Zhu Piaoling and his companions remained in Nanjing for several more days.
Originally, they had planned for the Wanli Sunshine to come and pick them up. However, the flagship was busy suppressing the Huangmei river bandits and simply could not spare the time to sail to Nanjing.
Left with no alternative, Zhu Piaoling continued his leisurely stay in the city. After all, the main purpose of this outing had been enjoyment, and he did not mind lingering a few extra days.
As the saying went, a lean camel was still bigger than a horse. Although his loyal guards complained constantly about shrinking funds, Zhu Piaoling himself remained extravagantly wealthy. Wherever he went, he ate well, lived well, and spent freely. He did not only indulge himself. He showered the women around him with gifts as well.
One day, he treated dozens of women to lavish banquets. The next, he took them shopping for cosmetics and perfumes. On the day after that, he led them on sightseeing trips to famous historical sites outside the city. Silver flowed from his hands like water, and he never hesitated.
His reckless spending injected a large amount of wealth into Nanjing's local economy. Countless small vendors profited from his presence. Single-handedly, he raised the recent quality of life for the city's hawkers by a noticeable margin.
This indulgent spree lasted nearly a month.
Only after he had satisfied himself thoroughly did the long-awaited ship finally arrive.
It was not the Wanli Sunshine.
Instead, it was a newly built vessel from Cai Xinzi's second batch of ships. It had departed from Xiaolangdi, sailed down the Yellow River into the open sea, then entered the Yangtze River from the ocean. Its name was the Black Pearl.
The massive Black Pearl docked before the women, and its overwhelming size caused many of them to tremble with fear.
At that moment, a head appeared above the ship's rail.
It was Li Daoxuan.
This time, Li Daoxuan's avatar had arrived in person as well.
Moreover, this avatar was a specially modified aquatic combat form of Dao Xuan Tianzun. Its internal frame was no longer made of steel, but of composite materials that Li Daoxuan had placed into the sandbox from the outside world. This ensured sufficient rigidity while greatly reducing weight.
When entering water, it would not sink immediately.
Unlike the land-combat Dao Xuan Tianzun with steel bones, this aquatic version no longer had wheels embedded in its feet. Instead, concealed propellers were installed in the soles. Its arms were no longer cannons, but spring-powered harpoon launchers. These could be fired underwater, though their effective range was limited.
In a word, it was magnificent.
This was an improvement Li Daoxuan had conceived after his previous experience dragging an enemy into the Yellow River. From now on, water battles would be unavoidable, and an avatar that sank the instant it touched water was far too inconvenient. That was why he had instructed the craftsmen of Gao Family Village to create this aquatic combat Dao Xuan Tianzun.
Li Daoxuan leaned over the railing and smiled at Zhu Piaoling. "Come aboard."
Zhu Piaoling was overjoyed. "Dao Xuan Tianzun's avatar has arrived as well!"
He immediately led the women toward the ship.
Within the crowd, Chen Yuanyuan tightly held Xue'er's hand. The two young women gazed up at the colossal vessel, their hearts filled with indescribable emotions.
Chen Yuanyuan whispered, "The demon himself has come this time. Look at his face. It looks exactly like the embroidery on the steward's chest."
Xue'er nodded gravely. "Yes. It is the demon in person."
Chen Yuanyuan continued in a trembling voice, "He is using such a massive ship to pick us up, and it is packed with soldiers armed with muskets. Once we board, we may never get another chance. We will either become the demon's wives or his food."
Xue'er clenched her teeth. "We must escape."
"But if we escape, the authorities will issue warrants for our arrest," Chen Yuanyuan said anxiously. "Did you see that official earlier? He barely stepped onto the gangplank before someone from the ship frightened him away with a token. This demon has influence even in the imperial court."
Xue'er's eyes flashed. "I have an idea."
Chen Yuanyuan gasped softly. "What idea?"
"We'll pretend to drown ourselves."
"What?" Chen Yuanyuan was shocked. "Will that really work?"
"I do not know," Xue'er replied, "but it is worth trying. When the ship reaches the middle of the river, we jump into the Yangtze. If the demon rescues us, we will claim that we no longer wished to live and threw ourselves in. They will not think we were trying to escape. If they do not rescue us, we will swim away underwater. He will assume we drowned and will not send officials to pursue us. Then we can hide, change our names, and live as refugees. You can swim, right?"
Chen Yuanyuan nodded hesitantly. "I can swim, but not very well. And I cannot hold my breath for long."
Xue'er clenched her fists. "No matter what, we must try. Remember, if we are pulled out, just cry and say we no longer wanted to live. That will get us through."
With their plan settled, they followed the crowd and boarded the ship.
This voyage carried two hundred sailors from Xiaolangdi as reinforcements, along with more than a hundred courtesans. There was not enough space on deck for everyone.
The sailors' captain shouted loudly, "Brothers, we must show courtesy and discipline. Leave the deck with its scenery and fresh air to the civilians. Everyone, please bear with the inconvenience and move into the lower cabins."
The sailors responded in unison and filed below deck.
The women were relieved. These soldiers were not rude at all. On the contrary, they seemed disciplined and considerate.
Chen Yuanyuan and Xue'er exchanged glances, their thoughts aligned.
Good. There are fewer of the demon's subordinates on deck now. It will be easier when we jump.
The great ship slowly departed from the dock and entered the river.
The vast waters of the Yangtze rolled eastward.
When the ship reached the middle of the river, Xue'er glanced around and whispered, "Jump."
She placed her hands on the railing and leapt overboard.
Chen Yuanyuan silently prayed, Heaven, save me from this sea of suffering.
Then she followed, plunging into the water.
Cries erupted instantly from the ship.
"Xue'er! Yuanyuan!"
"They fell into the river!"
"They're sinking!"
The two girls had not fallen by accident. They had jumped deliberately. Once in the water, they did not move their limbs, and naturally sank rapidly.
However, they had made a fatal mistake.
A massive ship in motion created a powerful undertow along its hull. Anyone entering the water nearby would be dragged beneath it.
This was why swimming was forbidden near major shipping routes on the Yangtze.
The two girls did not know this. They intended to swim away underwater, but were instantly pulled beneath the ship by the current.
In the blink of an eye, they vanished from the surface.
The women screamed in panic.
Zhu Piaoling and Li Daoxuan had been admiring the scenery along the riverbanks. Hearing the commotion, both rushed to the railing and looked down, but saw nothing.
Zhu Piaoling panicked. "What do we do? Stop the ship, now!"
Several sailors who were strong swimmers rushed up from below deck. "We'll go save them!"
Li Daoxuan stopped them. Rescuing someone beneath a moving ship is dangerous for ordinary sailors.
"I'll go," he said calmly.
Placing one hand on the railing, Li Daoxuan leapt into the Yangtze.