Ein Reisender, der alle Himmel und unzählige Welten durchquert

Kapitel 44

"Thank you for your trouble." Ming Er nodded.

The waiter went inside to call someone, and as he turned his gaze, he met many eyes. He smiled slightly in acknowledgment, walked to the side, and slowly looked at his tea, ignoring the curious gazes and whispers behind him.

The waiters glanced at the guest, then at the young man, and thought to themselves, "It would be strange if such a person didn't attract attention."

After a short while, the waiter led out an elderly man who looked to be about sixty years old and had a slender appearance. When the old man saw Ming Er, his expression changed slightly, but he approached him as usual.

"I am Tao Ji, the manager of this shop. I heard that you, young master, desire 'A Tree of Green Heartless'?" the old man said, bowing.

Ming Er turned around and returned the greeting, "I have always loved this tea, but it is difficult to find. I heard that your shop has it, so I came here."

Tao Ji stroked his beard and nodded. "This tea is extremely rare. I only managed to get half a jin more than ten years ago. Although I cherish it very much and only occasionally taste it, after more than ten years, I only have a small box left. As the saying goes, a zither is played only with a kindred spirit. Since you like this tea so much, you must be a kindred spirit. Although I have no tea to sell, I would like to offer you a cup of tea."

"In that case, thank you very much, shopkeeper." Ming Er said happily.

"Young master, please follow this old man." Tao Ji led the way.

Behind the teahouse is a small courtyard, quiet and elegant, away from the hustle and bustle in front.

Tao Ji invited Ming Er into the left wing room and bowed deeply, saying, "Tao Ji greets the Second Young Master."

“Uncle Tao, please don’t do this.” Ming Er quickly helped him up and said with a gentle smile, “Hua Yan is someone you watched grow up, Uncle Tao. How can you accept such treatment from an elder? Wouldn’t that be too much for your nephew?”

“Young Master is the master, and Tao Ji is the servant; it is only natural for me to receive your courtesy.” Tao Ji rose with Ming Er’s help, a gentle smile on his lean face. “How are Master and Madam?”

"All is well." Ming Er smiled broadly.

"Young master, do you really intend to go to Dongming Island?" Tao Ji invited Ming Er to sit at the head of the table, and then sat down at the foot of the table.

"Hmm." Ming Er nodded slightly. "Three thousand heroes perished in the Eastern Sea. How can we not go? I came here to ask Uncle Tao if he has gleaned any information?"

"Alas." Tao Ji sighed softly and deeply. "Young master, it is not that I am incompetent, but at this moment, no matter what sect or school you are in the martial world, all you can find out is what is being circulated outside. There is nothing else."

"Is that so?" Ming Er pondered, his eyes glazed over as he looked into a certain direction.

Tao Ji didn't say anything to disturb him and just watched him quietly.

He was always so perfect, no matter when or where. A strange heaviness settled in my heart. When I first saw him, he was only three years old, yet more well-behaved and sensible than any thirteen-year-old. He stood quietly beside his mother, observing others with unwavering eyes. Even then, I was struck by his quiet wisdom. So many years have passed; I've watched him grow up. The Ming family is a prominent clan, with numerous descendants. Whether in the eyes of elders or younger generations, whether he was three, four, five, or ten… he was always the best. He excelled in his studies, possessed the highest level of martial arts skill, was the most proficient in the Six Arts, and always treated people with gentle grace. He always handled tasks flawlessly, and even his appearance and demeanor were otherworldly and transcendent.

This is a person who is perfect from every angle.

The fact that mortals possess an impossible perfection is the most terrifying and frightening thing!

“This Dongming Island is truly interesting.” Ming Er’s soft chuckle interrupted Tao Ji’s reverie.

"Young master, what preparations do you need me to make for your voyage?" Tao Ji asked.

"Prepare...?" Ming Er's eyes flashed, and he smiled, "No need, that person will prepare everything. You just need to prepare the things I need."

“Very well,” Tao Ji replied, then asked, “Where will you be staying, young master? Would you like me to make arrangements?”

"No need to trouble Uncle Tao," Ming Er said calmly. "I'm staying at the same inn with them, and I might head to Yingzhou tomorrow. Just let them know."

"I understand," Tao Ji nodded.

Just then, there was a gentle knock on the door, and two maids pushed it open and entered. One of them carried a lotus-shaped jade basin filled with chilling ice, and in the ice was a white jade teacup.

"Young Master likes to drink 'One Tree of Green Heartlessness'," Tao Ji said with a smile as he looked at the maid who had entered.

“Uncle Tao understands this tea best,” Ming Er sighed softly.

"Break the tea with snow water and chill it with ice." Tao Ji took the jade basin from a maid and personally presented it to Ming Er's table. "This is what you taught me back then, young master. Please try it."

"Such a fine tea, how could Huayan refuse?" Ming Er took the jade cup from the jade basin, lifted the lid, and saw a pool of clear, bright green water in the white jade cup. Its color alone was stunning, and even before tasting it, a cool fragrance wafted over him, and a chill permeated his body. He couldn't help but exclaim, "Excellent tea!"

Tao Ji smiled with relief.

Ming Er stirred the green, needle-like tea leaves with the tea lid, causing the teapot to ripple and spread out in layers, much like the person's shimmering eyes. 'A tree of green, heartless,' those green eyes were not only heartless, but also unpredictable... Suddenly, realizing what he had thought of, his mind went blank.

19. Setting Sail on the Vast Ocean (Part 1)

As evening fell, everyone returned to the inn, and as expected, what they had learned was exactly the same as what they had heard on the street. After having dinner together, they gathered in Mingkong's room to discuss the matter.

"Brother Mingkong, what are your plans given the current situation?" Yuwen Lindong spoke first.

Upon hearing this, Mingkong turned his gaze to Lan Qi and Ming Er, and saw the same look in their eyes, which comforted him.

The martial world is full of outstanding talents, but... Ren Qi and Lie Chifeng, though their swordsmanship and saber skills have reached a high level, are only focused on martial arts. Feng Yi is indifferent to worldly affairs, Yuwen Feng is too arrogant, Yuwen Luo's martial arts are not good, Ning Lang is still just a fledgling phoenix, and the fate of Lie Chitang, Hua Qinghe, and others in the Eastern Sea is unknown. The two who should be the leaders of the dragon and phoenix should be these two.

Once Ming Kong calmed himself down, he immediately said, "First, we need to confirm whether this news is true or false."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Mingkong said, “Since all three thousand heroes have perished in the Eastern Sea, how could any news have been sent back? Therefore, this news is either false, merely a rumor circulating in the martial world. However, even if the news is true, the person who spread it cannot be found anywhere in the martial world. He must not have been one of the first three thousand heroes to set sail, otherwise he would not have needed to hide in the shadows. This person must have ulterior motives. In view of this, regardless of whether the three thousand heroes were buried in the Eastern Sea, what we do know is that something must have happened in the Eastern Sea.”

“Yes, that’s what I think too.” Yuwen Lindong nodded.

Mingkong continued, "Secondly, no matter what the future holds for our trip to Dongming Island, we must still go. We must reclaim the Holy Decree."

"Of course!" Yuwen Luo immediately exclaimed, "I haven't even seen it yet, I have to get it back!"

"What are you interrupting for!" Yuwen Lindong glared at him.

Yuwen Luo shrank back and lowered his head sheepishly.

Mingkong smiled slightly and said, "Thirdly, we don't need as many people going out to sea this time as last time. We will only select top-notch experts. Since the East Sea is dangerous, those with low martial arts skills will only lose their lives in vain."

"Mm." Lan and Ming nodded in agreement. Too many people would only make things more difficult. They glanced at each other, each giving a faint, ambiguous smile.

"Furthermore, we need to make thorough preparations." Mingkong frowned slightly as he spoke. In the martial arts world, everyone has their own unique skills when it comes to flying and diving, but since everyone lives on land and has no experience in maritime life, this is the biggest problem for this voyage.

The sea is unpredictable and turbulent; facing the vast ocean, even the greatest martial arts skills are futile.

"I can take care of the ships and luggage needed for the voyage, so you don't need to worry about that, senior," Lan Qi said, shaking his jade fan. After speaking, he turned his gaze to Ming Er with a half-smile.

When Ming Er was glanced at by Lan Qi's emerald eyes, he had no choice but to put down the teacup he had already picked up. He said gently, "I can find the boatmen and guides." After speaking, he glanced at Lan Qi with his hazy eyes and smiled faintly. Lan Qi returned a smug and satisfied smile.

The Lan family has always been wealthy, and the Ming family is located in Tianzhou, Linhai. With these two people's words, everyone had a clear understanding of the situation.

"Then I'll have to trouble you two." Mingkong didn't stand on ceremony and entrusted this important task to you.

"We were originally scheduled to set sail on September 26th, but time is limited. Let's head to Yingzhou tomorrow," Yuwen Lindong said finally.

"Yes." Everyone nodded.

Everyone went to bed early that night.

The next day, everyone got up very early. When they opened their doors, they found the waiter waiting outside. Washing water, breakfast, and other refreshments had already been prepared. So they washed up in their rooms, ate breakfast, and took their belongings to prepare for their journey.

Once they reached the entrance of the inn, the group was taken aback again.

Eight tall, magnificent horses stood on the main road in front of the inn. They were black, white, red, and yellow, and their extraordinary stamina and speed were immediately apparent. The grooms who had been leading the horses bowed to the people coming out of the inn, then released the reins and left, leaving a few people standing there dumbfounded.

"I suppose it was all prepared by Seventh Young Master," Ming Er said, dispelling the mystery.

Everyone suddenly realized.

"Seventh Young Master is so generous!" Yuwen Luo immediately praised.

"This boy is very meticulous and thoughtful," Yuwen Lindong couldn't help but say with a smile.

Mingkong nodded with a smile.

Ning Lang beamed with joy, feeling as if he were praising himself.

Feng Yi glanced at Ming Er, his expression remaining indifferent.

Yuwen Feng remained silent.

"What are you all still standing here for? These horses I prepared are quite nice, aren't they?" Lan Qiqing's charming voice came from behind, and then a gentle breeze swept by, and a pale yellow shadow flashed before our eyes and lightly landed on a crimson steed.

The group's eyes lit up upon seeing it.

The morning light was faint, and the horses were like red clouds at dawn, with the bright sun shining on the clouds.

Lan Qi was dressed in a light yellow robe today, her hair tied up with a golden crown and then hanging down, like ink-black silk fluttering in the morning breeze. Her blue eyes shone like stars, and her smile bloomed like the beauty of spring. "Let's go." She whipped her horse and rode away, a streak of crimson clouds carrying a wisp of yellow smoke in an instant.

Ming Er leaped onto the white horse, raised his eyebrows and laughed, "Riding through the rivers and lakes, chasing the sun and the wind, that's the true nature of a man." As soon as he finished speaking, the white horse spread its four hooves and galloped away.

Yuwen Feng followed closely, leaping onto his horse and galloping away with a flick of his whip.

"Oh dear, they're all gone! Ning Lang, let's hurry and chase after them!" Yuwen Luo panicked when he saw the three of them disappear in the blink of an eye.

“Okay,” Ning Lang replied cheerfully.

The two of them immediately mounted their horses and rode off in pursuit.

Only Feng Yi, Ming Kong, and Yuwen Lindong remained.

“Young man…” Yuwen Lindong sighed.

“Let’s go too,” Mingkong said with a smile.

So the three mounted their horses and galloped away.

Along the way, the younger generation chased each other, competing in horsemanship, agility, and martial arts. They traversed the sunset and twilight, leaving behind verdant mountains and rivers, displaying their heroic spirit. After many days, they felt no fatigue, only joy. Yuwen Lindong and Mingkong followed leisurely behind them, watching the lively scene ahead, feeling both gratified and wistful at the fleeting nature of time. As for Feng Yi, he silently lagged behind, watching the proud figure at the forefront.

On September 24th, the eight people arrived at Wancheng, a coastal city in Yingzhou.

Upon arriving in Wancheng, they couldn't help but marvel once again at the thoroughness of Lan Qi and Ming Er's work. Before they even arrived, all the ships and luggage were already prepared, and the manpower and guides were already waiting there. Everything was in perfect order, ready for them to set sail as soon as they arrived.

While Ming Kong was pleased, a hidden worry arose in his heart, and his gaze toward Lan Qi and Ming Er carried a hint of regret.

However, their initial concern about too many people turned out to be unfounded.

The news that three thousand masters had perished in the Eastern Sea, whether true or false, was enough to shock some and deter many others. Therefore, Wancheng was not filled with martial arts heroes, and by the 25th, most of the planned second group had not yet arrived.

Ning Lang was very angry and puzzled by this, while Yuwen Luo was furious but vaguely understood. However, Ming Kong, Yuwen Lindong, Ming Er, Lan Qi and others showed no surprise or disappointment, as if everything was just a matter of course.

In this world, people are not as brave, fearless, and chivalrous as they claim. The most important thing in a person's heart is themselves.

But some unexpected yet understandable people also arrived, such as Qiu Hengbo and Hua Fushu.

Qiu Hengbo led the twenty people from Changtian Manor and said only one sentence to Mingkong: "Father is in the East Sea, alive or dead."

Mingkong neither tried to dissuade nor comforted him, but simply nodded in silence.

Hua Fushu brought the ten guards of the Hua family. She said, "Father originally wanted to come, but Fushu stopped him. If Fushu cannot find her brother, then Dongming Island will be without sons or brothers."

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Lindong was secretly surprised. How could such a gentle and beautiful woman speak with such a fierce tone?

Lie Chifeng also arrived. He didn't say anything, but everyone understood why he came. No matter how obsessed he was with the sword, he was still human, and his blood ties remained unbroken.

Mei Hongming, who was injured by Lie Chifeng's sword energy during the last martial arts competition in Yingshan and was unable to join the first batch of ships to go to sea with his master, has recovered from his injury and has come.