outside forces, intending to overturn the Yu Clan's rule of descent. Some Profound Alliance factions also coveted Floating Island and were making their own moves. For a time, a bullseye was painted on Floating Island's back, and everyone wanted a piece of it.

Floating Island was teetering on the brink of collapse when Yu Hongluan stepped out without any warning whatsoever. First, she exposed and defeated the conspiracy of the Rakshasa Kingdom. She united the clans and slaughtered all the Strangers who had infiltrated the island to the last. Then, before the clans and factions could respond, she set them up to fight each other and played the fishermen. When both the clans and the forces were crippled, she swooped in and claimed all the spoils without any effort whatsoever. Finally, she uprooted and annihilated all the major clans on Floating Island and returned control of the Floating Island to Yu Clan. Yu Hongluan was later made the matriarch of the Yu Clan and the island lord of the Floating Island.

Yu Hongluan was Yu Qiushui's younger daughter. At the time, she was only thirteen[1].

Thirteen and a woman. Naturally, a lot of people looked down on Yu Hongluan.

No one believed that she possessed the capabilities to manage Floating Island. Everyone thought that Floating Island would gain a new lord and master soon.

1. Don't. Fuck. With. Women in this novel. ☜