Chapter Seventy: The Giant Ship in the River

The old shopkeeper had completely misunderstood Jiang Chen’s act of chivalry, thinking he was secretly sheltering beauties, which had led to that preposterous address earlier. His words made the sisters’ cheeks flush crimson, their heads bowed, unable to meet Jiang Chen’s eyes.

Jiang Chen had no choice but to explain again in detail: he merely hoped arrangements could be made for the sisters to learn a trade, so they might support themselves. Beyond that, he asked that they not be bullied, that they be looked after, and that a safe place to settle be found for them.

The old shopkeeper nodded repeatedly, vowing to see it all properly done and assuring Jiang Chen he would not be disappointed.

Because Jiang Chen bore that jade pendant, his words carried the authority of Lin Xuesong himself, and the old shopkeeper dared not show the slightest negligence.

As the shopkeeper rose to see to these matters, Jiang Chen gave five hundred taels of silver for the sisters to live comfortably in Longjiang. With such a sum, their needs would be amply met for years to come.

Mu Chang, deeply moved, said, “Sir, you must come back to find us soon. You saved our lives—now our fates are forever tied to yours, through life and death!”

“Sir, though I don’t know exactly what dangers you will face, I trust Heaven will protect you, for you are truly a good and virtuous man.”

Jiang Chen smiled at them. “I will keep my promise.”

“From now on, live well here in Longjiang. If you ever face any real difficulties, seek out the old shopkeeper—he has powerful patrons behind him and will surely be able to help you.”

“Yes, I will remember!” Mu Chang replied.

The sisters reluctantly saw Jiang Chen to the door. Then he began to search the corners of several inns throughout the city, looking for a special mark known only to him and Gu Jun.

Before setting out, they had agreed: once Gu Jun safely escorted the Wu family to Longjiang, he would leave a sign at the foundation of an inn, one Jiang Chen could recognize.

Jiang Chen would then use that sign to reunite with everyone.

“There it is—the ram’s horn mark!”

Excitement surged in Jiang Chen’s heart, for it meant he would soon see Wu Yue and the others.

Following the direction indicated by the ram’s horn, he quickly found and entered an inn called “Auspicious Rise,” where, upon inquiry, he learned that the Wu family had indeed stayed there—but had already left.

“They’re gone?”

Jiang Chen’s heart tightened with apprehension; his keen intuition warned him that something unexpected must have happened.

“Oh, right—there’s still someone lying in the woodshed, apparently the family’s driver. If you know him, you’d best pay his bill,” the inn servant remarked.

Jiang Chen, filled with questions, brushed past the outstretched hand of the servant demanding payment and rushed straight to the woodshed.

“Hey! You’d better pay, or else!”

Only Gu Jun could explain what had happened, but why was he lying in the woodshed?

Bang!

He flung open the woodshed door to find Gu Jun, battered and barely able to move, lying silently amid the firewood like a wounded beast awaiting death.

“Brother Gu, what happened?”

When Gu Jun saw Jiang Chen, he gripped his hand tightly, struggling even to speak a simple sentence.

“Qingshan... locked up on a giant boat... on the river. For some reason, those people are after us...”

“What about Wu Yue? And Old Wu? Are they safe?”

Gu Jun exhaled with difficulty. “We got separated...”

“Brother Gu, rest and recover now. Leave the rest to me.”

Jiang Chen rose to leave, but as he stepped out, the persistent servant followed.

“Sir, that man has been lying there half-dead for two days. If you know him, get him out! If he dies here, it’ll be trouble for us!”

“Carry him to the best room and take good care of him. Fetch the best doctor in town. If he dies, you’ll answer for it with your life! Do you understand?”

Jiang Chen gripped the servant’s collar, emphasizing every word with cold fury. The servant, terrified by Jiang Chen’s fierce demeanor, was startled to find a heavy bag in his hands—it was a hundred taels of silver.

Leaving the Auspicious Rise Inn, Jiang Chen hurried toward the docks. He didn’t know what the giant ship Gu Jun mentioned looked like, but Wu Qingshan was now the only one whose whereabouts he knew.

Finding Wu Qingshan, finding Wu Yue and Old Wu—he could not lose a single one of them!

This was the obsession burning in Jiang Chen’s heart. No matter what had happened in his absence, he would bring everyone back together.

Arriving at the river dock, Jiang Chen saw that he didn’t need to search long. The giant ship was moored right there, unmistakable among dozens of others for its sheer size. It was as tall as a tower, making the surrounding vessels look like mere trinkets.

There was no time for hesitation. Though it went against his usual caution, Jiang Chen knew that, even if this ship were a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, he would have to charge in without delay.

“Halt! Who goes there?”

As he approached, two guards stood by the gangplank, watching Jiang Chen warily.

“I’ve come to find someone,” Jiang Chen replied.

“Hmph, there is no one here for you. Leave now, or I won’t be responsible for what my sword does!”

Their tone was harsh, making it clear that strangers would be met with violence. But Jiang Chen had no patience for such threats.

Without another word, he stepped forward. Before the guard could draw his sword, Jiang Chen pressed his hand down on the scabbard, and with a surge of strength, sent the blustering guard sprawling.

The other guard, alarmed, drew his sword and thrust at Jiang Chen, but with deft footwork, Jiang Chen dodged the blade and swiftly subdued him.

Though the guards seemed formidable, against Jiang Chen’s absolute strength, they were nothing.

“Hand over Wu Qingshan!”

Jiang Chen leapt onto the deck. More guards rushed over, swords drawn, but none knew who he was, nor why he showed not the slightest fear before them.

“Breaking in uninvited? You’re courting death!”

Jiang Chen replied, “I won’t leave until I see him.”