Two days later, at the East Sea Red Wind Rock.
A sea boat, over thirty zhang long, anchored on the water. Its sail bore the emblem of a Three-legged Divine Bird in mid-flight—this was the mariti insignia of the Yin Family based on Three Suns Island.
Zhang Yan stood at the bow of the ship, observing the sky, as clear as if freshly washed. Before him, azure waves surged, flying fish leapt amidst the tide, with occasional birds swooping low over the surface, their cries lingering in the air. He couldn’t help but feel his spirit lifted.
At this mont, hurried footsteps sounded behind him. A middle-aged manager with an earnest deanor rushed up, bowing respectfully and saying, "Honored guest, you summon —may I ask if there are any orders?"
Without turning his head, Zhang Yan asked, "Why are we stopped here?"
The manager hesitated for a mont, a trace of difficulty flashing across his face, as he clasped his hands and explained, "Honored guest, please forgive . The old madam of the household has a few descendants of her forr acquaintances who need to travel to the outer sea; they will be boarding this ship to accompany us. I ask that you kindly wait for half a day."
After saying this, though unease lingered in his heart, he did not appear overly afraid.
Earlier, he had received instructions from Manager Qiu. As long as he conveyed this ssage, relying on the influence of the old madam’s na, even if the other party detected sothing suspicious, they wouldn’t imdiately lose their temper.
However, this action undoubtedly risked offending others. Manager Qiu nevertheless did not know Zhang Yan’s true background and thus did not weigh these consequences. If he had been aware that Zhang Yan was a True Disciple of the Mingcang Sect, he wouldn’t have dared to ddle so freely.
Zhang Yan remained motionless, yet for so unknown reason, the manager felt a mysterious sense of foreboding.
Finally, a faint voice reached his ears, saying, "Two hours, no more."
The manager released a long sigh of relief upon hearing this, hurriedly bowing several tis before retreating like a pardoned sinner. By the ti he returned to the stern of the ship, he was visibly pale and trembling as he pulled out a White Handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow.
He chuckled bitterly, then stationed himself at the stern, craning his neck, hoping fervently that this Miss Shan would arrive sooner rather than later.
Fortunately, luck was on his side. One hour later, a red cloud appeared in the distant sky, carrying over fifty young n and won standing atop it, resembling celestial beings in their splendor.
This group traveled with remarkable ostentation. In the lead were flying fragrant carriages clearing the path, flanked by maids holding mirror boxes and flower baskets. In the center, surrounded by attendants, was a Cloud Couch shielded by white silken canopies and adorned with golden bells at its corners. Within, the faint silhouette of an elegant woman could be glimpsed.
The manager couldn’t help but sigh, "I’ve heard Miss Shan is the Sect Leader’s disciple of the Peng Yuan Sect—indeed, extraordinary and unmatched."
When the red cloud reached the stern of the ship, the manager stepped back several paces, bowing deeply as he said, "Miss Shan, I am Jing Shu. By order of Second Young Master Yin, I have been awaiting your arrival for so ti."
A maid with a delicate and refined appearance moved to the silken canopy and whispered a few words. The woman inside seed to reply softly, to which the maid nodded before stepping forward and saying crisply, "The mistress commands..."
"Wait!"
At that mont, a young cultivator standing atop a spindle-shaped Magic Artifact stepped forward. He first bowed to the woman inside the canopy before turning to Manager Jing and saying, "Miss Shan is a paragon of purity, untainted by the mundane. I ask you—has the ship been thoroughly cleaned, and is there any chance unwelco individuals have mixed in?"
This man was Yang Bingqing, a guest under a Demon King of the East Sea who had always been at odds with Yin Zhijun. Knowing that the Second Young Master Yin held a rather unremarkable position within his clan, Yang Bingqing had originally thought the claim of procuring a sea boat to be boastful. Now, seeing the spectacle with his own eyes and realizing it had successfully pleased Miss Shan, he couldn’t help but feel annoyed, thus choosing this mont to point out a flaw. Nevertheless, his question wasn’t baseless, which is why the accompanying maids only shot him a sharp glance without intervening.
Manager Jing was startled and quickly answered, "Honored guest, aside from a few servant sailors, there are no others aboard this ship."
Yang Bingqing smirked faintly and said, "The true state of affairs isn’t up to your claims; it must be verified through inspection."
Manager Jing was about to argue when a gentle voice drifted out from within the silken canopy, "Second Young Master Yin has been a great help to this ti. I, too, must show so face to him and the Yin Family—let it go."
Yang Bingqing still seed ready to say more, but the Cloud Couch was already being carried aboard into the ship’s cabin. He huffed coldly in response.
Manager Jing discreetly wiped away cold sweat, feeling incredibly fortunate.
"Thank you, Brother Yang, for escorting us along the journey. However, now that we are aboard the sea vessel, my mistress has her servants to tend to her needs. Brother Yang, I kindly ask that you take your leave."
After taking a few steps, the delicate maid suddenly blocked Yang Bingqing’s path, her posture conveying a clear intent to send him off.
Yang Bingqing’s expression did not change; he offered a polite bow and said, "Then Yang bids Miss Shan a safe voyage."
The maid responded with a respectful Wan Fu gesture, no longer acknowledging him, then turned and entered the cabin herself.
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