The Stunning Beauty on the Fishing Boat"I've eaten."
Dai Yao went into the rear cabin, first helped Qian Renxue up and let her lean against a wooden pillar, then took out a wooden box, sat on it, scooped out a spoonful of rice porridge with a spoon, and blew on it as he spoke.
Looking at Dai Yao, who was taking such good care of her, a fleeting tenderness crossed Qian Renxue's eyes, before she quickly returned to her cold expression.
Where are we now?
Dai Yao stopped what he was doing, thought for a moment, and said:
"We've only gone a little over halfway, and there's still a long way to go before we reach the estuary. But nobody knows our location right now, so if all goes well, we should be able to reach the sea safely."
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore, let's eat something first."
After saying that, Dai Yao put the spoon to Qian Renxue's mouth. Qian Renxue opened her mouth skillfully, chewed a few times, and then swallowed.
The moment Dai Yao lowered his head, Qian Renxue glanced at him with a complicated expression.
Actually, she could already move around with difficulty and circulate her soul power. If it were the old her, she would have already forced herself to eat without Dai Yao's help. However, sometimes she felt that it was quite nice to have Dai Yao take care of her.
After being abandoned by Bibi Dong, she remained strong for half her life, never bowing her head. Now, forced to lie in bed and be cared for by Dai Yao, the love she had lacked since childhood is slowly being filled. Receiving Dai Yao's help in her most helpless moment, this feeling of being able to rely on him, is something she somewhat cherishes.
Therefore, she concealed her recovery progress so that Dai Yao could continue to take care of her.
Dai Yao fed her another spoonful of rice porridge, which Qian Renxue swallowed gently.
To be honest, the porridge wasn't very tasty; it was rather bland, and Dai Yao's control of the heat was poor, making it even taste a bit burnt. But Qian Renxue found it far more delicious than any of the finest delicacies!
"I'm done eating."
Qian Renxue felt the warmth in her abdomen and spoke softly.
Dai Yao put down the rice porridge, wiped the traces from the corner of Qian Renxue's mouth, and said, "Then sit for a while, and lie down to rest after you've digested it."
Qian Renxue blinked.
The small boat continued eastward, the water gradually widening, and the surroundings becoming increasingly lively. Cities sprang up at the confluence of the waterways, and the population grew.
However, because they were already some distance from Tian Dou City, Tian Dou City's control over these areas was weakened considerably. As a result, the inspections were superficial and not particularly thorough, especially on the waterways, where there were almost no inspections.
Therefore, Dai Yao and Qian Renxue successfully traveled more than a thousand kilometers.
Just then, Tang San followed the path he had taken during his initial investigation, noticing the shallower tracks, and continued searching until he finally discovered the hidden thatched hut.
Through the feedback from the Blue Silver Domain, Tang San learned that two people had passed through this area not long ago. One of them was seriously injured. He immediately deduced that these two were the Asura Emperor and Qian Renxue!
Therefore, he followed the tracks and found that after the carriage passed the Canglan River, it turned south.
This puzzled Tang San. Why was the carriage turning south? What was its significance? Standing at the turning point where the carriage changed direction, looking down at the Canglan River flowing continuously below the mountain, Tang San fell into deep thought.
······
Several days later, Dai Yao fed Qian Renxue rice porridge as usual.
But just then, several powerful auras suddenly swept across the sky, creating gusts of air that stirred up waves in the Canglan River. The small boat bobbed and swayed with the waves.
Everything on the small boat was shaking violently, with pots and pans constantly falling to the ground.
Seeing this, Dai Yao quickly helped Qian Renxue up. Looking at the constantly swaying view outside the cabin door, Dai Yao's face immediately darkened.
"If I'm not mistaken, these guys are coming for us. However, judging from their aura, they should only be a few Soul Saints. They probably haven't discovered us, otherwise they wouldn't have sent only a few Soul Saints."
A barely perceptible hint of tenderness flickered across Qian Renxue's usually cold face as she glanced at Dai Yao, who was standing right in front of her.
She had never experienced this feeling of being protected before, and while she felt resistance, she also had mixed feelings. Was this still the proud woman she once was?
In just a few days, she almost didn't recognize herself anymore.
"It must be that Tang San chased us to Winterfell City, and after discovering that you had tricked him, he had no choice but to expand the blockade and search for our traces throughout the entire Heaven Dou Empire."
Qian Renxue speculated.
Dai Yao smiled. If Tang San really caught up with him and made it to Winterfell, then Tang San would probably be very satisfied with his gift.
"We're in the shadows now, and they're in the light. We can't go ashore to contact the Spirit Hall either. The best thing we can do now is to remain calm and keep heading east."
After the boat stabilized, Dai Yao released Qian Renxue, stared at the direction in which the powerful figures had departed on the horizon, and said in a deep voice.
Now that things have come to this, there's no turning back. Knowing the dangers ahead, he has to take the plunge. Of course, even if he's exposed, he has a backup plan. It's not a reckless gamble.
Continuing their eastward journey, in the following days, Dai Yao and Qian Renxue frequently noticed powerful figures flying overhead. Clearly, their situation was becoming increasingly critical.
Although Dai Yao consistently chose to sail along smaller waterways and tributaries, trying to avoid passing through large cities, there was one city he could not avoid. It was a majestic city on the Canglan River that he could not bypass—Storm City, the largest city in the Eastern Region of the Tiandou Empire.
Storm City is like a black hole, gathering the essence of the Azure River here. It is a magnificent city with nearly a million people.
It is said that there are several powerful individuals at the level of Soul Douluo in Storm City.
After passing through Storm City, it's a few hundred miles to reach the sea. Therefore, Dai Yao had no choice but to pass through Storm City via the woolen path.
As soon as they entered the Canglan River channel of Storm City, Dai Yao could clearly see that along the thousands of miles of river, several small boats patrolled and inspected every few hundred meters. Every thousand miles, a giant warship was anchored in the river, filled with powerful Soul Masters.
"This is troublesome."
Dai Yao's gaze sharpened, and he murmured softly.
Now, he has no way to retreat; any unusual behavior will surely attract the attention of those powerful figures. Therefore, he and Qian Renxue have no choice but to take the risk.
His gaze darkened slightly, and he turned to enter the cabin, saying to Qian Renxue:
"Qian Renxue, things are not looking good. There are soldiers checking ahead. If you attract their attention, I will have no choice but to kill them and risk using my soul power to venture into the sea. Be prepared for that."
Qian Renxue was taken aback, remained silent for a moment, and nodded with a complicated expression.
"Go ahead and do it."
Immediately, Dai Yao turned and went to the bow of the ship, waiting to pass through the patrolling soldiers' defenses.
A moment later, the patrolling soldiers noticed the small boat and immediately brought it closer. Two soldiers jumped onto Dai Yao's boat, sizing him up. He was dressed in coarse linen, with bronze skin—just the attire of an ordinary fisherman. However, this man exuded a faint aura that frightened them.
An elderly soldier, somewhat wary, said:
"What do you do? Where are you from and where are you going?"
Another young soldier walked up to Dai Yao, looked him up and down with his blond hair, and joked:
"Still blond hair? You're pretty fashionable, huh?!"
Dai Yao smiled and said, "I'm a fisherman from the upper reaches of the Canglan River. Fishing hasn't been good in recent years, so I was thinking of going to the coast to stay with relatives and try to develop my business there..."
The soldier nodded, jotted something down in his notebook, and then asked:
"What is your relative's name, and where do they live?"
Dai Yao was prepared for this and answered with his full name and address.
After the soldier finished writing, he asked:
"The information is correct. Your relative is quite a celebrity in that area. He also comes from a small village on the upper reaches of the Canglan River, so he should be from the same place as you. It seems you weren't lying. By the way, are you the only one on the boat?"
Dai Yao's heart sank, but he smiled and said:
"There's one more person, but..."
"But what?"
The soldier frowned and asked.
For a moment, Dai Yao didn't know how to answer. If he directly said that Qian Renxue was lying in bed, these guys would definitely not let this suspicious point go easily. They might even ask Qian Renxue to stand up, which would expose the fact that Qian Renxue was seriously injured. In addition, since Qian Renxue was still in Xue Qinghe's appearance, it would definitely arouse the soldiers' suspicion.
Then they won't be able to leave!
Dai Yao's soul power surged, instantly spreading throughout his body. He planned to let the two men into the cabin, and once they began to suspect something, he would immediately kill them and then quickly begin his escape.
Of course, this was his last resort.
Just as he was about to speak, the curtain inside the cabin was slowly pulled open, and two soldiers looked in the direction of the movement. Dai Yao could clearly see that the two soldiers' eyes widened slowly, as if they were shining, and their faces showed amazement.
A cool, clear voice came from behind.
"Husband, what happened? Why did the boat suddenly stop?"
Dai Yao was startled and immediately turned around. He saw a figure as radiant as the sun slowly lift the curtain and appear in his eyes.
Her long, golden hair cascaded down like a waterfall, and her exquisitely beautiful face made even the Canglan River pale in comparison.
Although she was dressed in simple linen clothes, it did not diminish her charm at all; on the contrary, it added a unique flavor to her.
In particular, the sacred aura emanating from her was like that of a goddess of light descending to earth. Despite her simple attire, she gave off an aura of unapproachability.
Having regained her true appearance, Qian Renxue slowly walked to Dai Yao's side and intimately took his hand, amidst the almost stunned gazes of the two soldiers.
Who are these two?
Qian Renxue looked at the two soldiers with feigned confusion and asked.
Dai Yao stared at Qian Renxue in surprise.
Although he didn't understand why Qian Renxue could move on her own and reveal her true appearance, he immediately understood Qian Renxue's thoughts.
In the Heaven Dou Empire, no one knew Qian Renxue's true appearance, so the Heaven Dou Empire's search yielded nothing.
They are safe.
"These two are officials who have come to inspect."
After understanding Qian Renxue's thoughts, Dai Yao followed her lead, pretending to be intimate as he took her hand and introduced her.
Qian Renxue bowed slightly and smiled softly:
"Greetings, Your Excellencies."
That smile was like the gentle smile of the god of light, holy and majestic, so that the two soldiers could not muster any sense of blasphemy.
"You're welcome, you're welcome!"
Seeing Qian Renxue bow, the two soldiers quickly stopped her. They wanted to reach out and help her up, but Qian Renxue's noble demeanor made them hesitate.
Dai Yao glanced at the two of them, slowly withdrew his soul power, sighed with feigned helplessness, and took the opportunity to explain his earlier hesitation, saying:
"My lords, you should understand my concerns just now."
The two soldiers glared at Dai Yao with envy and jealousy. They never expected that such a beautiful woman would be hidden in a small fishing boat.
Seeing the woman intimately linking arms with Dai Yao, it was clear that she was already taken.
Normally, these people, who are used to bullying men and women, would surely fabricate charges against Dai Yao and eliminate him upon seeing such a beautiful woman, and then take her for themselves.
However, in front of this woman, the filth in their hearts seemed to be purified by light, disappearing completely, leaving only a desire to protect her.
They even worried that if the woman stayed there too long, her superiors would see her. Given their superiors' brutal nature, the woman would not fare well.
Their eyes flickered with complex emotions several times. They exchanged a glance, and the older man patted Dai Yao on the shoulder, saying in a deep voice:
"Brother, if I were you, I would stay in your hometown and not come out. Once some pearls shine, you can't keep them."
That's all I have to say. Take care of yourself.
"Alright, there's nothing more to check, you can go now."
The two then jumped back onto the patrol boat and let Dai Yao pass.
Dai Yao quickly sent Qian Renxue back to the cabin, raised the sails, and rowed away from the blockade.
Looking back at Storm City receding into the distance, Dai Yao breathed a sigh of relief. He then turned to look at Qian Renxue, who had returned to her female form and was lying on the bed, his expression complex.
He never expected that Qian Renxue would revert to her female identity at this time and put on a show with him to dispel the suspicions of the two patrolmen.
In a novel, the female lead, having no other choice but to feign intimacy with the male lead to avoid a crisis, would have to do so out of despise him.
However, for someone as proud as Qian Renxue, she would never do something she didn't want to do, no matter how much you forced her.
The only reason for such intimate behavior is that Qian Renxue doesn't dislike him, and may even have some affection for him...
Even though she was already able to move around, she kept pretending she hadn't recovered and wanted Dai Yao to take care of her. This led Dai Yao to some absurd speculations.
Honestly, he only helped Qian Renxue out of sympathy for her in the original story, and because he didn't want her to be unable to gain a foothold in the Spirit Hall due to the influence of the spirit beast forces.
He truly had no improper thoughts about Qian Renxue!
Of course, he couldn't be sure if his thoughts were correct. Perhaps, in Qian Renxue's heart, he could be considered her friend.
My only friend.
Once only Dai Yao and Qian Renxue were in the cabin, Qian Renxue resumed her aloof expression.
Looking at the silent Dai Yao, Qian Renxue bit her lip and whispered:
"Don't you have any questions?"