39: Chapter 39: The Shadow of the Mongolian Ship

In the early morning, a thin mist rose over the sea.

Yang Yuan was practicing his blade techniques by the seaside as usual. Just after finishing a set of "Jade Sea Tide Rises", his peripheral vision caught a black silhouette on the distant sea.

He stopped, squinting to look over.

It was a large black ship flying the banner of the Mongolia, heading straight toward Peach Blossom Island.

A dozen or so armored soldiers stood at the bow, their blades and spears glinting coldly in the morning light.

Yang Yuan's heart sank.

He turned and ran back to the courtyard, pushing open the door: "Cheng Ying, Wushuang, the Mongols are here."

Cheng Ying was feeding little Xue Jian porridge, and upon hearing this, her hand paused.

Lu Wushuang rushed out from the room, her face turning pale: "The Mongols?"

"The ship has already reached the edge of the island," Yang Yuan said. "Stay inside the house and don't come out."

He added, "No matter what noises you hear, do not come out."

Then he turned and walked outside. Just as he stepped out of the courtyard gate, he saw Huang Yaoshi already standing by the seaside.

The sea breeze fluttered his green robes, and he stood very straight in the faint morning light.

"Island Master Huang." Yang Yuan walked to his side.

Huang Yaoshi did not turn his head, staring at the ship drawing closer: "They came very quickly."

The large black ship stopped about a dozen zhang from the shore.

A Mongol officer stood at the bow and shouted in stiff Chinese: "Huang Yaoshi! Hand over Yang Yuan and Lu Wushuang! Otherwise, we will raze Peach Blossom Island to the ground!"

Huang Yaoshi did not answer.

He placed his bamboo flute to his lips and blew a note.

The sound of the flute was not loud, sounding clear and faint. But a strong wind suddenly whipped up on the sea surface, causing the large black ship to tilt violently, its canvas sails bulging as if they were about to tear.

The soldiers on the ship swayed unsteadily. The officer grabbed the gunwale to avoid falling, his expression changing drastically.

He steadied the ship and said sternly: "Huang Yaoshi! Do you wish to make an enemy of the Mongolia?"

Huang Yaoshi lowered the bamboo flute, his tone indifferent: "Peach Blossom Island is not under the jurisdiction of the Mongolia. You have no say here. Either leave, or I will send you to the bottom of the sea."

The officer's face turned livid, the veins on his hand gripping the hilt of his blade bulging.

But in the end, he did not order an attack.

After a few seconds of silence, he waved his hand: "Withdraw!"

The Mongol ship turned its bow and sailed back in the direction it came from.

The ship's silhouette grew more and more distant until it completely disappeared into the morning mist.

Huang Yaoshi turned around and looked at Yang Yuan: "Since they have found this place, they will not give up. The next time they come, I fear it will not be just one ship."

Yang Yuan nodded: "I know."

He was silent for a moment: "I will leave Peach Blossom Island as soon as possible."

Huang Yaoshi glanced at him: "Going to Xiangyang?"

"Going to Xiangyang."

Huang Yaoshi said nothing more and turned to walk toward the Peach Forest.

After walking a few steps, he paused: "Take care."

Then his figure disappeared into the peach trees.

Yang Yuan stood by the seaside, watching the empty sea.

The sea breeze blew against his face, carrying a chill.

He silently calculated — Cheng Ying's belly was already big; they could not rush too much on the road. Traveling to Xiangyang by land would likely take about a month.

They would need places to stay and food to eat on the road, and they had to guard against the Mongol pursuers, as well as Li Mochou.

He went over all the risks in his mind, then turned and walked back to the courtyard.

In the courtyard, Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang were both standing at the door waiting for him.

"Have the Mongols left?" Cheng Ying asked.

"They have," Yang Yuan said. "But they will come again. We must leave Peach Blossom Island."

Cheng Ying was silent for a moment, then nodded: "Okay."

Lu Wushuang stood to the side, not speaking, but she also nodded.

Cheng Ying walked over and held Yang Yuan's hand: "Wherever you go, I will go."

Lu Wushuang stood behind her, her voice not loud but firm: "Me too."

Yang Yuan looked at them, a warm current welling up in his heart.

He didn't say much else, just nodded: "Pack up tonight, and we will leave first thing tomorrow morning."

At nightfall, Yang Yuan sharpened his single blade.

The blade glinted coldly in the moonlight.

He gripped the hilt, and a line of text appeared in his mind — Protect family, withdraw safely.

He didn't think too much, sheathed the blade, stood up, and walked toward the house.

The lights were still on in the room; Cheng Ying and Lu Wushuang were packing luggage, and little Xue Jian was already asleep.

Yang Yuan stood at the door and watched them for a while, then turned and walked outside the courtyard.

He took one last look at Peach Blossom Island under the moonlight.

The Peach Forest rustled in the sea breeze, and petals covered the ground.

He had lived here for a year, started a family, had a daughter, practiced martial arts, and achieved Breakthrough.

This was the first real home he had had since his Transmigration.

(Chapter 39 End)