The sun was bright today.
The sea was calm, with the occasional fish leaping from the water, tracing silver arcs across the surface.
The sky was a pale blue, so clear it seemed transparent. Yue Shi lay on a lounge chair on the deck, soaking up the sun.
He wore only a pair of beach shorts. The light grey fabric was thin and light, making his pale skin look almost iridescent.
The snow leopard was curled into a ball by his feet.
Ghost drifted out from the cabin.
“Hey.”
“Hmm?”
“There’s land ahead.”
Yue Shi opened his eyes a sliver.
“How far?”
“Quite a distance, but it’s definitely there,” Ghost said. “Judging by the silhouette, it might be a large island.”
Yue Shi sat up on the lounge chair and looked in the direction Ghost was pointing.
His gaze extended, pushing forward across the sea and over the waves until it finally landed on the faintly visible landmass.
A few seconds later, he withdrew his gaze.
“We’re landing.”
Ghost was taken aback. “Now?”
Yue Shi raised his hand.
The ship vibrated slightly.
As if hearing a command, the ocean currents pushed the hull, turning the ship toward the island and propelling it forward.
“Fine, you’re the boss,” Ghost said, his tone somewhat resigned.
He looked down at the snow leopard. The little kitten had woken up at some point and was stretching and yawning.
“You want to go too?” Ghost asked.
The snow leopard ignored him, focused on licking its paws.
...
The ship sailed across the sea at an incredible, supernatural speed for about two hours.
The silhouette of the island grew clearer and clearer.
When the ship was close enough to be seen clearly with the naked eye, Yue Shi finally stood up from his lounge chair.
This island was completely different from Dusk Island.
Dusk Island was grey and drab, filled with mottled churches and an air thick with religious atmosphere.
But this island was blue.
It was a sea of blue.
The architectural style on the island had a sci-fi feel. Buildings towered into the clouds, covered in glass and metal that reflected the sunlight in dazzling glimmers.
Massive antennas stood atop some buildings, while rows of solar panels were embedded into the outer walls of others. Some walls were entirely composed of giant electronic screens.
The screens played various holographic images—advertisements, news, and more.
The port was equally spectacular.
Dozens of berths were neatly arranged, filled with all sorts of vessels.
There were private yachts, cargo ships, and some strange-looking boats whose purpose was impossible to discern.
The buildings near the port were mostly blue and white with clean, sleek lines, their glass curtains reflecting the color of the sky.
Yue Shi withdrew his gaze and turned to walk into the cabin.
When he emerged a few minutes later, he had changed his clothes.
He wore a white linen shirt with sleeves casually rolled to the elbows, black trousers, and a pair of light grey soft-soled shoes. His long hair was tied back in a loose ponytail.
He looked like a wealthy tourist on vacation.
The snow leopard jumped onto his shoulder and crouched there steadily.
Ghost stood to the side, looking him over.
“Well, you certainly look the part of a decent human being.”
Yue Shi shot him a sidelong glance and walked toward the bow.
The ship slowly docked.
The port staff moved efficiently.
As soon as the ship was secured, two people in blue uniforms walked up the gangway. A man and a woman, both young, wore professional fake smiles.
The man spoke first. “Welcome to Avenia. Please present your ship’s registration and identification. If you do not have the relevant documents, you may apply for a temporary ID here.”
Yue Shi pulled several documents from his pocket.
They were all forgeries, of course, but they were exquisitely made.
He handed the documents to the man.
The man took them, examined them seriously, and then looked up at Yue Shi.
Then, his gaze fell upon the ship.
The hull was covered in beautiful colorful paintings.
Because Yue Shi hadn't touched them up, the colors had faded and become mottled, but the outlines remained clear.
The man’s expression shifted.
It was a subtle change, lasting only an instant, but Yue Shi caught it.
The man spoke again, his tone polite and cautious. “Excuse me... is this ship your own?”
Yue Shi asked in return, “Why? Is there a problem with the ship?”
The man shook his head quickly. “No, no, no problem. It’s just that the style of this ship looks familiar. I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere before.”
He glanced at his female colleague. Her face was calm, her expression showing no ripples, and she didn't speak.
In fact, she had recognized it long ago. This ship was the missing maritime entertainment ship.
But she was just a low-level staff member; why go looking for trouble?
Even if it were a pirate ship, they still had to let it through.
Regardless, outsiders who came here had only one identity—tourist.
If someone didn't want to be a tourist and preferred to be a pirate, there were other departments to handle that.
Yue Shi smiled and said, “I bought the ship second-hand a while ago. I’m not sure where it’s from.”
The man hesitated for a moment before finally completing the registration. He handed the documents back to Yue Shi, stepped aside, and said politely, “Welcome to Avenia. I wish you a pleasant journey.”
Yue Shi walked past him at a leisurely pace, soon disappearing into the cluster of buildings at the port.
...
The streets of Avenia were very clean. The ground was made of light grey bricks, and not a single weed grew in the cracks.
The buildings on either side towered into the sky, with the occasional drone flying between them.
The people on the street were dressed properly. Some sat in roadside cafes looking down at tablets, while others rode strangely shaped bicycles, gliding past on the sidewalk.
A few children stood before a holographic screen, looking up at the cartoons playing on it.
There was a faint fragrance in the air.
Yue Shi walked down the street, observing his surroundings.
Ghost, attached to a button on his collar, said, “This place is a completely different world compared to Dusk Island.”
Yue Shi gave a soft grunt of agreement.
Ghost continued, “Do you think this place is safer or more dangerous than Dusk Island?”
Yue Shi glanced at a drone flying over his head.
“Who knows?”
Rate on N.U.
