The Bond with the Shark

In a moment of helplessness, Yang Jingtian suddenly recalled a childhood memory when Old Master Mo had commanded him to fight a tiger in the deep mountains. Not only had he subdued the beast, but he also joyfully rode it back home.

That tiger, king of the land, was hardly inferior to the shark in the sea. If he could mount a tiger, surely he could mount a mere shark.

With that thought, Yang Jingtian made a swift move and mounted the back of a tiger shark.

The tiger shark, feeling Yang's weight, sank slightly and began to thrash about, attempting to dislodge him.

Yet, Yang Jingtian held on tightly to its winged fins, defiant in the face of the shark's desperate tumult.

The frantic shark dove deep into the ocean, hoping to use the pressure of the deep sea to compel Yang to relent.

For the average person, the grip would have slackened long ago. Moreover, diving with a shark without having mastered the Art of Turtle Breathing was a recipe for exhaustion, if not suffocation.

Yang had perfected the Art of Turtle Breathing at the tender age of seven, and his underwater skills surpassed all others. The shark's struggles only served to ignite his fighting spirit.

Yang gripped the shark tightly, scraping its body with a knife to assert his dominance.

The pain was unbearable for the shark, inducing it to roll with even more vigor.

But Yang was relentless, the man and shark entangled in this struggle.

From night to day, after seven or eight hours, the shark eventually yielded. When the tiger shark surfaced, Yang was just as exhausted.

The sunlight shone brilliantly over the ocean; the blue waters glistened.

Every so often, the tiger shark would gasp for air. Yang gently patted its head, saying, "Beast, even you tire."

The shark seemed to understand Yang's words, responding with a flick of its tail. At sea, this tiger shark became Yang's sole support. Without it, Yang's capabilities would have been futile amidst the vast ocean.

When hunger struck, the shark would feast on small fish, thoughtfully catching some for Yang as well.

Yang hadn't expected that, after such an ordeal, the wild creature would become so tame, effectively becoming his mount.

Consuming raw fish wasn't exactly pleasant, but fortunately, the sea offered more than just fish—there were also shrimps, which were far more palatable.

After their fill, Yang patted the shark's head, "Partner, let's head back to shore."

Strikingly, the shark wagged its tail but then shook its head, before propelling itself forward like an arrow released from its bow, speeding ahead.

Amid the boundless sea, Yang Jingtian revelled in a unique brand of romance, blending the thrill of narrow escapes with the majesty and vastness of the ocean. This feeling of pride and exuberance was indescribable. Riding a shark through the sea's expanse felt exponentially more exhilarating than galloping on a horse across the plains.

The azure sea merged with the sky at the horizon, blurring the line between sea and heaven. Only the dark gold of the sun overhead affirmed the presence of the sky.

Just as Yang wondered why they hadn't reached land after such a long journey, a marvelous sight appeared.

At the edge of the sea, a massive ship was slowly passing by.

Joyfully, Yang patted the back of the tiger shark, saying excitedly, "Buddy, there's hope for us yet. Quick, towards that ship."

The tiger shark, however, just wagged its tail, clearly unwilling to approach.

Yang slapped its head harder, half-joking, "You scoundrel—no, you're not an egg at all. You're a dead shark if you don't listen to me." Yang even took out a knife from his waistband as he spoke, shaking it as a threat.

The tiger shark twitched, seemingly understanding Yang's intent.

"So why aren't we moving?" Yang pressed.

After a moment, with a tremble, it seemed the shark feared it might be harmed by those aboard the ship.

Laughing heartily, Yang assured, "Go on; with me here, no one can hurt you."

With a final, determined thrust, the shark made a beeline towards the massive vessel.

As Yang, riding the shark, closed to within a half-mile of the ship, shouts erupted from the deck, "A shark! There's a shark!"

Curious, the passengers crowded the railings to catch a glimpse.

The ship, towering four stories high and carrying over a hundred people, saw its railings suddenly filled to the brim.

"Look, there's someone on the shark!"

"Indeed, a boy. He's mounted on the shark's back."

"He's so handsome! Absolutely captivating."

"Right?!"

…

Yang Jingtian, confident that the last phrases were indeed uttered by women, and with such enticing voices, patted the tiger shark's head, saying, "Buddy, did you see? They're lining up to welcome us, and the ladies are even complimenting your handsomeness!"

The passengers aboard observed Yang Jingtian as he maneuvered the tiger shark across the ocean's surface with remarkable agility, akin to a horse galloping freely on land.

At that moment, someone on the ship called out, "Hey there, need some help?"

Yang replied, "I was just out at sea enjoying a ride on my pet shark and now I seem to be lost."

The person asked, "Where's your home?"

"Gold Sand Village," Yang answered.

Murmurs spread among the crew, "We've never heard of that place."

Yang then inquired, "Where are you all headed?"

"We're bound for the Central Plains," answered the crew.

Upon hearing this, Yang was overtaken by a wave of excitement.

The Central Plains—the very place Yang Jingtian longed for day and night. A place of martial arts, unparalleled masters, stunning beauties, and countless legends. As Old Master Mo had said, a man who hasn't journeyed through the jianghu hasn't truly lived.

What Yang Jingtian sought was to venture into the jianghu.

Unable to return home, Yang proposed, "May I accompany you to the Central Plains?"

"Wait a moment, we'll lower a ladder for you," the crew replied.

With a spirited leap, Yang jumped from the shark's back onto the ship's deck, stating, "No bother, I can manage on my own."

The ship's captain, a seasoned sailor in his forties, approached and asked, "Young man, if you're joining us to the Central Plains, what about your shark?"

Looking at the surface of the sea, Yang noticed the tiger shark lingering around the ship, unwilling to leave.

Watching the shark's silhouette, Yang didn't expect the beast to have formed a bond with him. He reflected on their time together—without the shark, he might have already perished at sea.

With a heavy heart and tears in his eyes, Yang earnestly waved at the shark, "Buddy, you can go back now. I'm heading to the Central Plains, you don't need to follow."

The shark circled the ship three times in the water, then leaped high above the surface three times before diving down into the depths, slowly drifting away.

The spectacle left the onlookers aboard in awe. This ferocious shark, known for its deadly nature, shared an uncommonly deep connection with the young man before them.

The notion that sharks could possess such emotions was unfathomable.

The faces of everyone on the ship were marked by surprise and admiration.

Indeed, what unfolded before them was an experience beyond anything they had encountered before.