A Core Ship From The Start-Chapter 2256 - 1526: Heading South (The Cat’s Daily Dilemma: What’s for Dinner?)
Duanmu Huai left, leaving only chaos in the North Martial World. And his reputation as the Undying Slaughter God grew even more notorious. After all, everyone present clearly saw Duanmu Huai knock open Song Mountain with a single punch, which was far more shocking than killing a few people! That terrifying power capable of changing the world, which even nature couldn’t resist, was deeply ingrained in the minds of the Jianghu people.
But this had nothing to do with Duanmu Huai now, the North Martial World didn’t have anything interesting to him anymore, especially since Duanmu Huai had already met Zhang Sanfeng, and the others weren’t significant.
An old poem goes "Parting from old friends at Yellow Crane Tower, in March amidst blooming flowers going to Yangzhou," next up for Duanmu Huai is South Martial World. The first stop, Yangzhou.
Compared to the West Martial World and North Martial World, South Martial World is currently in turmoil. Among the Four Great Martial States, the West Martial World and the officials maintain a peaceful distance, while the North Martial World has some interactions with the Royal Family, but not frequently. However, the situation in South Martial World isn’t good, as Yang Guang’s harsh rule has led to rebel forces rising up everywhere, among which martial arts masters seek to dominate the world and seize power in the Southern State. In fact, the Southern State is the most intertwined with the martial world and officialdom among the Four Great Martial States.
As mentioned before, the Four Great Martial States excel in different aspects, West Martial State in skills, North Martial State in body, South Martial State in spirit, and East Martial State in weaponry.
Similarly, martial artists in each Martial State have different pursuits.
In the West State, martial artists pursue their personal limits, in essence, they are willing to do anything to break through their limits.
Therefore, infighting and mutual slaughter are rampant in the West State Martial World. All to prove their skills are the strongest, or to break through obstacles to reach higher realms, etc. Ultimately, it’s all for themselves. Regarding the Martial World, the Jianghu, they don’t care or bother.
In the North State Martial World, it’s more divided into righteous and evil factions, continually fighting with sayings like ’evil can never triumph over good’ or ’when evil advances, righteousness retreats’, this kind of binary strategy. Whether righteous or evil, their goal is at most unifying the martial world.
Characters like Zuo Lengchan and Yue Buqun are such, not even unifying the martial world, just being content with unifying the Five Mountains Sword Sect.
In contrast, South Martial World isn’t so petty, at the moment their goal goes beyond unifying the Jianghu, their aim is to unify the world!
Although in Duanmu Huai’s view, this is pretty mundane, at least it counts as a goal.
Duanmu Huai wanted to take a boat, but when he went around the docks, he didn’t find a ship to his liking. After all, in this era, what can you expect of a ship?
Sink quickly?
"The ships here don’t seem great, either old or broken..."
Duanmu Huai wandered around and lamented. Wang Yuyan and Little Dragon Girl exchanged a look, then spoke.
"Sir, it’s alright, as long as you use that Immortal Mansion, even a fishing boat will do."
Duanmu Huai had been traveling with these two for many days, naturally not subjecting himself to hardship, for accommodations he would use the Mage’s Mansion, which greatly astonished Wang Yuyan and Little Dragon Girl. This is the kind of trick only Immortals would perform in legends, not to mention the Tribunal building inside the Mage’s Mansion was incredibly impressive to them, as it seemed no different from the Immortal Mansions opened by Immortals in mythical tales.
Well, it was pretty similar indeed.
"That’s not right, travel is for enjoyment, not suffering... never mind, let me see."
Duanmu Huai was not inclined to primitive eco-travel; to him, traveling should prioritize comfort, not spending money for suffering. He didn’t understand why people spend money to go deep into the mountains and forests, getting bitten by mosquitoes, and sleeping on the hard ground. If one wants to suffer, they can find it anywhere without spending money, seeking suffering is just foolish...
Grumbling while thinking, Duanmu Huai opened the system and searched the marketplace, something he rarely did, as the broken system’s marketplace was akin to those useless online games, with nothing useful, just various skins and appearance items, but now, whatever... it would have to do.
Duanmu Huai walked to the riverside, glanced around, and snapped his fingers.
In the next instant, a flash of silver light revealed a big ship materializing on the river in front of them.
Although the two had been with Duanmu Huai for a while and knew his abilities, they couldn’t help but be astonished at the sight of this ship. The entire ship was pure white, seemingly larger than many official vessels, with a unique design and a peculiar mast instead of sails.
This was precisely what Duanmu Huai redeemed from the marketplace — the Galaxy Super Yacht!
Of course, the grand name was useless, essentially just a floating watercraft, not a real Cosmic Warship.
The yacht was sixty-seven meters long, twelve meters wide, and fifteen meters high, with three presidential suites, a large pool on the front deck, and a circular hot spring pool on the rear deck. It even included a radar and weapon system, as well as a fully automated operating system. Additionally, there’s a restaurant, kitchen, bar... perfect for traveling.
"Hmm, not bad, very good, let’s set off."
Duanmu Huai led the two women onto the yacht, walked around, and nodded in satisfaction. Despite having seen a lot before, the yacht exceeded their imagination and impressed them.
"It’s unexpected that the Immortal’s ship is so luxurious, I really don’t understand why there is still fighting when this is the case."
Little Dragon Girl also couldn’t help but sigh. After confirming Duanmu Huai as a celestial being from the heavens, Wang Yuyan and Little Dragon Girl asked him about the heavenly realm. In myths and legends, celestial mansions are portrayed as idyllic places longed for by mortals, but Duanmu Huai decisively shattered their dreams. From his narrations, they learned that even in heavens, beings engaged in endless conflicts, blood flowed like rivers, and often they would cause destruction...
"Because this is how the world is, it won’t change, it was like this before, is like this now, and will be like this in the future. Here, people fight for survival and to fill their stomachs. Up there, beings fight more to prove their ideals, beliefs, or other trivial things."
Duanmu Huai shrugged.
"That’s the nature of the world, some might say ’nothing is more important than life’, while others might argue ’there are things worth preserving beyond life’... ultimately, it’s up to your choice."
"But sir, there’s just the three of us on this ship, no crew, is it really okay?"
Compared to Little Dragon Girl’s reflection on life, Wang Yuyan’s concerns were more pragmatic.
"I’ve heard that the Southern State is currently in chaos, with rebel forces even blocking the river. If surrounded by rebels..."
"No worries, let them come, if they can board the ship, I lose."
Duanmu Huai was not afraid at all. Are you kidding? This yacht is equipped on both sides with two 11-barrel, 30mm rotary machine guns, with a maximum range of five hundred meters and eleven thousand rounds per minute. He wanted to see who in this martial arts world was brave enough to withstand such an attack?
This is Wuxia, not Immortal Hero. Even in Immortal Hero, how many could withstand this kind of firepower?
"Alright, let’s go."
Duanmu Huai picked up the terminal and scanned it. The next moment, the whole yacht’s sound system burst into melodious music, and then he stretched lazily.
"I’m going to the back to soak in the hot spring, do you want to join?"
"Well... we’d better go to the front to enjoy the scenery."
Although Duanmu Huai said that bathing in the hot spring could be done in swimwear, to Wang Yuyan and the Little Dragon Girl, such bikini-style clothing was utterly scandalous. Wearing it even in the boudoir took great courage, let alone wearing it outside for others to see.
Even if it were Immortal clothing, it’s still too... shameless.
So next, the three of them took the yacht down the Yangtze River toward Yangzhou.
A ship like this brazenly sailing on the Yangtze would inevitably attract a lot of attention. Not to mention that chaos was brewing in Southern State, so word spread quickly. Before long, even the Southern State Emperor Yang Guang was informed and ordered Yuwen Hua Ji to investigate.
"Rumors have it that an Immortal Boat ferries on the Yangtze, with fairies appearing?"
It must be said, the emperor’s order left Yuwen Hua Ji bewildered.
This Emperor day after day seeks Immortals and Taoism, already making it awkward enough to find the Longevity Technique. Now, what’s this about seeking immortals?
"Have any of you heard of this matter?"
After court, Yuwen Hua Ji gathered his confidants to inquire. Faced with his questioning, his subordinates exchanged glances, and one stepped forward to speak.
"Reporting to the general manager, this is indeed true. The rumor has already spread throughout the land, known to all."
"Oh? What have they been saying?"
"The rumor says that on the Yangtze, there’s an Immortal Boat, snow-white in appearance, without sails or oars. Whenever it appears, there are always Immortal Sounds resonating. Occasionally, two fairies can be seen stepping out, gazing at the riverbanks. And come evening, this Immortal Boat emits a glow like the bright moon..."
"Is this true?"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Hua Ji frowned. No matter how he thought about it, it sounded just like a story.
"I initially thought it was a story too, but among the passing ships, quite a few have seen this Immortal Boat. I’ve even secretly sent people to inquire, and based on their accounts, there indeed is such a boat."
"Hmm... could immortals truly exist?"
Yuwen Hua Ji looked serious. He knew that the Southern State’s situation was unstable. In truth, though Yuwen Hua Ji seemed loyal to Yang Guang on the surface, he had long wanted him dead. After all, Yang Guang’s accession to power was not rightful. During his reign, he dug the Grand Canal and waged war against the Barbarians—and lost.
He lost three times in a row.
This roused public resentment. Yet, despite this, Yang Guang remained obstinate, seeking Immortal techniques. Upon learning that cultivating the Longevity Technique could make him immortal, he ordered Yuwen Hua Ji to find it.
To be honest, Yuwen Hua Ji had it all figured out. Even if he found the Longevity Technique, he’d fabricate a fake interpretation for Yang Guang to practice. Ideally, he’d go off the rails and die, which would be perfect.
Frankly speaking, even Qin Shi Huang didn’t become an immortal; what makes Yang Guang think he can cultivate to immortality? Dream on!
But this Immortal Boat...
"Moreover, General Manager."
While Yuwen Hua Ji was deep in thought, his trusted confidant spoke again.
"I heard another piece of news. Not long ago, the rebel army warships of Li Zitong from the East Sea tried to intercept the Immortal Boat. Yet before getting close, a thunderous roar was heard, and those blocking warships shattered and sank. Li Zitong’s navy was utterly defeated. Because of this, he’s lost naval support and had to retreat."
"Getting more outrageous."
Yuwen Hua Ji shook his head upon hearing this.
"The rumors are too exaggerated. Li Zitong’s navy is somewhat capable. How could they all be wiped out?"
"I also find it unbelievable, but that’s what the reports say."
"..."
Yuwen Hua Ji remained silent for a while, then slapped his palm forcefully.
"Stop this nonsense. I’ll go see for myself and find out whether it’s true!"
