108: Set sail

Seven days passed in a flash amidst intense preparations.

Early this morning, as the first light of dawn broke, West Lake City's largest cargo pier was already a cacophony of voices. Laborers shouted and carriages rattled in a scene of bustling activity. The salty sea breeze, tinged with a chill, fluttered the banners along the shore.

Qin Feng and his party arrived at the agreed-upon Berth No. 3 right on time.

He was still dressed in his neat green robes, with the qingming sword hanging at his waist. His Aura was restrained, and his calm eyes held a hint of sharpness. Beside him was Xiaochun, who looked excited yet was trying her best to appear serious. She had changed into light green martial attire suitable for movement, with a small medicine pouch hanging at her waist, looking both heroic and agile.

Following on Qin Feng's other side like a shadow was, naturally, Ji Ruxue. Dressed in black with a cold expression, her presence almost merged with the surrounding shadows; only when her ice-shard-like gaze occasionally swept the area did she reveal her presence.

Standing half a step ahead of Qin Feng was a burly middle-aged man with a rugged face, wearing the official robes of a Vice Pavilion Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. He was Zhao Mang, an Early Stage Martial King. Although he wasn't intentionally releasing his Aura, his mountain-like steadiness and the occasional flash of brilliance in his eyes made it impossible for anyone to underestimate him.

Behind them followed four Hundred Flowers Pavilion guards with fierce Auras and sharp gazes. All of them were experts at the Mid-stage Grand Martial Master level, specifically dispatched by Su Yuetang for Qin Feng's use.

On the pier, Jin Wanguan had already been waiting with his people for a long time. Today, he wore ordinary silk robes, but the anxiety between his brows was hard to completely hide. When he saw that Qin Feng was accompanied not only by a young girl but also by the dignified Zhao Mang—clearly a Martial King expert—he was momentarily stunned. Then, a smile as bright as a blooming chrysanthemum instantly broke out on his face, and half the weight in his heart seemed to vanish!

The Hundred Flowers Pavilion had actually sent a Martial King! This showed that the Hundred Flowers Pavilion attached the utmost importance to his Four Seas Merchant Guild, or rather, to Qin Feng's operation!

"Brother Qin! Vice Pavilion Master Zhao! Everyone, thank you all for your hard work on this trip!" Jin Wanguan hurried forward, warmly cupping his hands in a salute, his tone carrying uncontrollable joy.

"Brother Jin is too polite; it is only our duty," Qin Feng returned the salute.

Zhao Mang also cupped his hands, his voice booming: "President Jin, rest assured. Since I, Zhao, have come, I will certainly do my best."

Jin Wanguan nodded repeatedly and turned to introduce a lean, steady-eyed elderly man in grey robes behind him: "Brother, this is Steward Liu of my guild. He has been with me for decades and is very experienced in sea routes; he also has a Late Martial Master cultivation. All miscellaneous matters of this voyage, as well as the coordination of the crew and guards, can be left to him."

Steward Liu stepped forward and bowed neither humbly nor arrogantly to Qin Feng and Zhao Mang: "This old man is Liu Quan. Greetings, Young Master Qin, Vice Pavilion Master Zhao. I am at your disposal for this journey."

"Steward Liu is too kind. Our experience at sea is not as good as yours; we will need you to take care of things," Qin Feng nodded in acknowledgment.

After the pleasantries were over, Jin Wanguan led the group to look at the berth.

A massive three-masted sailing ship sat quietly by the shore, its hull sitting deep in the water, indicating it was already loaded with heavy cargo. The hull was built of solid ironwood, gleaming with a deep luster, and the prow was carved with a ferocious sea-quelling beast. The flags of the Four Seas Merchant Guild and a name flag with the characters 'ten thousand seas' hung from the tall mainmast. This 'ten thousand seas' was one of the largest and sturdiest cargo ships under the Four Seas Merchant Guild, showing how much importance Jin Wanguan placed on this shipment.

"Brother," Jin Wanguan took Qin Feng's hand and shook it firmly, his tone carrying a final entrustment and a barely perceptible tremor, "My life's fortune and the guild's future are all entrusted to you! Please... take care!"

"Rest assured, Brother Jin, I will not fail the mission," Qin Feng nodded solemnly.

"Board the ship!" Qin Feng said no more and gave the order.

Everyone stepped onto the wide gangplank one by one, boarding this giant vessel that would carry both hope and danger.

Qin Feng, Zhao Mang, Xiaochun, Ji Ruxue, and the four guards from the Hundred Flowers Pavilion were naturally arranged in the best upper-deck cabins. Steward Liu immediately went to direct the sailors and the guild's own guards for the final pre-departure checks.

On the deck, a dark-skinned old man with a weather-beaten face and eyes as sharp as an eagle's came forward. He bowed to Steward Liu, Qin Feng, and the others: "Steward Liu, honored sirs, I am Zhang Yuan, the captain of the ten thousand seas. We are ready and can set sail at any time."

Steward Liu looked at Qin Feng, who gave a slight nod.

Understanding the signal, Steward Liu said to Captain Zhang Yuan, "Captain Zhang, you may set sail."

"Yes!" Captain Zhang Yuan straightened his back, turned to face the busy deck, took a deep breath, and his booming voice cut through the noise of the pier:

"Cast off—!"

"Hoist the mainsail—!"

"Weigh anchor—!"

"Hard to starboard, slow speed ahead—!"

As his orders were issued, the well-trained sailors moved quickly like precision gears. Heavy mooring lines were thrown back to the pier, and the massive white sails rose slowly amidst the friction of pulleys and ropes, drinking their fill of the sea breeze and instantly bulging out. The heavy iron anchor was slowly hauled up by the windlass.

"Splash—!"

The hull vibrated slightly as it broke through the calm waters of the harbor and began to move slowly, leaving the noisy pier behind and heading toward the shimmering, boundless open sea.

On the shore, Jin Wanguan waved his arm vigorously until the ten thousand seas became a black dot in the distance. Only then did he lower his aching arm, his smile fading and being replaced by deep anxiety as he murmured, "You must come back safely..."

...The ten thousand seas sailed out of the port, its speed gradually increasing. The salty sea breeze became fierce, making the sails snap and flutter, and tossing the hem and hair of Qin Feng as he stood at the prow.

He gazed as far as he could see; the sea and sky were the same color, blue and magnificent. But beneath this grandeur, who knew how many killing intents were hidden.

Zhao Mang walked to his side, arms crossed, looking into the distance: "Deacon Qin, set your mind at ease. I have sailed the seas a few times myself. Although the Pirates are fierce, they aren't without weaknesses. They are good at boarding for close-quarters combat; if we wait for them to come to us, we won't necessarily lose out."

"Thank you, Vice Pavilion Master Zhao. With you here, I feel much more at peace," Qin Feng smiled.

Xiaochun, on the other hand, seemed quite excited, running around the deck, looking at the seagulls, pointing at the sea fish jumping in the distance, and letting out occasional cries of surprise. Ji Ruxue followed not far behind Xiaochun like the most loyal guard, ensuring her safety.

Steward Liu and Captain Zhang Yuan were in the command cabin, constantly adjusting the course against the sea charts.

Everything seemed to be in perfect order.

But Qin Feng knew that the calm was only temporary. The group of cruel Pirates mentioned in the intelligence, led by a Martial King, were like sharks lurking in the deep sea, liable to pounce from any direction at any time to deliver a fatal blow to this ship.

He touched the qingming sword at his waist, feeling the Internal Energy flowing within him and the Sword Heart floating in his consciousness.

The storm might be just ahead.