The Fox Divides the Pancake

At the same time, Xue Ming boarded a sightseeing boat, without Tian Shu or the nameless companions accompanying him— Eureka Volcano City had many informants from the Immortals Alliance, and he had to avoid suspicion.

The sightseeing boat is a modernized three-masted sailing ship, much like the Mayflower Museum. However, more than four hundred years later, a wealthy merchant from Eureka Port acquired this antique and used it as Banquet Hall to entertain merchants from both Shambhala and Eureka.

As for why it had to be the Mayflower?

"There's something fishy about this." Wen Bucai, with his slicked-back hair, little dress, and a mustache, was a simple and easy-to-understand disguise. "The cruise ship's big boss is a nouveau riche. He's been in the razor business for a few years, becoming the Eureka Razor King—shaving, like barbering, is always considered a lowly profession of grooming in the eyes of the wealthy. So this boss wanted to become a member of high society, or at least a member of the lower class."

"That's how this ship came to be. The barnacles on the keel are considered antiques. The coral and seaweed picked up from the storeroom are considered great tonics in traditional Chinese medicine shops. Even the rats in the hull can spew out a few words of English."

"The scale and grease clinging to the propeller blades are the sediment of history. The weathered sea salt hidden in the rudder is a rich and profound heritage."

"The urine that was spilled on the canvas was the boat song that the boatmen sang and recited after drinking and reciting poetry more than two hundred years ago, and it was also the culture they talked about."

Jiang Xueming was fishing with his older brother Wen Bucai when he suddenly heard a gust of cold wind behind him.

Jack Martin exclaimed --

"--It's truly profound and weighty, rich and subtle, elegant and refined!"

Just then, a blonde beauty walked in from the direction of the ballroom.

Her swaying, alluring figure emerged from the doorway, her long dress resembling a fiery red rose, her head held high with an air of domineering beauty that outshone all others.

David Victor chimed in, "You ill-mannered wretch, can't you think of any other adjective?"

Wen Bucai asked in a low voice, "When exactly did his cross-dressing fetish awaken? Has he started again?"

Jiang Xueming replied in a low voice, "I have no clue either. Has the teacher always been like this? Has he ever stopped?"

It wasn't B. Side who was causing trouble. Mr. Victor's skills with a pen and an eyebrow pencil were equally exquisite. He was a man, and he personally designed and created the disguises for his brothers.

Upon hearing Mr. Victor's cursing, the "short and fat" Mr. Jack replied, "Dear and beautiful lady, if I may be so bold, may I have the pleasure of dancing with you?"

This short, stout figure was sculpted from a handful of yellow earth; Jack Martin has lost the flesh and blood of Homo sapiens.

"Come on," Victor frowned, his face full of disdain, and added to Jiang Xueming, "Keep a close eye on you; your acting range is too narrow!"

Jiang Xueming: "Ah"

"Just like ten years ago," Victor scolded. "You good-for-nothing! I asked you to play a clown, an ordinary person, a scoundrel, a playboy, and you couldn't do it—in another ten years or so, you'll probably be the same."

Jiang Xueming: "What you're saying is mine, mine."

Teacher Victor was reprimanding Xue Ming--

--That's absolutely true. From the first glance when he was twenty-one to his early thirties, Xue Ming's temperament hasn't changed much. He can't play other people; he doesn't have that ability, you know?

Leonardo DiCaprio was like that when he was young. It's really too difficult for actors with such god-like looks to play other roles.

Although Ming Ge is already in his thirties, he has always trained hard and obtained his 180-centimeter-tall physique through B-SIDE and Yukari. He seems to have become a bit more muscular, but his quiet and easygoing temperament is hard to change.

In the realm of spiritual practice, there is a hierarchy of emotional energy, classifying energy levels according to different emotions—this theory is also applied to Galahad's psionic science.

Maintaining calm is actually very difficult; to sustain calm for an extended period requires immense inner strength. Life presents us with countless events that generate emotions and influence our well-being.

A person who is neither joyful, sad, angry, nor numb, and who remains consistently quiet—this in itself is a remarkable, undeniable, and striking quality.

After Mr. Victor and Mr. Jack left, Xue Ming asked Mr. Wen Bucai about their destination.

"Vincent (Wen Bucai's former name), where should we go after we arrive in Xiantai Prefecture?"

"We're not there yet." Wen Bucai, holding his fishing rod, crossed his legs, his expression smug. "You don't need to worry about that."

Xue Ming didn't quite understand what this sentence meant. The people from the Organization Department hadn't given him a mission briefing; they had simply arranged for these three "old folks" to act together, which was consistent with the previous nameless group's attack process—elite soldiers would open up the situation and boost morale, while the gunsmith Wen Bucai lead the way.

"Have you heard the story of the fox sharing the cake?" Wen Bucai asked.

"I would like to hear the details," Jiang Xueming replied.

Wen Bucai said calmly, "There are two families from Xiantai Prefecture on the Mayflower. One is a relative of the Liu family, the naval admiral, and the other is a concubine of the admiral, who is related to the imperial family."

"These two families are like two clumsy bears."

"The business in Xiantai Prefecture is like a big pie; whoever gets to eat it will control the wealth and power of the fourteen coastal prefectures of the southeastern province."

"Commander Liu is like a fox. One day, this fox came to the side of Big Bear and Little Bear."

"It was wearing the tiger skin of the Xia Bang emperor, and it said to its relatives and brothers who controlled the Tusi officials and militia, 'Look, that little bear's family business is doing well, and the cakes it got seem to be bigger than yours.'"

The big bear immediately became unhappy, so the fox quickly helped by taking a bite out of the little bear's biscuit. When the big bear saw that his biscuit was bigger than the little bear's, he immediately became happy.

"Little Bear is unhappy again," Auntie said. "Fox, you're my husband, how can you help your family bully your wife and brother-in-law?"

"Then the fox said, 'I am a fair and just man! I will never favor one side over the other,' and took another bite of the bear's cake."

"And so it goes, and so it goes."

Wen Bucai shook his head and swayed.

"In the end, the fox decides the fate of Xiantai Prefecture."

"These two families... one lost local military power, lost connections with the local gentry, lost the support of the local militia instructors and village militia, and even the village chief is no longer obedient."

"The other one lost her livelihood in the grain transport business, her silk washing business, and her salt and iron business. All of these things fell into her husband's hands, and she had to rely on Commander Liu to arrange work for her. Now, she's doing this foreign trade business according to the 'Emperor's' orders."

"Do these two families have any close connection with Squidward? We don't know, so let's keep quiet and avoid unnecessary chatter."

The "Octopus Brother" here refers to "Big Squid" --

--The specific details of Xiantai Prefecture are also basically explained in this short story.

Today, Chabang's premier port for maritime trade is somewhat similar to Shanghai during the Republic of China era. It boasts advanced technologies from the subway system, and you might even find mobile phones and computers there. However, this place lacks basic infrastructure, communication networks, and a large-scale power grid. Only a small number of nobles possess these convenient "magical powers," making it a very strange place.

A salty sea breeze occasionally blew from the observation platform at the stern. Perhaps due to the change in environment, Xue Ming felt tired and went back to her room to rest.

He walked along the magnificent corridor, passing the cruise ship's Banquet Hall, and stopped for a while halfway there.

My body seems to be acting out of control. I was perfectly healthy in Eureka, so why do I feel so unwell after boarding the ship?

He stretched his waist and kneaded his fingers repeatedly, feeling waves of swelling in his arms and hands. It wasn't an allergic reaction or food poisoning; it seemed that this feeling had become stronger and stronger since he left Eureka.

Could it be that...

With no one around in the corridor, Xue Ming immediately called out to Hunwei in a low voice.

"SD!"

The moment the big cat appeared, it went limp and collapsed to the ground.

"Gurgle gurgle gurgle gurgle."

Unable to utter a single word, his iron armor began to liquefy, turning into soft mud.

"This place is too far from the Taowu."

Jiang Xueming understood the reason: part of the essence of Fragrant Dream came from the BOSS, and its heroic spirit was blessed by the BOSS. Shambhala was too far away from the Transportation Bureau, far, far away. This land would not favor the brave, and the BOSS could not protect its brave warriors.

When the Steel Heart was put on and the four corundum rings took effect, the steel cat slowly stood up and regained some of its energy.

"What's wrong with me? Ouch, ouch, ouch!"

Jiang Xueming: "We are traveling on the Pompeii Sea. We have about twenty more days of sailing before we arrive in Shambhala."

Fragrant Dream clutched her helmet. "Ouch, my head hurts so much! It feels like I haven't slept enough, like I've been hit a few times. Oh my god, it hurts so much!"

Xue Ming summoned his spirit back, and the moment his spirit and body merged, he felt a sharp pain in his brain, as if the pain felt by his soul power was being fed back to his physical body.

This unfamiliar ocean has severed the connection between Ming De and Fragrant Dream. Like a lost soul that has lost part of its body, without the support of the BOSS, Fragrant Dream is like a rootless duckweed, requiring more spiritual energy to rebuild the connection.

Simply put, it is --

--Its Wi-Fi is gone.

This was the first time Xue Ming had ever seen anything like it, so he quickly retreated to his room and began testing the abilities of the spirit again and again.

If it doesn't leave the physical body, it seems to have little impact on the spiritual entity's data. However, once it manifests a concrete form and leaves the physical body, if the distance exceeds twenty centimeters, Fragrant Dream will be completely paralyzed. If it exceeds one meter, it will automatically dissipate— Xue Ming even fell directly into the state of Gate of Death.

This was a situation that even the Arcane Library hadn't considered, since no one in the station's history had ever had their Soul Might so closely tied to the BOSS.

Should we go back?

Jiang Xueming knew that it was too late to back down now. The underground world had no space satellites, no international telephones, and the Mayflower had lost contact with the civilized world. The magnetic field of this godforsaken place would change with the Spirit Calamity index, and even carrier pigeons couldn't fly back. He needed to notify the organization to change the plan. The gunsmith's temporary evacuation could very likely put his other teammates in danger.

He didn't give up, and continued to force Fragrant Dream to keep working. He hoped that this would help her adapt to the unfamiliar spiritual pressure environment, and that with time and repeated exposure, her range might return to sixteen meters, allowing her to slowly recover to her peak condition.

A surge of spiritual energy emanated from the bedroom. Although Xue Ming had tried her best to restrain herself and conduct rehabilitation exercises for Hun Wei within a minimal scope, she was prepared to avoid being caught off guard by the enemy when they arrived at Xiantai Prefecture.

He was somewhat relieved; the sooner the problem was discovered, the better. If it had reached the point of a life-or-death struggle, where victory depended on spiritual power, wouldn't it have been too unjust for the big cat to suddenly falter and die?

But this psychic tide, like a sonar with mathematical patterns in the ocean, is like a courtship signal and a cry for help. Frost has formed on the bedroom table, and fog has settled on the mirror. Xue Ming is still trying, calling on the spirit again and again, asking the spirit to stand up again, to swing its arms and punch, to release the stamina of the past two hours, to exhaust itself before resting.

"You flatter me, Mrs. Admiral." Victor "Madam" followed them out of the ballroom, carrying a tray of wine for Mrs. Wang family, and led them to the foredeck of the Mayflower.

Wang family looked very young. The old steward of the sightseeing boat said that this admiral's wife was already forty-three years old, but Xia Bang had immortals, and immortals had immortal methods, which also had the effect of preserving youth and beauty.

"Latia?" Wang family's face was full of a kind smile, a smile that looked somewhat eerie on a woman who looked no more than twenty-five or twenty-six years old, "That name sounds so beautiful!"

David Victor replied, "I'm glad you like it."

Latia was Professor Victor's temporary name, and also the pseudonym he used to anonymously submit articles to women's journals.

"Tell me, Master of Ceremonies, tell me, what's the significance of this foreign name? What's the auspicious meaning?" Wang family turned and asked.

"Latia!" The toothless, ugly Master of Ceremonies rolled up his sleeves and said in a pretentious manner, "Spicy strip! A fiery woman indeed!"

Wang family laughed, "Hahahaha! Delicious! It looks good and tastes good too!"

Victor bowed slightly to offer the drink, then chuckled ingratiatingly, "Hehehe."

"Miss Latia, your dance is quite good." Wang family brought over the wine, then asked, "But if you're going to ask about my family matters, well... well..."

The Master of Ceremonies immediately said, "It's not appropriate to discuss family matters if they're not family."

"The Master of Ceremonies is a man who likes to speak the truth." Wang family came with a sense of caution. She only knew that there was a Miss Latia at the ball. Even though she was accompanied by a short, fat, ugly man, she could still outshine everyone with her superb and enchanting dance. She thought she might be a well-known and promising "star" in the railway system. So she decided to befriend her.

However, Latia was very polite and immediately bombarded the admiral with questions, which aroused Wang family's suspicion—perhaps these golden-haired barbarians were uncultured and always liked to ask things they shouldn't hear or ask.

Let the Master of Ceremonies say all the unpleasant things; whether they're friend or foe, it will save face for them.

Seeing that the atmosphere was getting dull, the Master of Ceremonies immediately had to liven things up; that was his job.

"Let's not talk about family, let's talk about Miss Latia's dance partner!"

Victor laughed and said, "What's there to talk about?"

"You are a beautiful flower." Wang family squinted and tilted her head, leaning against the railing looking at the dark sea. She didn't look directly into the dancer's eyes; she couldn't bear to meet the gaze of this fiery person. Instead, she probed indirectly, "How could you be with this short and ugly dwarf?"

"Without green leaves to set off, where would the beauty come from?" Victor replied casually.

The Master of Ceremonies clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Brilliant! Brilliant!"

"Spicy strips need to be eaten with rice!" Wang family replied.

The Master of Ceremonies then asked, "Does Miss Latia have a husband?"

"He's fishing at the stern. He's in the seafood business," Victor casually offered a Wen Bucai: "His name is Vincent."

The Master of Ceremonies, "Why don't your husband's family members dance with you?"

"If the dance partner is chosen too perfectly, the dancer won't look so beautiful in the eyes of men." Victor explained in a gentle tone, "If you see a perfect couple, not some flower with dung, would you still be interested in the flower? I'm just a dancer, I don't care who my dance partner is, I care about how to steal someone's soul."

Wang family immediately became interested; this theory did have some merit.

She also wanted to hold her husband's soul in her hands at all times.

"Then how do you steal someone's soul?"

The Master of Ceremonies then feigned ignorance. "Legend has it that in the Pompeii Sea lives a beautiful sea monster who can sing and bewitch souls!"

Victor: "That depends on whose soul it is."

After this series of riddles, Wang family didn't intend to continue asking questions. According to the question-and-answer rhythm, if she asked a question, it meant she needed something from the other person. If she needed something from Latia other person, she would have to open up and talk about her feelings and family matters. But right now, Wang family didn't intend to talk about family matters with this dancer. She could wait.

"Shall we go see your husband first?"

Wang family immediately changed his attack route.

Victor: "Come with me."

The Master of Ceremonies, acting as Wang family's mouthpiece, greeted the guests and kept unnecessary social engagements at bay. He also praised the sightseeing boat to the host.

"Don't let my frightening words fool you, this ship is incredibly sturdy. Even ordinary sea monsters couldn't break through its iron armor. If I frighten your two esteemed ladies, I can't bear the responsibility."

Upon reaching the small platform at the stern, Wen Bucai was nowhere to be seen.

Victor asked doubtfully, "It was right here just now."

Wang family asked awkwardly, "Does your husband dislike receiving guests?"

Victor: "I don't know if he likes receiving guests, but he loves fishing."

The Master of Ceremonies smiled and smoothed things over, "Well..."

Before he could finish speaking, the sound of the tide interrupted the Master of Ceremonies's conversation.

An ugly-looking fish-man monster climbed onto the platform and peeked half its body out from behind the railing.

Suddenly, both Wang family and the Master of Ceremonies turned deathly pale with fright.

Immediately afterwards, Wen Bucai climbed up--

He snapped the beast's neck. The sea monster was over two meters long, covered in twisted growths, and two large air bubbles could be seen on its neck. It seemed to be on the verge of death, but it was still bulging outwards, emitting a loud, mesmerizing whistle.

"This is a ghost!"

Wen Bucai.

--The Mayflower followed the navigational markers and did not enter any dangerous waters, so why did these sea monsters suddenly start parading with the ship and driving away the fish?

Without batting an eye, Victor explained, "This is my husband."

Wang family quickly replied, "Oh, oh."

The Master of Ceremonies said, "His strength could uproot mountains, his spirit could cover the world."

Wang family: "The kind of fishing I thought I knew was the kind of fishing that we Xia people understood. I..."

"What I meant by Latia wasn't spicy strips either," Victor offered a way out.

The Master of Ceremonies immediately took the opportunity to smooth things over, saying all the nice things, and the relationship between the two families became much closer, as if they could now talk about family matters.

"Latria! Latia!"

"The supreme worship of God! What a wonderful name!"