Volume 6: Overseas Chapter 275: Finally Going to Sea
Three days later.
A medium-sized ship came from the Yangtze River and sailed into the East China Sea.
Li Muchan stood alone, silent and still on a steep, oddly shaped reef, watching the waves rise and fall below him, his robe fluttering as he played the flute in his hand. The notes drifted away, resonating with the heavens and earth, breathing with the vast ocean, stirring the wind and clouds, driving the surging waves, and startling birds into long cries.
The sky was high, the land was vast, the clouds were light, and the sea was broad. The big ship heard the sound and came and stopped at the shore of the East China Sea.
Li Muchan put down his flute and looked at the sea chart in his hand. For no reason, he had a feeling that Li Xunhuan and his companions must have encountered a strong enemy.
Jin Laoqi came rushing over from a distance, saying hurriedly, "Young Master, there's news. Half a month ago, a group of Fusang wanderers found a strange corpse. The corpse hadn't decayed after death, and its face looked vibrant. It was wearing this gray robe. This Fusang wanderer secretly sent his men to the black market, seemingly intending to make a deal, but was killed before the transaction could be completed."
At this point, Jin Laoqi's voice deepened, and he said solemnly, "It's said that the body had been floating on the sea for a long time. When it was found, it was still holding a three-inch flying knife, but it had been killed by a sword piercing its brow. This Fusang wanderer killed and took the body, but unfortunately he didn't kill them all, leaving one alive. It just happened that it drifted to Zhoushan and was captured by the brothers."
After saying this in one breath, Jin Laoqi felt extremely shocked and couldn't calm down for a long time.
Do I still need to guess about the flying knife?
It’s most likely Xiao Li’s Flying Dagger.
He had never even heard of anyone who could take Xiao Li's flying dagger. Even someone as powerful as Shangguan Jinhong died trying it, and Li Xunhuan's current realm was far superior to his past. He actually...
There is no doubt that they have encountered an unprecedented enemy.
Li Muchan seemed to have anticipated this and said softly, "There's another possibility, Ye Kai. But this would make things even more dangerous , because it would mean that the master and disciple are not together."
Jin Laoqi glared and asked, "Did they get separated?"
Li Muchan sighed, "What do you think could cause those masters to disperse?"
Jin Laoqi's expression grew solemn. Floating on the sea, the odds of disaster were few and far between, either natural or man-made. A natural disaster, with high winds and waves, could capsize a ship, and even the most skilled fighters would survive. But a man-made disaster, forcing them to disperse, meant they were already at a disadvantage.
"So their situation is dire. Looks like they have to leave." Li Muchan turned his gaze towards the ship and the people aboard. "As for this sea map, there should be more than one copy that has flowed into the Central Plains. Those people are also calling for help. The two sides are probably at a stalemate, and they are sending a message to the remnants of the Azure Dragon Society."
When Jin Laoqi heard this, his mouth went dry and he didn't know how to speak. But then he suddenly remembered something and couldn't help asking, "Master, why is the body still incorrupt after death?"
Li Muchan couldn't figure this out for a moment, but it was definitely not unusual. For example, the Mingyu Gong allowed practitioners to maintain eternal youth, even after death, their bodies would remain incorrupt for years. Then there was Shen Tianjun's corpse, which remained incorrupt for decades after death, and whose lingering aura could injure people from a distance. No one would believe it if they told anyone about it.
He sighed, "There are so many wonderful things in this world. Who knows what kind of adventures the other person might have as well."
At this moment, a figure suddenly appeared on the boat, like a white crane flying in the sky. After a few flashes, it landed next to Li Muchan. It was Shangguan Xiaoxian.
"Could it be an elixir of life?"
Li Muchan's eyes flickered when he heard this. He pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "It's not impossible."
He had already thought of the three rare and miraculous medicines recorded in the secret letter left by Shen Lang in the Chang'an underground palace.
In addition to the "Western Cardamom", the remaining two rare medicines are the "Elixir of Life" and the "Bodhi Relics". The former is circulated in the Central Plains, and the latter is a rare object in Western legends. The whereabouts of both are unknown.
Li Muchan also ordered people to secretly search for the so-called "elixir of life", but found that all clues about this medicine were difficult to trace, as if they had been erased.
Combined with what Zhu Si said at the beginning, since the Shen family has been officials for generations and has searched the world for all kinds of rare achievements and rare items for the Qinglong Society, then these three miraculous medicines may have been sought for those people in the temple from the beginning.
Shen Lang traveled overseas and obtained "Western Cardamom", and the "elixir of life" circulated in the Central Plains was most likely obtained by the elders of the royal family.
Thinking of this, Li Muchan and Shangguan Xiaoxian looked at each other and immediately understood what they were thinking, which was exactly the same.
His expression suddenly became a little strange, "Haha, can that elixir of immortality really make people immortal?"
According to the contents of the secret letter, this elixir of life is not a miracle drug that can make people immortal, but a unique poison in the world. Taking it can completely stop all the activities of a living person's body and turn them into a living dead.
Shangguan Xiaoxian said softly, "With the Qinglong Society's centuries-long heritage, there might be someone capable of blending the medicinal properties to produce extraordinary effects."
The reason why she was so sure was that countless emperors throughout history had been unable to resist the temptation of "immortality".
Once such a miraculous medicine appears in the world, no matter whether it is true or false, who among those who hold high positions and have great power would not be tempted by it?
You must know that when a person's power reaches the peak and he enjoys endless wealth and glory, what he pursues will naturally transcend the mundane world, and he may even engage in unrealistic daydreams.
Li Muchan chuckled and said, "Interesting. What we can confirm now is that the strange corpse itself must have some unusual features. The person who attacked first boarded the boat, then saw the strange corpse, and then suddenly attacked and killed people to silence them. This person is most likely related to the Qinglong Society, and it is even very likely that they are those who stayed in the Central Plains to pass on information, or they are also elders of the Zhu family."
Jin Laoqi, standing nearby, was already incredibly shocked. He had been wandering the martial arts world for years, yet he had never heard of any elixir of immortality. However, he could still sense the danger involved. He couldn't help but ask, "Sir, if this person is so extraordinary, how could he not have discovered this sea chart?"
Li Muchan said nonchalantly, "Because he left this there on purpose. His purpose was to provoke me to go out to sea, and it was also a declaration of war."
Li Muchan had already looked at the sea chart. There were no special markings on it. There were countless islands of all sizes, hundreds at least. He didn't know where Li Xunhuan and his men were. It didn't really make much difference whether they stayed or not, but it gave him a rough direction, which was undoubtedly a provocation.
The long wind filled his clothes. Li Muchan stood with his hands behind his back. His eyes seemed to fly to the distant place where the sky and the sea meet. Then he let out a long breath, wrapped Shangguan Xiaoxian in his arms, and jumped onto the ship.
Li Muchan stood on the deck, looking back at the Central Plains. With a sigh, he glanced at Jin Laoqi and gave him a parting warning: "I'm bound to face a series of fierce battles on this trip. After all, life and death are never certain, and I don't know whether I'll be able to return. Changes are bound to happen in the Central Plains as well. If there's civil unrest in the Tianxia Alliance in the future, let them go. If you encounter a strong enemy, don't fight hard. Retreat from the Central Plains and take shelter at sea. I've secretly made some backup plans. We'll discuss everything when I return... You, be careful."
Li Muchan's lips moved, half of his words were spoken openly, and half were said in secret, which made Jin Laoqi nod repeatedly.
This time, in addition to Shangguan Xiaoxian, Ye'er also traveled with them, and the rest were mostly fresh water and dry food.
“I’m going!”
After saying that, Li Muchan flicked his sleeve and pushed the ship forward. With the help of the strong wind, the ship sailed away from the coast like an arrow and shot to the end of the sight.
