Chapter 19

Chapter Nineteen

Each of the Four Great Families possessed their own exclusive sea territories, with the size and location of these areas determined solely by the Park family.

The Choi family controlled two entry points in the East Sea; one of these occupied a strategically advantageous position, providing direct access to the waters behind Yangzhou.

All ten of the large ships stationed at the alley entrances had set sail.

In the latter half of the previous night, while the Choi family’s second young master was busy orchestrating personnel transport, the eldest son boarded the last ship docked at the alley’s edge. After sailing through the night, they arrived at the East Sea domain by dusk the next day.

Ten miles further lay the Park family’s territory.

To pass beyond the Park family’s domain required traversing a maritime corridor, whereupon the Choi family’s ten cargo vessels had been blocked by Park’s men just outside the passage for five days.

The reason was well understood by both parties.

The Choi family had arrogantly tried to have it both ways—enjoying the convenience of the Park family’s domain while also forging ties with the authorities—thus incurring the Park family’s wrath and resulting in their cargo being seized.

The eldest Choi son ordered the deck cleared and boarded one of the cargo ships, inquiring of the steward, “Have you contacted Master Park?”

The steward shook his head. Letters had been dispatched one after another, but no reply had come.

Returning to Yangzhou was now impossible for the Choi family. Their taverns and pawnshops had long since become empty shells, which they did not mourn. What mattered most were the goods; just days ago, they had suffered the loss of two ships to pirates, and these remaining ten vessels represented the entirety of the Choi family’s assets. The eldest son had already resolved to burn his bridges. “Tell Master Park: the goods are to be split eighty-twenty, Park family eighty, Choi family twenty. We Choi have become desperate men with no way back. From now on, all depends on Master Park to grant us a path to survive.”

The steward disembarked once more to deliver the message.

Half an hour later, he returned bearing good news: “Master Park has agreed to meet with you.”

A rare sigh of relief crossed the eldest son’s face.

Having left the Choi estate in haste, dust-covered and tense aboard the ship, he had not allowed himself a moment’s relaxation until now, when he went to bathe and change in his cabin.

Night had fallen, and the ship was adorned with cow-horn lanterns that swayed in the sea breeze, producing creaking sounds aged with time. These subtle noises, though quiet and persistent, seemed to transform the loneliness and peril of the waves into memories etched deep within one’s life—offering a strange sense of peace and steadiness.

He pushed open the wooden door of the cabin and closed it behind him, shutting out the clamor. The interior was quiet, suffused with a warm, dim glow. Glancing at the figure seated by the window, he hesitated briefly before softly saying, “It’s late. You should rest now. At first light, we will depart.”

“Very well.”

Receiving the reply, the eldest son allowed a rare spark of lightness to brighten his face.

Once they cleared this stretch of sea, he could rise again. After enduring so many years of war, he had survived death’s grasp before; he was certain he could endure this trial as well.

Just as he turned toward the washroom, a sudden thunderous drumbeat pierced the faint sound of waves in his ear. Before he could react, a flaming arrow shot through the darkness, descending from the sky and igniting a fierce blaze beyond the cabin.

His expression darkened as he hurried outside.

The commotion roused everyone from their slumber. Several retainers trailed behind him, rushing to the deck, where they saw a fire burning deep in the black sea opposite them. Soon, a ship emerged from the shadows.

The steward glanced at the flag and grimaced, muttering curses: “It’s that Seventh Miss Qian again. That wretched woman just won’t disappear…”

The Choi family had already been driven out of Yangzhou by her schemes; what more did she want?

“I’ll kill her!”

The words barely left his mouth when another volley of rockets neared, the ship behind them laden with precious cargo—losing one would be a heartbreaking blow. One of the men gritted his teeth, “Sir, we fight for this!”

The eldest Choi son assessed the position and number of rockets. It was clear she sought only to intimidate, not to strike a killing blow. He ordered his men, “Sound the horn.”

Over the years, encounters between the Four Great Families at sea were frequent; the horn was the agreed signal for parley.

Soon, the opposing rockets ceased, and a horn responded in kind.

Standing on deck, the eldest son fixed his gaze on the approaching vessel, which slowly cut through the sea.

Close enough now to discern details.

A young woman held a cow-horn lantern, her skirt fluttering in the breeze, her hair tousling her face. She smiled, as if the one who had shot arrows at him moments before was someone else entirely, and called out warmly, “Eldest Master Choi, you’re quick on your feet—I was just a step behind, almost didn’t catch up.”

The eldest Choi son was well acquainted with this young lady. In childhood, she had trailed after him, sweet-tongued and clever. He had lifted her onto his horse and bought her candied hawthorns.

He never imagined she would grow into his fiercest rival.

Qian Tong, unaware of his silent admiration, continued, “Who have you brought with you on this journey? The Choi patriarch remains imprisoned; you cannot have taken him along. The madam, and... your concubine and illegitimate son must be with you. Poor second young master—abandoned by his elder brother, buried in Yangzhou.”

Her words carried a sharp sarcasm that even the sea breeze could not conceal, but the eldest son remained composed, silent.

His silence only invited more from Qian Tong. “You left so quickly, you probably haven’t heard that the imperial troops have arrived in Yangzhou. The Choi family is finished.”

Her brazen expression finally caused a muscle to twitch at the corner of the eldest son’s eye. He spoke, “Why must you be so intent on destroying my family?”

Such a foolish question was hardly one he would ask.

If the Choi family remained unscathed, it was the Qian family that would suffer. Besides, had the Choi family not committed enough misdeeds?

Her elder sister had married into the Choi family in good standing—how had he treated her all these years? While he was cozying up with his concubine, forcing the madam to stay in the courtyard, bowl after bowl of childbearing soup in hand, had he ever asked why the Qian family bore such enmity toward him?

Enough nonsense to strain one’s throat, Qian Tong cut short, “Do I need a reason to make life difficult for someone?”

“You!” a Choi servant drew his blade in anger.

The eldest son raised a hand, halting him, then after a pause, said, “My relationship with your sister is not as you imagine...”

“Choi Wanzhong, have some shame.” She interrupted him before he could speak. “You bought out all the fireworks in Yangzhou just to win her hand; before thousands of citizens, you proposed with a fireworks display along the riverside, tricking her into marrying into the Choi family. Yet you discarded her as if she were nothing, despising her because she couldn’t bear children. Why not just send her back? Our Qian family longed for her, treasured her deeply. Even if you divorced her, I would not hate you. But you locked her away in the courtyard, day after day, wearing down her heart, making her suffer...”

Her voice suddenly grew hoarse. She drew a deep breath of sea air to steady herself. “I’m tired of talking to you. Tonight, you’re not leaving. Leave the goods and I might spare your life.”

She stepped back, about to turn, when a voice called out in the night breeze, “Tong’er.”

Qian Tong froze, initially thinking she had misheard. But when she looked up and saw the familiar face, she could hardly believe it. “Sister... what are you doing here?”

Why she was here was obvious.

Qian Tong cast a loathing glance at the eldest son. “Choi Wanzhong, you’re truly disgusting.”

To survive, one would stoop to anything.

“Bring her over.” The sister’s face lost all warmth. Her steps faltered, eyes warily fixed on the frail figure who seemed at any moment liable to be swept into the sea by the wind. She conceded, “You go. I won’t stop you.”

Her retreat was decisive, without hesitation.

The madam noticed the lantern trembling in her hand and the bitterness spreading from her lips down her throat. She turned to the eldest son. “Tong’er has always been stubborn, as you know. I will try to persuade her.”

“Aling...”

The madam smiled at him. “I promised you—I will not break my word.”

It had been a long time since they had looked at each other like this. The night before, she had come to him unexpectedly; he was surprised and took the chance to apologize, recalling their past together.

He asked, “Will you come with me?”

She hesitated, struggling, but finally nodded. “Yes.”

Once they left Yangzhou and the Choi family behind, no one would interfere in their lives. Even without children, no one would judge them.

If a fight broke out tonight, caught between the Qian and Park families, the Choi family would stand to gain nothing.

At this moment, the only one who could prevent bloodshed was the Qian madam. The eldest son tightened the cloak around her shoulders and warned, “Be careful.”

She nodded.

“Prepare the lines. Bring the madam over.”

Qian Tong stood on the opposing deck, her gaze fixed unblinkingly on the approaching figure. Her face appeared calm, but her fingers clutching the lantern had turned pale.

The madam drew closer and closer.

Finally reaching Qian Tong, the madam summoned all her strength to grasp her hand and whispered into her ear, “Step back immediately. Kill him. He has long been smuggling tea and has amassed considerable holdings in Liao. If he leaves these waters tonight, it will spell disaster for the Great Yu. Our Qian family—no, we cannot aid traitors...”

Her words were so forceful that she lost her footing and collapsed against Qian Tong.

Feeling the weight falling upon her, Qian Tong hastily dropped the lantern and tried to support her but failed to catch her completely. They both sank to the deck, and as her sister lay in her arms, a chilling dread gripped her heart.

“Sister... what’s wrong?”

The madam raised her head, swallowing the metallic taste in her throat, fearful that Qian Tong would see disappointment on her face. She explained, “I listened to you and sought him out. He spoke of the past—how he saved me from the chaos of war and was wounded for it... He spoke of his kindness, and I... I could not refuse to repay it. After much thought, I realized I cannot forget. My name is Qian Ling. I thought this life should be enough for him...”

The cold sea wind swept in from all directions, carrying an indescribable terror. Qian Tong watched as blood slowly trickled from the corner of her sister’s mouth, trembling as she wiped it away.

Pain silenced the madam, who could only look at her with sorrow until her pupils dilated and her eyes closed forever.

The turbulent deep sea fell into a heavy silence, and Qian Tong buried her face in the madam’s embrace, finally letting out a low, furious roar from deep within her throat: “Choi Wanzhong, why haven’t you died already?”