Chapter Sixty-One: The Sea Voyage

When Ye Sansi and his companions set out to sea, Liu Jin had just returned to the Liu Family Fortress. No sooner had he landed in the martial training ground and the disciples finished their bows, than Liu Six rushed over. Ignoring the other elders’ attempts to hold him back, he seized Liu Jin by the collar and demanded angrily, “Liu Jin, Shuang’er left without even telling me. What are you playing at? Today, you must make yourself clear.”

The other three elders and Liu Zhen hurried over as well. Liu Mu ordered the disciples to disperse at once. Once they had all hurried off to the western courtyard, he approached the two men and said, “Sixth Brother, what are you doing? How can you behave so disrespectfully toward our eldest brother? It’s really not proper. If the younger generation sees this, won’t it bring shame on us? Let go at once.”

Liu Jin said nothing and did not struggle, letting Liu Six clutch his collar. After a moment, Liu Six calmed down and released him, then said in a loud voice, “Didn’t we agree that one of us would accompany Shuang’er to the Square Inch Immortal Island? And yet Liu Jin here took her alone, not letting us say our farewells. What is his motive? I think you just want to play the good guy and let my precious Shuang’er misunderstand her Sixth Grandpa. Well, I don’t care. I’m going to that Square Inch Immortal Island myself.”

Liu Jin straightened his collar, shook his sleeves, and said, “Are you saying you’re not allowed to go?”

“Hmph!” Liu Six snorted. “If I really wanted to go, could you stop me?”

Liu Huo stepped forward and took Liu Six by the arm, saying, “Sixth Brother, Eldest Brother must have his reasons for acting this way.”

Liu Shui also approached and tugged at Liu Jin, asking, “Eldest Brother, explain yourself. What is the meaning behind this?”

“Sixth Brother—” Liu Jin moved closer, patting Liu Six on the shoulder. Though Liu Six had contradicted him, he knew it was just a fit of anger and bore no grudge. He also realized his own actions had been insensitive; after all, Liu Six had always doted on Lingshuang, and to deny him a farewell was bound to make him furious.

Softly, Liu Jin said, “Sixth Brother, listen to me. If I had chosen someone to go to Square Inch Immortal Island, you would have found a way to go yourself. That island is full of capable elders, and even I might not escape their notice—how could you?”

Liu Six turned his head aside and said, “Then why not let us at least say goodbye to Shuang’er?”

“If I let you see her off, do you think you could bear to let her go? You’d cry, make a scene, and delay the journey. It would sadden her too. Besides, Shuang’er is no longer a child—she must grow, and face some hardships herself. We cannot protect her forever.”

Liu Huo smiled and said to Liu Six, “Sixth Brother, I told you Eldest Brother always has his reasons. He cares deeply for us, for the Liu Family Fortress, and for Shuang’er. He would never act without thought, nor try to sow discord between you and Shuang’er. Besides, we all know Shuang’er’s favorite is her Sixth Grandpa—you could never be replaced.”

Hearing this, Liu Six was mollified and laughed heartily. “All right, all right, I won’t be angry with Eldest Brother anymore. Anyway, Shuang’er loves me best. Even if Eldest Brother wanted to compete, he couldn’t win, ha ha ha!”

Liu Jin stroked his beard and continued, “I slipped a spirit talisman into Shuang’er’s bundle without her knowing. Once she reaches the island, it will turn into a spirit charm and attach itself to Ye Sansi. Whatever he does, we in the Liu Family Fortress will see it clearly and can watch over Shuang’er’s safety.”

Liu Mu, puzzled, asked, “Eldest Brother, why not attach the charm directly to Shuang’er? Wouldn’t that make tracking her even easier?”

Liu Jin replied, “There’s still Miss Lin Nian’er beside Shuang’er, and when they reach the island, there will be more female disciples—bathing and changing together. It really wouldn’t be proper to attach the charm to her. Ye Sansi is always by her side, so by attaching it to him, we can still keep an eye on her.”

Liu Mu was still uneasy and frowned. “Eldest Brother, if even you can’t avoid the notice of the elders on Square Inch Immortal Island, won’t the spirit charm be detected?”

Liu Jin smiled. “I say that, but I can’t guarantee the islanders won’t sense me. That’s why I used this charm. Once transformed into a spirit mark and fused with the body, it’s undetectable—its aura is so faint that even I cannot tell. I doubt anyone on Square Inch Immortal Island has that ability.”

Liu Jin coughed a few times and said, “All right, let’s not stand around. Call the disciples back to training—I’m a bit tired and will rest. Once they enter the island, I’ll activate the talisman. If any of you want to watch, go to the Treasure Pavilion—there’s a great bronze mirror on the second floor. Through it, you’ll see whatever Ye Sansi sees.”

The five elders returned to the North Courtyard. Liu Zhen called the disciples back to the martial ground. With the tension between Liu Jin and Liu Six resolved, he was relieved. These five fathers not only cared for him deeply, but gave their all to the family fortress and doted on his daughter. Even so, they sometimes argued or even came to blows. Liu Zhen just shook his head, amused.

...

“Wow, Sansi, look at all these fishing boats!” Lingshuang pointed ahead, shouting excitedly.

Ye Sansi gazed into the distance and marveled, “Yes, seeing all these fishing boats on the vast ocean feels so familiar and so grand. Look, what are they tossing into the sea?”

Lu Yu came over, smiling. “They’re casting their nets. All these boats are from my South Sea Village. We’re afraid of being scattered and helpless in case of disaster, so we agreed on this area to set out together, cast nets separately, and return together. For years now, we haven’t lost anyone, and the catch is just as good as before.”

Li Taiyi asked with curiosity, “Brother Lu, didn’t you say your village is blessed by immortals? How could you still encounter disaster at sea?”

Lu Yu answered softly, “It’s not that we don’t have disasters, just far fewer than elsewhere. In five years, I’ve only seen one, and it was easily resolved. Our South Sea Village is in calm waters, rich with fish and shrimp. But further on, the weather can change in an instant—storms and great waves are unpredictable.”

He sighed and added, “A little farther on is the area where my father was lost. They say a sea demon lives there. If it sees a boat, it rolls and stirs up giant waves—small boats are overturned in a single surge, and even large ones are tossed about. If a boat loses its way and drifts in alone, there’s little hope of survival. My father went in alone that year, with little food and lost his way. He starved to death…”

Taiyi gently patted Lu Yu’s back, comforting him. “Brother Lu, I’m sorry for bringing up painful memories.”

Lu Yu took a deep breath and smiled. “It’s all right. I’ve gotten through these years. Though I never saw what happened to my father, I often dream about it. I don’t know if we’ll make it safely to Square Inch Immortal Island this time, but no use worrying. Every time I cast my net, I get a good catch—I don’t believe we’ll really run into the sea demon.”

Lingshuang laughed, facing forward. “We won’t. I once rowed a little boat to and from the island alone, and I’m fine, aren’t I? According to the village chief, many people come here seeking passage, and the boatmen all return safely. There’s nothing to worry about. Besides, our boat is big, and we have Sansi and Taiyi. Even if we meet a sea demon, we’ll just deal with it!”

They all burst out laughing. Lingshuang ran to the stern and looked out; the village fleet was already far behind, and she marveled at their boat’s speed. When she traveled the Tianhai River, the merchant ship she rode was already fast, but Lu Yu’s fishing boat was even quicker.

Ye Sansi was delighted as well, standing on the boat. The rocking reminded him of riding a sword, and he cheered. Seeing him so childlike, Liu Lingshuang shook her head in fond exasperation, then went over, patted his head, and said playfully, “Sansi, didn’t the Grand Elder give you his treasured gourd? Can you take me for a flight in the sky? Please?”

Ye Sansi scratched his head and laughed. “Of course, but I’m not as skilled as the Grand Elder. The gourd can only hold one person…”

Lingshuang beckoned him with a laugh. “That’s all right, we can squeeze in. I don’t mind.”

“All right then.” Ye Sansi nodded, took out the Su Jade Bracelet from his clothes, and put it on. With a twist of his wrist, it emitted a red light, which gathered in his hand and transformed into the treasured gourd. He tossed it into the air, where it hovered. After chanting a few spells, the gourd grew several times larger—still much smaller than when the Grand Elder used it, but big enough for one to ride.

Lingshuang cheered, leapt onto the gourd, and Ye Sansi followed. It was cramped, but Lingshuang was petite and didn’t take up much space. Sansi sat in front, which didn’t interfere with piloting the gourd.

He pressed his fingers together at his chest and recited another spell. The gourd slowly rose into the air, wobbling with an unsteady center of gravity. Although Lingshuang had ridden it twice before, she’d never been afraid—only excited and amused. But under Sansi’s control, the gourd’s flight was nerve-wracking, and she clung tightly to him, eyes closed, not daring to look down.

As the gourd floated higher and higher, it reached its limit and became steady. Lingshuang dared to open her eyes a little, peeking down at the endless ocean below. Even Lu Yu’s fishing boat was tiny. Compared to the Grand Elder’s magic, this gourd’s altitude was modest—it didn’t reach the clouds, but was still high enough to enjoy the beauty of the mortal world.

Li Taiyi looked up and saw only a black dot in the sky, full of envy. He said to Lin Nian’er, “I’ve wanted to try flying on that gourd for ages—it looks so fun. But there’s time; I’ll get my chance. Who’d have thought Lingshuang would beat me to it, hmph!”

Nian’er covered her mouth and laughed. “Young Master Li, let Young Master Ye accompany Lingshuang. You don’t know how sad she was when he was gone—she kept so much unsaid, holding it in until she nearly made herself ill. Now that he’s back, she’s talking and smiling again.”

Li Taiyi glanced at Nian’er and said softly, “Nian’er, you care so much about their happiness, but what about yourself? I can see that you have feelings for Brother Sansi—you always go along with what he wants, and whenever he’s gone, you worry, even if you don’t show it…”

“Young Master Li, you love to talk nonsense. I see Young Master Ye as a friend and greatly admire his character, nothing more.” With that, Nian’er went into the cabin to rest.

Lu Yu had already gone to teach Wang and Zhao the skills of ferrying and fishing, leaving Taiyi alone to watch the waves and feel the sea breeze as he mused:

I, Li Taiyi, am skilled in martial arts, elegant and handsome, and the son of Sword Hero Qifei—a man of noble birth. Still, I wonder, why can’t I meet a girl who captures my heart? No matter. Once we’re on the island, I’ll talk to more of the female disciples—perhaps I’ll find someone worthy of me.