Luo Feng

Ji Yuande gritted his teeth, ultimately not daring to lash out in front of Ji Ning. He resentfully let go of his sword hilt, let out a cold snort, and turned to stride away.

Ji Ning's hand paused, clenching into a fist before slowly relaxing.

For some reason, he suddenly shook his head, seemingly losing interest in the feast.

Standing up, he looked around at everyone. “I will be entering secluded cultivation for the next few days. During this time, the water patrols will be rotated among your four teams. Do not slack off under any circumstances. If the water bandits of Chenjian Dock launch a large-scale attack, you may send someone to call me out.”

Shen Xiuhan was slightly startled.

Secluded cultivation... and only a large-scale attack by the water bandits of Chenjian Dock could warrant calling him out...

Didn't the underlying meaning imply that he shouldn't be disturbed for minor matters?

This posture...

In his mind, a memory flashed of Geng Weizhi mentioning that Ji Ning's cultivation was already at the peak of the Tendon Tempering Rank...

Shen Xiuhan looked up at Ji Ning.

The other man's expression was as calm as ever, his eyes deep and revealing nothing.

Shen Xiuhan did not ask further, merely cupping his fists to comply along with the others. “Understood!”

The bonfire gradually dimmed, and the remaining wine was nearly gone.

Several patrol guards, their faces flushed red from drinking, supported one another as they dispersed.

The newly arrived patrol guards cleaned up the bowls and chopsticks, gathering the leftovers into one place.

Shen Xiuhan stood up with his four subordinates, preparing to leave the feast and return to their bamboo cottage.

Unexpectedly, Ji Yuande, who had disappeared for the rest of the feast, suddenly popped up. “Patrol Envoy Shen, you still haven't given me a straight answer regarding what I said earlier... Could it be that you're afraid? If you're afraid, just say so. I, Ji Yuande, am not an unreasonable man.”

Shen Xiuhan didn't stop. He sidestepped and walked right past him, as if he hadn't even seen him.

Yan Chuan and the other three looked at each other for a brief moment before hurriedly following close behind.

Ji Yuande stared at Shen Xiuhan's retreating back, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

...

The night wind howled.

A crescent moon was reflected in the water, shattered by the gentle ripples into a lake full of silver scales.

Shen Xiuhan walked at the very front.

Behind him, Hu Zhi hesitated to speak several times. Finally unable to hold back, he asked in a low voice, “Patrol Envoy, that Ji Yuande... what do you think?”

“He's just a clown,” Shen Xiuhan replied indifferently. “Just do your duties. There is no need to pay him any mind.”

Hu Zhi nodded silently, but his face still carried obvious worry.

“Old Hu, don't worry!” To the side, Yan Chuan grinned and patted his shoulder. “That kid is so soft and pampered, he's probably never even killed a chicken. Our Patrol Envoy is someone who walked away unscathed after fighting Qu Bushi, who has been in the Bone Tempering Rank for years. How could that kid possibly be his match?”

Upon hearing this, the tension in the hearts of Hu Zhi and Ruan Linhuan dissipated significantly.

In all fairness, serving under Shen Xiuhan, their lives were incomparably better than before.

The previous Patrol Envoy of Team C, Zheng Bao, though very powerful and fiercely protective of his own, was not without his flaws. For instance, he never set foot in the water. He threw all the duties onto his subordinates, treating the four of them almost like servants while he hid in his room to drink.

Shen Xiuhan was different. Not only did he personally patrol the waters every day, but he would also share his food with everyone and even occasionally guide them on the key points of their stance work and martial techniques.

Having worked together for barely two months, Yan Chuan and the others could truly feel that their skills had improved tremendously under Shen Xiuhan's guidance. In a place infested with water bandits, this was a life-saving favor!

With such a great superior, Yan Chuan and the others naturally hoped to serve under him for a long time.

Yan Chuan suddenly turned his gaze to the new recruit at the very back and grinned. “By the way, Luo Feng! At the feast earlier, you said you were a member of the Luo family... These waters aren't safe. Why did you run over here? Besides, as far as I know, the relationship between the Luo family and our main family isn't exactly good...”

Hearing this, Luo Feng cupped his fists with a bitter smile. “Brother Yan, you might not know this, but although I carry the surname Luo, my lineage branched off from the main family generations ago. Now that my branch has fallen into ruin, I only have a hollow name. I have absolutely no connection to the County Magistrate's main family. The main family already knew this when they recruited me to the island.”

Shen Xiuhan's expression shifted slightly. The same Luo family of County Magistrate Luo Changming? He hadn't expected Luo Feng to have such a background.

“So that's how it is... You're a pitiful fellow too, born with the look of a noble heir but having to eat the same grub as us...” At this point, Yan Chuan suddenly leaned in close to Luo Feng with a shifty look, lowering his voice. “Hey, I heard that the main branch of the Luo family has an incredible genius. Not only is her talent peerless, but she's also as beautiful as a heavenly fairy... Since you're named Luo, have you ever caught a glimpse of her?”

“Are you talking about the Eldest Young Lady of the main branch, Luo Tangyin, Brother Yan?” Luo Feng shook his head, a trace of helplessness appearing on his square face. “Miss Tangyin is the apple of the County Magistrate's eye, a true proud daughter of heaven. She went to Nanxiang Prefecture City in her early years to train under the major sect, Bixia Villa. Her talent is extraordinary. Though she is barely twenty, her cultivation has already reached the peak of the Tendon Tempering Rank. Rumors in the Inner City say that it will take her half a year at the fastest, or one to two years at the slowest, to break through to the Anjin Rank...”

At this point, Luo Feng let out a self-deprecating laugh. “How could a destitute branch member like me have the right to meet such a figure? However...”

“However what?” Yan Chuan's eyes lit up, and he leaned in even closer. Hu Zhi also immediately pricked up his ears, turning to stare at him with great interest.

On this dull and tedious isolated island, rumors of such a proud daughter of heaven were rare and welcome gossip.

Luo Feng paused, then said in a low voice, “Before I left home, I heard that the Eldest Young Lady had recently completed her studies and returned to her hometown. It is said that she will be returning to the prefecture city in a few days. If she travels by water, the shipping lanes of Yunyi Island will be her only path.”

“If you brothers are lucky, you might run into the official ship of the Luo family. As for whether you'll have the fortune of seeing the Eldest Young Lady's true face... that is hard to say.”

“Oh, that would be fantastic!”

Yan Chuan slapped his thigh, excitedly rubbing his heavily calloused hands together. “When we patrol the waters in a few days, we've got to keep our eyes peeled! If we miss a beauty like that, we'll regret it for the rest of our lives!”

The rough men clamored over a woman they had never even seen, laughing and joking under the influence of the alcohol as they walked back with light steps.

The shadows of the bamboo swayed, and the water-like moonlight bathed everyone.

Before long, the group returned to the bamboo cottages.

Today, Team D was on duty, so they could rest for a day.

Shen Xiuhan washed up and entered his room.

Luo Feng was assigned to the room vacated by Geng Weizhi, and his future duties would be with Yan Chuan's squad.

...

Meanwhile.

Six li away from Yunyi Island.

A long, narrow island, resembling a giant python floating on the water, loomed over the surface, its dark silhouette appearing exceptionally menacing under the moonlight.

This place was called Fish Island, a direct branch of Chenjian Dock. The reefs on the island were jagged like dog teeth, and the waves crashed against the shore with a dull, rumbling roar.

On the rocky shore of the island, two figures—one in white and one in black—stood facing the night wind.

The man in white wore a brocade robe, a white jade rhinoceros belt around his waist, and held an ivory folding fan painted with landscapes, which was clearly a precious item at a glance.

If Shen Xiuhan were here, he would surely recognize this person's identity at a single glance.

This was none other than the Third Young Master of the Bai family, who had tried to take Shen Momo away that day...

Bai Fufeng!