The youth in the golden robe slowly sat down at the table, smiling as he looked at the girl in the purple dress and asked, “Miss, may I get to know you?”
The girl politely smiled but didn’t answer, turning instead to chat with Chen Tianyi.
The golden-robed youth looked a little embarrassed. He signaled with his eyes.
Two guards behind him stepped forward and placed their hands on Chen Tianyi’s shoulders.
“Sir, could you give up your seat?” they said with a smile.
Chen Tianyi frowned slightly and was about to speak when he suddenly felt his sword tremble slightly behind him.
He glanced in the direction it was pointing and saw a one-armed elder standing at the edge of the deck.
Xu Zimo had seen this man before. His title was Bloodthirsty Mad Blade. Xu had sailed with him on his way to the Northern Continent from the East.
He hadn’t expected to run into him again.
Chen Tianyi clearly recognized the one-armed elder and paused for a moment. His furrowed brows eased, and he turned to the guards with a faint smile. “I’m the type who enjoys helping people fulfill their wishes. I’ll take my leave then.”
He stood up, ready to walk away.
“Young Master Chen,” the purple-robed girl called out.
“It’s alright, I’ll be nearby. If anything happens, just call for me.”
Chen Tianyi smiled reassuringly, then walked toward the Bloodthirsty Mad Blade.
…………
As Chen Tianyi left, the golden-robed youth turned to the purple-robed girl and chuckled. “May I know your name, miss?”
The girl’s expression soured slightly, but she still politely replied, “Ning Caidie.”
“So it’s Miss Caidie. I am Jin Chicheng,” the young man said, flashing what he thought was a charming smile.
But Ning Caidie didn’t seem particularly interested and only smiled politely.
The maid beside her rolled her eyes and said to Jin Chicheng, “Young Master Jin, my lady has something weighing on her mind. If her concerns aren’t addressed, she won’t be in the mood to chat.”
“What concerns?” Jin Chicheng asked with interest.
“On our way here, we were harassed by some thugs. At the time, we were in danger, and a young man passed by who could have helped us. But he ignored us. If it hadn’t been for Young Master Chen saving us, you wouldn’t even be seeing my lady now. And now that same man is on this very ship. Of course, my lady isn’t in a good mood.”
The maid, with a bit of cleverness, spoke bluntly.
Ning Caidie’s face changed slightly. She called out, “Little Ying.”
“Miss, I was just telling the truth,” the maid said stubbornly.
Ning Caidie sighed softly. Little Ying was her personal maid since childhood. Although they were master and servant, they were like sisters. After everything she’d gone through, she didn’t have the heart to scold her.
She turned to Jin Chicheng and said, “Apologies, Young Master Jin. Little Ying was spoiled by me growing up. Please don’t take her words seriously.”
“I actually think she’s right,” Jin Chicheng said coldly. “Anyone who could let such a beautiful girl suffer like that can’t be much of a man.”
“Exactly!” Little Ying agreed, making a face.
“Tell me, who was it?” Jin Chicheng asked.
Little Ying glanced at Xu Zimo’s direction but said nothing.
Xu Zimo was leaning back on a deck chair, eyes closed, enjoying the sea breeze.
Jin Chicheng, followed by his two guards, slowly approached him.
“Hey, kid, our young master wants to see you,” the guards shouted, shaking Xu Zimo’s chair.
Xu Zimo yawned, opened his eyes slowly, and looked at them. “Something you need?”
“Apologize,” Jin Chicheng said, pointing toward Ning Caidie. “Go apologize to that young lady.”
“Are you retarded or something?” Xu Zimo replied, baffled.
“Apologize for your rudeness and for letting her suffer in danger!” Jin Chicheng said coolly.
“I barely know her. What’s wrong with not getting involved?” Xu Zimo replied.
“You’re not wrong,” Jin Chicheng suddenly lowered his head, speaking with a cold tone. “But I like that girl. So you must apologize… because my fist is bigger.”
“You guys really have the worst way of courting women,” Xu Zimo said with a shake of his head.
“Someone once told me: ‘If you like someone, force it. The fruit may not be sweet, but it quenches thirst.’ Also… did you say your fist is bigger?”Xu Zimo chuckled.
“What’s so funny?” Jin Chicheng frowned.
“Have you ever seen a fist the size of a sandbag?” Xu Zimo asked, slowly raising his right fist.
“Kid, quit the nonsense. Will you apologize, or do I need to—”
Before Jin Chicheng could finish, a huge fist filled his vision.
With a loud impact, he felt like his nose had been crushed. All kinds of sensations surged through his face as he flew backward.
He stood up groaning, holding his nose and screaming in pain.
The two guards froze, then rushed to help him.
“You’re finished! Do you know who our young master is?” one guard shouted at Xu Zimo.
“Yeah, yeah. Go on, do your routine,” Xu Zimo yawned, waving his hand.
“Our young master is the eldest son of the Jin Clan of Gold Forest City. Even if you beg for mercy now, it’s too late!”
“Since there’s no chance of reconciliation,” Xu Zimo said lightly, “I may as well just kill you all.”
He began walking slowly toward them.
The two guards dragged Jin Chicheng back in panic.
Just then, a group of people emerged from a nearby cabin.
“What’s all this noise?” a middle-aged man called out sternly.
Leading the group was a young woman, around the same age as Xu Zimo.
She wore a fitted suit of female armor. Her long hair was tied back with a black ribbon. She had sharp phoenix eyes and slender brows.
Her nose was high. Her first impression was one of strength and confidence, bold and valiant, a true heroine.
Among the group were the Bloodthirsty Mad Blade and Chen Tianyi.
As the middle-aged man barked the question, Jin Chicheng quickly came to his senses.
He shouted, “Father! Sister! Help me! Someone’s trying to kill me!”
“What happened?” the middle-aged man stepped forward, frowning as powerful energy radiated from him, ready for a fight.