Old Acquaintances Sharing a Boat, Friends and Foes Traveling Together (Part I)

Yu Ci stepped onto the deck of the Mountain-Moving Cloud Boat. The planks, made of deep-sea ironwood, possessed a natural metallic luster yet retained an elasticity and toughness foreign to metal. Stepping on them felt remarkably pleasant. This should be considered his first true experience riding a Mountain-Moving Cloud Boat. In truth, it had not been all that easy. Just consider that subtly meaningful face of Zhu Baitu, which looked as though he had personally delivered a box of Hidden Yin Thunder Fire crafted in the Miao Shou Workshop right onto the vessel—and all of it unsealed, on the verge of detonating at any moment. As for Zhu Baitu's true inner thoughts, or what methods he might employ against Ji Yuan, who had brokered the arrangement, in the future, neither was something Yu Ci needed to care about. Anyway, he had already helped Ji Yuan accomplish everything that should be done, so let it count as a small price to pay... However, since he had taken the route of the Da Tongxing, he inevitably had to subject himself to its constraints. Yu Ci had only walked a few paces when a cultivator who had long been waiting outside the boarding point walked over, executing a proper bow and greeting. "Might I ask if you are the revered Master Jiu Yan in the flesh?" Yu Ci gave an affirmative hum, and the man smiled. "Shopkeeper Zhu has already arranged quarters for the Master. This way, please." Zhu Baitu's arrangement was not unexpected; if Yu Ci were in his position, he would likewise wish to distance such trouble from the crowds as much as possible, though nominally he would use refined quarters, independent courtyards, and the like to soothe the man's mind. The guide led Yu Ci straight toward the middle section