Chapter Twenty-Eight: The Third Refinement of Serpent Bone Soup, Preparing to Set Sail

On the other side.

“Teacher, these men are dead, but the one who killed them is nowhere to be seen. Should we investigate…” Zhao Lie asked, his mind filled with speculation. Perhaps the murderer was an enemy of Yu Lie and his companions, tracking them down for revenge, or perhaps a hero of the martial world, intervening against injustice—yet the act was so ruthless it was nothing short of slaughter.

He saw Zhao Yuanchen raise a hand and shake his head resolutely.

“We won’t investigate. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Teacher.” Only then did Zhao Lie realize how reckless he had been. Why had he even thought to pursue the killer? Was he courting trouble himself?

Moments later, the group left the ruined temple. Zhao Lie carried the girl on his back, slowly descending the mountain path through the heavy snow, vanishing at the edge of the island.

“It seems all is well now.” Unnoticed, on a distant mountaintop, snow fell thickly, cloaking a figure. Bai Xuan stood behind an ancient tree, watching the group depart.

“How did I end up like a murderer, acting so mysteriously?” Bai Xuan stood in the snow, unmoving.

But after killing, it was only natural to observe the aftermath, to ensure no problems arose. He had left plenty of traces, especially in this snow, which would inevitably preserve clues. Yet the others chose not to pursue, clearly making the right decision.

“That’s as it should be.” Bai Xuan turned and left, quickly returning home through the snow, concealing his identity and leaving no trace.

…

A few days later.

Old Li returned home, overwhelmed with joy, cherishing his lost-and-found granddaughter, offering incense and prayers in gratitude, wishing the passing hero a long life and flourishing martial prowess.

Meanwhile, Bai Xuan heard that Zhao Lie, the blade-wielder, had brought back the heads of those men and collected an eight-hundred tael reward from the authorities, making Bai Xuan’s teeth ache in frustration.

“A tremendous loss.” Bai Xuan could only sigh.

When he killed them, it never occurred to him they carried bounties. No wonder—though he held a blade-wielder’s token, he had never checked the authorities’ bounty list, so he didn’t recognize them.

Now, he kept his achievements hidden and had no intention of contesting the reward, merely remembering their names and faces for future reference.

“Still, it wasn’t a complete loss.” Bai Xuan turned his palm.

He had found several items on those men: over thirty taels of loose silver, and a silver note marked “Four Seas Trading Company” and “One Hundred Taels.”

Such notes weren’t issued by just anyone—on Qianshan Island, only Four Seas Trading Company was recognized; others didn’t count.

There was also a recipe.

On a piece of cowhide, scribbled and revised dozens of times, finally settled upon—crafted by Yu Lie himself.

“With twelve medicinal ingredients, cook the tender meat of the Serpent-Bone Fish; it grants eighty percent of the effect of a demon fish, nourishing vitality and blood, and is effective even for the third breakthrough of blood and qi!”

Bai Xuan was overjoyed.

Old Li had clearly misunderstood the true nature of this recipe, but it was no wonder—ordinary folk rarely knew of demon fish flesh.

This was ten times more precious than the usual body-tempering medicines! Had Yu Lie not been cast out of his crew, he would never have carried the recipe with him.

The other ingredients in the recipe were expensive, but could still be acquired. Only the main ingredient—the Serpent-Bone Fish—was a giant deep-sea fish. Once caught, it died within an hour of leaving the sea. After death, its spinal marrow dried up, greatly diminishing its medicinal properties, making it hard to process.

“It seems I must go out to sea.” Bai Xuan calculated inwardly.

Having been away from the sea for so long, he felt a longing. Moreover, his path as a fisherman required heading out to sea to achieve the greatest results.

…

In the days that followed, Bai Xuan continued his diligent training. Since mastering the Vortex Force, his main focus had shifted to that spear technique.

In the small courtyard.

“Longevity Tree.”

Bai Xuan summoned the Longevity Tree, once more infusing a bit of body-tempering insight into “Bronze Skin.”

Bronze Skin (Small Achievement, 21%).

With this, blue scales appeared on his skin, shining with a bronze hue.

But Bai Xuan frowned.

With the strengthening of his Bronze Skin, his hunger increased, as though his body’s needs were far from satisfied—a primal hunger, demanding more nourishment.

“It seems, until I obtain demon fish flesh, there’s no hope of another breakthrough.” Bai Xuan sighed inwardly.

If he pressed on, his own realm might not advance before his vitality was exhausted and his lifespan shortened.

He could only halt the progress of his body-tempering technique for now and pursue it gradually.

But his inquiries about going out to sea yielded nothing.

Star Hunter pirates were rampant on the waters. Many were anxious, most ships had postponed their voyages, and those still venturing out took only their trusted crew, rarely recruiting outsiders.

Yet, the next day, news arrived!

“Captain Bai Xuanji has summoned all crew members to the port?”

Bai Xuan received the message and frowned.

He remembered clearly.

The Kaiyang had been attacked by Star Hunter pirates and half-burned in the dock, likely needing half a year to repair.

How could it be ready so soon?

“Let’s see.” Bai Xuan deliberated a moment before setting out.

Half a day later.

At Qianshan Island’s port, a massive ship was moored. Its deck was broad, built entirely of blackwood, flanked by ship-mounted crossbows, looking new, wide, and sturdy.

On the hull, two large characters read: “Qianliu.”

On deck, over a hundred sailors stood in formation. At their head was Bai Xuanji, hands clasped behind his back, his stern gaze sweeping across the crew.

Bai Xuan stood inconspicuously among the sailors below, keeping a low profile.

He was here only to observe the situation; if anything seemed amiss, he would quietly withdraw.

At that moment, Bai Xuanji spoke, his voice carrying over the crowd:

“All of you have sailed with me. The Kaiyang was destroyed and won’t be repaired within a year—you all know this.”

“A year without sailing means income will hardly sustain your families. Considering your circumstances, I’ve specially borrowed this Qianliu, to fish at sea. Whoever wishes to come with me, come; whoever doesn’t, you may leave!”

With his words, the sailors stirred, but soon the voices of support surged, gaining the upper hand.

“Boss is generous!”

“Boss is righteous—I thought I’d have to starve, was even considering joining another crew for luck…”

“Let’s go, let’s go—who wouldn’t want to earn money? Let’s head out to sea!”

Most sailors supported the plan—who would turn down a chance to earn? About eighty percent volunteered to stay; the remaining twenty percent had urgent family matters and had to leave.

“I’ll go too!” Old Li raised his hand, determined.

Having escaped disaster, his desire for retirement grew; now, he hoped to earn enough for his granddaughter’s dowry and retire for good. So, after only a few days at home, he began planning to go to sea once more.

With his own captain commanding the ship, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Bai Xuanji had served ten years as first mate—kind and considerate, always caring for his crew. With him at the helm, it was the best choice.

“To go, or not to go?” Bai Xuan frowned, pondering.

He needed to go to sea, but caution gnawed at him—where had Bai Xuanji obtained such a large ship?

Just then—

“All right, no need to rush your decision. I’ll first announce temporary crew appointments for the Qianliu…” Bai Xuanji declared.

“First Mate: Bai Yuanji! Second Mate: Bai Tiannian—temporarily vacant due to injury. Any objections?”

Bai Yuanji was promoted to first mate, Bai Tiannian naturally advanced to second mate—a foregone conclusion, met with no dissent.

“And Liu Yuezheng as Third Mate! Any objections?”

This man stepped forward—he had been the boatswain, with two breakthroughs in blood and qi, otherwise he could not have held his own on the powerful whale-hunting Kaiyang.

None below objected.

With that, the boatswain position was vacant.

At this moment, Bai Tiannian, his upper body still wrapped in bandages and looking somewhat drained, stepped forward and spoke:

“For the position of boatswain, I recommend Bai Xuan!”