Tempestuous Waters
"Your destiny cannot be undone"
In a sudden gasp, Xing Ziao abruptly rose from his sleep, perspiration drenching his body as he struggled for breath.
A younger man with silvery-white hair, his hands clasping a bundle of fruits, swiftly approached, his steps filled with concern.
"Ziao ge, are you unwell? You seem to appear troubled."
Xing Ziao who was breathing heavily, shook his head in response.
"It is merely another one of my troubled dreams," Xing Ziao sighed, his voice tinged with resignation.
The younger man lowered himself to a crouching position beside his elder brother, extending the bundle of fruits he had just brought.
"Can you recall the content of this unsettling dream, Ziao ge?" the younger man inquired with genuine concern.
"No, yet I sense its familiarity, resembling my previous dreams. Though the details appear blurred, I discern a scene of warfare."
The younger man nodded in agreement, continuing to chew on one of the fruits he had brought.
Xing Ziao rose to his feet and retrieved his Iron Spear, which had been resting against a nearby tree.
"I am certain these dreams hold no significance," he murmured as he gathered their belongings.
"Let us depart, Kuai. The Kingdom of Jianghu lies three days' journey from here. We must hasten our pace, lest we miss the opportunity to partake in the celestial warrior's trial."
As Xing Ziao and Kuai made their way northward through the forest, their destination set on the coastal town of Yuzhou harbor.
-
Finally, they arrived at the outskirts of Yuzhou harbor, greeted by a gentle breeze carrying the scent of the ocean. The town bustled with activity, its streets filled with merchants selling their goods and fishermen tending to their nets. The air was infused with the aroma of fresh seafood, mingling with the sounds of bustling voices and the occasional creaking of ships.
Xing Ziao led the way through the busy streets, guided by his instincts. Kuai, full of youthful enthusiasm, closely followed, scanning the harbor for a suitable ship to carry them to Jianghu.
Amidst the crowd, a quaint stall caught their attention. It displayed vibrant fabrics and trinkets, but it was a pure white and golden fan that captivated Kuai. Intricate patterns adorned its delicate surface, and its elegant form stood out among the other items.
Kuai's eyes widened with fascination as he reached out to touch the fan, relishing its coolness against his fingertips. He sensed a special connection with this seemingly ordinary object.
Unable to resist, Kuai exchanged a few coins with the stall owner and cradled the fan in his hands. Its weight felt comforting and familiar.
Observing his younger brother, Xing Ziao couldn't help but feel a mild sense of amusement and genuine curiosity.
"You've found a worthy replacement for your broken fan," he remarked with a smile.
"and here I thought you would never replace the one you bought in our hometown despite it being unusable,"
Kuai smirked with satisfaction, fluttering the fan gracefully. "Even my thoughts could change Ziao ge, and this fan feels much more comfortable to handle. Judging by the quality of its materials, I am confident it won't fail me when facing an enemy."
They then continued their search for a ship until they came across an elderly sailor, who motioned them closer.
They both approached the elderly sailor, acknowledging his keen perception. Xing Ziao's gaze met the sailor's wise and weathered eyes, filled with years of seafaring experiences.
"Both of you don't seem to come from here," the sailor said, his voice carrying a hint of curiosity and intrigue.
"Yes, we are both travelers from the South," Xing Ziao confirmed with a nod
"We seek passage on a ship that would take us to the Kingdom of Jianghu"
The elderly sailor's face crinkled into a knowing smile. "Ah, the Kingdom of Jianghu. I have sailed those waters many times, and I know just the ship that can take you there."
Xing Ziao and Kuai exchanged a glance, a sense of relief washing over them and waited for the sailor's guidance.
"Follow me," the elderly sailor beckoned
Navigating through the maze-like alleys of the harbor town, the sailor led them to the docks where ships of various sizes bobbed gently on the water. Kuai's eyes shimmered with excitement at the sight.
Approaching a sturdy vessel adorned with modest carvings, the sailor turned to them, a mix of admiration and caution in his eyes. "This ship, the Zhongxin chuan, will take you to Jianghu. But be aware, The sea can be unforgiving, it may look peaceful but far deep the water, are creatures that are just waiting for its prey,"
Xing Ziao and Kuai exchanged knowing glances, feeling confused for as far as they know, the Sea is a harmonious place.
The sailor then continued. "Very well, young travelers. May the winds be in your favor, and may the sea carry you safely to Jianghu. Step aboard the Zhongxin chuan, and may your journey be filled with courage and enlightenment."
With a grateful bow, Xing Ziao and Kuai stepped onto the deck of the ship. The ship groaned and swayed beneath their feet as it set sail, leaving the harbor town of Yuzhou behind.
On the ship, Xing Ziao and Kuai found respite for two days as they sailed towards Jianghu. The rhythmic rocking of the vessel and the gentle sound of the waves provided a soothing backdrop to their journey. They spent their time resting and preserving their energy.
However, on the third day, a sense of unease settled upon the air. The once calm sea seemed to carry an eerie presence, as if the elements themselves held their breath, sensing an impending danger. Suddenly, a monstrous sea demon emerged from the depths, its menacing form breaking through the surface with a thunderous crash.
Reacting swiftly, Xing Ziao unsheathed his Iron spear, his eyes narrowing with focus. Kuai, clutching his fan tightly, stood by his side, ready to defend the ship against the looming threat. The demon's malicious intent was palpable as it thrashed and roared, casting a foreboding shadow over the deck.
With calculated precision, Xing Ziao lunged forward, striking at the demon with his spear. Each movement was deliberate and controlled, showcasing his years of training in his swift and powerful strikes. Kuai, utilizing his elegant fan, gracefully deflected the demon's attacks.
Their combined efforts created a dance of martial prowess upon the ship. Xing Ziao's spear pierced through the demon's tough hide, while Kuai's fan directed gusts of wind to disrupt its movements. The battle raged on, their determination unyielding despite the odds stacked against them.
However, the demon's immense power took its toll on the ship and its crew. As Xing Ziao and Kuai fought valiantly, chaos and injuries plagued the deck. Sailors were thrown about, some sustaining wounds from the demon's relentless assaults.
Sailor: "Young travelers! We can't hold on much longer!"
Xing Ziao then gripped his Spear tightly, "It is impossible for us to kill this demon, only those with the Celestial emblem would be able to do it, as much as possible it would be enough for us if we could give this demon a hard blow enough for it to retreat," he said in between fighting the Demon
Kuai who was fighting side by side, understood what he meant, and distracted the Sea-demon, which gave Xing Ziao a chance to find an opening of the demon's weak spot, which is the head and the heart; only those with the Celestial emblem imbued with Celestial prowess would be able to completely cut the Demon's head that would result to eternal death, but in the brother's case, the heart is their only option for it would make sure the Demon would fall weak and flee.
Xing Ziao then attacked the Demon's heart which caused the creature to growl in pain, forcing it to retreat into the depths of the sea.
As the chaos subsided, Xing Ziao and Kuai helped the sailor's surveyed the damage. The ship bore the scars of the encounter, its weakened structure evident. Many crew members lay injured, in need of immediate attention.
Xing Ziao: "I will search the sea for any remaining sailors who were unable to make it back on board."
Kuai nodded, his expression resolute. "I will stay here and help tend to the wounded."
As Xing Ziao leaped off the ship and onto a small boat, his gaze scanned the vast expanse of the sea, searching for any signs of survivors. Meanwhile, Kuai made his way to the lower deck, where injured sailors are tended. The captain followed behind, filled with gratitude and a deep sense of thanks.
Captain: "Young Traveler, I am immensely grateful for what you and your companion have done. Without your help, Zhongxin chuan may have become one of the many ships lost at sea, and the sailors on board, including myself, would have been unable to return to our homes."
Kuai, intrigued by the captain's words, spoke up. "Captain, when you mentioned 'one of the many ships,' what did you mean?"
The captain's face clouded with worry as he began to explain. "About a week ago, several ships set sail towards the Kingdom of Jianghu. However, they have not returned to Yuzhou harbor as expected. Concerned, the harbor elder sent a letter to the kingdom, hoping that the ships had safely arrived. Unfortunately, the response received stated that only ships from the Western and Eastern Harbor had reached the kingdom during the past week."
Kuai's brows furrowed as he contemplated the captain's words. "Captain, it is possible that the sea demons are responsible for the disappearance of the ships. As we are nearing the kingdom, it would be wise to report this to the King and suggest that Zhongxin chuan remains in Jianghu's harbor, away from the dangers lurking at sea, until the issue is resolved."
The captain nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation, and made his way back to the upper deck to relay the information. Just then, Xing Ziao returned to the ship with a survivor.
Together, they assessed the damage and worked to prepare the ship for further journey, eager to reach the Kingdom of Jianghu before nightfall.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky with hues of gold and crimson, Zhongxin chuan successfully arrived at the Kingdom of Jianghu, its passengers grateful for their safe arrival.