Fishing Village

The three of them flew at full speed on their swords along the road and soon reached Yuxu Sea on the southwestern border.

Yuxu Sea connected to the East Sea; it was said to border the waters under the Dragon King’s rule.

As soon as Yan Jue landed, she began looking around.

What met her eye was a fishing village.

Dense rows of thatched huts lined the village streets.

It was midsummer, and the sun beat down fiercely.

Under that light, one could hardly keep their eyes open.

The air was thick with the scent of seawater.

Yan Jue’s gaze drifted to the distant ocean.

That endless, surging sea was the legendary homeland of the merfolk.

Qi Xianqing: “It’s late. We’ll stay in the fishing village tonight and look for the merfolk tomorrow.”

Because Yuxu Sea was so remote and few people came here, there was no inn or anything like it in the village.

After Yan Jue and the others entered the village, Qi Xianqing negotiated with several households before one fairly hospitable man agreed to take them in.

The man wore plain coarse cloth and linen. Sitting at the table with a broad smile, he said, “There are plenty of rooms at home, so make yourselves comfortable. It’s just that I keep livestock in the back courtyard, which makes things a bit inconvenient. Don’t go into the back courtyard, and that’ll be fine.”

Qi Xianqing: “Thank you for your hospitality.”

Since they were staying in someone else’s home, they couldn’t simply leave without paying.

These villagers were ordinary people; spirit stones or anything like that were useless here.

Qi Xianqing frowned slightly in concern when she saw Yan Jue take a string of copper coins from her Qiankun bag and place them on the table. “Five days of lodging. I wonder if this is enough.”

Both the man and Qi Xianqing froze.

Qi Xianqing was surprised that Yan Jue actually carried money with her when she was out and about. The man, on the other hand, hadn’t expected Yan Jue to offer so much.

After all, their village was extremely remote, and very few people ever came through.

Even when someone did stay the night, they usually didn’t pay.

The man immediately laughed. “This string of coins is more than enough for five days. Ten days would be fine. It’s getting late, ladies. Go back to your rooms and rest.”

The man’s home was indeed one of the better-off households in the village, with many empty rooms.

When Yan Jue stood up, she caught sight of a few figures near the kitchen doorway from the corner of her eye.

There were four blond children with round little faces, staring at them with darting eyes.

As Yan Jue approached, they were startled and ran off at once.

One little girl, pretty and delicate-looking, remained rooted in place, gazing timidly at Yan Jue.

Yan Jue teased her, “Where’s your mother?”

The little girl looked at her blankly. “Mother went out.”

Before the words had even faded, Yan Jue suddenly felt a chill at the back of her neck. She turned around and saw the head of the household standing behind her at some point. “It’s already dark. Why are you still standing here? Go back to your room and lie down. Don’t let the guests laugh at you. Hurry up and go.”

He was only mildly scolding her, and his tone was even somewhat indulgent.

Yan Jue didn’t think much of it. She turned back to Jiang Mengchu. “Which room do you want to sleep in?”

Jiang Mengchu looked around. “I want the one farthest to the left, the one with a view of the sea. Is that okay?”

Yan Jue: “Sure.”

Yan Jue took two steps forward, then suddenly remembered something and turned back to Jiang Mengchu. “Wait for me in your room later. I’ll come find you.”

Jiang Mengchu nodded, yawning as she went into the room.

Qi Xianqing, watching from behind, paused slightly.

-

Yan Jue returned to her room and rested for a while.

After night fell, she went to Jiang Mengchu’s room and knocked lightly on the door.

Jiang Mengchu opened it, her eyes bright. “Sister Yan Jue.”

Yan Jue asked, “Did your master tell you about me helping you circulate your cultivation to heal your injuries?”

Jiang Mengchu: “She did. Thank you, Sister Yan Jue.”

...

In the quiet room, Yan Jue sat cross-legged on the bed and closed her eyes, one palm resting against Jiang Mengchu’s back.

She silently recited the inner method and slowly guided her power.

Spiritual energy rose and gradually flowed into Jiang Mengchu’s meridians.

Perhaps because she knew Qi Xianqing lacked the patience to help someone heal, Xingye Daoist hadn’t entrusted Jiang Mengchu to her.

But he had clearly told Yan Jue that Jiang Mengchu’s memories had once suffered severe damage.

Because of her constitution, Jiang Mengchu did not remember recent events very well.

Xingye Daoist hoped Yan Jue could help her adjust and recover as much as possible on this trip.

He had also promised Yan Jue a generous reward.

Yan Jue naturally agreed.

Back at Qiuli Pavilion that day, Xingye Daoist had taught Yan Jue a set of the Ten Directions Heart Method specifically meant to counter the backlash of the Taishang Spirit Body; all she had to do was help Jiang Mengchu circulate it once a day.

Jiang Mengchu frowned and let out a pained sound. “Mm... mm...”

Her voice trembled, clearly showing how hard she was trying to endure it.

At the same time, Qi Xianqing carried a tray out of her room.

The tray held steaming snacks.

These were treats she had brought down from Five Dragons Mountain; there were quite a few kinds, including quail soup, milk cakes, and spicy melons.

Qi Xianqing had meant to come by and ask whether the two of them wanted any.

Just as she reached Jiang Mengchu’s door, she was caught off guard by the sounds from inside and froze again.

She had knocked on Yan Jue’s door earlier, but no one had answered. Could it be that Yan Jue wasn’t in her room at all, but instead in Jiang Mengchu’s room?

Qi Xianqing stood at the door, a dozen thoughts flashing through her mind at once.

It seemed that ever since Yan Jue returned from Sword Tomb Valley last time, her relationship with Jiang Mengchu had become very good.

The sounds from inside the room came again, faint and indistinct.

Could the two of them already be close enough to spend the night talking under a lamp?

Qi Xianqing stood there, and for some reason, a particularly vexed feeling suddenly surged in her heart.

It was an oddly unfamiliar feeling; she had never experienced anything like it before.

Unknowingly, she stood outside the door for a long time.

Even Qi Xianqing herself wondered if she had gone foolish.

Then, suddenly, with a creak, the door opened from the inside.

Yan Jue came out with a solemn expression and was startled to see Qi Xianqing at the door.

Yan Jue blinked. “Senior Sister, why are you here?”

“I was just passing by.” Qi Xianqing asked softly, “I’d also like to ask, why aren’t you in your own room?”

Then Qi Xianqing held out the snacks in her hand. Yan Jue’s eyes lit up; she took them and nodded. “Thank you, Senior Sister.”

“Before we left, Xingye Martial Uncle told me to help Junior Sister Jiang circulate a set of cultivation arts every day, saying it would help her recover her lost memories.” Yan Jue asked, “Did Xingye Martial Uncle tell Senior Sister about this too?”

Qi Xianqing paused. “Is that so? You were just helping her circulate her cultivation method?”

Qi Xianqing knew a little about Jiang Mengchu’s special constitution.

But she hadn’t expected Xingye Daoist to entrust her to Yan Jue.

Yan Jue was more adaptable than she had imagined.

Yan Jue: “Mm.”

Qi Xianqing fell silent; the gloom that had been weighing on her heart suddenly lifted.

The change in mood came too abruptly, making her own Dao heart seem unstable by comparison.

Qi Xianqing frowned.

It was truly strange.

-

The small fishing village bordered Yuxu Sea, and the surrounding scenery was beautiful. Even in the dead of night, when everything was quiet, one could still hear the surf rolling in from afar.

Yan Jue had a strange dream.

In it, she and Qi Xianqing stood together on a flying sword, with an endless expanse of purple clouds beneath their feet.

Above them glittered stars. The sword kept flying, as if it would never reach its destination.

She was so sleepy that she leaned against Qi Xianqing’s shoulder and fell asleep.

When Yan Jue woke up, dawn had already broken.

She lay on the bed in a daze for several seconds before vaguely remembering where she was.

Qi Xianqing was already sitting outside the thatched hut.

By the sea, the weather was always especially hot; even in the morning, there was already a faint summer heaviness in the air.

Qi Xianqing wore a light robe and sat at the table drinking tea.

Yan Jue went over and had a bowl as well.

Perhaps because the village was so poor, the tea had a particularly faint taste.

As she ate, Yan Jue suddenly remembered something and asked, “Where is Junior Sister Jiang from?”

Qi Xianqing slowly lifted her eyelids and looked at Yan Jue for a long time before saying, “Junior Sister Jiang is different from many people on Five Dragons Mountain.”

Qi Xianqing paused. “She only came up the mountain at fifteen.”

Yan Jue was slightly startled.

For cultivators, the earlier they began, the better.

Fifteen was already past the age of growing up; going up the mountain at that age was considered quite late.

Qi Xianqing: “I only heard the teacher mention it occasionally. As for where Junior Sister Jiang came from before she entered the mountain, I don’t know very well.”

Yan Jue nodded.

Qi Xianqing: “That day had already reached the final stage of the competition. Junior Sister Jiang was a very outstanding disciple. She had a special constitution, and she was also the ‘wood’ type among Heaven Spirit Roots. Her temperament was strong-willed, and when she unleashed her divine abilities, she was too aggressive; that was what led to her current state.”

“After losing part of her memory, her temperament changed drastically.”

Yan Jue frowned slightly. “So Junior Sister Jiang wasn’t like this before.”

The morning by the sea should have been the most pleasant time of day.

Yan Jue suddenly remembered the beast egg in her pocket, so she summoned it out.

The pitch-black egg was covered in intricate patterns; under the sunlight, it gave off a faint sheen.

A trace of barely perceptible amusement flashed through Qi Xianqing’s eyes. She bent down, picked up the black beast egg, and carried it into the sunlight to warm it.

The sunlight was gentle. She crouched before the egg, covered it with her palm, and infused it with spiritual energy.

The beast egg lit up with a faint glow.

Yan Jue infused it with spiritual energy, and then Qi Xianqing added a little as well.

The two of them took turns caring for the egg.

After they put the sun-warmed, spiritually nourished beast egg back into the Qiankun bag, Jiang Mengchu came out.

After they finished their tea, the three of them went to the seashore behind the fishing village.

-

The sea was vast and magnificent, an imposing sight.

Qi Xianqing took a small conch shell from her Qiankun bag.

Merfolk and humans had always been on good terms.

This conch shell was a tool used for communication and exchange between the two races.

In years past, the merfolk and humans had agreed that if someone carrying this conch encountered danger, they could stand by the sea and blow the communication conch; then the merfolk would come to help.

This conch had been given to Qi Xianqing by her master, Immortal Lady Yun Zhen.

The purpose of their trip was to find merfolk pearls.

Because the sea was so vast, searching for merfolk directly would be too difficult; it would be better to blow the conch and let the merfolk come out on their own.

Qi Xianqing sent a trace of divine sense into the conch, and it began to sound.

The lingering note echoed across the sea.

The three of them waited for a while, but no merfolk appeared.

Yan Jue was stunned. Could it be that the merfolk hadn’t heard it?

Qi Xianqing lowered the conch and said thoughtfully, “Normally, once the conch sounds, someone from the merfolk clan will appear no matter the time.”

“This was an agreement the merfolk made with humanity long ago.”

The three of them waited by the sea a while longer. They heard the conch sound again and again, but still didn’t see a single merfolk shadow.

-

By the time they returned to the fishing village, it was noon.

All the adults in the village had gone out to work.

But the village was still lively.

The rough street, covered in mud and sand, was full of children; many five- and six-year-olds laughed, chased each other, and roughhoused in the middle of it.

Then something suddenly bumped into Qi Xianqing.

Qi Xianqing looked down. It was the little girl from the house yesterday.

The little girl looked up at Qi Xianqing, her face pale with fright, not daring to say a word.

Yan Jue was a little surprised. She asked, “Little one, where are you going? Are you leaving the village?”

They were at the village entrance now; if the little girl ran a little farther ahead, she would be outside the village.

The little girl looked at Yan Jue and pressed her lips together. “I’m going to wait for Mother at the village gate.”

Yan Jue subconsciously glanced behind her.

Outside the fishing village was the sea; behind it were green mountains everywhere.

The girl looked to be only five or six years old; she was far too young to be going out of the village on her own.

Yan Jue said to Qi Xianqing, “Senior Sister, I’ll take her out of the village for a bit. You two head back first.”

Jiang Mengchu: “I don’t have much to do anyway. I’ll come too.”

Qi Xianqing was silent for a moment, then followed beside Yan Jue with a blank expression.

Yan Jue: “...”

The group followed the little girl up a winding mountain path.

The little girl stopped in front of a large tree and stared hopefully down the distant mountain road.

Yan Jue stood nearby and waited patiently with her.

As the sky gradually darkened, they had no idea how long they had waited, but they never saw the little girl’s mother.

The little girl looked disappointed. “Mother still isn’t coming back today.”

Yan Jue crouched down and looked at her. “Has your father ever told you exactly when your mother comes home?”

The little girl looked blank.

Apparently not.

And so the day passed like that.

The three of them followed the little girl back to the village.

It was almost dusk; all the men in the village had returned. A group of men in coarse cloth and linen carried fishing nets on their shoulders, chatting and laughing as they walked home. The simple thatched huts were full of noise; there was children’s laughter and also the sharp voices of men.

Qi Xianqing’s gaze shifted slightly. “I wonder if you noticed.”

Yan Jue frowned. “I noticed.”

Qi Xianqing: “This village is strange. There are only men here; not a single woman has been seen.”

“But there are so many children. Where have these people’s wives gone?”

Yan Jue frowned and said nothing.

When the three of them returned to the house, the man had already set a full table of dishes.

Perhaps because he was an honest fisherman by nature, he was especially warm to them and even brought out the good wine he had been aging at home.

The aroma of alcohol was rich and pervasive; Jiang Mengchu especially liked it and drank several mouthfuls.

After dinner, Jiang Mengchu started to get a headache and returned to her room in low spirits to rest.

Qi Xianqing and Yan Jue discussed it and decided to go to the seaside again tomorrow, so they each returned to their rooms.

-

Night.

Moonlight hung in the deep night sky, its pale glow covering the mortal world.

In a large house at the edge of the fishing village, five men gathered and spoke in low voices.

One man asked softly, “Liu Er, I heard your house is taking in three women?”

“Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

The man called Liu Er laughed. “They only moved in last night, and they gave me a lot of money. They’re probably young ladies from some rich family in the city, here to travel and take in the scenery in our village.”

“This morning when I got up, I saw all three of them out for a walk by the sea.”

“Why didn’t I run into such a lucky break?”

Another man beside him said, “Liu Er, you really are blessed. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen women. Tonight, you have to enjoy yourself properly!”

Liu Er nodded, an obscene smile spreading across his face. “I’ve already put some drowsing medicine into the wine they’ll be drinking tonight...”

“We’ll slip in after midnight and enjoy ourselves properly.”