Chapter 76: Bole Gifts a Book, Chu Yun Hijacks a Ship
Author: Gu Zhenren
“Set sail.” Chu Yun boarded the ship.
“Aren’t we waiting for Shi Jiaming?” Yan Que asked curiously.
“We’re not waiting. Time is of the essence. We need to hurry back to Shu Island as soon as possible,” Chu Yun sighed.
Before he could finish, a figure emerged from the darkness and appeared in his sight.
It was Jin Bihan.
“Wait for me!” Jin Bihan waved and shouted.
“You promised to wait for me, Brother Chu. How could you leave without me?” Jin Bihan said resentfully as she boarded the ship and looked at Chu Yun.
Chu Yun touched his nose. “A thousand-mile farewell, and we must part. Why be so indecisive?”
Jin Bihan suddenly smiled, her bright eyes and rosy cheeks, her graceful beauty, making even the moonlight seem dim. “Who says I’m here to see you off? If Yan Que can rely on you, can’t I?”
Chu Yun looked at Jin Bihan in astonishment.
She took out a pile of Immortal Pouches from her bag and handed them to Chu Yun. “Here. Haven’t you been saying that the Shu family navy lacks demonic beasts for long-range firepower?”
Since their hard-won victory against the residual wolf pirate group, the Shu family’s already scarce volcanic turtle demonic beasts were almost gone. This kind of war resource was always welcome, no matter how much one had, and could not be bought on the market. It could only be accumulated through a long process of time.
Jin Bihan handed over more than 50 Immortal Pouches. Chu Yun opened them and found they were all volcanic turtles, Lesser Demon level, and quite well-raised.
“You used your academic credits to exchange for these demonic beasts. Is this the great gift you mentioned you were giving me?” Chu Yun was astonished, and then touched and delighted.
Jin Bihan shrugged, saying casually, “I couldn’t reach 1000 academic credits anyway, and you needed them urgently, so I just used them all. Don’t worry, I’ll continue to earn academic credits when I return to the Academy.”
“You rascal…” Chu Yun didn’t know what to say for a moment.
Yan Que gave Jin Bihan a thumbs-up. “Brother Shi is truly generous, I admire you.”
Jin Bihan smiled slightly, her beautiful eyes twinkling with a proud expression.
The treasure ship set sail. The development of events was both within and beyond Chu Yun’s expectations. He led a group of people, sailing through the dark sea.
The future was uncertain, and the waves were treacherous. What awaited him?
“He’s finally gone.” The White-Browed Alchemist stood atop Green Hill, watching the treasure ship sail away, and sighed deeply.
Beside him was the immortal wind-like Feng Bole. “What can stop a man from protecting his Homeland? This is Chu Yun. He has seen his path clearly and is acting according to his true heart. Don’t you think his future is worth looking forward to?”
“That is true. But that child, Jin Bihan, is also on the ship, and she even used her academic credits to exchange for volcanic turtles. What about that?” The White-Browed Alchemist frowned.
Feng Bole chuckled three times and stroked his beard. “What else can be done? The Dunhuang Country Lord entrusted me to take good care of her. In this case, I have no choice but to give her the ‘Trembling Nine Heavens’ directly. As for the Academy’s rules, I can’t worry about them anymore. I will bear all the future responsibilities!”
“Sir, in that case, your position as Dean…”
“Our former third-generation Dean was willing to sacrifice for it. What is the mere position of Dean to me, Feng Bole? Sometimes I think the greatest joy of our ancestors was watching the younger generations surge forward, the wheels of history turning with the old and the new. Heh heh, isn’t it interesting?”
Feng Bole turned to the White-Browed Alchemist, his sleeves rustling in the mountain wind. His snow-white beard fluttered, and he exuded an immortal aura.
Night sea, treasure ship.
“Tie Family, Hua Family, Wei Family, Ma Family, Ning Family, Yan Family, Duan Family, Sha Family, Shen Family, Yuan Family, Fang Family, Wang Family, Tang Family, Xu Family. A total of 14 city and island powers have united. Among them, the Tie Family has the strongest military might, while the Yan Family has the deepest foundation. The Duan Family has dispatched a great general this time, and the Fang Family head’s three sons are not to be underestimated…”
The ship’s cabin was brightly lit, and a group of people gathered, their atmosphere solemn, all listening to Yan Que speak.
The situation was dire. The combined forces of the 14 families, whether in warships, troops, or generals, displayed a strength more than ten times that of Shu Island.
After Yan Que finished his introduction, Chu Yun stood up and scanned the more than 20 scholars. “You are all welcome to share your thoughts.”
Although Chu Yun was flustered, his expression remained calm. This reassured the uneasy scholars, and they began to speak one after another.
Chu Yun listened carefully, sometimes smiling and nodding in approval.
The discussion in the cabin grew more passionate, and they dispersed late into the night, still energized.
Chu Yun left the cabin and wandered leisurely near the ship’s railing. When no one was around, he finally revealed his true emotions, letting out a soft sigh, his brows filled with worry.
His actions just now were deliberate. He wanted to test the talents of these scholars. The results were unsatisfactory, far from the level of Yan Que and Jin Bihan.
“Brother Chu, are you disappointed in these scholars?” Jin Bihan’s concerned voice came from behind him.
Chu Yun didn’t turn around. He leaned on the ship’s railing, facing the sea, and said, “These scholars are all optimistic. Some hope to find allies, some believe reconciliation is possible, and others think they can fight a few small battles to show their military might and then negotiate. Little do they know that these actions will cause great harm to Shu Island’s interests. Hoping for compromise is beneficial in no way.”
“Scholarly opinions, after living in the Academy for three years, it’s understandable. Moreover, they are all from common backgrounds and lack understanding of the struggles at the top, which is also entirely comprehensible. However, after some tempering and facing the test of reality, they can be made useful,” Jin Bihan walked to Chu Yun’s side, leaning her elbow on the ship’s railing, her eyes looking forward.
Chu Yun glanced at Jin Bihan. The ship’s lights illuminated her small profile, and the sea breeze blew against her beautiful, jade-like face, ruffling her hair.
After a moment’s thought, Chu Yun spoke. “At the Grand Archery Ceremony, didn’t you advise me to let go? Why did you suddenly decide to help me? Earlier, in the cabin, you were hiding in a corner and didn’t say a word. Do you have a plan in mind?”
“Are you testing me?” Jin Bihan turned to look at Chu Yun, a hint of a smile flashing in her beautiful eyes. “Frankly, my feelings for you are complicated. I know full well that what you’re doing is irrational, but I can’t help but want to see you persist and succeed. Perhaps it has something to do with our shared experiences. As for a plan, it’s quite simple. The opposing 14 powers are allied, but they won’t be of one mind. We can use alliances and stratagems to sow discord and divide them.”
“Haha. As expected of Shi Jiaming!” Chu Yun clapped his hands and laughed. “I had the same idea.”
After speaking, he looked deeply at Jin Bihan, finding it strange. With her outstanding abilities, why was there no trace of her in his memories of his previous life? The Dunhuang royal family, aside from that one person, all became puppets in the hands of various separatist forces.
“Heh heh heh, alliances and stratagems, sowing discord and division, is indeed a way to solve difficulties,” just then, Feng Bole’s voice entered their minds.
“Dean?!” Chu Yun and Jin Bihan almost cried out.
“Hush, don’t be loud. Come to the stern of the ship,” Feng Bole transmitted again.
The two couldn’t help but look at each other, wondering what the Dean’s sudden appearance meant.
In the dark corner at the stern of the ship, they found Feng Bole.
“Good, youngsters are fearless calves; they should hold onto their true hearts and charge forward. However, they should also cherish their useful bodies and understand the principles of advancing and retreating. Of course, I still trust you, Chu Yun. I’ve come to give this Jade Slip to you both. You can study it together.” As he spoke, Feng Bole handed over a Jade Slip.
Chu Yun took it and couldn’t help but exclaim softly, “Trembling Nine Heavens?”
Jin Bihan’s body trembled, her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief as she looked at Feng Bole.
“The Dunhuang Country Lord’s dying wish was for me to look after you. Although ‘Trembling Nine Heavens’ is only a Supreme grade Monster Taming method, it is of great importance. Within the Imperial Tomb’s secret treasure lies the secret power to protect the Dunhuang throne. Mastering ‘Trembling Nine Heavens’ will help you enter the true Imperial Tomb’s secret treasure. You must take care of yourself,” Feng Bole explained to Jin Bihan in a gentle tone.
“Dean, if you give me this Jade Slip as a junior, what about you?” The Dunhuang Princess was both touched and hesitant. She knew some of the inside story. This time, Feng Bole was violating the Academy’s rules. If he were exposed and the Academy alliance found out, he was very likely to lose his position as Dean.
“The future will take care of itself. Let me learn from the impulsiveness of you young people. Heh heh heh.” Feng Bole laughed three times and blinked three times. “30 nautical miles east, there’s a Shu family ship trapped in an encirclement. You can go and rescue them. Don’t say old man told you. I’m leaving!”
As quickly as he arrived, he was gone. In front of Chu Yun, he flicked his long sleeve, and Feng Bole transformed into a gentle breeze, whooshing away without a trace.
Jin Bihan stood there dumbfounded, feeling as if she were in a dream.
Chu Yun’s eyes, however, flashed with sharp light. He grabbed Jin Bihan’s arm and ran towards the captain’s cabin. “What are you still standing there for? 30 nautical miles to the east! We need to change course immediately and rescue our Shu Island ships.”
“But this is the Academy’s treasure ship. The captain is only responsible for ferrying us; he might not listen to us,” Jin Bihan hadn’t fully reacted yet.
“He certainly won’t let us act recklessly. So this time—we’re hijacking the ship!”
“Wh-what?!” In an instant, Jin Bihan’s eyes widened.
“Don’t worry, the Dean agreed. He won’t blame us afterward,” Chu Yun laughed heartily.
Jin Bihan, being intelligent, immediately recalled Feng Bole’s words, “Don’t say old man told you,” and the expression on his face when he blinked.
She suddenly understood. “So that’s what it is!”
