**Chapter 41: Hongshang Fairy, Radiant as Fire**
The sea was bright and beautiful. From high above, hundreds of merchant ships stretched across the vast ocean, forming a magnificent floating market.
The crowd surged, bustling and lively. New ships joined, while others departed. Around the Hongshang Fairy’s ship, the crowd was denser, people shoulder to shoulder.
Chu Yun boarded the ship. Looking down from the deck, he saw a dense mass of people, men and women, a chaotic din. Many shouted themselves hoarse, calling out the Hongshang Fairy’s name with excitement and fervor.
“The Hongshang Fairy’s reputation is truly resounding,” Jin Bihan remarked.
“If those below knew the Hongshang Fairy’s true identity, what would their expressions be?” Chu Yun mused, a hint of mischief in his thoughts.
In his past life memories, Scarlet Tiger had revealed her identity, shedding the disguise of Hongshang Fairy, shocking the entire Archipelago.
Although she had become a pirate, she usually only robbed valuables and rarely killed. Thus, a group of people remained loyal to Hongshang Fairy, enthusiastically supporting her whether she was Scarlet Tiger or Hongshang Fairy.
There were even instances where people loaded their ships with goods and loudly proclaimed they were waiting for Scarlet Tiger to rob them. After being robbed, the individuals were released and felt honored, boasting about their close encounter with Scarlet Tiger.
Later, Scarlet Tiger rose to the Peculiar Person Ranking, her popularity remaining high, making her the most beloved female pirate captain.
Thinking of this, Chu Yun couldn’t help but shake his head, marveling at Scarlet Tiger’s boundless charm.
“Two young masters, please come this way.” The robust maid, now acting gentle and demure, led the way with a soft voice.
Jin Bihan was a little surprised. “Didn’t you say there were three trials to pass before appearing?”
The maid immediately smiled. “Those are for ordinary people. My young lady had no choice. If these trials weren’t set up, this entire ship would be trampled by the crowd. Young Master Chu’s name is known throughout the Archipelago. The remaining two trials are unnecessary.”
This maid was clever and obedient, her words beautifully crafted. She lowered her head, her eyes subtly sweeping over Chu Yun as she spoke.
She was inwardly shocked. “In the past, when I said these words, the young masters would invariably puff up with pride. Even if their expressions remained unchanged, their eyes and brows would betray their vanity. Yet, this Chu Yun seems unaffected, as if he hadn’t heard a word.”
She continued to flatter him with more sweet words. Chu Yun’s expression remained indifferent, offering only a slight smile and a nod.
“No wonder he’s so popular, rising like a star, known as the ‘Young Bawang,’ repeatedly astonishing the world. This Chu Yun is truly extraordinary,” the maid thought, a shiver running through her. “I must report this to big sister immediately. She needs to guard against Chu Yun, lest any weakness be exposed.”
The entire ship was, in essence, a pirate crew. The beautiful maids were all members, disguised through extraordinary means. The so-called trials were actually designed to screen and assess those who boarded the ship.
Chu Yun’s composure made the maid wary, and she became even more cautious in her speech.
“Two young masters, I will escort you to this point. Entering the ship’s cabin, you will see my young lady entertaining guests.” The maid brought them to the cabin entrance and left.
“The Yan Family ancestor did not follow,” Jin Bihan noted, subtly excited.
“The Hua Family ancestor has been famous for many years. When the Yan Family went to war, he had just emerged from seclusion. If he boarded this ship, a rumor would spread, tarnishing the Yan Family’s name. He had concerns. However, to shake him off, we still need Hongshang Fairy’s help,” Chu Yun said softly.
The two pushed open the large doors and entered the ship’s cabin.
It was a grand hall, adorned with carved beams and painted rafters, with crimson curtains, creating an atmosphere of extravagance.
Hongshang Fairy sat in the central high seat. Below her, two rows of tables were set. Numerous handsome young men and women sat at the tables, attended by maids, engaged in lively conversation and entertainment.
“Two more young lords have arrived. Hongshang greets you,” Hongshang Fairy’s voice was melodious, her beautiful eyes twinkling with charm. Seeing Chu Yun and Jin Bihan arrive together, her gaze lingered imperceptibly on Chu Yun before she spoke.
She was still dressed in red, kneeling there like a seductive flame, burning brilliantly.
Her open neckline revealed a fair expanse of skin, her chest rising and falling.
Her elegant neck and jade-like fingers, set against the red silk, appeared even more delicate and fair.
Her feet, placed to the side, were adorned with gold and jade bracelets. Her toenails were painted vermilion. Her snow-white, tender feet, with their smooth curves, evoked a desire to cradle them to her chest, to warm, admire, and play with them.
“Please be seated.” Another beautiful maid softly beckoned, gracefully leading them to the banquet seats.
Chu Yun and Jin Bihan sat next to each other, with wine and fruit before them on the table. Beautiful maids offered to sit beside them, but were waved away, drawing glances of mild disappointment.
“How strange. What do you two think this place is? Pretending to be aloof here?” someone scoffed, displeased by their unconventional behavior.
“If you have the guts, announce yourselves. Let’s see who’s putting on airs in front of everyone.” Many in attendance were young and handsome, already somewhat tipsy.
“I came here specifically for Hongshang Fairy. I require a private setting to discuss some matters with her alone,” Chu Yun ignored the provocations and spoke directly to Hongshang Fairy.
“What? You want a private rendezvous with the Fairy?”
“A toad wanting to eat swan meat, what a fantasy.”
“Who is the Fairy? Why would she favor you?”
Chu Yun’s words stirred a storm. The hall erupted in indignation, and many glared at him, a sense of collective anger rising.
Chu Yun sneered. He only feared Hongshang Fairy and harbored no intentions. His gaze was as clear as water.
“Brother Chu, what are you doing?” Jin Bihan was also perplexed. She didn’t know Hongshang Fairy’s true identity. Chu Yun’s immediate request for a private conversation left her bewildered.
Hongshang Fairy’s eyes narrowed.
She recognized Chu Yun.
Ning Yiyi was her disciple, and she had taught her much about the art of seduction. After Chu Yun rejected the Ning family’s proposal, she had paid some attention to his name.
Then, at the Star Saint Grand Ceremony, Chu Yun’s miraculous reversal after comprehending the meteor arrow left a deep impression on her.
Subsequently, Chu Yun left the Academy, winning battles and gaining renown, further piquing her interest.
Now, seeing Chu Yun arrive on her ship, Hongshang Fairy keenly sensed he had ulterior motives.
Along with a hint of surprise, the female pirate captain chuckled inwardly, “This is interesting.”
“The request made by this young master indeed puts Hongshang in a difficult position… What to do?” Hongshang Fairy’s voice turned soft, her brows furrowed in feigned distress, her eyes full of allure, appearing pitiful.
“This Scarlet Tiger…” Chu Yun’s heart sank. He realized Scarlet Tiger had recognized him but was deliberately acting this way, likely to make things difficult for him.
As expected, a man utterly smitten by Hongshang Fairy, who had been sitting opposite Chu Yun, suddenly stood up. Hiccuping and staggering, he walked towards Chu Yun.
He approached Chu Yun, pointing at his face, and mockingly sneered, “Who do you think you are? How dare you trouble Hongshang Fairy? You’re just looking for death! I’ll beat you… Ugh!”
His vision blurred with intoxication. As he got closer, he suddenly saw Chu Yun’s face clearly and froze, his whole body stiffening.
“Aren’t you going to hit me? Why did you stop?” Chu Yun chuckled softly.
The man shivered as if doused with a bucket of cold water from head to toe.
“I… I am not feeling well from the drink. I shall take my leave now, excuse me…”
His expression was one of alarm, his forehead instantly covered in cold sweat. He no longer dared to look at Chu Yun, merely bowed to Hongshang Fairy and quickly turned to leave.
“Huh?” Everyone was surprised. The hall was filled with a subtle fragrance and dim lighting, creating an ambiguous atmosphere. Thus, people couldn’t see each other clearly. Many were also tipsy, so they hadn’t recognized Chu Yun.
However, now, all eyes turned to Chu Yun.
“Heh, I’d like to see who this sacred person is.” A person sitting closest to Chu Yun, right next to him, leaned over and squinted to get a better look.
This glance was anything but ordinary.
*Clatter!*
His knees buckled, and he almost fell backward, as if an invisible force had pushed him to the ground. His arm swept out, knocking over the wine cups on the table. The wine spilled onto his clothes, but he didn’t notice.
“Chu… Chu Yun…” he stammered, his disdain and contempt replaced by fear and shock.
The boisterous hall fell silent.
After the initial shock, the unrestrained young talents fell silent. Some drank morosely, while others seemed to ponder some philosophical truth.
Who was Chu Yun?
He was the Young Bawang of the Archipelago.
Since his debut, he had been undefeated. Those in the hall vaguely remembered the prowess of the Fang family’s three sons, only to be slaughtered by Chu Yun.
Even the heavily guarded Wei Family Island was ambushed by Chu Yun with four hundred men and collapsed.
Duan Tianya, Yuan Saibo, and Shen Wenbo were renowned generals who attacked Chu Yun simultaneously. One was cut down, another shot dead, and the third had his neck snapped with bare hands.
Even during his tribulation, he was not at peace. The Yan Family’s main fleet encountered him and was also harassed by him.
Such a formidable figure, much like the Chu Bawang of old, rose to power and swept across the land, instantly exerting immense psychological pressure on everyone in the hall.
“Fortunately, I was not speaking carelessly at the time,” someone thought, relieved.
“Why is the Young Bawang suddenly here?” another wondered uneasily.
“The terror of the Young Bawang lies in his fearlessness. The Wei Family Island, Duan Tianya, the Yan Family’s main fleet – no matter how powerful the existence, he dared to fight and kill. If he were enraged, who could stop him from killing someone on the spot?” Many felt uneasy.
“Alas, he is undeniably the second-best of the younger generation. Only the young master of the Tie family can truly rank above him. How strange, it’s widely known that the Tie family’s young master fancies Hongshang Fairy. He is in the sea market now, so why hasn’t he arrived?”
Just as people were quietly wondering, the voice of the Tie family’s young master echoed from outside the door.
“Tie Ao is honored and fortunate to meet the great Hongshang Fairy here…” His voice was resonant and confident, filled with magnanimity and deep sentiment.
Instantly, the spirits of those in the hall were lifted.
