The old fisherman cupped his hands to Chen Cheng in salute and said:
"I was muddleheaded. Thank you, Young Master, for saving us. Today, Young Master gave this old man and his little grandson a way to live. This old man is not someone who forgets kindness and repays it with ingratitude."
As he spoke, the old fisherman looked around, as though he had some great secret to keep.
Seeing this, Chen Cheng sighed. With a wave of his hand, he sealed the dharma vessel off from the outside world.
"If you have something to say, old sir, you may speak now. No one outside can hear what is said aboard the ship."
Chen Cheng had only assumed that the old man might know some secret rumors about the count, or perhaps news of some precious treasure at sea that was invaluable to ordinary people.
Yet what the old man said next startled Chen Cheng.
"Young Master, please do not blame me. Do you remember how this old man said that my son and daughter-in-law were buried in that sea demon's belly?"
"The truth is, this old man was there as well. My son died trying to save me."
At the mention of his sorrow, the old fisherman could not help shedding tears again.
"Since this is such a painful matter for you, old sir, perhaps you should leave it at that. Grieving too deeply may harm your health."
Chen Cheng had not intended to listen in the first place. Seeing the old man's grief, it was clear this matter concerned the deaths of his son and daughter-in-law. He could hardly make the old man relive such painful memories.
The old fisherman wiped away his tears and said:
"Forgive my making a fool of myself before you, Young Master. That