Love on the Middle Path Collapsed

Early morning, Shells Town harbor.

The 153rd Branch warship set sail.

Luo Ya stood at the edge of the deck, gazing at the boundless sea with surging emotions. It was his first time going out to sea since coming to this world.

Unfortunately, the mop and bucket at his feet rather ruined the mood.

"Luo Ya, time to work!"

"Coming!"

Luo Ya picked up the mop and bucket and cleaned the deck alongside Fullbody.

The branch warship was a small-to-medium-sized vessel, not much larger than the Merry Go, and could carry at most a hundred people.

Since this voyage was not for combat, even fewer troops had been deployed. Everyone had to shoulder more work, and as the newest recruits, they had been assigned plenty of chore work.

Luo Ya did not mind.

Getting out to sea and seeing the world was much more interesting than staying at the branch doing guard duty.

Once they had finished their work, the two skillfully found a secluded corner to slack off.

Fullbody chuckled and nudged Luo Ya with his elbow, curiosity written all over his face. "So, how did your match with Sergeant Morgue go last night?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Luo Ya rolled his eyes gloomily.

How else could it have gone? Complete victory—for Morgue!

Morgue had simply stood there and let him do whatever he wanted.

In the end, Luo Ya threw a full-force punch, yet Morgue did not budge from the spot or even blink. Those powerful muscles were harder than rock, leaving Luo Ya's arm numb from the impact.

Unable to pierce the enemy's armor!

Knowing brute force would not work, he had spent ages darting around like a monkey, searching for Morgue's openings and weaknesses. He had planned to use something like Monkey Steals the Peach or Thousand Years of Death as a finishing move, only for Morgue to slap him unconscious.

That guy was a total stat monster!

At his current stage, he was not qualified to challenge Morgue. But once he could truly defeat Morgue, he would have the means to establish himself in the East Blue.

Luo Ya pulled himself together and shifted his attention to their upcoming mission. "Di Ge, do you know where we're going?"

"Based on our heading, we should be going to Syrup Village!"

Fullbody observed the sun for a moment and quickly reached a conclusion.

Syrup Village lay on an island southeast of the 153rd Branch. It was a peaceful small village, with only one unusual feature: one of East Blue's most famous wealthy families lived there.

The Syrup family.

The name Syrup Village came from that wealthy family's surname. It could even be said that they had founded Syrup Village, since the farmland and industries on the island were basically all theirs.

They were super landlords.

Moreover, the Syrup Family operated a large shipyard capable of independently building medium and large Three-masted Sailing Ships, and it enjoyed a fine reputation throughout the East Blue.

Fullbody's face was full of envy. His own family could be considered wealthy, but compared to a true tycoon, they were not even worthy of carrying their shoes.

"Syrup Village, a wealthy family."

Luo Ya searched his memories and quickly found the corresponding information.

It was Kaya's home!

In the future, Kuro's Whitewashing Plan would be to kill Young Lady Kaya and rightfully inherit her family's estate.

"Wealthy family, inheritance."

Luo Ya stroked his chin.

He suddenly realized that if he could marry Young Lady Kaya, would that not mean he could save himself ten years of hard work?

It was not just financial freedom.

A rich young lady with fair skin and beautiful appearance, delicate and frail, and an incredibly wonderful personality—who would not like her?

At any rate, he liked her.

Marrying one or several gentle, virtuous, beautiful wives was also one of his life goals, and Kaya perfectly matched his fantasies.

Damn it!

If he did not push himself, how would he know where his limits were?

Luo Ya rubbed his face and tugged on Fullbody's sleeve. "Di Ge, lend me your cosmetics."

"Huh? Don't you hate putting on makeup?"

Fullbody looked wary. That set of cosmetics was his treasure, a Limited Edition purchased on Glass Bead Island, the Fashion Frontier of the East Blue.

It was very precious!

"Heh, I'm going to work hard at seducing a rich woman!"

In less than half a day, the warship arrived at Syrup Village and docked at the Syrup Family's shipyard for repairs.

Upon hearing the news, the Syrup Family Head came personally to the shipyard to welcome them. When he saw Rhode, joy could not help appearing on his pale face.

"Cough, cough, Colonel Rhode."

"Long time no see, Mr. Syrup. You look much better today."

"Ah, who knows how much longer I have left to live? Come to my home. I had Merry prepare a dinner, and we can have a few drinks tonight."

The two seemed like old friends, walking together as they chatted about everyday matters.

Luo Ya and Fullbody followed behind them, serving as guards while secretly sizing up this one of the East Blue's few great tycoons.

He wore gold-rimmed glasses, had pale skin, and looked thin and frail. He coughed every few steps, clearly a sickly man.

Perhaps because he had suffered from illness for so long, Luo Ya found him rather pleasant. He lacked the sharp, imposing aura of someone in power.

When they reached the Syrup Family estate and saw the magnificent manor and mansion before them, Luo Ya became even more determined to seduce a rich woman.

Even in his previous life, he had never seen such a luxurious private residence!

At the mansion entrance, Mr. Syrup's wife and daughter Kaya stood together. The mother and daughter looked as though they had been carved from the same mold.

They had the same light golden shoulder-length hair, the same beautiful and delicate faces, the same fair and tender skin, matching pale green dresses, the same gentle and sweet temperament, and also the same—

"Cough, cough, cough~~"

Mother and daughter covered their mouths and coughed at the same time.

They were both sickly.

"Uncle Rhode!"

Kaya happily threw herself into Rhode's arms.

Because she was weak and sickly and had spent most of her life confined to bed, Kaya knew very few people. Her father's friend Rhode could be considered one of the outsiders closest to her.

Not far away, Luo Ya froze.

Fullbody noticed that something seemed off about Luo Ya's expression and asked in confusion, "Luo Ya, are you all right?"

"I'm fine. I just got dumped."

Luo Ya looked up at the sky with a wistful sigh.

Ideals were full, but reality was skinny.

He had overlooked the most important matter: her age. Kaya only looked twelve or thirteen right now. She was still just a little girl who had not even grown up yet.

He was not into little girls.

Forget it. Women would only slow down his gains.

Night fell, and the dinner was exceptionally lavish.

Rare, precious ingredients such as Deep Sea Fish, which were seldom seen on ordinary days, filled the dining table as though they cost nothing. Expertly prepared by the Chef Team, they released enticing aromas and fully conveyed four words.

Being rich was great!

"Delicious!"

Luo Ya had joined them at the table too, and he could not stop eating.

Colonel Rhode had only brought the two of them. The Syrup Couple had no airs about them, so they invited them to dine together.

Since Colonel Rhode had no objection, Luo Ya happily joined in for free food and drinks. It was rare for him to get such a delicious feast.

While Luo Ya buried his head in food and drink, Mr. Syrup and his wife were both watching him.

During their conversation with Rhode that day, they had learned that Rhode thought highly of the new recruit named Luo Ya. He had even revealed that he intended to train him as the next 153rd Branch Base Chief.

As it happened, they had a troublesome matter that needed help.

"I hope he can protect Kaya."