blogombal Chapter 383 One Man and Four Women Go to Sea?
Chapter 383 One Man and Four Women Go to Sea?
After obtaining the Asura Demon Sword, Tang Chuan did not go directly to Seagod Island. Instead, he returned to Tiandou City and, together with Xiao Ruier, Ye Lingling, and others, set off for Seagod Island.
On the day of departure, outside a secluded manor on the western outskirts of Tiandou City.
A large and sturdy carriage was already prepared, arranged in advance by Dugu Bo. The four horses pulling the carriage were exceptionally fine, their hooves moving lightly and steadily, displaying great strength.
The number of people who came to see him off was far greater than expected.
Not only were all the core members of the Soul Hall, such as Yang Wudi and Niu Gao, present, but even Ning Fengzhi, the sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, as well as Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, were there.
The atmosphere was solemn, tinged with a deep sense of sorrow at parting.
"My Lord, the overseas regions are not like the mainland; please be careful in everything you do!"
Yang Wudi clasped his hands in a fist salute, his words concise and to the point, his eyes filled with undisguised concern. Niu Gao and the others echoed his sentiments, having largely pinned their clan's future on Tang Chuan.
Ning Fengzhi's gentle gaze swept over Tang Chuan, then fell on his daughter Ning Rongrong, whose eyes were slightly red. He gently patted her shoulder and then spoke softly to her:
"Young friend Tang Chuan, I'm entrusting Rongrong to you."
"Although she has a bit of a temper, she never hesitates when it matters. On this trip... safety must be the top priority. Finding opportunities is good, but returning safely is the most important thing."
Gu Rong, the Bone Douluo, grinned, patted the sturdy side of the carriage, and said:
"Boy, this carriage was personally supervised by Old Monster Dugu. It's very sturdy. The sea is rough at the coast, and this will help you suffer less. Go soon and come back soon!"
Dugu Bo pulled Tang Chuan aside, his emerald eyes filled with solemnity, and lowered his voice, saying, "Boy, Seagod Island is no small matter. Yan Yan is entrusted to you. Make sure she is safe and sound!"
He paused for a moment, then handed Tang Chuan an extremely detailed sheepskin map. "This is the safest and fastest route to the west coast of the mainland, and it also marks several reliable contact points. Once you reach the sea, someone will meet you and help you board the ship."
Upon hearing this, Tang Chuan could sense the deep worry hidden in this old poison master who was both a mentor and a friend. He nodded solemnly and said, "Don't worry, Yan Yan is also my friend. I will do my best to protect everyone's safety."
On the other side, the sadness of parting was even stronger.
Dugu Yan finally couldn't hold back and threw herself into her grandfather Dugu Bo's arms, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. She had relied on Dugu Bo since childhood, and her heart was filled with reluctance and unease.
Although Dugu Bo was usually quite aloof, at this moment he gently patted his granddaughter's back, his gray hair fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, and his eyes revealed a rare tenderness and concern.
After a long while, he handed the red-rimmed Dugu Yan to Tang Chuan and said in a hoarse voice, "Yan Yan, I'm entrusting her to you."
Ning Rongrong's eyes were also filled with tears as she looked at the few strands of white hair that had appeared at her father Ning Fengzhi's temples, and at his still gentle but weary smile. She felt a pang of sorrow in her heart.
Ning Fengzhi gently comforted her, telling her that this was a trial, a period of growth, and the responsibility of the future successor of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. With the encouragement of her father and her two grandfathers, Jian Gu, Ning Rongrong reluctantly boarded the carriage.
Tang Chuan carefully noted down everyone's instructions, then clasped his hands in a fist salute to all those who had come to see him off, saying:
"Rest assured, everyone, I have done my best on this trip."
"The affairs of the mainland are now in your hands. We will meet again when we return, and then we can drink and celebrate with you all!"
Finally, everyone boarded the carriage.
The cabin is spacious, and the interior is simple yet comfortable, clearly indicating that it has been carefully prepared.
Ning Fengzhi specially assigned a shrewd and capable disciple of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School who was familiar with long-distance travel to be the coachman. The coachman bowed to everyone and skillfully drove the four fine horses.
"drive!"
The carriage slowly started moving, heading towards the west gate of Tiandou City along the bluestone official road.
Once the carriage left the west gate of Tiandou City, it continued westward along the wide official road without stopping.
The atmosphere inside the carriage was somewhat silent.
The sadness of parting had not completely dissipated, and the uncertainty of the future weighed heavily on my heart.
Tang Chuan opened the map given by Dugu Bo in the carriage. The map showed the mountains, rivers, towns and passes in the western part of the Tiandou Empire in great detail. A route marked with a red line meandered westward and reached a port called Hanhai City on the west coast of the continent.
There are also small annotations by Dugu Bo next to it.
Several secret outposts along the way were marked where supplies could be replenished and assistance could be obtained.
"The journey is long. According to the map and the old poison master's calculations, it will take more than a month just to reach the west coast by carriage. After that, it will probably take another month to take a sea ship to Poseidon Island. In total, it will take at least two months," Tang Chuan said to the four women.
He raised his head, his gaze sweeping over four young faces, each with its own worries yet all resolute in their resolve.
"It has been a long journey and a difficult test."
"The trip to Poseidon Island presents both opportunities and dangers. From this day forward, we are one team, and I hope everyone can adapt quickly and support each other."
"Now, let's calm down, take a good look at the scenery along the way, and also... prepare for the upcoming sea voyage."
The carriage sped smoothly along the official road, heading west towards the mysterious and vast sea, embarking on a long and unknown expedition.
Their story will shift from the mainland to the vast ocean. Those in Tiandou City can only send their longing and blessings on the wind, silently awaiting their return.
A week passed quietly amidst the sounds of wheels and hooves.
Tang Chuan and his group traversed the rolling mountains and vast plains of the western part of the Heaven Dou Empire, with the scenery gradually changing from the lush inland landscape to the salty and humid coastal scenery.
As the salty, fishy smell in the air became more pronounced, and even the wind carried the force unique to the ocean tide, they knew their destination was near.
Inside the carriage, Tang Chuan once again unfolded the detailed map, and Xiao Ruier, Ye Lingling, Dugu Yan, and Ning Rongrong naturally gathered around.
After a week of living and working together, the fatigue of the journey and the initial sadness of parting have been replaced by anticipation for the destination and a touch of excitement for adventure, and the atmosphere of the team has become much more harmonious.
Tang Chuan's slender finger traced across the map, finally landing on a prominent marker on the western coastline. He said, "We'll be at Hanhai City soon. It's the only large port city on the western coast of the Empire, and one of the largest coastal and port cities in the entire Douluo Continent. It's built by the sea, or rather, on cliffs overlooking the sea, making it strategically located and impervious to the tides."
His fingertip drew a circle on the nautical chart over a vast area of sea east of Hanhai City.
"If we want to get to Poseidon Island, we must rent or hire a sturdy enough ship that is familiar with the sea routes from the port of this city."
"According to the nautical charts and the estimates of our predecessors, if the wind is favorable, it would take about ten days to sail from here to reach the approximate sea area where Poseidon Island is located."
"Ten days..." Ning Rongrong repeated softly, looking at the blue area on the map that represented the endless ocean. Her eyes held both a slight fear of the long sea voyage and a longing for the mysterious island.
"Finally, we're going to see the sea!" Dugu Yan seemed quite excited, as her Azure Phosphorous Serpent Emperor Martial Soul made her tolerant of humid environments.
Ye Lingling and Xiao Ruier carefully studied the map and silently memorized the information Tang Chuan had provided.
During the conversation, the carriage paused slightly and slowed down.
The driver's voice came from ahead, saying:
"Everyone, we've arrived at Hanhai City. We need to conduct a routine check ahead."
Upon hearing this, everyone straightened their clothes and got off the carriage one after another.
The first thing that catches the eye is that magnificent city nestled against the mountains and by the sea!
The walls of Hanhai City are over twenty meters high and are entirely built of huge, blue rocks bearing the marks of seawater erosion. They are incredibly thick and heavy, making them a defensive fortification of the main city level.
Its city walls are not straight, but meander along the coast and mountains, like a giant blue dragon lying on the seashore, standing firm despite the rolling white line where the sea meets the sky in the distance.
Before even entering the city, the faint, salty smell of the ocean wafted over, a stark contrast to the atmosphere of inland cities, instantly invigorating the senses.
The city gate was bustling with people queuing for inspection, including caravans, travelers, and local residents.
The guards wore unique armor with ocean patterns. Although the inspection was strict, they did not make things too difficult. Tang Chuan and his party had an extraordinary air about them. Although the carriage was not luxurious, it was well-made. After the driver showed his credentials from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School, they were quickly allowed to pass.
Passing through the deep doorway, we officially entered the city of Hanhai, where the scenery changed once again.
The streets inside the city are not straight lines, but follow the contours of the mountain, with stone steps and slopes interspersed. The buildings are mostly stone and wood structures, with a rugged and practical style. Many houses have roofs covered with thick seaweed or specially made anti-salt corrosion materials.
The air was filled with an even stronger smell of the sea, mixed with the unique aroma of the fish market, the saltiness of the salt fields, and the scents of various seaside specialties.
The streets are lined with shops selling very unique goods.
Strings of dried sea fish, colorful seashell and coral handicrafts, sun-dried seaweed, all kinds of strangely shaped seafood, waterproof tarpaulins, fishing ropes and nets, and even small fishing boat models powered by soul guide devices... many of these are things that are rarely seen inland.
The sounds of vendors hawking their wares and dockworkers chanting drifted through the air, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.
Ning Rongrong and Dugu Yan curiously looked at the shops on both sides, and even the relatively calm Ye Lingling and Xiao Ruier were attracted by the novel seafood.
After walking for a while, Tang Chuan stopped, looked at the sky, and then at the four women who were clearly captivated by the novel sights and had temporarily forgotten their fatigue. He then said:
"You must all be hungry after such a long journey!"
"Now that we've arrived in this largest coastal city, we should naturally try the most authentic seafood. Let's find a place to eat first, rest a bit, and then go to the port to inquire about ships."
The suggestion was immediately met with a positive response. After eating dry rations and ordinary meals at post stations along the way for several days, everyone was indeed looking forward to a change of pace.
After asking passersby for directions, the coachman drove the carriage to the most prestigious hotel in the central area of Hanhai City.
The hotel is situated on a gentle slope with a wide view. It is a three-story stone and wood structure, shaped like a giant ship setting sail, and is quite impressive.
The signboard bears three large characters written in a vigorous, flowing style: "Wanghailou" (Viewing the Sea Pavilion).
Stepping into Wanghailou, the interior is spacious and bright, decorated with driftwood, seashells, and coral from the deep sea, exuding a marine atmosphere. It was lunchtime, and the hall was bustling with activity, filled with diners and the mouthwatering aroma of seafood.
The waiter, with his sharp eyes, noticed that Tang Chuan and his group, though travel-worn, possessed an extraordinary air about them. He quickly and warmly led them to a private booth by the window on the second floor.
From here, you can see layers of rooftops nearby, and in the distance, you can see the shimmering blue sea and even the masts standing tall in the harbor. The view is superb.
After everyone was seated, Tang Chuan handed the menu to the four girls, letting them choose whatever they wanted. The girls looked at the dazzling array of seafood names on the menu, many of which they had never heard of before, and were momentarily overwhelmed.
In the end, Tang Chuan ordered a sumptuous seafood feast based on the waiter's recommendation.
Soon, the dishes were served one after another.
The steamed premium red-spotted fish has snow-white and tender flesh. Steamed with only scallions and ginger, it retains its original sweetness.
Steamed scallops with garlic and vermicelli: The large scallops are plump and chewy, with a wonderful aroma of garlic.
Salt and pepper shrimp, fried until golden and crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside.
Boiled prawns, dipped in a special seafood soy sauce, retain their original flavor, along with steamed sea urchin with egg, stir-fried sea cucumber with scallions, seafood fried rice, and a large bowl of milky white seafood tofu soup.
Each dish exudes the rich, fresh aroma of the sea, making it incredibly tempting.
The fatigue from days of travel seemed to be dispelled by the delicious food at this moment.
No one stood on ceremony and started eating.
The delicious flavors burst in their mouths, and even Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling, who were usually very particular about their manners, couldn't help but speed up their eating. Dugu Yan's eyes lit up as she ate, and she exclaimed that it was so satisfying.
Xiao Ruier carefully prepared the shrimp and crabs that needed to be peeled and distributed them to everyone.
Tang Chuan slowly savored the various seafood, occasionally glancing at the boundless blue expanse outside the window.
Just then, the noisy chatter of a group of guests at the next table, mixed with a strong local accent and the smell of the sea, inevitably drifted over.
At that table sat several fishermen with dark skin, large hands and feet, who looked like they made their living at sea year-round. The dishes in front of them were relatively simple, but they had drunk quite a bit of alcohol.
They were talking loudly, filled with a mixture of fear and indignation.
"Have you heard? Old Chen and his crew's boat just came back the day before yesterday, they were terrified!" A man with a full beard took a swig of wine, lowered his voice, but it was still clearly audible.
"What's wrong? Did you run into another deep-sea spirit beast?" another person asked.
The bearded man's face showed lingering fear as he said:
"Even more bizarre than that!" They say it's to the west, on the shore of Ghost Snail Island, in a small fishing village... the entire village of several dozen people, all gone!
"All gone? A tsunami? Or pirates?"
"None of those!" The man shook his head repeatedly, his eyes filled with fear, and said:
"They said...their deaths were extremely gruesome! They were all drained of blood, like dried salted fish! There wasn't even a decent pool of blood left on the ground! The houses were also dilapidated, as if they had been whipped by some thick vines or whips..."
"Drained blood?!" The people at the table gasped, their faces turning pale.
In this place where people rely on the sea for their livelihood, shipwrecks, attacks by spirit beasts, and even pirate raids are not uncommon, but this kind of bizarre and cruel way of dying sends chills down one's spine.
Another lean fisherman chimed in, clearly more well-informed.
"That's not even the weirdest part! Things haven't been peaceful on these seas lately!"
"The news coming from the Purple Pearl region in the east is even more frightening! They say that a few days ago, three young soul masters from elsewhere arrived, and their methods are even more ruthless than those of pirates!"
His words aroused even stronger interest among his tablemates and also attracted the attention of Tang Chuan's group next door. Even Xiao Ruier, Ye Lingling, and others put down their chopsticks and listened attentively.
Seeing the crowd's attention, the lean fisherman spoke even more enthusiastically, his voice unconsciously becoming louder.
"I heard that one of those three people has a Blue Silver Grass martial soul, but it's not ordinary Blue Silver Grass; it's black and incredibly sinister! It can grow thick and long, like a python, specifically designed to coil around people. Once coiled around, it seems like their soul power and blood are sucked away, and they turn into dried-up corpses in no time!" (End of Chapter)