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Chapter 38: Outer Port
🕑 Added 2025-03-03 11:33:10 +0000 UTC"Daoist friend" was the customary way cultivators addressed each other. The moment Du Rong heard this term and realized that the person had approached him without making a sound, he immediately knew that this individual was far stronger than him, likely an immortal cultivator. Despite the young face before him, he dared not be careless. Hastily rising to his feet, he respectfully said, "Daoist friend, to get to the inner river dock, head east from this town’s market. When you reach an intersection, turn north and travel to the capital. Pass through the city gates and continue straight along the road, and you will arrive."
Chen Xiao noticed the young man’s expression stiffen. He clenched his fists, his gaze locking onto Du Rong’s collar. "…Which way is east?"
Du Rong was momentarily speechless. Meanwhile, a wave of sympathy and nostalgia surged within Chen Xiao.
After all, one only had to glance at the sun and shadows to determine the cardinal directions. As a feng shui master, orientation was a fundamental skill. No matter what city or unfamiliar place he found himself in, he would never get lost.
This boy, however, had a poor sense of direction and a weak spatial awareness, classic symptoms of being utterly incapable of navigation. It was likely due to underdeveloped neural pathways responsible for spatial recognition, coupled with a poor memory for recently seen maps or layouts. In short, he was a natural-born wayfinder’s nightmare.
Chen Xiao used to struggle to understand how some people could wander aimlessly in circles for twenty minutes, unable to find an exit. That was until he took in a disciple who, upon stepping out of a subway station, train station, or airport, would be instantly disoriented. Without GPS guidance, that disciple would be helplessly lost amidst towering buildings.
And so, deciding to perform a good deed for the day, Chen Xiao stood up and pointed in the direction behind the boy. "That way is east. You can leave the market from behind you."
The boy’s single-lidded eyes flickered with embarrassment and frustration. He darted a quick, evasive glance at Chen Xiao before muttering in a low, hurried voice, "Thank you." Then, as if unable to bear the awkwardness any longer, he turned and vanished into the crowd like a gust of wind.
"Hey—" Chen Xiao raised a hand and called after him. Running around like that is dangerous. You’ll just get lost again.
Originally, Chen Xiao had planned to escort the boy to the capital since their inn was near the northern city gate. But seeing how the boy wanted to avoid him at all costs, Chen Xiao, having failed in his attempt to do a good deed, could only lower his hand in mild disappointment.
For the rest of the day, Chen Xiao and Du Rong continued exploring the livestock section. There, he encountered several species of animals he had never seen before. They were categorized into egg-layers, meat-producers, and milk-providers, but their appearances were completely different from the poultry and livestock of his past life. Their looks were wild and untamed, as if they had never been domesticated.
His instincts proved correct, every so often, there would be a commotion caused by unruly livestock attempting to escape or even attacking handlers. Observing a bull-like beast with horns gleaming menacingly under the light, Chen Xiao decided it was best to leave the area sooner rather than later.
That afternoon, after an hour-long return trip, they arrived back at the inn. As Chen Xiao settled in, a fleeting thought crossed his mind—had that boy successfully found his way to the inner river dock? But then, recalling that the boy was a cultivator, he dismissed the concern. Even if he gets lost, he’ll manage somehow.
Afterwards, he delivered four pieces of Cloud Weave Brocade to a century-old tailor shop in the capital. He had them take his measurements, requesting one set of fitted clothing and another slightly larger. Since he opted out of any embroidery designs, the tailor assured him the garments would be ready in seven or eight days.
While waiting for the clothes to be made, Chen Xiao decided to visit the inner river dock. Before departing, he had Du Rong check out of the inn but left their luggage stored there temporarily. He only took a set of clothing and his essential belongings. Though Du Rong was puzzled, he did not question it. Instead, he packed everything into a newly purchased rattan trunk and carried it by hand.
This was something Chen Xiao particularly appreciated about Du Rong, he did his tasks silently and never meddled in his employer’s decisions.
Upon arriving at the inner river dock by short-haul carriage, Chen Xiao instructed Du Rong to purchase two tickets to the outer port. It was only then that Du Rong realized, his young employer had not given up on his plan to visit the city of cultivators. However, he chose not to dissuade him.
Chen Xiao was someone with a firm will. Until he saw things for himself, he would not let go of his resolve. As a bodyguard, Du Rong’s only duty was to ensure his safety.
That said, deep down, Du Rong harbored his own concerns. Among those who left the academy, some had already realized that their innate talent made further advancement nearly impossible. The weight of this disparity crushed their spirits, leaving them struggling even more than ordinary people.
If even cultivators found this reality unbearable, how could an ordinary person like Chen Xiao accept it?
Occasionally, when looking at Chen Xiao, Du Rong would be reminded of his own nephew. At this moment, he couldn’t help but project his thoughts onto him. His employer seemed to have a stubborn streak, if he were to witness the brutal divide between mortals and immortals firsthand, would he be heartbroken?
Du Rong’s expression remained indifferent, but inwardly, he was troubled. Chen Xiao, unaware of his thoughts, simply stood near the dock, scanning his surroundings. This was the river port closest to the capital, a crucial hub for water transport. As a result, the entire dock was bustling with activity, surrounded by buildings that had sprung up to support the port's operations. Porters and laborers came and went, all working to keep the place running.
The riverbank was lined with boats of varying sizes. The smallest ones resembled the rowboats used by park visitors, evidently belonging to locals who rowed their boats around, seeking passengers. The largest were towering, two-story vessels, some were merchant ships, where laborers hauled cargo on and off, while others were passenger ships, where travelers of different backgrounds, some neatly dressed and others in more refined attire, boarded and disembarked.
Chen Xiao was observing the people’s clothing, trying to guess their identities, when Du Rong returned.
“Master, my apologies. I could only secure two seated tickets, there were no private cabins available,” he reported. “The journey from here to the outer port takes only half a day, so tickets are in high demand.”
Chen Xiao waved a hand dismissively. “That’s fine. Seats will do.”
By midday, the passenger ship departed on schedule. This wasn’t Chen Xiao’s first time on a boat, but it was his first time aboard a fully wooden vessel of this size. To his surprise, the ride was incredibly stable, with barely any noticeable rocking from the waves. Their seats were in the front row, offering a decent view, but the cabin itself was quite cramped. With the cold weather, the windows had to remain shut, and the resulting atmosphere was far from pleasant.
After only half an hour, Chen Xiao started feeling uncomfortable. He wrapped himself in a thick cloak, informed Du Rong, and stepped out onto the deck.
To be honest, this season didn’t offer much in the way of scenery, the riverbanks were barren and dull. Still, Chen Xiao preferred the open air over enduring the stifling cabin atmosphere.
“Huh?” A flicker of movement caught his eye along the shore, prompting a surprised exclamation. The figure moved incredibly fast, too far away for him to discern whether they possessed any spiritual aura. However, their clothing looked strikingly similar to that of the young man he had encountered at the market earlier.
“No way…” Chen Xiao muttered dryly. This place was quite a distance from the inner river port, and the person was heading in the opposite direction. If they continued on that path, they’d never reach the port. Chen Xiao smirked to himself, perhaps the boy simply couldn’t afford a ticket and had decided to walk instead.
After lingering a while longer, he finally returned to the cabin. He wasn’t impervious to the cold, and staying out any longer might make him sick. The journey passed without incident, and by nightfall, they arrived safely at the outer port.
The outer port was located in a county town called Niancheng. Because of its coastal location, many of the townspeople made a living from the sea, whether as fishermen or in maritime trade.
Du Rong was even more familiar with this place than the capital. As soon as they disembarked, he led Chen Xiao through the town without the need for a carriage, walking for about fifteen minutes before arriving at an unassuming yet sturdily built inn.
The moment he stepped inside, Chen Xiao sensed that this place was different from an ordinary inn. There was no lively chatter from travelers, only small groups or lone individuals who moved with sharp precision. Their demeanor, expressions, and posture all carried a clear message: I’m not someone to be trifled with.
A thought clicked in Chen Xiao’s mind, this must be an inn frequented by cultivators. But why had Du Rong brought him here?
While Du Rong went to the counter to arrange their stay, Chen Xiao remained seated in the waiting area, guarding their luggage. As night deepened, more cultivators returned, some ignoring him completely, while others spared him a curious glance. Thankfully, no one seemed to find his presence offensive enough to chase him out.
This inn didn’t have private courtyards, so Du Rong booked a suite with two rooms, one for each of them.
For dinner, they didn’t bother going out and instead had their meal delivered to their room. Seated at the round table in the main area, Chen Xiao raised a toast to Du Rong.
“Uncle Rong, just by choosing this inn, I can tell you already know what your nephew is thinking,” he said with a smile.
Du Rong took a sip of his wine and sighed. “You’re the master. My job is to follow your orders.”
Chen Xiao chuckled. “No need to worry, Uncle Rong. I won’t do anything beyond my abilities.”
Du Rong didn’t believe him for a second. If he truly understood the limits of his abilities, he wouldn’t even be here.
At this point, Du Rong was genuinely exasperated. He had hoped to make some easy money and save up for better weapons and gear. Instead, he had ended up with an employer whose adventurous spirit exceeded his own, determined to charge headfirst into every situation.
Seeing his disbelief, Chen Xiao merely smiled and downed his cup of wine. Then, reaching into his robes, he retrieved an object and placed it on the table, palm open.
“Uncle Rong, take a look at this, and you’ll understand why I’m thinking this way.”
Resting in his hand was a luminous spirit stone, radiating a soft glow.
Comments
Liz v
Tftc!
