Chapter 138: Chapter 138: Cheer Up

The music of the guqin wafted gently through the air.

Large fish circled the boat, nodding and swaying their tails, clearly enjoying themselves.

The onlookers were amazed:

“He’s actually listening to the music!”

“Indeed, all creatures have a spirit!”

“I’ve been at sea for so long, and this is the first time I’ve realized that even big fish appreciate music.”

“How magical!”

“It just shows how exquisite this music is!”

…

They watched the large fish then turned their attention to the person playing the guqin, shaking their heads as they lost themselves in the music, praises flowing endlessly.

Sang Yan was also listening to the music.

The music of the guqin had a magical power to heal the heart.

She felt her mood lifting, with the mountains green and the seas blue, big fish dancing, life seemed long, with many more beautiful sights worth seeing.

“Young Master, open your heart a bit, and look further.”

Qi Jiu had finished a song and was speaking words to soothe the spirit.

Sang Yan nodded in acknowledgment, as a form of thanks.

Jiang Ke watched her interact and was pleased, but because it was Qi Jiu she was interacting with, he felt displeased.

His mood flickered back and forth, finally sweeping her into his arms and returning to the room.

In the room

As soon as Sang Yan sat on the bed, her mood changed, and a look of undisguised disgust appeared in her eyes.

He was still the same, his controlling desire was oppressive, suffocating.

She lay down, turning her back and closing her eyes, not wanting to look at him.

Jiang Ke lifted her up to face him, his eyes gloomy and displeased, “Sang Yan, do you know who he is? And still you pay him attention!”

Sang Yan remained silent.

Jiang Ke didn’t expect her to respond to him and continued, “He is of the Beiqi Royal Family. Beiqi is currently waging war against Da He in the region of Min State. His presence in Quanzhou could mean he has penetrated deep into Da He, plotting something. Are you sure you want to let your guard down around him?”

Sang Yan still remained silent.

But a jolt went through her heart: the Beiqi Royal Family? Was that man from the Beiqi Royal Family? Was he plotting against Da He? Could Qu Zhi’s escape also be his doing? Was Da He, seemingly peaceful, already engulfed in turmoil?

She was deeply concerned for He Ying’s empire.

But she could do nothing.

“Ah Yan, I’m not fearful you’ll seek help; I’m worried you’ll fall into his trap. His approaching us is surely not without an ulterior motive.”

Sang Yan understood this reasoning all too well.

Hearing this, she became even more fearful of ending up in that man’s clutches than being confined by Jiang Ke.

What if that man used her to threaten He Ying?

The melodramatic scenarios from novels happening to her?

No!

That could not happen!

She absolutely could not become He Ying’s weakness!

“According to what you’re saying, we, we should go back.”

“The current situation is chaotic; they have more people, power in numbers, and we could easily become their prisoners.”

She spoke out.

Being out of practice, her sentences came out choppy.

But Jiang Ke was delighted, “Ah Yan, you finally respond to me!”

He held her tight, patting her back gently, “Don’t be afraid, I will protect you. Once we reach Puluo Country, I will do as you wish.”

Sang Yan tried to push him away but couldn’t, and instead she said, “Let go of me.”

Jiang Ke obediently released her, excitedly smiling, “Ah Yan, is there anything you want to eat?”

Sang Yan said weakly, “Some porridge would be nice.”

She had to rally herself.

Even the thought of rallying herself was exhausting.

Jiang Ke immediately went out to get the porridge.

After drinking the porridge, Sang Yan walked around the room.

Jiang Ke massaged her shoulders, pounding her legs.

He had been massaging her while she stayed in bed over the last few days to ease her muscles.

Mostly, he was gentle.

But it was a gentleness that was fatal, horrifying.

*

The Sea God Festival arrived as scheduled.

This day, Jiang Ke had arranged everything for Sang Yan, then went to join everyone in the ritual.

The entire process was still complex, including fasting, setting up the altar, offering incense, kneeling, praying for blessings, Holy Water, and the sea banquet.

The last two steps involved using seawater as Holy Water, which meant sprinkling the body with seawater to accept the Sea God’s baptism and protection.

The sea banquet involved throwing the offerings of chickens, ducks, fish, and meat into the sea for the Sea God to enjoy.

Once all the steps were completed, it was already evening.

The sea thrived under the bright moon.

The evening was even livelier.

A group gathered at the bow to release Kongming Lanterns and sea lanterns.

Sang Yan was also brought to the bow by Jiang Ke for a heart-to-heart talk.

Under the moonlight, even dressed as a man, her delicate grace was hard to conceal.

A drunken sturdy man approached and teased, “Hey, young man, what’s your name? Why do you look like a woman? Ha-ha, come on, everyone look—”

As he spoke, he reached out and pinched Sang Yan’s chin.

The next moment, his hand was caught and broken by Jiang Ke, causing him to scream in pain.

“Let go, let go, it’s killing me!”

The sturdy man screamed as if being slaughtered.

His friend hurriedly stepped forward to mediate, “Young man, please show some mercy, my friend is drunk.”

“Being drunk allows him to be indecent?”

Jiang Ke, with a cold expression and a hint of sarcasm, nevertheless let go of his grip.

But the drunkard was relentless, “I’m indecent, and you two big men are decent? Holed up in a room all day, who knows what sordid things you’re doing. Playboy, indeed, who doesn’t know that?”

Traveling at sea often brings loneliness.

Without women, the men would also mingle to pass the time.

But after all, they were all rugged men, not naturally inclined that way, and found no pleasure in it.

Only this ‘playboy’ was indeed beautiful, looking almost like a woman, and he couldn’t help but harbor lewd thoughts.

Jiang Ke, furious at his foul mouth, kicked him into the sea.

“Bang!”

The sturdy man fell into the sea, suddenly sober from shock, crying out, “Help! Come save me! I can’t swim!”

“If you can’t swim, then die in there.”

“Scum like you deserve to die!”

Jiang Ke cursed, watching him struggle pathetically in the sea.

The sea roared.

His friend hesitated for a moment before a man with a large pimple on his chin took off his coat and jumped into the sea to save him.

Seeing someone had come to the rescue, Jiang Ke did not interfere further, holding the startled Sang Yan, preparing to leave.

But his friend blocked them, “Brother, you can’t just leave like this! Wanting to walk away after hitting someone?”

Jiang Ke’s eyes narrowed fiercely as he asked, “What would you have me do?”

“Apologize to my brother.”

“Yeah, he merely said something about you being men, what about it?”

“You have the face to be a playboy, and can’t let others talk about it?”

…

They surrounded the two, speaking out for the sturdy man.

Jiang Ke, not wanting to expose Sang Yan’s identity, endured and said, “You have misunderstood, she is not the type of person you think. Tonight’s incident was because you insulted her first.”

He clenched his fists, resisting the urge to hit someone.

He couldn’t make a move.

This was on a ship.

He could easily silence them with a punch, but it was better to offend a gentleman than a scoundrel. For the next few days of the journey, it was uncertain if they would seek revenge. Moreover, in front of everyone, he couldn’t eliminate all threats completely.

He had to endure.

But they were not ready to let up:

“Men among men, what’s wrong with a joke?”

“Look how you scared my brother? He’s in shock.”

“You must apologize!”

“Or let this playboy serve us—”

…

Their motives were exposed as they took aim at Sang Yan.

Sang Yan was Jiang Ke’s bottom line.

He was instantly filled with a murderous intent.

Just as he was about to take action—

“Gentlemen, these two young brothers are new and ignorant of the rules. Please, for my sake, Qi Jiu, don’t take it to heart,” Qi Jiu said with a slight smile, polite in his speech but with an underlying authority.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated on Novlove.com