The wind over the river was strong, making the deck sway unsteadily. Fang Shuwen swayed along with the crowd, yet he carefully avoided Miao Feichan, lest the physical contact give her another reason to be angry with him.
But then a wave struck the boat, and Miao Feichan, caught completely by surprise, stumbled right into Fang Shuwen.
Fang Shuwen looked up, startled, only to see Miao Feichan staring with wide eyes.
After a mont of silence, Fang Shuwen finally spoke.
"So, we’re even?"
"...In your dreams!"
Miao Feichan’s face darkened as she said,
"That was an accident!"
"Yesterday was an accident, too..."
Miao Feichan was montarily speechless. As she was trying to think of a coback that would favor her, she suddenly heard the sound of rushing air.
Looking toward the sound, they saw three figures traversing the air. In the blink of an eye, they had landed atop the boat’s cabin.
Fang Shuwen glanced over as well, only to start slightly.
The trio consisted of two won and one man.
The man was a monk who looked to be under thirty. He was strikingly handso, with a Lotus Ornant adorning the space between his eyebrows.
The two won were both beautiful, though one was seductive while the other was innocent and pure.
Miao Feichan seed to notice.
"You little degenerate... See so pretty girls and you can’t look away?"
Fang Shuwen sounded a little exasperated.
"You’ve got it wrong... I know one of them."
He recognized the pure-looking one. He had crossed paths with her once before in Flying Snow City.
Xiao Yanyu of the Golden Bell Tower.
Back in Flying Snow City, Fang Shuwen hadn’t particularly thought of her as "pure." But now, standing next to the seductive woman, she seed as innocent as a white blossom by comparison.
Moreover, she was clearly being held against her will.
Her face showed anger tinged with despair. She repeatedly tried to pull her arm free from the woman beside her, but she failed every ti.
’Her acupoints must have been sealed.’
Just as Miao Feichan was about to ask which one he knew, the monk’s voice bood out.
"Where is the boat captain?"
All eyes on the boat were already fixed on the three uninvited guests. The captain imdiately hurried forward, bowing and scraping.
"Lord Buddha, this humble one is here.
"How may I be of service to you, Lord Buddha?"
"Turn the rudder west and head into the Great River."
The handso monk’s voice rang out, carrying a tone that brooked no argunt.
The captain’s brow furrowed, his expression troubled.
The route for this voyage had been set long ago, and all the necessary arrangents with factions along the way had been made. If they rashly changed course now... they hadn’t given any advance notice to the various Water Stockades on the western route. If they went that way... he reckoned they’d find chains stretched across the river before they even got halfway.
But one look at the monk told him this was not soone to be trifled with. The Lightweight Technique he had displayed upon arrival was far from ordinary.
The captain, being in the river transport business, was no ordinary man himself, but he knew with certainty that he was no match for these people.
Even with all his n on the boat, it was doubtful they could co out on top.
Thus, he hesitated for only a mont before nodding.
"Yes, it shall be as Lord Buddha commands.
"n, turn the rudder!"
The Clear Water River was wide enough for the large boat to turn around.
This, however, did not sit well with the passengers. So were on their way to visit relatives, others on business; all had paid their fare in full with silver. Now the route was suddenly changing, not only failing to take them to their destinations but moving them farther and farther away.
An uproar imdiately erupted among them.
The captain’s face changed, and he hastily shouted for them to stop. The boat’s crew drew their blades, their threatening intentions perfectly clear.
Although most of the passengers were common folk, so had brought their own guards. Seeing the crew draw their weapons, these guards rose to their feet, creating a standoff.
Sweat beaded on the captain’s forehead.
He wasn’t trying to threaten the passengers, but to save them. The power of the monk and his companions was unknown; rashly provoking them would be a death sentence.
Only by remaining silent and seeing these "great Buddhas" on their way could everyone on the boat hope to remain safe.
But in this situation, there was no way for him to explain his reasoning.
Fang Shuwen’s eyes narrowed slightly. Miao Feichan sighed.
"It looks like your plan to follow them to Dragon Emperor Hall is about to fizzle out."
"...Just my luck."
Fang Shuwen sighed in resignation.
The monk on the cabin roof clearly had killing intent.
If Fang Shuwen were more ruthless, he could ignore the passengers’ lives and continue to lie low.
But if he simply let it happen, he wouldn’t be able to live with himself.
In his past life, before he transmigrated, he had read martial arts novels as a boy and had always yearned to be a wandering, righteous hero.
After crossing over, he struggled to master any Martial Arts, so he never harbored such ambitions. But now that he clearly possessed profound skills, to just stand by and let a villain slaughter the innocent... He couldn’t do it.
Fang Shuwen didn’t notice, but when he spoke, a rare glint of admiration appeared in Miao Feichan’s eyes.
Still, Fang Shuwen hadn’t given up all hope. ’After all, the monk’s demand to go west will also be a problem for the personage in the main cabin. If the Vermilion Bird Hall Master cos out to stop the monk before he starts killing, there might still be a chance to turn this around.’
And just then, the monk’s patience finally ran out.
With a cold snort, he spoke.
"Amitabha Buddha... you are all seeking death!"
As the words left his mouth, his figure blurred. He leaped down from the cabin roof and, in another flash, appeared before a blade-wielding guard. He raised his right hand, initiating a Palm Technique as his entire hand began to glow with a golden light.
He gathered his strength, preparing to strike the guard dead on the spot.
But just as his palm was about to fall, a hand suddenly gripped his shoulder.
"A man of the cloth should not be so quick to kill."
The monk froze. He hadn’t sensed anyone behind him at all. He whipped his head around and saw a young man wearing a wide-brimd bamboo hat.
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