Chapter 6, Night Boat

Jiang Yicao greatly admired this person's extraordinary skills, but upon seeing him without a second thought destroy the lives of over ten people, he felt a sense of gloom in his heart. Later, as he caught the scent of blood, it further stirred the bad habits he had developed over the past decade, causing him to involuntarily sniffle. ... Watching that person walk towards Ji Xiaoye, he couldn't help but feel a pang of compassion and was just about to speak up to plead for mercy on his behalf ...

Once everyone was settled on the ship and the officials from the inspection bureau were bound and placed beside the main hall, Jiang Yicao and his servant took advantage of the distraction to slip in through the door from outside

Ji Xiaoye, the Chief Clerk of the Supervisory Court and the Commander of Qingchuan County, pays his respects to all the esteemed seniors

***

Upon seeing that this person had taken Jiang Yicao hostage, Bao An was taken aback. Although he did not know Jiang Yicao's name or background, and did not care about Jiang Yicao's life or death, he was quite protective of the young man, given the appearance of the empty divine official. Moreover, this person was disguised as a servant from his own establishment to avoid suspicion, so he hurriedly reprimanded, "Who are you, infiltrating my ship? What do you intend to do?"

Unexpectedly, the young servant pressed his left hand against his lower abdomen, and an extremely strange and cold true energy flowed over.

Little did he know that as soon as the teacup was thrown, it was intercepted by a person in mid-air. The teacup spun a few times between that person's fingers before safely returning to the table. Bao An, astonished, turned around and saw Kong You quietly saying:

The crowd only heard a series of hissing sounds, and the two immediately separated

In a silence as dead as the grave, a faint voice drifted over from the boat. Unbeknownst to them, the person was exhaling and raising their voice, yet the people on this side felt as if the sound was gently ringing in their own ears

Kong Youran rubbed his hands for a while, perhaps the pain had lessened. Seeing that the person still had a fierce expression, he quickly smiled and said: "It has been seven years since we last met..."

After extinguishing the fire, the man made no further movements, merely standing quietly by the side of the boat. He was dressed in black, with long hair disheveled behind him, which under the moonlight took on a hint of silver.

It turns out that the leader referred to by the blue-haired man is actually this character. Everyone listened to Ji Xiaoye's words, and this person is from the Aspirations Tower. Could it be that this nameless expert is also some figure from the Aspirations Tower? Ji Xiaoye lay on the ground, thinking grimly that he never expected this journey to capture the culprit would truly lead them onto a pirate ship. Even if that ship really contained the Angry Dragon of Qingchuan, if this blue-haired thief scuttled the ship, they would have no way to escape. In this battle, they didn't even figure out who their opponent was, making their defeat all the more humiliating. Even if that ship really contained the Angry Dragon of Qingchuan, if this blue-haired thief scuttled the ship, they would have no way to escape. In this battle, they didn't even figure out who their opponent was, making their defeat all the more humiliating

Who is disturbing the peaceful dreams?

Only then did Kong Youran, dressed entirely in black, seem to shrink slightly, as he extended his jade-like hands out of his sleeves, his ten fingers waving chaotically in greeting, while his feet remained steady, stepping forward with precision.

The man glanced at the people on the boat, then fixed his gaze on the black-clad figure standing with arms crossed, completely ignoring Ji Xiaoye. He merely turned casually in the confined space of the deck, following the momentum of the sword, yet even so, the serpent-like sword light could not touch a single thread of his clothing. Ji Xiaoye, seeing him so indifferent towards her, could not help but feel a surge of anger. With a loud shout, she changed her sword technique, launching into a sweeping attack, as if autumn winds were sweeping away fallen leaves. The deck was filled with a fierce wind, imbued with a sense of impending doom.

At that moment, a slender figure emerged from the large ship, moving with an ethereal grace that was both ghostly and enchanting, exuding an indescribable sense of ease. His silhouette glided effortlessly across the deck, and with a casual strike of his hand, the flames on the deck were swiftly extinguished. Onlookers were astonished to see that the strange fire, which the sailors on the ship had struggled to put out for a long time, was effortlessly subdued by this individual with just a few nonchalant gestures.

Lan Mao Nene explained: "At first, I thought it was that Tyrannosaurus, and I figured with his stubborn temper, he might just commit suicide if those guys from the inspection office pushed him too hard..." He then shrugged his shoulders and helplessly said: "Well, I thought I couldn't let it go like this, so I had to give up this old boat that had been with me for several years. If I had known it was the boss, I wouldn't have bothered."

As he appeared in the hall, the eyes of the people were fixed intently on his collar. Jiang Yicao and his servant had long anticipated the identity of this person and were not surprised, yet everyone else in the hall collectively gasped in astonishment

Where is the arrow

A young servant went out to take a look and said in a trembling voice: "This person is dead, and a sword is nailed to the deck."

Kong Youran waved his hand and said, "Do not mention trivial matters, just bring me a cup of tea, I am a bit thirsty." His tone resembled that of a commoner, far from the demeanor of a reclusive master. After a pause, he pointed at Jiang Yicao and his servant, adding, "Get some food for those two young brothers as well. You have been busy all night; aren't they hungry? Those people from the Inspection Court have been released, right?" He turned to Feng San Shao and smiled, saying, "Brother San Shao, is that alright?"

At this moment, only a few sailors and several officials from the Inspection Court remained on the ship, while the members of the Blue Clothes Society had long been thrown into the river by that master, their whereabouts unknown. These sailors had been reprimanded by Ji Xiaoye for several days, and now seeing his miserable state, they naturally felt a secret delight. Meanwhile, the officials from the Inspection Court, witnessing the numerous masters in the courtyard under the command of Lord Ji, felt as if they were being toyed with at his whim, and could not help but feel a great terror in their hearts. Even though they wished to offer assistance, they were too frightened to move.

At this moment, Ji Xiaoye recalled the words "Where is the arrow?" and could not help but remember what the mysterious man in black had said during the day. A bitter taste filled her mouth, but under the weight of her troubles, she summoned her remaining courage, let out a loud shout, and thrust her sword straight forward, creating a perfectly straight line from her shoulder to her elbow, wrist, and sword tip, with an extremely fierce momentum

Looking at those who had already climbed over, the blue-haired man said apologetically to Jiang Yicao and his servant, who were still standing in place: "This young brother, I truly apologize for forgetting about your presence. Had I known earlier, I would have certainly asked the boss to carry you over. Now, I must trouble you to climb a bit... But there is no need to be afraid; I will follow you from behind. Not to boast, but regardless of how turbulent the river is, even if you are swept down to a depth of ten zhang, I, the blue-haired man, still have the ability to fish you out."

Oh... I am going to leave for my training, just taking a boat, nothing more.

At this moment, a person slowly began to applaud, saying: "What a swift sword. In five years, only your sword has caught my eye." The speaker was none other than the mad Third Young Master. While he applauded, he furrowed his brow in thought, wondering why this piercing intent behind the attack, though lacking any discernible technique, felt so familiar to him.

At this moment, the nameless master was sitting on a pear blossom hollow-carved wooden chair, his eyes fixed on the tranquil and serene figure sitting beside him. Next to him sat a man resembling a wealthy individual, dressed in a grand silk robe, adorned with shiny golden accessories on his hands, and displaying a look of great impatience as he shouted: "You must explain the matter of the blue-haired one to me today, otherwise I will cut off thirty percent of your sea salt."

Among the people on the boat, no one noticed this side. Suddenly, one saw the young servant in black wearing a conical hat move his finger, and the long sword at his waist transformed into a flash of light, piercing straight back, as if it had broken through the paper, seemingly striking something.

The speech is concise, yet carries a sense of unwavering confidence

At this moment, Feng San Shao quietly sat in the chair. Although he felt a slight surprise in his heart, he still smiled faintly and said: "So it is Kong You Ran, little Kong Kong. What, has the court even summoned you to deal with me?"

A dark cloud rolled over the sky, instantly obscuring the enchanting moonlight. In the pitch-blackness, only the flickering candlelight from the guest boat on the shallow shoal remained, appearing particularly striking. At this moment, the boat had set sail, and everyone sat together in the main cabin, momentarily at a loss for words. The blue-haired individual absentmindedly fiddled with the tail feathers of his collar, tilting his ear as if listening for something. After a while, a muffled sound of a distant "wooo" suddenly came from behind the boat, and he frowned, his face showing extreme discomfort, almost as if he were about to cry. The wooden boat he had just punctured could no longer hold up and had finally sunk.

And Kong Youran was also greatly impressed, not expecting that his palm strike would be so fierce, forcing him to resort to the Chaotic Wave Finger technique.

He stood up, positioned himself at the cabin door, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He no longer resembled a local overlord; instead, in his flowing blue robe and with graying temples, he appeared more like a middle-aged, down-and-out scholar heading to the capital for the imperial examination. The officials of the inspection department, who were previously unaware of his identity, had begun to vaguely guess it from his accent. Those who knew his identity, upon seeing him remain silent, naturally did not dare to speak. After a moment of silence, the thatched roof crackled, and the moist river breeze poured in through the door.

As everyone witnessed Ji Xiaoye being struck and flying out, he crashed directly into the sail mast. A rustling sound was heard as the dust and debris accumulated on the sail fell all around him, scattering onto his body. Sitting on the ground, he lamented, "This is royal martial arts; you are not Tai Yan, who exactly are you?" Upon uttering these words, he could no longer hold back and spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, staining a large portion of his collar.

Ji Xiaoye felt a tightness in her heart. Although her side currently held a significant advantage, she could not afford to be careless in the slightest. She bowed respectfully to the other party and said: "I am Ji Xiaoye, the chief clerk of the Inspection Institute, and I extend my greetings to the valiant General Qianwei and the esteemed Governor Taiyan of Qingchuan County." With this statement, she highlighted the two identities of the Angry Dragon in the officialdom, undoubtedly intending to evoke his past memories and weaken his fighting spirit.

Ning Lanmao responded with a sound, then turned to the wealthy merchant and bowed slightly, saying with a hint of apology: "Master, I take my leave." He was well aware that his own boss was present, and even if he had incurred the immense resentment of Baofu Tower, he could still bear the consequences. Thus, he took his group of brothers to the aft cabin to challenge the ship's captain to a drinking contest.

This punch was his first strike, drawing the attention of the crowd. It appeared perfectly executed, devoid of any flamboyance, almost excessively ordinary. Unexpectedly, as the punch reached its midpoint, Ji Xiaoye suddenly retreated, raising his left elbow and delivering a swift kick with his right foot. This seemingly unremarkable gesture, a mere lift of the hand and a raise of the foot, was in fact a calculated maneuver; his foot accelerated while his hand moved slowly, quick yet not appearing urgent, relaxed yet maintaining its ferocity, with a defense that could be described as extremely tight. However, to everyone's surprise, this block and kick fell into empty space, while that person's casual punch silently landed on his chest.

The blue-haired individual placed a finger on his lips and whistled. It seemed that the ship opposite had been prepared, as a dozen hooks were suddenly thrown over, firmly catching the edge of this ship. He smiled at everyone and said, "Everyone should hurry and climb over."

Jiang Yicao suddenly guessed the terrifying identity of this person, and looked at A Chou with confusion, only to see her gently nodding with a helpless smile.

The blue-haired individual stared in astonishment, and after a long pause, exclaimed: "Damn, what kind of world is this? Experts usually prefer to be discreet and play hide-and-seek?"

The sudden turn of events occurred so swiftly that most people did not grasp what had happened; they only knew that in the blink of an eye, the balance of power had shifted, and there was no longer anyone in the supervisory court to rely upon

Jiang Yicao saw clearly that this person was indeed the formidable figure whom A Chou had mentioned on the day when the two of them boarded the ship

At this moment, A Chou's path to draw his sword was completely blocked by Jiang Yicao's body; Kong Youran had just set down his tea bowl; Feng San Shao, however, had a clear view of the situation, but the young servant acted too quickly for him to intervene. Everyone thought to themselves how this young servant dared to play tricks in front of the notoriously brutal Feng San Shao and the esteemed Kong Da Shen Guan, showing not only immense courage but also a remarkably meticulous mind.

Jiang Yicao, seeing his good heart, felt grateful and said: "There is no need for that, brother, you go ahead first." Then he extended his hand, and A Chou pulled his hand, taking a few steps without seeming to exert any force, and floated over as if in mid-air.

Kong Youran chuckled softly, slowly pulling back the black robe draped over her body, revealing a garment as white as snow beneath. Adorning her hair was a wooden fork, and her features were delicate and refined, exuding an innate fragility. The faint depiction of several withered bamboo branches on her white attire further enhanced her ethereal presence.

Jiang Yicao, however, was unafraid. In the silence, his left hand formed a hook, reaching towards the man's ribs. With a light step, he turned, adopting the stance of the Great Stone Throw. This move, characterized by its grand openings and closings, was also interwoven with delicate finger techniques, showcasing unparalleled finesse. He was certain that no one in the Central Plains could replicate it, which is why he was not afraid to let others see it.

The young servant cast a cold glance at everyone, his eyes as frosty as ice. Even though it was just a fleeting look, it still made people's hearts tighten. Even someone as formidable as the mad Third Young Master, who had weathered many storms and bloodshed over the years, couldn't help but secretly sigh: This person must possess a will as solid as a rock.

The unnamed expert who had just arrived on the ship was taken aback upon hearing this, and turned to say: "Brother Ning, are you not aware that some people here have a natural fear of water?" From his tone, it seemed that this remarkable individual was actually unfamiliar with the nature of water.

Master Bao An, upon seeing the appearance of this young servant, was filled with anger and scolded, "If our Baofu Building is filled with useless people like you, what ambition can we possibly discuss?" After scolding, seemingly still unable to quell his anger, he looked around for something to throw, and finally picked up the nearest teacup, hurling it at the young servant, completely disregarding Jiang Yicao, who was holding the servant in his arms.

Since the beginning of the shouting from both sides, the captain with blue hair had vanished without a trace. However, everyone was preoccupied with their own matters, and due to the intense battle that followed, no one paid attention. At this moment, when he suddenly shouted that the ship was sinking, they were taken aback. They saw that the sailors still wore cheerful expressions, and the officials from the inspection department realized they had fallen into a trap, which made them extremely angry. Little did they know that he was actually the captain of the ship; to whom was he referring when he shouted 'captain'?

The tightly bound official of the Censorate was taken aback, thinking to himself that the Baofu Building had always received considerable favor from the court, yet he could not understand why it had become associated with the number one rebel in the world. Some individuals with quick wits wore expressions of despair, realizing that this monumental secret had been inadvertently uncovered by them, and they feared for their lives.

But A Chou heard it clearly, and from that life-threatening sound, he knew that his companion had arrived

Onlookers pondered, if this assassin possessed such high skill, then how could this leader, without turning back, pierce through the thick ship's planks and kill this person's black-clad servant with a single sword strike? How high could their skill truly be?

Hearing him say that the ship was about to sink, the several officials from the inspection bureau hurried to the side of the ship to check. Seeing that the hull was indeed slowly descending, their faces changed color. Listening to that ominous voice still chattering incessantly, they became even more flustered and anxious. However, with a top expert by their side, they truly did not dare to act rashly.

Before the words were finished, the blue-haired captain rushed onto the deck, shouting: "Captain, the ship is sinking, let's leave first..."

The crowd witnessed his exceptional swordsmanship, as he unleashed a series of continuous moves. In the blink of an eye, it seemed as if he transformed into a gray dragon, dancing wildly in the air, with its tongue lashing out, never straying from the vicinity of the man.

The temple rises from the Central Plains, following the fortunes of the nation, not only holding a position of great honor but also possessing a transcendent identity. Thus, when the crowd on the sunken wooden ship witnessed him employing the skills of the inner hall of the temple, they were astonished, believing him to be a divine official who had gone out to cultivate. Who could have imagined that this person was actually the grand official stationed in the inner hall, with a status unparalleled in the world

Kong Youran softly said: "A sword that ignites the heavens!" There seemed to be a considerable excitement in his words

The people on the ship were greatly alarmed upon hearing this. Who would have thought that amidst the treacherous waters and perilous mountains, on the small deck of the boat, there could be both masters of royal martial arts and a priest from the temple. Ji Xiaoye, still sitting on the ground in despair, was momentarily taken aback, secretly cursing herself for not recognizing the greatness before her, yet she couldn't help but feel a bit of joy, thinking that perhaps her life would be spared.

Before long, apart from Ji Xiaoye, who was still unconscious on the ground, the officials of the Inspection Court stood nearby. Although these individuals usually held great power in the officialdom, they were unexpectedly confronted today with some of the most prominent figures in the world aboard this ship. In their astonishment, they found themselves at a loss as to how to act.

The crowd stared in astonishment at the prominent figure before them, whose collar was embroidered with silver-threaded cold plum blossoms, momentarily rendered speechless.

On the other side, Jiang Yicao and his servant exchanged a glance in silence, and then fell silent again.

The wealthy man spoke with a distinct accent from the Eastern Capital, yet it was unclear why he appeared in this region of Red Stone, above the Clear River. Even more astonishing was the nameless master with whom he conversed, whose speech was even more peculiar; such an accent was unheard of throughout the Central Plains. The way he repeatedly pronounced the word "I" sounded more like "goose".

Everyone only felt a flash before their eyes, and the man in black, who had been standing motionless at the side, suddenly stood between the two for some unknown reason. The people on the boat knew that this person had had some disagreements with the officials from the Inspection Bureau a few days ago, and judging by his demeanor, he seemed prepared to stand up for Ji Xiaoye, which left them quite puzzled. However, Jiang Yicao had already anticipated that this person must be an important figure from the temple, and A Chou further deduced from his remarkable agility that he must be Kong Youran, the high priest who had been in seclusion in the temple for ten years.

The voice from the other ship floated over clearly and distinctly: "Who in the world does not know me?" Another person remarked: "Isn't there a foolish person today..." as if trying to suppress a laugh

Is it really raining?

Ji Xiaoye paid no attention, placing her hand behind her back and extending her thumb. The members of the Blue Robe Society behind her understood the signal, and with a flick of their fingers, more than ten arrows shot forward with a whistling sound towards the ship. With a few cracking sounds, all the arrows embedded themselves into the wooden planks and ignited with a whoosh.

At this moment, the young servant had raised his head, and only then did the crowd notice his appearance. They saw a youthful face with thick eyebrows, rough hands and feet, resembling the simple and honest servants of a wealthy family, devoid of any hint of cunning. He glanced around and said calmly: "Everyone, do not move. The silver needles are highly toxic."

At this moment, the rain patters against the black canopy, each sound resonating, while the single sound of the boat is drowned in the sound of the rain, going completely unnoticed

Seeing that the mad Third Young Master had no words, Bao An instructed the servant to untie him as directed

The nameless master softly said, "Let it pass then." He then turned to Kong Youran and said, "Brother, may I trouble you for a moment in the next room." With a light touch of his toes on the edge of the boat, he gracefully floated over.

Mad Third Young Master kept staring at him, thinking that after seven years of not seeing each other, his appearance had not changed much. However, he seemed not to have aged at all, still looking as pure as water. He couldn't help but touch his own graying temples, feeling a sense of inexplicable sigh.

The man turned his head, coldly glanced at the wealthy man, and said淡淡道: "Old Bao, any kind of intimidation is acceptable, but cutting off my salt? I will risk the lives of my eight thousand brothers from Hongshi and go to the Eastern Capital to chop your entire family. Do you believe it?"

The man in black beside Jiang Yicao closed his eyes and listened for a moment, then suddenly smiled and said: "The young girl is right; now the people from the inspection office have encountered someone they cannot lift."

At the moment when Master Bao angrily threw the teacup and the divine official skillfully removed it, Jiang Yicao in the crowd felt something unusual about the servant in his arms. He sensed that the servant's hands were gripping his clothing and leaning down, intentionally or unintentionally turning slightly inward. Although Jiang Yicao had not encountered any major upheavals over the years, having spent a long time with A Chou, his thoughts naturally became more meticulous. He secretly pondered that this direction would just allow him to use his body to block A Chou's swift and enchanting sword path. Although Jiang Yicao had not encountered any major upheavals over the years, having spent a long time with A Chou, his thoughts naturally became more meticulous. He secretly pondered that this direction would just allow him to use his body to block A Chou's swift and enchanting sword path.

It turns out that the wealthy merchant is the manager of Baofu Building

The mad Third Young Master also smiled slightly and sat down. After a moment of contemplation, the shopkeeper Bao said softly: "Originally, the two of us were discussing next year's salt quota, but who would have thought that you, with your innate boldness, would also be like a schoolmaster, cherishing talent so much that you insisted on saving that rigidly principled governor. Now look what you've done, you've attracted a whole swarm of flies..." He glanced over the people in the hall and continued: "For the sake of business, these people cannot be kept."

Little did the people on the ship expect such a change in the hall

Indeed, the adult is quite remarkable, but with this series of arrows, it is uncertain which direction you have pounced upon, not to mention that there are flammable grains and oils beneath this ship

While he was incessantly nagging, Kong Youran glanced at him with a smile and went over, carrying the severely injured Ji Xiaoye.

Jiang Yicao and the other person accepted the tea and snacks sent by the servant, gently expressing their thanks. He was indeed a bit hungry, and without a second thought, he picked up a piece of sponge cake and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing heartily. Although A Chou was disguised as a man, she was still delicate as a woman, and upon seeing that there were no chopsticks or similar utensils in the plate, she hesitated a bit. Just as she was contemplating whether to indulge in eating like the young master, she heard a soft thud from the ship's deck behind her.

Mad Third Young Master smiled and closed his mouth, only to see Kong Youran smiling at him and saying: "You know that the temple has never intervened in the entanglements between the court and your family." At this moment, the shopkeeper Bao was anxiously wiping the pear blossom chair he had sat on with his sleeve, inviting him to take a seat.

Upon seeing his expression, the person gently said, "Xiao Ning, nothing can be established without breaking the old. You must think more openly." Then, with a wave of his hand, he smiled and greeted, "Today, there have been some minor issues, which have caused some inconvenience to everyone. I hope for your understanding." Just moments ago, he had decisively repelled the enemy, exuding an air of confidence and dominance that no one could overshadow. Now, seeing him inquiring kindly of his subordinates and being courteous to everyone, he resembled a cultured and respectful gentleman.

The shopkeeper Bao, with a friendly demeanor, had a slightly plump figure and was dressed in a robe made of rich crimson silk. He appeared no different from the typical local wealthy landowners, yet who could have guessed that he was the only one in the past decade bold enough to stand up against the renowned merchant Chang Shengyi. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly let out a hearty laugh and said, "Third Young Master, we are brothers, so let us not discuss such trivial matters. Come, come, let us have a cup of tea to warm ourselves. You have high martial skills and are not afraid of the cold, but I cannot withstand the chill of the river winds." After all, he was a businessman who operated across the world, and with a single sentence, he casually brushed aside the matter of the mad Third Young Master placing spies in his establishment.

In Middle-earth, there are thirteen priests, yet no one knows their identities; it is only known that each practices in seclusion, like a hidden dragon, and when they occasionally reveal themselves, they create great waves. However, the three top archpriests are well-known to all, with two having not manifested their divine presence in the world since the Battle of Yingxiu ten years ago. Only one, the enigmatic Archpriest Kong You, has lived in seclusion in a thatched cottage for a decade, never descending the mountain.

The person's face became calm, and he said, "Let go..." Then, he transitioned from extreme movement to extreme stillness, shifting his feet three inches to narrowly evade an oncoming sword, and casually threw a punch. The onlookers observed his strength, realizing he could easily retreat without effort; why then did he choose to avoid such a perilous situation? Little did they know, this individual was inherently like this, and for matters he found uninteresting, he was always reluctant to expend even half of his strength.

The mad Third Young Master ignored him and directly addressed Kong Youran: "I have had the fortune to meet the three great divine officials of the world, yet I do not know your esteemed self..."

However, Manager Bao was completely unlike his earlier amiable demeanor, and he said sternly: "I say, Third Young Master, you are quite bold; how can you directly call out the name of the Divine Official?"

High Priest

The bright moon has replaced the setting sun, hanging far away behind the mountain peak. Under the vast, clear light, the raging river on the shallow shoal seems to be coated with a layer of silver, making it feel much more tranquil than during the day. However, beneath the silver water and golden moon lies a lurking danger, as a dozen strong bows on the wooden boat are all aimed forward, waiting for the furious dragon, who has traversed the clear rivers and red stones for decades, to come and meet its demise.

He suspected that this young man was certainly up to no good. With all his strength, he channeled the internal energy that he rarely used through the Taiyin Lung Meridian, passing through the points of Zhongfu, Yunmen, Chize, Lieque, Taiyuan, Yujie, and directly reaching the midpoint of the thumb at Shaoshang, intending to use his force to push the person off him.

At that moment, a young servant in his arms softly said, "Do not move, please do not move." The right hand that had originally grasped Jiang Yicao's collar had quietly moved closer to his chest at some point, and a silver needle emitting a faint blue light was about to pierce through his thin garment.

In the midst of the conversation, his sailors had already climbed along the ropes towards the ship. These individuals had lived on the water for many years, constantly dealing with ropes and planks, and were quite agile, quickly reaching the opposite side. In contrast, the officials from the inspection office who followed them were very cautious, gripping the ropes tightly, fearing that a moment's inattention would cause them to fall into the rushing waters below

Bao An glanced at A Chou with deep meaning and said softly, "To stab someone with a sword from behind the ship's board, silently and without a trace, is indeed difficult to guard against; it is one of the killer's thirteen deadly techniques. However, this ship's board is extremely thick, and to use this technique to kill, one must possess extraordinary skill." The others had some suspicion that he was worried about the matter of associating with the mad Third Young Master being spread, hence the need to silence the perpetrator. At this moment, hearing him say this, they were somewhat at a loss.

The expert who came over from the ship was also taken aback, slowly approaching, looking up at the moon. Suddenly, he composed himself, raised his right arm from behind, pointing directly at the faint moon behind him, his head slightly lowered, his entire body forming a strange curve.

Everyone was astonished when they heard a rustling sound outside the cabin. A person, clutching their own throat, fell straight to the cabin door. Despite their fingers pressing hard, they could not stop the blood from gushing out from their throat between their fingers. Their throat made a gurgling sound, their eyes wide open, yet they could not utter a single word.

"Master, this is my tea bowl"

"The kung fu in the inner hall of the temple? It turns out there is a master waiting nearby." The person's eyes narrowed, seemingly intrigued.

The person spoke softly and then turned back, saying: "Manager Bao, our transaction is still ongoing, so naturally, we cannot reduce our goodwill. As for the matter concerning Ning Lanmao, it is my side that has fallen short, and there will naturally be an explanation in the future. Brother Ning, your ship captain friend is in the aft cabin; you may go and drink..." This statement was directed at the two individuals.

The redness on that person's face vanished in an instant. Meanwhile, Kong, the divine official, kept rubbing his hands together, making a comically painful expression. It turned out that just moments ago, that person had struck down with a palm, while Kong's ten fingers, like a chaotic plucking of a pipa, had precisely struck the edges of his palm in succession. The person felt as if a thread-like true energy was continuously attacking the points of Shao Chong and Shao Fu on his palm, with one force stronger than the other. Finally, a finger flicked out, and he felt a deep ache and numbness all the way up to his elbow, which left him quite astonished.

Everyone seemed to hear someone softly laughing twice in their ears, and then they saw, under the moonlit night, a light ripple in the air between the two boats, as a figure approached like a swift wind. With a series of clapping sounds, the people in blue clothing on this side of the boat fell into the water one after another. Just when people were at a loss, they unexpectedly saw that person had somehow arrived on this side of the boat, drawing his hands into his sleeves, with a smile on his face as he looked at Ji Xiaoye.

The wealthy man, however, remained unperturbed and said: "Do not mention my entire family; even if you were to kill everyone in my building, you must provide me with a clear explanation."

"Such divine abilities possessed by the esteemed priest, yet still in need of cultivation? It truly commands our admiration," Bao An cautiously replied. "I just heard a remark that suggests you, my lord, do not seem particularly concerned about the matters between the court and the mad Third Young Master?" Noticing that Kong Youran's demeanor seemed to indicate a past connection with the mad Third Young Master, he could not help but feel relieved.

Jiang Yicao noticed that the young servant who had gone out to gather information appeared somewhat frightened and confused, his legs trembling like a sieve. Unable to help himself, he took a few steps closer and gently reassured him, "Little brother, do not be afraid, the bad person is already dead." The young servant seemed unable to shake off his fear; his legs gave way, and he nearly collapsed to the ground. Jiang Yicao quickly rushed forward and caught him.

It was unclear whether the person had heard his words; all that could be seen was that the individual let out a low roar, the true energy within him surged rapidly, his bow-like back straightened, and like an arrow released from its string, he flipped his right palm over, arching his entire body backward to the limit, with his left hand crossing in front. Suddenly, he contracted and struck down with a palm!

Kong Youran was not polite at all, directly sitting down and addressing the manager of the Baofu Building, saying: "Manager, there is no need to be overly restrained. What? Are you tired of being a manager and want to take on the role of a waiter?" He lightly joked, but Bao An replied respectfully: "Serving you, my lord, is my fortune." Then, a look of difficulty appeared on his face, as if he had been pondering for a long time, and said: "The divine official is transcendent and has always lived in seclusion, not involving himself in worldly affairs, yet I do not know how he came to this..."

Then, Manager Bao was the first to regain his senses, hastily standing up, bowing deeply to the ground with utmost respect, and sincerely said: "I, Bao An, hold the position of the manager of the Baofu Building. Today, I am fortunate to see your esteemed presence, it truly is ... ... " Suddenly, he did not know how to continue, and could only awkwardly say: "It truly is ... ... the fortune of a humble person."