In the darkness thick with fog, damp wood and iron plates rubbed against each other aboard thousands upon thousands of ships, large and small, producing strange creaks and squeals. When such sounds gathered across the boundless lake, they mingled with the tide-like roar of water and the cries and shouts of people, becoming a chaotic wave of noise that flooded the ears. After the murky field of vision, even on the level of sound, it threw the cultivators trapped within into confusion.
Baiyi tightened the cloak around herself. A cold, mocking smile touched her lips as she finally turned her gaze toward the only figure on the viewing platform.
Baiyi's eyes shifted, and the little maid beside her understood. She stopped, allowing Baiyi to proceed alone.
Under ordinary circumstances, the second floor of the painted pleasure boat would have glittered with splendid lights and resounded with song and dance. But at the guest's request to admire the night scenery from afar, more than half the colored lanterns aboard had been extinguished. In the dim light, she could only see the man reclining casually on the couch, leaning forward slightly with one hand supporting his chin as he watched the chaotic shadows of fog in the distance. At first glance, he seemed deeply absorbed, yet he also appeared lost in thought beyond the heavens, so much so that he showed no reaction at all to the beauty who had come with the intention of making his acquaintance.
Baiyi walked forward slowly. The snowy gauze drapes between the pillars were swept up by the fierce wind off the lake, brushing past her side with bleak, secluded coldness. Against such a backdrop, the shadowy figure should have seemed somewhat lonely, fitting the atmosphere perfectly. Yet she could not sense any such emotion from