Chapter 381: The Beautiful Lady on the Fishing Boat
"It's time to eat." Dai Yao entered the rear cabin, gently helping Qian Renxue sit up against a wooden post. He pulled out a small wooden crate to sit on and scooped up a spoonful of congee, blowing on it lightly as he spoke.
Watching Dai Yao care for her so attentively, a barely noticeable softness flashed in Qian Renxue's eyes, but it quickly returned to her usual aloof gaze.
"How far have we traveled by now?"
Pausing to consider, Dai Yao replied, "We're only halfway there. We still have quite a way to go before we reach the estuary. But for now, no one knows our whereabouts. If things go smoothly, we should be able to reach the sea undetected."
"Enough talk for now. Let's get you something to eat." He brought the spoon to her lips, and Qian Renxue obediently opened her mouth, chewing slowly before swallowing.
As Dai Yao leaned forward, she stole a quick, complex glance at him. She could already move her arms a little and could even circulate her soul power. In the past, she would have refused his help and eaten on her own. But now… she found herself strangely comforted by his care.
After being abandoned by Bibi Dong, she had hardened her heart and never shown weakness. Now, however, she lay there, allowing Dai Yao to take care of her, and the long-missing feeling of warmth and affection she had yearned for as a child began to fill that void. In her most vulnerable state, Dai Yao's assistance had been a lifeline, giving her a sense of security she couldn't bear to lose.
As Dai Yao brought another spoonful to her lips, Qian Renxue swallowed gently. To be honest, the congee was bland and even slightly overcooked, with a hint of burnt flavor. Yet, to her, it tasted far better than the finest delicacies.
"I've had enough," she murmured, feeling warmth spreading through her stomach.
Dai Yao put down the bowl, gently wiped away the small trace of congee at the corner of her mouth, and said, "Rest for a bit, and once it's digested, you can lie back down."
Qian Renxue blinked in silent acknowledgment.
As they continued eastward, the river widened, and the surroundings became livelier. Cities rose at the intersections of waterways, and the number of people increased. Since they were now far from Tian Dou City's jurisdiction, security checks were rare, especially along the waterway, where inspections were often more superficial.
As a result, Dai Yao and Qian Renxue managed to travel over a thousand kilometers smoothly.
Meanwhile, far to the west, Tang San continued tracking them along the trail. After days of searching, he finally stumbled upon a hidden thatched hut, where traces of soul energy revealed that two people had recently been there, one of them seriously injured. Tang San immediately concluded that these two were none other than Shura Emperor and Qian Renxue!
Following the tracks further, he found that the carriage had veered south after crossing the Canglan River. Confused, he stopped at the fork in the road, staring down at the winding river below in deep contemplation.
Days passed, and Dai Yao, as usual, was feeding Qian Renxue her congee. Suddenly, powerful soul energies rippled through the sky, stirring up waves along the Canglan River and causing their small boat to sway violently in the current. The boat rocked wildly, and pots, bowls, and utensils scattered across the deck.
Quickly, Dai Yao steadied Qian Renxue, watching the tumultuous scene outside the cabin door, his expression darkening.
"If I'm not mistaken, those people are likely after us. Judging by their auras, it seems they're only Soul Sages. They probably haven't discovered our exact location, or they would have sent more than just a few Soul Sages."
Qian Renxue shot him a cold, penetrating glance, though a faint hint of warmth softened her gaze. The sensation of being protected by someone else was one she had never experienced before. Even as part of her resented it, a strange sense of comfort stirred within her. Was this truly her—the proud, fierce Qian Renxue?
Her perception of herself was shifting in ways she barely recognized.
"They must have traced us to Lin Winter City," she speculated. "Once Tang San realized he'd been tricked, he likely widened the search, scouring the empire for any sign of us."
Dai Yao chuckled. "If he really made it to Lin Winter City, I'm sure he found the little gift I left for him."
"We have the advantage of being hidden," he continued. "But without a way to contact anyone from Spirit Hall, the best plan is to remain low and continue east."
Once the boat stabilized, Dai Yao released Qian Renxue and stared toward the distant horizon where the powerful soul auras had disappeared.
There was no turning back now. Though he knew dangers lay ahead, he had no choice but to press forward. Still, he had contingency plans in place, and this wasn't a reckless gamble.
As they continued eastward, they frequently noticed powerful figures passing above, a sign that the search was intensifying. Dai Yao did his best to stick to smaller tributaries and quieter routes, avoiding major cities. Yet, one city remained unavoidable: Storm City, a mighty fortress and the largest city in Tian Dou's eastern region, where the Canglan River flowed.
Storm City was a metropolis of nearly a million people, where several powerful Contras were rumored to reside.
After Storm City, it would only take a few hundred kilometers to reach the sea. Dai Yao knew they had no choice but to brave the route directly through the city.
As they approached the waterways leading into Storm City, Dai Yao noticed that the river was heavily patrolled, with smaller boats stationed at intervals of a few hundred meters. Every few kilometers, large warships lay anchored, each teeming with powerful soul masters.
"This could be trouble…" he muttered to himself, his expression hardening.
Turning to Qian Renxue in the cabin, Dai Yao explained, "We're in a difficult spot. Patrols are swarming the area, and if they suspect anything, I'll have no choice but to kill them and make a run for it using soul power. Be prepared for that possibility."
Qian Renxue looked startled, pausing before giving him a complex nod.
"Do what you need to," she replied.
Dai Yao took his place at the bow, ready to cross the guarded patrols.
Moments later, one of the patrolling boats noticed Dai Yao's vessel and moved closer. Two soldiers boarded, casting suspicious looks over Dai Yao's worn peasant garb and tanned skin, which marked him as a humble fisherman. Still, there was something in his demeanor that made them uneasy.
The older of the two soldiers stepped forward, a trace of caution in his voice. "What business do you have here? Where are you coming from, and where are you headed?"
The younger soldier, glancing at Dai Yao's golden hair, scoffed playfully, "Blondie, huh? Looks like you're trying to be fashionable."
Dai Yao offered a friendly smile. "I'm a fisherman from upstream on the Canglan. The fishing's been rough, so I thought I'd try my luck with some family near the coast."
The soldier nodded, jotting down notes before asking,
"What's your relative's full name, and where exactly does he live?"
Dai Yao had prepared for this in advance and provided the name and address smoothly.
The soldier confirmed the information, then continued,
"Everything seems to match. Your relative is well-known in that area and is also from one of the villages upstream on the Canglan River, just like you. Looks like you weren't lying. By the way, are you alone on this boat?"
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat. With a smile, he replied,
"There is one other person on board, but…"
"But what?" the soldier interrupted, frowning.
Dai Yao hesitated, unsure how to answer. If he mentioned Qian Renxue lying down inside, the soldiers would certainly press for details, likely demanding she get up, which could expose her serious injuries. Furthermore, with her currently disguised as Xue Qinghe, suspicions would undoubtedly arise, trapping them here.
Silently, Dai Yao began circulating his soul power throughout his body. He was prepared to lead the soldiers into the cabin, and if they grew suspicious, he would act immediately, eliminate them, and initiate their escape. Of course, this was his last resort.
Just as he was about to speak, the cabin's curtain quietly parted. The soldiers turned toward the sound, and Dai Yao noticed their eyes widen in astonishment, faces filled with awe and admiration.
A calm, serene voice emerged from behind him.
"Husband, what's going on? Why did we stop?"
Startled, Dai Yao turned to see an enchanting figure stepping gracefully through the cabin curtain, bathed in golden light.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her breathtakingly beautiful face made the vast Canglan River seem dull in comparison. Though dressed in simple linen, her allure remained undiminished; if anything, it added a unique charm. Radiating an aura of divine light, she looked like a goddess descended to earth. Her presence was untouchable, her beauty sacred and serene.
Revealing her true form, Qian Renxue walked gracefully to Dai Yao's side and affectionately wrapped her arm around his.
"Who are these gentlemen?" she asked, casting a curious glance at the two soldiers.
Dai Yao stared at Qian Renxue, surprised. Though he didn't understand how she could move or why she revealed her true form, he quickly grasped her intent.
In Tian Dou Empire, no one knew Qian Renxue's true appearance, so the empire's search efforts wouldn't yield anything of value.
They were safe.
"These are officers conducting a routine inspection," Dai Yao explained, catching on to her plan. He then gently took her hand, playing along with the affectionate act.
Qian Renxue bowed slightly, her lips forming a soft smile.
"Greetings, officers."
Her smile seemed to hold the warmth of a goddess, pure and unblemished, making the soldiers feel unworthy of anything disrespectful.
"N-no need to bow!" the soldiers stammered, stopping her with flustered gestures. They wanted to extend a hand to support her but felt too humbled by her noble presence to touch her.
Dai Yao took advantage of the moment, subtly withdrawing his soul power. With a sigh of relief, he said,
"You understand my hesitation earlier, don't you?"
The two soldiers gave him envious glares, clearly irritated. Who would have guessed that a small fishing boat would carry such a remarkable woman?
If it had been a normal day, they would have taken this opportunity to accuse Dai Yao of some offense, remove him, and seize such a stunning woman for themselves. But in her presence, they felt as though their greed and wickedness had been cleansed, replaced by an inexplicable desire to protect her.
Anxious, they feared that if they lingered, their superior might see her and act with his usual cruelty, which would surely spell disaster for her.
After a shared look, the older soldier patted Dai Yao on the shoulder and said solemnly,
"Brother, if I were you, I'd keep her safe back home. Once a pearl like this shines too brightly, you may not be able to protect her."
"That's all I'll say. Take care."
With that, they returned to their patrol boat and waved him off.
Dai Yao quickly ushered Qian Renxue back into the cabin, unfurled the sail, and rowed them swiftly past the blockade.
As Storm City grew distant in the horizon, Dai Yao exhaled deeply, glancing over at Qian Renxue, who was now lying in the cabin, back in her true form. His thoughts were complicated. He hadn't expected her to reveal her identity and put on an act just to ease the guards' suspicions.
If this were a scene from a novel, he thought, it would've been the typical situation where the reluctant heroine has to feign intimacy with the hero to avoid detection. Yet for someone as proud as Qian Renxue, she would never do anything against her will. Her willingness to act so closely with him could only mean that she didn't resent him—she may even have a bit of a liking for him…
Despite being able to move again, she continued to pretend otherwise, allowing him to care for her. Dai Yao couldn't help but entertain a wild guess.
Heaven knows, his only intent was sympathy for her tragic fate in the original story, along with his desire not to alienate himself within Spirit Hall due to soul beast forces. He had no ulterior motives whatsoever!
But he wasn't certain of his interpretation. Perhaps to Qian Renxue, he was simply someone she could consider a friend.
Her only friend.
In the silence of the cabin, with only Dai Yao and Qian Renxue aboard, she returned to her usual aloofness.
Noticing his silence, she bit her lip lightly and asked,
"Is there… nothing you'd like to ask?"
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