Jiang Hao stared fixedly at Ye Zhen with his huge bell-like eyes. His eyelids fluttered forcefully several times before he barely transformed the vicious glint in his eyes into a bold, hearty smile.
"Good lad, you've got some fine moves! One look tells me you're a true man who's seen blood and fought his way through piles of corpses. You're far stronger than this worthless turtle-son of mine!"
"Not bad, you've got guts! A real man!" Jiang Hao praised Ye Zhen loudly, while the guards and sailors gathered around them all wore expressions as though they had seen a ghost.
Since when had Jiang Hao, who had always been somewhat protective of his own and tyrannically overbearing, become so easy to talk to?
Ye Zhen took in every reaction from those around him. He immediately realized something was amiss. When things defied common sense, there was bound to be a demon at work.
"Brother Ye, if the chance arises, do give this worthless turtle-son of mine some guidance. Come, the Princess and Manager Guo wish to see you!" With a palm as broad as a cattail fan, Jiang Hao lifted Jiang Changzhong like a chick. After telling Ye Zhen to follow him, he strode toward the uppermost cabin.
Dangling from Jiang Hao's hand, Jiang Changzhong stared venomously at Ye Zhen. Several bits of vegetable leaf stuck to his gleaming bald head, making for an especially glaring sight.
Before long, led by Jiang Hao, Ye Zhen arrived at the best-positioned cabin aboard the Crimson Maple. Princess Jieyou sat in the center, dressed in a luxurious long gown adorned with tassels. Several lustrous jade ornaments glittered atop her high-piled hair, lending Princess Jieyou an air of incomparable nobility.
Manager Guo, dressed in green, sat below her. His shrewd old face always bore