Fourteen Fourteen

A bustling ship, constantly coming and going, was inexplicably moored here in perfect condition! Chu Liuxiang’s first thought was: the Bat Island ship!

A warrior’s reflexes are sharp and swift. The moment he glimpsed the ship, his body adjusted instantly; every muscle and sinew filled with power. Yet his movements were light and effortless.

With a swift flicker of his figure, making not a sound, he landed before Jiuli like a great cat with thick, padded paws. Taller than Jiuli, he blocked her view completely, filling her line of sight with Chu Liuxiang’s back.

Jiuli stretched her neck like an owl, peering flexibly from behind his broad shoulders, trying to steal a glance.

Zhang San was speechless.

He had never seen a girl protected by Chu Liuxiang who didn’t sneak a peek at him... Jiuli was truly mysterious and reserved.

But Chu Liuxiang’s focus remained fixed on the ship.

Chu Liuxiang himself was a man of the sea and knew a thing or two about shipbuilding. The vessel anchored on the water was crafted with incredibly durable double Saru wood for the masts, fine teak for the decks, and rot-resistant red willow for the hull. Its lines were sleek and it cut through waves like a thoroughbred steed of the sea.

Sailors came and went on board.

They looked respectable, dressed simply but neatly, and moved with discipline.

Someone stood at the prow, leaning far over the railing. Though small from afar, his restless movements betrayed his anxious heart.

Watching this man’s actions, Chu Liuxiang’s entire body trembled.

Zhang San exclaimed, “It’s Xiao Hu!”

Indeed, that was Hu Tiehua!

Who was Hu Tiehua?

Hu Tiehua was Chu Liuxiang’s close friend. Over ten years ago, when they were young novices, they had built their reputations together in the martial world. Though they rarely met over the years, every reunion was for matters of great importance.

This time, it was Hu Tiehua who brought news of Master Kumei’s return to secular life. Together, they had set out to uncover the secrets of Bat Island... but a maritime disaster on the way had separated them.

Separation was one thing, but the uncertainty of life and death was another.

In recent days, Zhang San and Chu Liuxiang seldom mentioned Hu Tiehua—not out of indifference, but because their worry was overwhelming and they felt helpless.

Their only recourse was prayer.

Now... their prayers were truly answered!

Hu Tiehua stood at the ship’s prow, his voice carried by the sea wind, but unlike before, it was no longer carefree.

“Old Stinkbug! Are you there? Are you there!”

He shouted at the top of his lungs!

More than calling a comrade, his voice sounded like pure venting.

Chu Liuxiang nearly fell to his knees, ready to thank heaven for keeping Hu Tiehua alive!

He barely hesitated, quickly instructing Jiuli, “Wait here a moment.”

Then, he dashed forward!

Zhang San shouted, “Hey! Brother Chu! Wait for me!”

When Chu Liuxiang unleashed his full lightness skill, he seemed to become a mere shadow.

Zhang San, nicknamed “Quick Net,” was actually a petty thief with decent lightness skills, but compared to Chu Liuxiang, he was like a toddler just learning.

The ship was anchored a little farther off, not docked. The shallow waters would cause it to run aground, and jagged reefs like dragon’s teeth could wreck the vessel.

Chu Liuxiang ignored the distance entirely.

With a touch of his toes, he flipped midair and landed steadily on a sharp reef as if walking on flat ground. Another push of his toes, and he sprang up like an onion from dry earth—so high was the ship, yet he leapt onto the deck in a flash.

The man on deck was indeed Hu Tiehua!

Hu Tiehua’s eyes widened in joy upon seeing Chu Liuxiang, briefly stunned before launching a punch like a “Flower Butterfly” of the martial world, a strike roaring like thunder aimed at Chu Liuxiang.

Chu Liuxiang stood unmoved and unshaken, hands behind his back. With the grace of a fish swimming in water, he slid backward three yards effortlessly, dodging the blow with ease.

He smiled as he moved.

“Good lad! I knew you were a turtle’s son—you won’t die without living a thousand years!”

Chu Liuxiang was speechless.

True friends indeed... Just a few nights ago, he and Zhang San had wished Hu Tiehua similar words.

Chu Liuxiang couldn’t help touching his nose. “After such a long separation, can’t you say something nice for once?”

But a smile had already crept across his face.

Hu Tiehua laughed and charged again, slapping Chu Liuxiang hard on the back!

Chu Liuxiang nearly coughed up blood.

“Good lad! Good lad!”

Hu Tiehua, still in a frenzy, raised his palm again passionately.

To avoid bruises, Chu Liuxiang quickly changed the subject. “Xiao Hu, what’s the story of this ship? And where’s Miss Jin?”

Miss Jin was none other than Jin Lingzhi, the thirty-ninth granddaughter of Madam Jin from the Wanfuwan Shou Garden, known in the martial world as the “Fire Phoenix.”

It was her use of the unique Mount Hua Sect technique, the “Thirteen Breezes,” that linked Master Kumei’s return to secular life with Bat Island. She was also aboard the ship that suffered the maritime disaster and found herself adrift on a coffin.

Hu Tiehua’s attention indeed shifted, and he stopped hitting Chu Liuxiang.

He lowered his hand and laughed, “Miss Jin is fine! She’s here with me on this ship... Oh, Old Stinkbug, you won’t believe it—the owner of this ship is actually Guan Zhongyuan’s family!”

Chu Liuxiang raised an eyebrow.

The Guan Zhongyuan family was the Wuzheng Manor.

Three centuries ago, Yuan Qinggu founded Wuzheng Manor, named so because no one challenged him—a title of honor from the heroes of the land.

Over the past fifty years, Wuzheng Manor had declined. The current head, Yuan Dongyuan, lived in seclusion, with only one son, a prodigy famed throughout the realm.

This ship belonged to the young master of Wuzheng Manor, Yuan Suiyun.

But Wuzheng Manor’s influence was in the Guan, Shan, and Jin regions—what were they doing at sea?

According to Hu Tiehua, this young master was invited by Bat Island to seek out the mysterious Golden Selling Den at sea.

Chu Liuxiang hummed thoughtfully.

Hu Tiehua added that Yuan Suiyun was the most gentlemanly gentleman he had ever met—warmhearted, chivalrous, gentle, and courteous.

Chu Liuxiang responded with a grunt.

Hu Tiehua’s eyes flashed, “Anyway, he’s way better than you, Old Stinkbug!”

Chu Liuxiang was left speechless.

He ignored Hu Tiehua because he had just caught sight of Yuan Suiyun.

At some point, the young man appeared at the ship’s cabin door, smiling as he greeted them, “Hero Hu already said that Master Xiang is favored by heaven and would be safe.”

He was an exceptionally handsome youth.

His attire was impeccable; a jade pendant glowed softly at his waist, a white jade crown adorned his head, and he wore snow-satin boots. His gentle expression and refined bearing were beyond the reach of ordinary men—a true scion of a noble family.

Yet his eyes were filled with desolation, loneliness, and emptiness.

He did not look at Chu Liuxiang.

But this was not because he did not value him.

This was because—the young master of Wuzheng Manor had been blind since a severe illness at age three!

Suddenly, Chu Liuxiang thought—bats were creatures that could not see!

Perhaps it was a sixth sense, or simply his disbelief in such coincidence: Bat Island was so mysterious that even those who had been there could not pinpoint its location. How did Yuan Suiyun know about it? Could the Bat Young Master have given him the sea charts?

Though he thought this, Chu Liuxiang showed no sign on his face. He bowed deeply to Yuan Suiyun and solemnly said, “Young master Yuan, I dare not forget the kindness of saving my friend.”

Yuan Suiyun smiled faintly and replied calmly, “How could those of the martial world stand by and watch death? Master Xiang is too kind.”

Hu Tiehua, a fool, laughed and said, “See, Old Stinkbug, Young Master Yuan is truly one of the best men under heaven!”

He spoke wholeheartedly... but they were not the only ones playing polite games.

Yuan Suiyun was equally surprised inwardly.

Because Chu Liuxiang’s guess was correct—he was indeed connected to Bat Island, and deeply so.

He was the Bat Young Master himself!

The sea’s Golden Selling Den, where anything could be bought and sold without taboo or limit—who would have thought such a sinister and mysterious place was founded by the young master of Wuzheng Manor?

Whether Yuan Suiyun felt pride, he did not reveal. But he clearly did not want to expose his identity so soon.

Chu Liuxiang was investigating him, exploring his forces, trying to unmask his true self.

Yuan Suiyun had to act.

He had a capable assistant who was on the ship Chu Liuxiang had set out on. Cleverly, they sabotaged that vessel, blowing it to pieces. Chu Liuxiang was just a man, not a god—falling into the sea was a near-death experience.

Yet... he survived!

And, luck or fate, he drifted all the way to Bat Island! How long he had stayed there was unknown.

What could Yuan Suiyun do?

Losing in wit and martial skill was one thing—an honorable defeat. But losing to luck? And with Chu Liuxiang’s intellect, how deep was his understanding of the island after those days?

Yuan Suiyun pondered silently, his face calm as he exchanged polite words with Chu Liuxiang, “I have long heard of your great name,” and “I only regret we met too late.”

Hu Tiehua grew impatient, glancing sideways at Chu Liuxiang as if wanting to cover his mouth to stop him from spouting such flowery words that tried everyone’s patience. His mouth was better used for drinking.

Suddenly, a flash of pale blue caught his eye—

Amid crashing waves and sharp black reefs, a figure in jet-black sleeves flapped like a bird or drifting smoke, rushing out! Her long hair flew with the spray, sunlight catching droplets making her hair shimmer like morning frost or fresh snow.

—Shadow graceful, soul cold.

What exquisite lightness skill!

Hu Tiehua’s eyes nearly popped. This skill was no match for Chu Liuxiang’s, but still rare in the martial world. Who was this? Why did she rush out from the island? Was she one of Bat Island’s people?

Hu Tiehua was on high alert, eager to gauge her level.

Then he saw her stop abruptly at the ship’s edge... and start climbing a staircase!

Hu Tiehua was dumbfounded.

When did they put a staircase on the ship? And it looked like stone? A stone staircase on a ship? What was going on?

Of course, the ship did not have a stone staircase. This was Jiuli’s impromptu construction...

Every player of “Liver Exposed Valley” knew that 99 stones could craft a staircase.

Today, the player had hung all tools on NPCs, so no need to clear their own inventory... Luckily, they had been diligent and still had 99 stones.

New map, new characters—who could resist exploring? Not even a saint!

The player controlled the pixelated character swiftly, crafting and placing the stairs, then climbing up. The pixelated Jiuli climbed onto the wooden deck, making that special sound.

Sure enough, there were many people on deck, but many were non-interactive NPCs—clicking them did nothing—reminding the player of game towns where crowds created atmosphere, but not every NPC could be engaged.

No matter. The player headed straight for the target—an NPC standing beside Chu Fei must be interactive!

Pixel Jiuli ran quickly over.

[Chu Liuxiang]: [Jiuli...]

Ignoring the chat bubble above Chu Liuxiang’s head, the player greeted another NPC.

[Jiuli]: [Hello, I’m Jiuli!]

[Hu Tiehua]: [Ah? You know Old Stinkbug...? I’m Hu Tiehua, just call me Lao Hu!]

[Jiuli] gave [Hu Tiehua] a [Wild Taro]!

[Hu Tiehua]: […Huh? What’s this? For me?]

Ignoring Hu Tiehua, the player greeted another white-robed NPC.

[Jiuli]: [Hello, I’m Jiuli!]

[Yuan Suiyun]: [I am Yuan Suiyun.]

A stunning character portrait appeared, depicting a refined and gentle young nobleman wearing a white jade crown.

But his eyes were odd—not gazing at the player—the pupils fully dilated.

—Want to say something?

A. Why don’t you look at me?

B. (Custom input)

Extra dialogue?

The player chose A.

[Yuan Suiyun]: [I have been blind since childhood, I mean no disrespect, miss.]

Ah... so that was the case.

Such a beautiful portrait, yet a blind man... If the player pursued a romance with this NPC, it might turn into a redemption story?

Of course, it was too early to say, but this was important information—a hint for gift-giving!

Every character liked different things.

After so many days, Jiuli hadn’t yet discovered the preferences of the three NPCs on the farm, but Chu Liuxiang was easy to please—he liked anything, even sea cockroaches.

Player: pounding table, laughing.jpg

One must not be so casual with new NPCs!

The player opened the inventory, sorted carefully, and made a choice.

Decision made!

[Jiuli] gave [Yuan Suiyun] [Night Bright Sand]!