Chapter 305
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/
After Zhang Xiaohua had thoroughly enjoyed his bath and finished tidying up his appearance, he finally sat down comfortably on a chair and began tasting the refreshments that had been brought over.
But with just one bite, he nearly bit his own tongue off.
Ever since Zhang Xiaohua’s cultivation had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, he had entered a state of inedia and no longer needed to consume food. Still, he would occasionally chew on some huangjing for the taste. Today, upon seeing pastries he hadn’t eaten in four years, his appetite was naturally piqued—he devoured everything in a single sweep.
Once he finished the snacks, he retracted the divine sense he had been releasing the whole time. A cold sneer surfaced in his heart as he closed his eyes and resumed his cultivation, paying everything else no mind.
Below deck in the cabin, over a dozen disciples of the Xinrong Sect were arguing incessantly. No one could convince the others. The majority, led by Bai Yonggui, insisted that this unknown youth should be silently killed here and now, and tossed into the sea without a trace. On the other hand, a minority led by Chai Feng believed that although the youth might leak information, a vow had already been made to escort him back to land—and an oath sworn with venomous words to boot. It would be best to bring him back to the sect and leave the decision to the Sect Leader.
As the argument dragged on, Chai Feng gradually lost ground. He was in the minority to begin with, and he had no intention of stirring conflict with his fellow disciples over a stranger. After all, he was part of the sect too and had a life to live within it. For matters beyond his control, it was better to turn a blind eye.
“Sigh, in times like these, how much is a conscience even worth?”
Seeing Chai Feng give in, Bai Yonggui smiled. This time, the two of them had earned the greatest merit by obtaining the sheepskin scroll from the deserted island. But if the sect ultimately adopted his plan for dealing with the stranger, Bai Yonggui’s contribution would naturally overshadow Chai Feng’s. When it came time to dole out rewards, he would undoubtedly be first among them. How could he let such an opportunity slip by?
As for the life of an innocent youth? It was never something he even considered.
What followed, naturally, was a discussion on how to make their move.
Of course, the so-called “discussion” was merely a way to kill time during the boring voyage—or perhaps to find an excuse to ease their guilty consciences.
In any case, it didn’t take long before they agreed to strike after dinner.
Although Zhang Xiaohua was cultivating and hadn’t released his divine sense, how could he possibly hold these people in any regard? If not for the need to hitch a ride on this sea vessel, he would’ve already acted when Bai Yonggui ambushed him on the island. Why wait until now?
Since he had waited this long, how could he possibly be afraid of a petty little ploy?
As night fell, a sailor came up to invite Zhang Xiaohua to come below deck for dinner. Zhang Xiaohua originally had no intention of going, but the divine sense he extended revealed that the group below was brimming with excitement, as if anticipating a grand performance. He couldn’t help but change his mind and think to himself, “It’s only just the start of the voyage, and there’s still a long journey ahead. If I don’t give them a little lesson now, there may be no peace in the future. Sigh, the tree wishes for calm, but the wind refuses to rest… What can be done?”
When Zhang Xiaohua followed the sailor down into the cabin, the food and wine had already been set out. Though it couldn’t compare to the extravagance of the South Sea Flood Dragon Palace, it was still considered a rare luxury out here in the vast sea.
As before, there was no seat of honor prepared for Zhang Xiaohua—only a spot left for him at the very end of the table. And by the time he arrived, the feast had already begun. Where would he even find an empty seat now?
Zhang Xiaohua stood at the door, smiled as he glanced around at everyone seated, cupped his hands in greeting, and then—without the slightest hesitation—walked over and sat himself down. The disciples of the Xinrong Sect didn’t react to his presence at all. While drinking and eating, their eyes gleamed with a playful glint, as though watching a joke about to unfold.
Only Chai Feng, seated at the head of the table, wore a face full of apology, stealing uneasy glances at Zhang Xiaohua now and then.
Although Zhang Xiaohua kept his head lowered, his divine sense had already spread out, seeing everything in the hall with perfect clarity. Moreover, hadn’t they already stated during the day that this feast was meant to thank him? Yet they had started without waiting for him, without even introducing him to the others. It was clear they already regarded him as a dead man—tossing aside all pretense of courtesy, leaving only naked, shameless ugliness.
He sighed again: “Sigh…”
He didn’t even know why he had sighed so many times today. Could it be that age is catching up with him?
Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head in private thought. Indeed, after freshening up earlier and taking a careful look in the mirror, he realized he was no longer the youthful boy from four years ago. If he passed by the White-Haired Old Man now, that old man might not even recognize him.
“That’s right… I wonder what the outcome of that battle at sea was back then? Did Jingyue City’s navy prevail, or was it the South Sea Flood Dragon Palace? Though, what does that have to do with me now? After all, Ren Xiaoyao was already swallowed by the sea. Ah—on the deserted island just now, I even introduced myself as Ren Xiaoyao, could that come back to bite me?”
“No matter. So much time has passed. The White-Haired Old Man must have long forgotten me. He’s probably just lying at home now, cradling his South Sea darling. Heh. And besides—would I even be afraid of him now?”
Although he wasn’t particularly interested in the food and wine before him, after all, it had been years since he last had a proper meal. So Zhang Xiaohua moved his chopsticks a little and sampled each dish.
“Mm, not bad. Surprisingly, they didn’t bother to poison the food.”
After a few more bites, Zhang Xiaohua began to feel bored. But he knew full well there was still a good show to come—he couldn’t exit the stage prematurely.
Sure enough, Bai Yonggui’s gaze had never strayed far from Zhang Xiaohua. From the moment Zhang Xiaohua stepped into the cabin, through his slight bewilderment, to the way he sampled the dishes with growing interest—he had observed it all. Now, seeing him stop eating, he assumed it was because Zhang hadn’t had hot food in so long and wasn’t used to it anymore. Fearing he might excuse himself from the table, he quickly stood up and said: “Brothers, this time we were able to retrieve our senior brother’s remains from the vast sea, all thanks to this Brother Ren. Let us raise our cups and drink to him!”
As the others lifted their cups, Zhang Xiaohua also smiled faintly, raised his cup in response, and took a light sip.
Everyone else downed their drinks in one go, but seeing Zhang Xiaohua’s polite sip, they didn’t say anything.
Bai Yonggui continued: “Brother Ren, you pulled my senior brother’s body from the sea and ensured he received a proper burial. I, for one, greatly admire your actions. Let me drink this cup on behalf of my senior brother to thank you.”
He then emptied his cup once again in one gulp.
Zhang Xiaohua nodded and merely wet his lips with the wine again.
Just as Bai Yonggui was about to speak again, Chai Feng cut in first. “Brother Ren, I also toast to you. The sea is vast, and there are still many days ahead. If we fall short in our hospitality at any point, I ask for your understanding.”
With that, he raised his cup and drank.
“Now this is a decent man.”
Zhang Xiaohua thought to himself, then once again lifted his cup and took a small sip.
Bai Yonggui cast an unhappy glance at Chai Feng, then turned to Zhang Xiaohua with a smile. “Brother Ren, if you’re full, I actually have a small matter I’d like to discuss with you.”
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaohua stood up, stretched, and smiled. “Since both Hero Bai and Hero Chai have toasted me generously, allow me to return the favor in kind.”
He rose lightly from his seat, his feet pushing off the ground with force. Like an arrow leaving the bowstring, his figure shot forward, and in the blink of an eye, he was standing right in front of Bai Yonggui. Before the latter could even react, the wine cup was already held up to his face, with Zhang Xiaohua smiling cheerfully: “Come, Hero Bai—please drink this cup to the bottom!”
In an instant, the entire hall was stunned!
Not only was Bai Yonggui left staring, dumbfounded, at the sudden wine cup in front of his face, but even more so at the smiling Zhang Xiaohua—it left a strange, inexplicable feeling rising in his chest.
The rest of the crowd was even more shocked. A few who lacked composure sprang up on the spot, reaching for the swords at their waists. But Chai Feng, though startled, reacted swiftly. He gave a quick cough and said: “That… Senior Brother Bai, cough cough, Senior Brother Bai.”
Only then did Bai Yonggui snap out of his daze. He hurriedly stood up, nearly knocking over the wine cup on the table. Zhang Xiaohua moved like lightning, catching the cup with a smooth motion and handing it back to him, smiling. “No need for courtesy, Hero Bai. Please, remain seated.”
Bai Yonggui awkwardly replied, “This… no, no need. Since Brother Ren came over in person to offer a toast, I should naturally stand to receive it.”
Zhang Xiaohua smiled: “Hero Bai is too polite. Please.”
With that, he merely touched the wine to his lips, then smilingly returned to his seat.
Bai Yonggui looked at the wine cup in his hand, hesitated a moment, then still tipped his head back and drained it in one gulp.
The atmosphere in the cabin instantly turned heavy. The others glanced back and forth between Bai Yonggui and Zhang Xiaohua, all uncertain of what to do next.
Zhang Xiaohua looked around and asked: “Hero Bai, didn’t you just say there was something you wished to speak to me about? What might that be?”
Bai Yonggui, as if catching his breath, coughed twice and said: “Ah, it’s nothing important. Just that there’s still a long journey ahead across the sea. If anything comes up, do let us know. After spending so many years alone on that deserted island, if there’s anything you’re not used to, just say the word. Truly, speak freely.”
Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and said: “Then I thank Hero Bai. I’ve long grown used to being alone on the island. I’m not quite comfortable in crowds for now, so I’ll refrain from joining meals going forward. I ask for everyone’s understanding.”
With that, he turned and respectfully cupped his hands to the group.
Now, none of them still had that earlier look of amusement. They all stood up and hastily responded that they dared not accept such courtesy.
Zhang Xiaohua added with a smile: “I’ve only just escaped danger, and my body is still not fully recovered. I’ll take my leave first—please, enjoy your meal.”
With another salute, he turned and walked out of the cabin.
Actually, as he stepped out, he had originally meant to say: “Hero Bai, the roads on that desolate island were treacherous—may your voyage upon these seas be smooth.”
But after some thought, he decided not to gild the lily. The Qinggong he had just displayed should’ve been enough to suppress that fellow’s arrogance. No need to overdo it.
Back in his own quarters, Zhang Xiaohua, just as before, did not release his divine sense. He believed that unless someone was truly foolish, they wouldn’t dare try anything against him now. Of course, if someone were really blind, he wouldn’t show mercy.
He sat down cross-legged and began cultivating. After a while, he took out two Yuan Stones from his robes, one in each hand. Then, forming seals with his right hand, he began rapidly shifting hand signs, drawing the Yuan Qi from within the stones and casting it with a solemn expression toward the cabin walls. Only when sweat formed on his brow did he finally stop.
This was the result of Zhang Xiaohua’s cultivation of restrictive spells and formations—he could now just barely set up a few simple restrictions for self-protection.
Once the barrier was in place, Zhang Xiaohua held the Yuan Stones and resumed his meditation.
✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦
Orluros’s Vault of Secrets: If you liked the chapter feel free to donate 🙂 and if you find any errors in the translation please mention them in the comments here or in discord
