Chapter Six: How Fortunate I Am That Someone Loves Me

A great ship sailed across the boundless ocean, like a speck of dust gliding through the sky, hardly drawing anyone’s notice. For those who have never seen the sea, its vastness is beyond imagination. The endless waters brought not only abundant resources, but also limitless ambition.

The Fortune was such a ship, a seventeen-array vessel capable of voyaging a million miles. What did it mean to traverse a million miles at sea? Perhaps one could use a cultivator’s ranks as a measure: in the first five stages—Condensing Qi, Opening Meridians, Penetrating Spirit, Forming God, and Shedding Mortal—before Penetrating Spirit, flight was impossible and thus irrelevant. A cultivator at the Penetrating Spirit stage might fly hundreds of miles in a single breath, already a remarkable feat. Those at Forming God, with deep reserves of power, could cross the mighty Yangtze; enough to earn legend. As for Shedding Mortal, their breath could cover thirty thousand miles, blinking to traverse a hundred thousand. Yet never had anyone heard of a Shedding Mortal crossing the sea alone. Beyond that, one entered the realm of myths—figures so rare, perhaps not even a dozen across the entire Northern Mang Continent.

Thus, in the end, humble mortals and low-tier cultivators became the main force behind intercontinental exchange and trade. Relying on great ships, hiring formation masters at exorbitant prices to inscribe arrays, securing the patronage of powerful sects, they braved the winds and waves, crossing the ocean. Countless perished to nature’s dangers, countless more fell to merciless beasts. Extreme risk brought extreme mortality, but also immense profits and renown.

The Fortune had already sailed over a hundred thousand miles. Compared to the full journey of seven hundred thousand, this was but the beginning.

This voyage’s destination was the Ancient Central Continent, carrying mainly contraband—goods belonging to the Crystal Palace, a major sect. The profits were substantial, and the Crystal Palace had dispatched ten cultivators.

Such ships rarely carried outsiders, but some managed to pay a thousand taels of gold for a foothold aboard. Now, one such individual lounged carelessly on the deck, repeatedly ignored Captain Liu’s pointed glances. Whether this person was shameless or simply dull-witted was beyond comprehension.

Unable to hold back, Captain Liu muttered urgently, “Kid, can’t you just stay quietly in your cabin? If the Crystal Palace folk see you like this, you’re asking for a beating. Those cultivators aren’t to be trifled with.” He finished with a few cold laughs for effect.

The man was Wu Yue. He replied, “Those in the top-tier cabins are from the Crystal Palace, aren’t they?”

“Of course,” Liu continued to intimidate him. “They’re ruthless. To them, you and I are no more than ants—know what ants are? A single stomp and dozens die.”

Wu Yue listened, his face solemn. He made a gesture of respect, oddly performed while lying down, but it eased Liu’s worries nonetheless.

He genuinely feared this youth would neither bend nor yield. He meant well, after all; most of the cargo belonged to the Crystal Palace, guarded by several masters. Should anything go awry, this mysterious young man would be the first to suffer. When Liu accepted Wu Yue’s thousand taels, he didn’t think much—just business. If trouble came, the boy’s death wouldn’t cost him, but who could have foreseen…

“Father! Father! Why are you talking about Wu Yue again?” A girl ran over, skin bronzed but tall and lively-eyed. Those bright eyes gave Liu a dramatic roll and then turned to Wu Yue with a sweet smile.

Ignoring her father’s darkening face, she grabbed Wu Yue’s hand and said, “Come on, let’s go fishing! Didn’t you say yesterday you wanted to fish…”

Wu Yue followed, glancing back with a look that clearly said, This isn’t my fault. The girl turned, calling out, “Father! Don’t nag!” Liu gave a fierce snort but ultimately said nothing.

Who would have guessed that his precious daughter of seventeen years would fancy this rascal! After fifty years, Liu could see the signs of affection. Blind, truly blind. He was filled with resentment—was it his daughter’s poor judgment, or his own greed when he accepted the gold?

The two didn’t actually go fishing. Wu Yue still lay down, but his comfort had soared: resting on a pair of long legs, with the gentle sea breeze and the blue sky before his eyes, he finally felt the reality of life.

“Wu Yue, do you know why I like you?”

Wu Yue, savoring Captain Liu’s special brew provided by Liu Anxin, choked in surprise.

Coughing violently, Liu Anxin hurried to help him breathe.

“What did you say?” Wu Yue, struggling to recover, stared at Liu Anxin in shock. He had sensed her feelings, but such directness was foreign to him in both his lives.

Liu Anxin was herself—where another girl would blush and flee, she instead punched Wu Yue hard and declared loudly, “I said, Wu Yue, I like you! Will you marry me?” Captain Liu, sneaking over to eavesdrop, stumbled away, muttering, “Girl, your mother passed too soon. I’ve failed you…”

Wu Yue stared in silence for two seconds, locking eyes with Liu Anxin, who met his gaze unflinchingly.

Unable to bear the strange tension, Wu Yue rubbed his nose and whispered, “Let me say first, I have no family left, and after paying your father, I’m penniless…”

Liu Anxin frowned slightly. “That’s fine. Marry me, learn from my father, and when he’s old, the Fortune will be yours.”

Lucky Captain Liu had left early, or he might have jumped overboard upon hearing that.

“Don’t worry! I’ll take care of you!” Wu Yue declared firmly, surprised at his own words. How could he be such a person? Yet the words slipped out easily, and he felt no regret.

Love was infectious; Wu Yue felt happy, as if this brief warmth had already melted all the coldness of his past. But what of his vengeance?

Love, like a fortress, shields against most darkness.

“Yes!” Liu Anxin answered with conviction.

“You haven’t said if you’ll marry me yet.”

“Right, weren’t you about to say why you like me?” Wu Yue asked, a little confused.

“That’s not important. Your turn now.” Liu Anxin pinched the soft flesh at his waist, ready to act if displeased.

Wu Yue whispered, “I still have revenge unfulfilled…”

“Louder!” Liu Anxin pinched harder, prompting Wu Yue to cry out.

Ding. Congratulations, you have completed the first task…

Seeing Wu Yue fall silent, Liu Anxin grew anxious—what if he refused? Her grip softened.

Wu Yue came to himself, bursting with joy, laughing aloud at his own fortune.

He declared, “I said, I’m willing!”

Liu Anxin quietly breathed a sigh of relief, but pinched him again.

“If you can, would you go with me to a place? A world both good and bad, but I promise you’ll only see its beauty… It’s wonderful, with sights you’ve never seen. Will you?”

“With you, I will.” Liu Anxin’s eyes sparkled like stars. “Wherever you go, it’s fine, so long as you’re there.”

Wu Yue embraced her tightly, feeling solid and comfortable. Pressed to his heart, soft and dear.

Liu Anxin spoke softly, “I’m older than you. I’ll age faster… Will you dislike me?”

Wu Yue hesitated.

“When did you start liking me?”

“Um…”

“What do you like about me?”

“Um…”

“You’ll surely fall for someone else someday!”

“Um…”

…

Liu Anxin began to chatter.

Wu Yue grew serious, saying, “Actually, I covet your beauty…”

“Scoundrel,” Liu Anxin murmured, biting her lip, her gaze full of tenderness.

Wu Yue was lost in her eyes for a moment.