Chapter 6: The Deep Sea Mystery (4)
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Seeing that White Peach was safe and sound, the three of them let go of most of their worries.
Although they weren’t quite sure why she was with the fisherman, they believed that once they met, the truth would soon float to the surface like a badly tied fishing net.
As the rather grand fleet drew ever closer to Nightmare Island, the three stood against the wind. Luo Ying, in a light pink dress, was quite the sight to behold, while Fatty and Lin Nan flanked her, mirroring each other perfectly.
White Peach, standing at the front, quickly noticed the three on the beach. The surprise in her eyes was so obvious, it could’ve been a neon sign.
She didn’t even wait for the boat to dock; with a light leap, she was already flying toward them.
As soon as she landed, she excitedly waved her arms.
“My dear Luo, why didn’t you let me know you were coming?”
Luo Ying chuckled, “You’ve been so busy, I didn’t want to disturb you.”
“Busy? Absolutely not!”
White Peach explained, “These past few days are the last fishing period before the year-end, and if we miss it, we won’t be fishing again until next year.
Flowerless Palace has been on the islands for ages and we have some research on geography, wind patterns, and water currents, so sometimes we team up with the fishermen to catch fish—it’s pretty efficient!
Plus, since we’re usually well-regarded by the fishermen, it’s only right to lend a hand in critical times.”
“Ah, I see…”
White Peach glanced at the two standing behind Luo Ying and with a smile asked, “Who are these two?”
Luo Ying quickly replied, “They’re my newly recruited disciples from Falling Sunset Peak.”
“Wow, Falling Sunset Peak is recruiting now?
I remember you telling me you didn’t want anyone interrupting your solitary life… What changed your mind?”
White Peach flashed a friendly smile at Lin Nan and Fatty as if they were meeting for the first time.
Lin Nan, now dressed in men’s clothing, did look quite different from when she visited Flowerless Palace last time in women’s attire, so it was understandable that she didn’t recognize her on the spot.
And Fatty had spent quite some time with White Peach recently. Even if his fake hair had fallen off, he still looked the same in his tattered oversized women’s outfit.
There was no way White Peach couldn’t have a slight impression of him… Or was she pretending not to know?
Fatty couldn’t hold back anymore. He looked around, making sure no one else was on the beach apart from their little group.
He stepped forward eagerly and asked, “Your Highness Second Palace Master, that Ren Dan didn’t give you a hard time, did she?”
White Peach frowned slightly, giving a puzzled look at Luo Ying and then back at Fatty.
“Who is this… do we know each other?”
Luo Ying, “…”
Lin Nan, “…”
Fatty panicked, “Your Highness, don’t you remember? Just a couple of days ago we were brainstorming how to solve some problems together, alone in one room!”
White Peach took a step back, her expression suddenly cold.
“Luo Master Sister, is this the disciple you brought out?
Hmph, a weird man still dressed in women’s clothes! Luo Ying, if it weren’t for your sake, I’d have killed this troublemaker already!
If you say any more nonsense in front of me, don’t blame me for tearing off the mask!”
Luo Ying had high emotional intelligence. The moment she saw White Peach’s chilly attitude towards Fatty, she sensed that there was more to this.
She quickly pulled the fuming White Peach aside, whispering, “Sorry, my disciple can be a bit scatterbrained sometimes and imagines things that never happened.
It’s also my fault; I’ve often boasted of your great deeds to them, so this Fatty may have gotten a bit too attached.
I’ll have a serious talk with them later; I assure you, this will never happen again.”
White Peach huffed, “Well, that’s good.”
“I heard you took over as the Sect Leader of Flowerless Palace? How come… guiding fishermen is something you need to do yourself?”
White Peach seemed taken aback, “What nonsense are you talking about?
When did I take over the leadership… I’m just leisurely enjoying my life as the laid-back Second Palace Master, why would I go looking for trouble?”
Luo Ying gasped internally but maintained her casual facade, “Must be I remembered it wrong.
By the way, I wanted to invite you for a drink, but with all those fishermen watching you, wouldn’t it be a disaster if you got drunk and fell into the water? That would ruin your whole image!”
“Haha, look at you! Once I wrap this job up, I’ll definitely party with you. If you’ve got nothing else going on, why not stick with me for a couple of days? We’ll haul a few nets today and tomorrow and then head back.”
Luo Ying glanced at Lin Nan not far away, who nodded slightly.
Even without words, she knew he must want her to extract more useful information from White Peach.
“Do you know where the others from Flowerless Palace went?”
White Peach nodded, “Of course! They’re about to hold a large sea festival in this area, to pray for the sea god’s blessings and calm winds. Those fishermen were planning to join in as well.”
“A sea festival?” Luo Ying repeated.
“I didn’t know you were interested in that too! You came all the way from Heavenly Sword Sect… I thought you were just here to see me.”
White Peach pretended to look heartbroken.
Luo Ying laughed and pulled her shoulders, “Look at you, acting like a lovesick maiden!”
She immediately became serious, “Can we join your fleet to witness the sea festival?”
“Of course! I’ve been worried about having no one to keep me company.
But we need to agree on something; if you’re coming, you have to stick with us to the end. Once we’re back at Flowerless Palace, we’ll plan other things.”
“Sure! But what about my two disciples? Can they join us?”
White Peach shrugged, “Fine, since they’re your disciples, let them come along. Just make sure that Fatty changes into decent clothes; he’s such an eyesore like this.”
Luo Ying promised, “No problem!”
While White Peach and Luo Ying were deep in conversation, the massive fishing fleet didn’t pause near Nightmare Island but instead sailed past it, continuing forward.
Only one three-masted sailing ship remained at the water’s surface.
It seemed to be White Peach’s flagship.
Luo Ying shared the outcome of her negotiations with Lin Nan and Fatty.
Lin Nan was all for it, while Fatty collapsed on the ground like melting ice cream, completely losing the will to live.
“Why… why… how can she forget me so completely?”
Lin Nan untactfully yanked him by the collar, dragging him onto the ship.
“Fatty, if you want to know the answer, you’ve got to boldly dive into it.”
Fatty wore a look of despair, “Is it even meaningful?”
“Of course it is! Don’t you see?
Someone has tampered with her memory, it’s like she hit a rewind button. What we need to do now is help her restore it.
Don’t worry, we won’t steal your thunder in this. By the time we’re done, she’ll be thanking you profusely.”
“Really?” Fatty perked up immediately, “d*mn it, it must have been that Ren Dan messing things up! When I see her, I’ll explode her into pieces!”
……
P.S.: Afternoon tea is here! Fatty is really sad; can someone cheer him up with a ticket?
