Chapter 91: Fated Enemies Meet

In the night air of Beihai City this April, a gentle warmth had begun to stir. In truth, even in the first lunar month, Beihai City was rarely bitter; after all, it sat at the southernmost tip of the human realm, moderated by the vast expanse of the South Sea.

Beneath a waning moon, the night view of Beihai City was quite beautiful. Crossing the hill, the group gazed down at the city lights, all sharing the same thought. Yet, more beautiful than the city itself were the fishing villages lining the South Sea coast; at night, those dim, flickering threads of light traced the very edge of the world.

The group entered the city well past midnight. Despite its large population, most citizens were already asleep, and few souls wandered the streets—at most, only travelers like Qin Yi and his companions.

After some time, the old man and the young girl led the group to a grand estate. Even in Beihai City, such a residence would rank among the best, though the two large characters on the black plaque hanging above the gate made Qin Yi frown.

"Liao Estate."

"We're home," the young girl said with a touch of pride as she looked at the gate. This was understandable; in the South Sea, the Liao family was second only to the three great clans in influence. Though they had suffered some setbacks during the turmoil of a few months ago due to the Qian family, they remained a formidable power.

"Go and return quickly," Qin Yi said.

"Mm!" The girl nodded, looking slightly disappointed, and walked alone through the gate. The old man remained with Qin Yi’s group.

The guards at the gate had long since recognized their master and the young lady. While they showed no overt hostility, their demeanor was far from welcoming—after all, those who serve as watchdogs usually have a sharp eye for trouble.

"Liao family guards, move to emergency alert!"

A long time passed, and just as the girl failed to return, a sharp shout erupted from within the estate. The guards outside immediately raised their weapons, eyeing Qin Yi’s group with hostility. Soon, more guards rushed out, surrounding the group with menacing glares.

Qin Yi listened to the voice—not entirely familiar, but not exactly a stranger’s either—and felt a wave of resignation. As expected, when the guards had swarmed out, the estate gates parted slightly, and two figures emerged. One was the young girl; the other was a woman in black. By some twist of fate, Qin Yi had encountered her months ago when he first arrived in the South Sea, and the meeting had been less than pleasant.

Who else could it be, with such a display of force, but that "she-devil" of the Liao family?

"Qin Yi, do you take my Liao family for fools? To think you’d use my grandfather and sister to extort us!" Liao Ruiting glared at him, her voice harsh.

The girl looked helpless; she held a small bundle, presumably the money, but Liao Ruiting pulled her back, preventing her from stepping forward.

"It is merely a debt being repaid," Qin Yi said. "If you do not wish to return it, then so be it. We don't want it."

It was only a small sum of money, and Qin Yi had no desire to entangle himself further with this woman. She was nothing but a nuisance.

"Hmph!" Liao Ruiting scoffed. "Do you think my Liao family is a place you can come and go as you please?" She waved a hand and commanded, "Take them!"

The guards shifted, their steps slow but deliberate. Everyone could see they were like arrows on a taut string, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

*Clang...*

Suddenly, the sound of a sword ringing out pierced the air. A flash of cold light zipped past, and before anyone could react, a plum-red longsword had slammed into the stone pavement directly in front of the young girl. The small bundle was gone from her hands, pinned firmly to the ground by the sword, which had pierced right through the cloth.

The onlookers gasped, and cold sweat beaded on Liao Ruiting’s forehead. A profound silence fell over the scene.

*Whoosh.*

With a flick, the cold plum sword flew back into Jiang Yao’s hand. She tossed the bundle to Zhu Chunfu. From start to finish, she hadn't uttered a single word, yet the silence remained absolute.

Zhu Chunfu fumbled with the bundle for a moment, took out a few silver ingots, and tossed the rest back to the young girl. He chuckled, "I only took back what was owed. Consider the rest a tip for your trouble—I don't need it."

The girl didn't reach for the bundle, but it flew naturally into her hands.

The group turned and departed, neither rushing nor lingering. Long after they had vanished down the street, Liao Ruiting remained frozen, stamping her feet in fury. The young girl tugged on her sleeve, staring at her with wide, unblinking eyes.

"Let's go, let's head inside," the old man said, appearing beside his granddaughters. He walked into the estate, and the two girls followed.

***

After settling the Xijiang Martial Arts Hall group in Beihai City, Qin Yi and his companions headed to the fishing village on the eastern side. He had inquired at the He family and learned that the entire Fish-Dragon Fort had relocated here. It was rumored that this was the site where the He family planned to build a new wharf. Though construction hadn't started, the emergence of this new fishing village had piqued the curiosity of the locals.

Even more astonishing was the momentum of the villagers here; they seemed to have the help of gods. Even if they hadn't struck it rich overnight, they were doing quite well. If anyone had truly flourished, it was the Zhang Family Wine Shop. There were certainly secrets involved—the locals knew this—but they couldn't deny that most people in Beihai had grown fond of the purple rice-steamed wine, save for the few who clung to the nostalgia of old flavors.

The village’s name echoed its burgeoning prosperity: "Fish-Dragon Village." After all, with the South Sea right at its doorstep, how could the fish and dragons not thrive?

Upon returning home, Qin Yi pushed Zhu Chunfu toward Qin Tian and took Jiang Yao to rest. Only then did he learn that Qin Tian had become the village chief. His house was not only more luxurious than the others but was also built at the highest point in the center of the village—a deliberate choice, no doubt.

Qin Yi didn't worry about the sea breeze being cold; the South Sea wind was different from the West Sea’s, and with Qin Tian and He Wanting’s century-level cultivation, they had nothing to fear.

Qin Yi inwardly scolded the He family for their poor arrangements. They were such a powerful force in the South Sea, yet their only son-in-law was merely a small village chief. He knew neither party cared for such things, but surely a man of his standing deserved to manage at least a wharf.

Of course, he knew that while Qin Tian held the title of chief, the daily affairs were managed by Old Fort Master Li. Qin Tian only appeared when force was required.

"Uncle Qin," Zhu Chunfu said respectfully. If it weren't for Qin Yi, he would have called him "Senior."

"Sit down," Qin Tian said, gesturing to the chair opposite him. Zhu Chunfu complied.

"Qin Yi must have given you a rough idea of why I asked you here," Qin Tian said.

"It is for my Fourth Junior Brother," Zhu Chunfu replied.

"Qin Yi was named for that very reason," Qin Tian said. He opened his robe to reveal a clawing dragon totem on his chest. "When you were with him, did you ever see this on him?"

Zhu Chunfu was startled and shook his head sincerely. He had never seen it, and he knew Qin Yi hadn't either.

"It is said your two senior brothers are still searching for your Fourth Junior Brother," Qin Tian noted.

Zhu Chunfu nodded helplessly. "That is why I haven't returned home in many years."

"Can you be certain he died in the Desolate Marsh?"

"You should ask Jiang Yao," Zhu Chunfu said. "We only learned the truth of those events because of her."

Qin Tian stood up and walked to the balcony, looking out over the bustling lights of Fish-Dragon Village. He whispered to himself, "Father, I promise you, in this life, I will restore the Dongling Kingdom, and I will find my brother."

***

Early the next morning, the Xijiang Martial Arts Hall group arrived in Fish-Dragon Village to see Qin Tian. They were overjoyed to find Qin Yi there as well.

Over breakfast, Zhan Beihai raised his cup with a grin. "Brother Qin Yi, you were hiding your talents! I was in the Ten Thousand Mountains for a while and didn't hear the news. I never expected you to be the only son of Senior Qin Tian! A tiger father has no dog sons—or rather, I should call you Uncle Qin now."

Qin Yi laughed. "Brother Beihai is too kind. These things are not important."

Zhan Beihai finished his wine. "It is a pity I couldn't witness Senior Qin’s 'Two Sleeves of Green Dragons' in person. That was the peerless technique of the former master of Lingzhou; it must have been earth-shattering."

"If Brother Beihai doesn't mind, you will have the chance to see my 'Two Sleeves of Green Dragons' in the future," Qin Yi promised.

Zhan Beihai sighed. "I fear by then I will have been defeated at the Nanshan Dao Discussion. But to lose to you would be an honor. I only pray to the heavens that I don't run into you too early!"

"You are too humble," Qin Yi teased. "You keep acting weak. I suspect you'll be the one to eliminate me."

"Playing the underdog, that's all! Haha!"

The meal was a joyful one, a rare moment where they could drink freely, unlike their time at the Nanshan Tower. However, they could only stay for the day; the Nanshan Dao Discussion began in two days, and they had to depart tomorrow.

At dawn the next day, before the sun had cleared the horizon, the group prepared to leave. As always, parting was difficult. He Wanting fussed over Qin Yi’s sleeves, smoothing them out for the tenth time, her hands lingering on his shoulders.

"Mother, that’s enough," Qin Yi said, gently taking her hands. He smiled at the group, who were watching with amused expressions. "If you don't let go, they won't wait for us."

He Wanting looked resigned. She knew that a journey of a thousand miles must end in a parting. She was no longer the plain-faced woman of the past; she wore a hint of rouge, and as a lady of the He family, she carried herself with a new elegance.

"Take care," Qin Yi said with a wave, turning to join his companions. He glanced back one last time, meeting her gaze with a warm smile.

As they flew off on their mystical artifacts, Qin Tian stood behind his wife. "Even if we kept him here to aid his cultivation, his path is one he must find for himself. Let him go; every one of his family is a heaven-sent talent."

He Wanting rolled her eyes at him, amused by his pride.

Qin Tian smiled, but his brow furrowed as he thought of his brother. "I may go to find my brother in a while."

"I'll go with you," He Wanting said.

Qin Tian shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous."

"You think I'm a burden?" she teased.

"Never. But this place... it is truly perilous." Seeing his seriousness, her expression hardened. "Are you going to the Desolate Marsh?"

Qin Tian nodded.

"You know the dangers there—the schemes of men, the restless spirits of thousands of years, and the agents of the other three clans," she warned.

"If I don't go, I will never know his fate," Qin Tian said firmly. "Before, when Xiaoyi was young, I couldn't leave. But now, he is grown and safe on Mount Taiyi, and you are here in the South Sea. I must go."

He Wanting said no more. She knew her husband—once he made a decision, he was immovable. "When do you plan to leave?"

"Once things settle here. I will tell Xiaoyi in person." Qin Tian paused. "It is strange, though. Jiang Yao didn't leave his side."

He Wanting rolled her eyes again. "Are you thinking of your own son? Perhaps the girl has fallen for him! She is a good child; I like her."

Qin Tian laughed helplessly. "Who wouldn't? But from what I hear, they are childhood sweethearts. It’s a strange bond, and Zhu Chunfu doesn't seem to mind at all."

"Hmph! That's their business," she said. "If Xiaoyi can marry her, all the better."

They stood on the balcony in silence as the sun finally crested the horizon.

***

Before the group had even crossed the hill bordering Beihai City, the first rays of light spilled over the lush landscape. Qin Yi turned, watching the great sun rise from the vast sea.

"A magnificent 'Great Sun Bathing in the South Sea,'" Qin Yi remarked.

"It is beautiful," Zhan Beihai agreed. "One day, we must go to the West Sea to see the 'West Sea Sunset Red.'"

"The West Sea sunset may be more spectacular," Qin Yi said, "but this is exactly what we need right now."

"Indeed," Zhan Beihai replied. "Full of vigor."

The city was already alive. The people of Beihai understood the value of the morning; the cultivators were practicing, the fishermen were heading out to sea, and the streets were already bustling. Smoke curled from chimneys.

The scene was beautiful, yet it was but a drop in the ocean of the Divine Continent. In his past life, he had known only endless toil. In this life, he would not repeat that.

Life is short; seize the joy while you can.

He would raise his sword to the Nine Heavens and see, once and for all, if the immortals truly existed.