Chapter 211

Chapter 211: Leisure on the Sea

Zhao Zhanpeng’s words instantly endeared him to Lou Yun and the others. Indeed, as Cai San Gong had said, he was remarkably forthright.

The recent events had made almost everyone in Binhai City aware of Lou Yun’s special status—even the City Lord bowed to him. Yet Zhao Zhanpeng, an ordinary man, showed no fear toward Lou Yun despite his position. Commanding them in his capacity as captain only proved him a competent one. Lou Yun naturally held deep respect for such individuals.

Lou Yun spoke gravely, "Rest assured, Captain Zhao. Once we board your ship, your word is law. Should we disobey, you can toss us into the sea anytime!"

Zhao Zhanpeng studied Lou Yun for a moment before shaking his head. "I’d love to throw you overboard! But I’m afraid I couldn’t move you!"

He burst into loud laughter, joined by Lou Yun and the others. Clearly, Zhao Zhanpeng was quite a character—this sea voyage promised amusement.

"All right, board the ship!"

With Zhao Zhanpeng’s wave, his crew sprang into action. Lou Yun and his companions followed him onto the lead vessel.

Once aboard, Zhao Zhanpeng had urgent matters to attend to. He instructed Cai San Gong, "Third Uncle, I entrust these few to you. You know their quarters. Let them sightsee if they wish or sleep if they prefer. I won’t interfere!"

"Understood. Tend to your duties swiftly!"

Zhao Zhanpeng nodded at Lou Yun’s group and hurried off. Since this was their first time on a ship, curiosity won over rest for all four. They leaned against the bow, observing the bustling sailors.

Crew members hauled goods destined for overseas trade—wares ranging from needles and threads to heavy clamps, a comprehensive inventory.

Lou Yun noticed two young boys struggling under the weight of a massive cabinet, swaying unsteadily toward the deck. Compassion stirred within him—he moved to assist, but a breeze brushed past as someone dashed ahead.

Wen Hou had sprung into action. Witnessing the boys’ hardship reminded him of his own past. As a stray child alongside Tie Sha, he’d endured such grueling labor for survival. Seeing these youths evoked sympathy, compelling him to help.

Tie Sha promptly followed suit. Lou Yun smiled faintly before vanishing in a blur to join them.

Since the entire crew and captain were ordinary folk, assistance from Lou Yun’s trio accelerated the loading process severalfold. In moments, cargo was stowed, and the ship stood ready.

From the opposite deck, Zhao Zhanpeng observed all three actions clearly. He nodded covertly, certain his judgment held: despite their youth and elevated power and status, they carried neither arrogance nor airs, willingly performing menial stevedore tasks.

With goods secured, departure was imminent.

At Zhao Zhanpeng’s order, the vessel stirred slowly. The four other ships followed, leaving Binhai City’s harbor behind as they sailed into the boundless ocean.

Watching from shore as the five ships receded into the distance, the Eastern Master turned—only to find the four Commanders who’d stood beside him had vanished. A smile touched his lips. "Perfect. The Alliance Leader stated you needn’t follow, yet you insist. Seems you hold our new leader lightly. Hmph! But he… truly is down-to-earth. Impressive."

After his musings, the Eastern Master turned slowly toward City Lord Ma Ziwei, who stood fretfully nearby. Lou Yun’s departure had left messy affairs demanding attention.

The fleet entered the maritime zone. With the sea tranquil, their voyage remained steady; were it not for the water below, one might scarcely feel afloat.

The four young men lounged at the bow, savoring the moist air and gentle sea breeze as they embraced the sheer bliss of this existence. Lou Yun even thought privately of embracing seafaring life someday, given the chance.

Observing their contentment from afar, Zhao Zhanpeng and Cai San Gong exchanged smiles. Zhao Zhanpeng shook his head. "Enjoy the comfort now. Once we enter the Storm Sea in days ahead, see if leisure remains so effortless."

Cai San Gong chuckled. "Don’t underestimate them. That they attained such power and status so young surely stems from experiences we can’t fathom. Yes, the sea holds perils aplenty—but I trust none shall thwart these youths."

Zhao Zhanpeng nodded. "Indeed, I hold them high. But they underestimate this ocean’s fury. We’ll witness the proof."

Amidst this calm, they sailed one full week. During this time, Lou Yun’s foursome lived near-paradisiacal days. Each claimed a bow spot to meditate, basking in sea winds while cultivating inner strength.

Lou Yun couldn’t gauge his comrades’ progress, but his own advanced astonishingly fast. With the Fusang Tree aiding his spiritual energy absorption, his cultivation literally spanned miles daily. One week of serene practice vaulted his magical weapon realm to High-Level Five Stars!

Even more wondrous—previously requiring the consumption of common weapons for breakthroughs, he now bypassed that entirely; the Fusang Tree rooted in his magical weapon fulfilled the role instead.

Leaping three minor realms within a week felt almost too rapid to Lou Yun. He decided to pause his magical weapon cultivation temporarily, shifting to bodily refinement and absorbing knowledge imparted by his master.

Thus Lou Yun opened his eyes, rose, and stretched upon the deck as he admired the ocean’s vastness—his mood soaring to unprecedented heights.

Just then, Cai San Gong emerged from the cabin. Noticing Lou Yun’s yawns, he smiled slightly. "Perfect timing. We near the Storm Sea now!"

Hearing footsteps, Lou Yun turned. Grinning, he hailed Cai San Gong. "Third Uncle, taking a stroll too?"

Cai San Gong replied warmly, "These seascapes have filled my view lifelong—monotony reigns for me. No novelty draws my eye anymore. I lack your leisure. I came to warn you: within three or four shichen, we’ll enter the Storm Sea. Go below deck immediately. Only after traversing this stretch may you resurface."

Cai San Gong’s words roused the other three from their meditations. They stood, flexing stiff limbs, then approached Cai San Gong. Water Lingluo asked inquisitively, "Third Uncle, what is the Storm Sea? Why must we retreat to cabins there?"

Cai San Gong explained kindly, "Believing ocean voyages ever sustain this weather and state? Disaster lurks near! Seafaring proves supremely dangerous—the ocean temperamental as a stormfront. Joyful, it behaves tamely, as now. Enraged? Peril erupts unpredictably."

"The Storm Sea encompasses a vast maritime expanse. For unfathomable reasons, tempests, thunderstorms, and mountainous waves rage eternal there—earning it ‘Death Sea.’ Vessels first entering its fury, particularly smaller ones, often capsize instantly. Even large ships, navigated without ample expertise, eventually founder there. That watery graveyard holds countless ships and souls!"

"Having traversed these waters repeatedly, Zhao Zhanpeng knows the treacherous seascape intimately. Fear not—he’ll guide us safely through!"

Wen Hou smiled mildly. "What use lies in worry? We cannot turn back now! Be at ease, Third Uncle. We shall heed instructions."

Cai San Gong pressed, "Instructions? Barely. Take shelter below deck. Lingering topside invites great danger—gales, monstrous waves, lightning strikes. One misstep overboard, and life is forfeit!"

Lou Yun affirmed, "We understand, Third Uncle. We’ll retreat below shortly."

"Good. Observe briefly if the Storm Sea sparks your fascination—but descend before we breach its boundary. On no account tarry!" Cai San Gong stressed repeatedly.

After Cai San Gong departed, the four exchanged glances. Lou Yun remarked wryly, "Third Uncle’s words echo clearly. Curiosity poses no sin—but timely concealment saves your skins. Complaining posthumously earns no justice!"

Tie Sha snorted coldly through his nostrils—clear dismissal of Cai San Gong’s warnings as exaggerated peril.

Thus they abandoned cultivation, sitting by the prow to chat idly as they viewed distant horizons. Gradually, three shichen elapsed. Suddenly, Shui Lingluo pointed afar and cried, "Look! That must be the Storm Sea!"