Chapter 8: Deep Sea Maze (6)
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The dark clouds were piling up way faster than anyone could imagine.
One second, it was all sunshine and calm winds,
The next second, it was a wild windstorm with clouds taking over the sky.
White Peach panicked, “What’s going on? The heavy rain was supposed to arrive the day after tomorrow! How could it be today…”
Luo Ying asked, “Could it be a storm?”
White Peach was like a cat on a hot tin roof, “Yes! I had it all planned out—the fishermen would fill their boats today and tomorrow and then return tonight, perfectly dodging the storm. But I never thought this darn weather would show up early!”
“What do we do now?”
Luo Ying started getting frantic as well.
Just as White Peach said, the fleet consisted of many small fishing boats, most with entire families aboard—men, women, old folks, and kids.
If they faced a big storm, it would be like trying to fight a tidal wave with rubber duckies.
Sure, their three-masted sailboat was sturdy, but it could only carry a few dozen more people. Saving everyone was nearly impossible!
Luo Ying said, “The only option is to turn back immediately. If we can reach Nightmare Island, we can at least guarantee most people’s safety.”
“But the rain is about to pour down! Even Nightmare Island is at least half a day’s journey from here!”
White Peach was beating herself up, cursing her own luck.
But she couldn’t think of a better idea at the moment.
She watched in horror as the fishing boats became a chaotic mess, with some colliding while trying to change direction. The air filled with curses, terrified cries from children, and the sighs of worried adults—it felt like the world was about to end.
Just as despair began to engulf everyone, a flock of women in white robes suddenly flew in on their swords from the horizon.
They hovered above the fishing boats and shouted in unison,
“By order of the Second Palace Master of Flowerless Palace, we are here to take you all to the island for refuge!”
The panicked fishermen instantly felt a wave of relief wash over them.
“The grace of the fairies will be remembered for eternity…!”
They cheered.
The disciples of Flowerless Palace fanned out, and under their guidance, the chaotic mass of over a thousand fishing boats split into seven groups, rushing in different directions.
With the winds picking up and the clouds darkening, the fishermen pushed themselves to their limits, desperately following the lead of the Flowerless Palace disciples.
Finally, when one group spotted the faint outline of an island through the mist up ahead, an explosive cheer erupted like confetti at a festival.
Spurred on by their enthusiasm, the other groups kicked it into high gear and managed to reach the island just as the rain began to pour. They tied their boats to the rocky shore like they were securing their precious toys.
On the three-masted sailboat, a female disciple knelt in front of White Peach and cupped her hands, “I’ve arrived late, please blame me, Your Highness.”
White Peach quickly helped her up, “Nonsense! If it weren’t for your timely arrival, who knows how many lives we’d have lost in this storm.”
“Your Highness is too kind. It’s what we disciples are supposed to do.”
“Where’s Supervisor Ren now?” White Peach asked.
“On the island ahead. I’ll lead the ship over,” the disciple said.
“Great, thank you for your hard work.”
After the disciple disappeared into the captain’s cabin, Luo Ying emerged from her hiding spot.
“Who was that?”
“An underling of Supervisor Ren.”
“Ren Dan? The Chief Disciple of the Great Palace Master?”
White Peach nodded, “Yes, while the Great Palace Master is in seclusion, Supervisor Ren deals with all palace matters. Luckily, she found out there are seven nearby islands. Without that, these fishermen could have faced a disaster, and my reputation would be ruined!”
Even now, White Peach felt a wave of anxiety.
Luo Ying didn’t respond immediately but gazed into the distance.
Because not far ahead, a thick fog suddenly appeared on the sea and began to swallow their sailing ship.
“Splash, splash…”
The rain, which had been brewing for ages, finally came pouring down.
With lightning flashing and thunder roaring, even though they had their ship securely tied to the rocky pillars, the sailors on board felt like they were in a wild ride, bouncing around as if the ship wanted to throw them off just for fun.
The fishermen clustered together in a cave very close to the coast. Being able to avoid the storm in the ship felt like a gift from above.
So even though the cave was a bit cramped, the ground was damp, and there was some filth, they were content to snuggle up back-to-back, and soon, the cave was filled with snores in a variety of pitches.
The disciple under Ren Dan led White Peach and her guest into a relatively dry part of the cave.
Listening to the torrential rain outside, having a somewhat comfy spot to avoid it, while sipping on a steaming cup of tea in such terrible conditions felt like a five-star experience.
The female disciple bowed and said, “Supervisor Ren is preparing for tomorrow’s Sea Sacrifice ceremony and is quite busy, so she won’t disturb you for now.”
White Peach hurriedly replied, “No trouble at all. Supervisor Ren can take her time.”
The disciple left hurriedly,
leaving only White Peach and Luo Ying, along with Fatty and Lin Nan, in the cramped cave.
Fatty was trying hard to suppress his urge to strike up a conversation, sulking in the farthest corner.
Lin Nan was mute as well.
After all, outside was engulfed in wild stormy weather, and even if they wanted to do something, they would have to wait until the rain stopped.
Luo Ying tentatively asked, “Where is the Great Palace Master now?”
White Peach shook her head, “The Great Palace Master has always been in seclusion at the palace, but for such a major event like the Sea Sacrifice, I’m sure she’ll come to oversee it herself. Otherwise, why would the Flowerless Palace be so mobilized?”
Lin Nan suddenly interjected, “Has the Flowerless Palace ever held a Sea Sacrifice of this scale before?”
“As far as I remember, I don’t think so. This might be the first time.”
“The first time, huh… Do you know the specific process for the sacrifice? Like, how many people need to participate? Are there any special requirements for the numbers?”
White Peach stared blankly, “Um… I’m not really sure.”
“When was the last time you met with Sister Luo?”
White Peach frowned, seeming a bit annoyed by a mere disciple’s questioning, but since Luo Ying was around, she answered, “I haven’t seen her since parting ways in Half Moon City.”
“Then do you remember what happened at Nightmare Island?”
White Peach shot him a look, “What does that have to do with her?”
“Just answer my question first.”
Luo Ying patted White Peach’s shoulder, smiling, “My disciple is a motor-mouth. Since we’re just sitting around, why not chat a bit?”
Finally, White Peach calmed her emotions, thought for a moment, and said, “Nightmare Island is just Nightmare Island; what could be so weird about it?”
Lin Nan smirked, “The reason it’s called Nightmare Island is because of the Nightmare Beasts on it! Did you forget about that?”
“Nightmare Beasts… Nightmare Beasts?”
White Peach murmured, suddenly feeling a sharp pain in her head like she’d been pricked by a needle.
…
P.S.: Freshly baked breakfast served up!
