32 - A Farewell to Mr. Luo

### Chapter 32 The days on the boat had passed by uneventfully for quite some time. Bai Fan, lying on the deck, had become weary of the once-scenic journey. Suddenly, the previously steady boat began to sway, causing Bai Fan, who was in a drowsy state, to open her eyes slightly. "Miss Bai, please wake up." Jolted awake, Bai Fan quickly remembered that this journey was far from safe. "What's going on, Daozhang Qi?" "Look over there." Bai Fan followed Qi Daozhang's pointed direction and saw a large ship heading their way. Their small boat seemed in danger of being capsized. "What kind of ship is that?" As the ship drew nearer, they could see a group of people onboard. These people were dressed in a manner unlike scholars or cultivators, with a variety of appearances. They all stood on the bow, staring at Bai Fan and her group. "Which sect do you belong to?" one of the burly men asked. Qi Daozhang stepped forward and, with a respectful gesture, said, "I am a wandering cultivator from the Valley of Ascension, heading to the Immortal City." "The Valley of Ascension? Do you have an invitation to verify your identity?" "Yes, I do." Qi Daozhang took out an invitation and handed it over. The burly man leaped onto their boat, took the invitation, and scrutinized it. Satisfied, he returned the invitation to Qi Daozhang. "Indeed, you are from the Valley of Ascension." Turning back, the man jumped onto his ship. Meanwhile, a few others on his ship muttered, "Why are there so many wandering cultivators from the Valley of Ascension lately? We haven't been able to get any job done." "I heard the Valley of Ascension recently held another Ascension Gathering, which has increased the number of people." "It's been months now without any work. Are we supposed to starve?" Although these men thought their murmurs couldn't be heard from a distance, Bai Fan, with her acute beast-like hearing, caught every word. She realized these people were river bandits, preying on travelers along the water route. "Since you are fellow cultivators from the Valley of Ascension, why not come aboard and have some spiritual tea with us?" the burly man invited, gesturing for them to join. Bai Fan sensed trouble; if they went aboard, they would be stepping into the bandits' lair. Qi Daozhang and the others hesitated, but Bai Fan was adamant about not going. She preferred the spiritual spring water she had brought herself. Seeing Bai Fan's reluctance, the bandits grew anxious and began brandishing weapons to force them onboard. Qi Daozhang sighed, "Let's go." Bai Fan was anxious and questioned, "Daozhang Qi, why should we go?" "We come from the Valley of Ascension and are somewhat under the protection of Elder Huang. They won't harm us too much. Let's go see what's up." Reluctantly, Bai Fan followed them aboard. The ship was in disarray, resembling more of a bandit's den than a place for cultivators. Once everyone was onboard, the bandit's demeanor improved. They hastily cleared a space and set up a small table. "Please, take a seat." Crowded around the small table, Bai Fan and the others watched as a grinning man boiled water for tea, tossing the leaves directly into the kettle. He wiped the cups with his clothing, setting them before the guests. Qi Daozhang's face soured at the sight, feeling the lack of hygiene. Staring at the cup of green tea filled with spiritual energy, Bai Fan couldn't bring herself to drink it. "Thank you," Qi Daozhang said reluctantly, raising his cup. Zhang San looked displeased, while Bai Fan's unhappiness was written all over her face. "Please drink; this is our finest tea," the man insisted. Bai Fan internally scoffed, thinking, 'I do dislike it; your lack of care is apparent.' Meanwhile, He Yiman arrived at the same location alone on a small boat, encountering the river bandit ship blocking her way. Annoyed but composed, He Yiman leaped onto the bandits' ship. The ship, clearly neglected and damaged by water, creaked with each wave. A slender, high-ranking bandit, intrigued by He Yiman's extraordinary demeanor, asked, “What brings you here, Miss?” His interest piqued not only by her beauty but also by noting she appeared to be an ordinary person without cultivation. Eager, he wanted to claim her for himself. “You’re blocking my path,” she replied calmly, pointing to her boat below. “Why not join us on our ship instead?” “No, just move your ship.” A loud voice from inside the cabin interrupted, “What are you doing out there, Old Third? I asked you to boil water.” “Coming!” The slender bandit apologized to He Yiman, "Please wait a moment." As the bandit left, He Yiman approached the cabin door, listening to the conversation inside. She pushed the door open and stepped in, surprising everyone. Bai Fan, upon seeing He Yiman, brightened up and thought, 'What a coincidence to meet this genius again!' Hurriedly, she ran to He Yiman, tugged at her sleeve, and sweetly called, “Senior Sister, it’s you!” Although slightly confused, He Yiman felt this was indeed a fateful meeting, having encountered Bai Fan multiple times now. Bai Fan knew that He Yiman, not an ordinary mortal, was their way out of the bandit's den. Without hesitation, she said, “We were forcibly brought here and given some tea.” He Yiman, intrigued by the situation, replied, “I was also blocked by this ship on my way.” The bandit's faces darkened, and they reached for their weapons. “You climbed aboard willingly and drank our tea without complaint.” “Pretending to be virtuous, you stopped us first, and your tea is nothing special. I've had better, and this barely meets the mark.” With He Yiman present, Bai Fan felt emboldened, but Qi Daozhang and Zhang San were terrified. “Miss Bai, you—” “Daozhang Qi, Daozhang Zhang, don’t worry, I have a plan.” Bai Fan reassured confidently. He Yiman found the confident demeanor of the little girl in front of her amusing, almost as if the girl was trying to pull a fast one. Bai Fan turned to He Yiman, leaning close to whisper in her ear, “I’m really sorry. These river bandits are too strong, and we can't escape. Please, noble immortal, help us out. I promise to repay you generously someday.” Since Bai Fan was shorter, she had to stand on her tiptoes to reach He Yiman's ear. Her small, white feet turned slightly red from the effort. Noticing those petite feet adorned with golden anklets, He Yiman found the sight endearing. Looking at Bai Fan's pleading face, He Yiman smiled and nodded. Bai Fan felt relieved seeing He Yiman's nod. She thought, ‘This person is really kind. Back then, I almost ate her and even picked up her flute. Thankfully, I didn’t eat her; otherwise, I wouldn’t know what to do now.’ Bai Fan resolved to return the flute to her someday. He Yiman stepped forward, her expression composed as she addressed the river bandits, “Please clear the way so we can pass.” The burly man saw He Yiman as a mere mortal and dismissed her, “Miss, you don’t seem to understand what we do here. This stretch of water is controlled by me, Zhang San. What is your status compared to mine? You're just a mortal, daring to obstruct me. If it weren't for your pretty face, I would have sent you to the afterlife with a single slash.” With that, he brandished his saber, and the other bandits behind him laughed heartily, finding the idea of a mortal trying to command them ludicrous. Bai Fan, standing behind He Yiman with her hands on her hips, thought, ‘Let these fools underestimate a mortal. The person before them is an extraordinary genius who, even without cultivation, far surpasses them.’ He Yiman listened to their mockery with a calm smile, never seeming to get angered. At most, she would furrow her brows slightly.