My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 182 - 161: Adventuring with Him

Chapter 182: Chapter 161: Adventuring with Him

Great Yu has always been abundant in waterways, especially around the capital. A grand river pressed closely against the land stretches before them, its waters calm. In the early morning, ferries can be seen going back and forth.

Normally, the ferries on this river wouldn’t be so frequent, but rumors about the vestment robe of Wuxiang Zen Master had been spreading far and wide. As a result, members of the Joyful Sect converged, and Jianghu Guests seemed to swarm the area, causing ferries to constantly shuttle back and forth.

Chen Yi, wearing a bamboo hat, carried a sword on his back and a knife at his waist. His black attire resembled the typical garb of a martial wanderer. Without close acquaintances, no one could recognize his identity.

Yin Tingxue had her hair styled into a loose "abandoned wife" bun. Her delicate hand was held by Chen Yi’s as they watched a ferry slowly approach. A wave of unease swept through her heart.

Since becoming a concubine, she had spent most of her days waiting alone at home—every evening, brewing tea and awaiting Chen Yi’s return. This was her first time venturing out on an adventure alongside him, and she couldn’t help but feel apprehensive and uneasy.

The ferry was painted in shades of gray-blue, its colors understated yet refined. It had rooms resembling the kind found on pleasure boats, and red lanterns hung from its curved roof edges.

"Boatman, are you taking passengers today?"

"Young master, are you crossing the river? Waiting for someone, or chartering the boat?" The old boatman stood up and asked.

"Chartering the boat."

"Alright. The wind is favorable; it’ll only be a brief while before reaching the other side. The cost is one string of cash. Lots of passengers these days; it’s a fair rate."

The old boatman rubbed his hands as he spoke.

"Then I shall charter the boat. This ferry has quite an elegant look."

Chen Yi boarded the ferry with Yin Tingxue.

"Indeed," replied the old boatman, who then shouted toward a young man at the dock, "Son, we’ve got customers! Hurry it up!"

The young man, apparently the boatman’s son, responded from afar and quickly ran aboard.

"My son used to work for Lin Official’s household. Just a few days ago, when faced with a vicious dog, he protected the official’s little master, and the official rewarded us with this boat," the old boatman said enthusiastically, making small talk with Chen Yi. "Now that it’s winter, the official told my son to come play here for a few days."

"Lin Official...?"

Chen Yi contemplated the surname, then asked:

"Which Lin Official might that be?"

"Oh, not those damned Lin Party scoundrels. They’ve since changed their surname to Cui—Cui Bu, a doctor at the Ministry of Personnel," said the old boatman.

Chen Yi immediately recognized this as the ancestral household of the Lin Family Young Lady.

After some more casual conversation with the boatman, Chen Yi moved toward the bow of the ferry, while Yin Tingxue sat at the doorway of the cabin, stretching her legs toward the front.

The waves weren’t rough, but Yin Tingxue felt a slight swaying of the boat. After some hesitation, she grasped the hem of Chen Yi’s clothing.

Noticing her unease, Chen Yi took her hand in his grasp.

Yin Tingxue tried to break free but couldn’t. She cast Chen Yi a quick glance, but he simply gazed out over the river, showing no intention of releasing her hand. The little fox stopped struggling.

In no time, the wind picked up, and the ferry’s sails were unfurled. As the old boatman had said, the wind over the past few days had been favorable, sparing the boatman and his son from having to row.

With the wind now blowing, the rocking of the boat became more pronounced. Yin Tingxue, unaccustomed to travel, found the sights thrilling yet slightly frightening. She firmly gripped the railing with her other hand.

Above the pale blue sky was a round sun, and the distant specks of black—the fishing boats—floated amidst the shimmering waves of the grand river. Chen Yi noticed her fear and instead wrapped an arm around her.

Chen Yi stared toward the opposite shore’s hills, where hints of white slowly emerged—the distant mountain gate of Joyful Sect. His thoughts turned inward.

The Princess of Xiang died after consuming the Elixir of Bodily Relic. If the Demon Sect members were aware of this fact, could this possibly mean it was the Xiang Prince who had disclosed this information to them? If so, might it also indicate that the Prince had been aware of the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death all along?

Thinking of this, Chen Yi couldn’t help but turn and ask:

"Little Fox, do you know if your father... was aware of how your mother passed?"

"I’m not sure... But Father seemed to send away all the doctors from back then," Yin Tingxue replied, pausing momentarily before continuing. "Honestly, my relationship with Father had already become distant while my mother was still alive."

Though Yin Tingxue spoke without much thought, her words carried implications for Chen Yi. Could this mean that the Xiang Prince had already colluded with the Demon Sect at that time? And perhaps he knew Yin Tingxue’s status as the Demon Sect Saintess even before the Princess’ death? This would contradict the rumors claiming the grief-stricken Xiang Prince withdrew to the Demon Sect only after her passing.

Very likely.

Pushing the deduction further—based on the connections between the Demon Sect, Joyful Sect, and the Elixir—it was conceivable that the Princess had not necessarily been involved with the Demon Sect, but she must have known of its presence.

Could it be that the Princess of Xiang was a secret adherent of the Demon Sect, awaiting the emergence of the Bright Venerable?

This thought sent a chill down Chen Yi’s spine.

Especially since Zhou Yitang had discerned strange traces at Yintai Temple, eventually identifying them as signs of the Demon Sect’s Divination Skill.

The wind didn’t last long before subsiding, and the ferry slowed. As Chen Yi gazed into the distance, a large ship suddenly came into view.

On the great ship, flashes of swords and blades collided. Bloodied mist rose amidst the chaos.

One by one, figures were struck down, their blood staining the river’s waters. Amidst the frenzy, a single figure leapt from the water onto the ship and back again, moving freely.

"They’re fighting even before reaching the shore..."

Chen Yi muttered to himself before noticing Yin Tingxue’s pale face.

"Don’t be afraid; it’ll be fine. I’m here," Chen Yi said, gently tightening his grip on Yin Tingxue’s small hand.

The young maiden subconsciously leaned toward him; this subtle dependence escaped even her own awareness.

Chen Yi’s mind raced.

On the large ship, yellow and green clashed against each other, interspersed with glimpses of crimson blood.

Amidst the countless flashes of swords and blades, Chen Yi spotted an elderly monk with a torn robe and a gourd tied to his waist. His head was bare, and his white beard swayed as he darted between the martial elites. The monk wielded a staff, seemingly moving erratically, yet each strike tore through the air with precision. While chanting verses of transcendence, he used the staff to "send others to the afterlife."

Countless staff shadows crisscrossed the sky, vibrating the large ship to its core.

Even from a distance, Chen Yi judged the monk’s skill to be at the realm of the fourth or fifth grade—a truly extraordinary individual.

"Hey, young master, how about fishing up a catch for lunch? We’ll have fish soup at noon," suggested the old boatman.

Chen Yi led Yin Tingxue back into the ferry’s cabin. Shortly after, the old boatman entered, holding a twelve-inch-long grass carp.

The grass carp remained motionless in his hands, as if sound asleep.

Yin Tingxue curiously examined the fish, yet was puzzled when she found Chen Yi neither speaking nor making a move. He seemed to be waiting—for what, she couldn’t tell.

"Young master, if there’s nothing else, we’ll prepare this grass carp for you soon," the old boatman said, scratching his head with a chuckle.

Chen Yi stepped forward, and without warning, his waist knife suddenly left its sheath.

Yin Tingxue stared in shock. The old boatman swiftly retreated, releasing the fish just in time to evade the blade. However, the grass carp was sliced cleanly in half mid-air, ringing with the unmistakable sound of metal clashing.

"This grass carp is merely twelve inches long," Chen Yi remarked as he nudged the fish on the floor, revealing a hidden blade within its body—a ten-inch dagger cut in two.

"Why would such a fish... conceal so large a weapon?"

On the serene waters of the great river, the tranquil ferry was plunged into sudden peril.

Yin Tingxue’s face paled as the curtain behind her rippled in the wind. The "boatman’s son" suddenly burst through the fabric, thrusting his sword directly at her—a strike aimed to end her life!

Their assailants sought to kill both of them aboard the boat!