Chapter 189 - 122: The Fisherman
On the waterway, the wind and snow raged on.
In the past two days, fewer and fewer people had been entering or leaving Nine Waves Island.
Those who did emerge were all at the Embracing Pill Force level, and every one of them had reaped great rewards.
Chen Qing was seated cross-legged on the deck of a Treasure Ship.
Bone-Eroding Spider Silk glimmered faintly at key points on the ship’s hull; no touch could escape his notice.
CREAK... CREAK...
The dull sound of a ship breaking through ice grew louder as a magnificent Treasure Ship slowly sailed into view on the waterway.
Its hull was sleek, crafted entirely from a dark, precious wood. The prow was carved with intricate Exotic Beast patterns. A flag flew high from the mast, the powerful character for "Liu" snapping in the wind and snow.
Chen Qing’s gaze hardened, and he slowly rose to his feet.
’A ship of the Liu Family, and the personal vessel of a core member at that. This is no ordinary ship.’
’A faction of this magnitude... I should just let Shen Xiuyong handle the investigation.’
Chen Qing’s right hand, hidden within his sleeve, activated the Mother and Child Heart-Connected Paper People. Then, he announced in a clear voice, "The Wutai Sect is mopping up remnants and guarding this waterway! We must inspect all passing vessels!"
Instead of slowing, the Liu Family Treasure Ship actually sped up, as if its crew hadn’t heard a word.
A middle-aged man who looked like a Steward leaned out from the prow. "Esteemed disciple of the Wutai Sect, this is the personal vessel of my Liu Family’s Young Master Han. He is on urgent business and cannot conveniently stop for an inspection. Please do us the favor of clearing the waterway."
He had deliberately mentioned Young Master Han, expecting the name alone would be enough to make the other man back down.
Chen Qing was unmoved, standing steadily on the surface of the water a few dozen feet in front of the prow. "It is my duty. I must ask your vessel to cooperate and dock for inspection."
’I just need to stall a moment longer,’ he calculated. ’Shen Xiuyong is bound to sense the signal.’
Seeing that Chen Qing refused to yield, the Steward’s brow furrowed. The thin veneer of courtesy on his face vanished, replaced by an icy chill.
"Sir, the Liu Family and the Wutai Sect have always kept to themselves. Young Master Han’s journey concerns critical family business and cannot be delayed. Move aside at once, lest we spoil the peace between us!"
His tone had clearly hardened. ’A mere Steward from the Wutai Sect thinks he can stop a Liu Family Treasure Ship!?’
Chen Qing remained as impassive as a mountain. "The Sect has given strict orders: all who pass through this waterway must be inspected. If your vessel has nothing suspicious aboard, what do you have to fear from an inspection? It is my duty, so please..."
"Hmph! A fine ’duty’ indeed!"
A cold glint flashed in the Steward’s eyes; he had completely lost his patience.
He said no more. His right hand came to rest silently on the hilt of the saber at his waist, and a sharp aura instantly locked onto Chen Qing.
"Since you insist on an inspection, you’ll have to excuse my offense."
The Steward’s body shot forward from the prow like an arrow loosed from its string.
He did not draw his saber. Instead, he formed a sword-finger with his right hand, gathering sharp True Qi at his fingertips that tore through the wind and snow, aiming for several major acupoints on Chen Qing’s chest!
Hm!?
Chen Qing’s brow instantly furrowed, his eyes turning cold as ice.
He was already prepared. The instant his opponent lunged, Chen Qing’s feet blurred like a phantom!
To the Steward’s absolute horror, Chen Qing’s hand shot out like a bolt of lightning, his fingers clamping like an iron vise with unerring precision around his throat!
The Steward’s face instantly turned a deep shade of purple. His feet left the deck, and his eyes filled with disbelief and terror.
’He could never have imagined that this seemingly ordinary Wutai Sect Steward could be so incredibly fast!’
"Insolent!"
A cold, angry shout, filled with unquestionable authority, rang out from within the ship’s cabin.
The cabin door swung open, allowing wind and snow to swirl inside, as a tall, imposing figure slowly emerged.
It was Liu Han.
His face was grim, his gaze electric as it locked onto Chen Qing.
A razor-sharp aura erupted from him, stabbing toward Chen Qing like an invisible blade. It was a tide of True Qi, churned up by the Liu Family’s Core Heart Method, the Thundering Wave Sword Technique.
For a moment, even the surrounding wind and snow seemed to freeze.
Chen Qing felt a powerful pressure wash over him, causing his qi and blood to stagnate slightly.
He gave a cold snort. The Cyan Wood Eternal Spring Technique and the Eight Extremes Vajra Body activated within him simultaneously. A tough, vigorous aura radiated from his body, forcefully blocking the incoming wave of energy. His stance was as firm as a mountain, and the hand gripping the Steward’s throat did not budge in the slightest.
A flicker of surprise, nearly imperceptible, flashed through Liu Han’s eyes.
’This kid is definitely no ordinary Steward!’
"Let him go!"
Liu Han’s voice grew even colder as he took a step forward.
The step seemed casual, but it was filled with profound technique. The deck beneath his foot silently sank an inch as a powerful undercurrent of True Qi surged forth, aimed directly at Chen Qing’s lower body.
A sharp glint flashed in Chen Qing’s eyes, and he took a step forward as well.
He executed the Wave Riding Body Technique, his feet moving as if on solid ground. Cyan Wood True Qi gathered at the tips of his toes, and without dodging or evading, he met the attack head-on!
BANG!
A dull thud of clashing Strong Qi exploded between them!
An invisible shockwave radiated out from them, blowing away the accumulated snow for dozens of feet around and causing the ship’s hull to rock violently.
Chen Qing felt a tremendous force wash over him, forcing him to slide back half a foot on the Treasure Ship’s deck. A slight numbness spread through his arm.
A chill went through Liu Han’s heart as well.
Although he hadn’t used his full strength, merely intending to force Chen Qing back, his opponent’s step had not only neutralized his Dark Force but had also sent a rebounding force that made the sole of his own foot go slightly numb.
Their gazes clashed in mid-air, a hint of killing intent flickering between them. The atmosphere instantly dropped to a freezing point.
"Well now! Quite the lively scene! What’s all this then?"
A lazy voice cut in, shattering the tense atmosphere.
Shen Xiuyong had appeared between the two ships at some point, looking as sleepy-eyed and languid as ever. However, the Li Huo True Qi faintly radiating from his body acted like an invisible furnace, instantly vaporizing any wind and snow that drew near and creating a halo of swirling mist around him.
Shen Xiuyong glanced at the Liu Family Steward, then at the grim-faced Liu Han, before his gaze finally rested on Chen Qing, a playful smile touching his lips.
"Liu boy, you’ve got quite a temper."
Shen Xiuyong said to Liu Han with a casual smile, "This martial nephew of mine is guarding the waterway on orders from the Sect, inspecting for anything suspicious. It’s his duty. Your man was disrespectful first, so it’s only reasonable that my nephew would discipline him, wouldn’t you say?"