Chapter 8: A Small Clash on the Boat

  On the great river, merchant ships hoist their sails and go downstream, already hundreds of miles away in the morning and evening.

  It stopped several times along the way and some passengers got on and off.

  Qin Yun was traveling far for the first time and also taking a boat ride for the first time. Thanks to his exceptionally solid martial arts foundation, he didn't get seasick or feel uncomfortable at all. On the contrary, the different scenery on both banks of the great river deeply attracted him.

  No matter how good the scenery is, it will be tired after a few days, and there are many environmental restrictions on the boat, so later on, Qin Yun mostly hid in the guest cabin to cultivate his inner strength.

  He has now penetrated the Wu Mai, but because he doesn't have a better internal energy method, he doesn't understand and also doesn't dare to penetrate other meridians, so he can only continue to cultivate the Chi Yan Heart Method.

  Qin Yun's Scarlet Flame Heart Technique had reached the realm of Great Perfection, and with a single movement of his technique, his true energy surged forth like a tidal wave. The Qi Sea and Dan Tian were unable to contain it, nor could it be circulated through the body's meridians to strengthen muscles and bones. It was solely used to expand his martial veins, but the consumption was far from keeping up with the speed of his cultivation.

  This was originally very dangerous, with a risk of true fire causing internal damage, but the presence of the Five-Colored Divine Stone made this problem non-existent.

  The five-colored divine stone lurking in his sea of consciousness was like a gluttonous beast that was never satisfied, no matter how much true energy he transported into it, all of it was swallowed up cleanly.

  After careful observation, Qin Yun found that as he continuously poured in true energy, the stardust halo surrounding the Five-Colored Divine Stone gradually changed. The stardust within the halo lit up one by one, transforming from specks of dust to a dazzling starlight, becoming even more resplendent and mysterious.

  Although Qin Yun still didn't know what effect this change would have on the Five-Colored Divine Stone, he had a faint feeling that it wasn't a bad thing.

  Seven days after leaving Dajing Town, the merchant ship entered the waters of Guiyang County.

  Guiyang County is one of the largest counties in Great Yan, located in the northeast of Yanyun Province, with a population of tens of millions, rich products and prosperous places, and also an important source of tax revenue for Great Yan.

  Guiyang Prefecture's Qianchao City, where Qin Yun was headed, was one of the largest cities in Great Yan and also the location of the Qin clan.

  During his spare time from practicing, Qin Yun would also go up to the deck to get some fresh air and clear his mind. Unlike the other passengers on the ship who were either wealthy or of high status, he was young and curious, not afraid to ask questions, and soon became familiar with the sailors running the ship.

  These sailors followed the merchant ships, traveling all over the place, and many people ran through Yanyun State, even to several other major states. They had a good understanding of the local conditions and customs of various places on the mainland. Qin Yun heard many interesting stories from their mouths, which also broadened his horizons.

  The sailors were all rough men, and it was rare for someone to be willing to listen to their stories. Looking at Qin Yun alone on the boat, he didn't seem like a wealthy young master with a big temper and eccentric personality, so when speaking up, they were relatively unbridled.

  After getting familiar with Qin Yun, they would often tell some off-color stories and jokes, then look at Qin Yun's red face and ears and laugh loudly, feeling very accomplished.

  Qin Yun had been practicing martial arts since he was young and wasn't very clear about relationships between men and women. Qin Yang hadn't given him enough guidance in this area either, only warning him not to get involved with the opposite sex before achieving success in his cultivation, lest it distract his mind.

  However, human nature cannot be erased. In fact, it is very common for men in the nine states to get married and have children at the age of 15 or 16. The sailors' stories and jokes about men and women inadvertently opened a door in Qin Yun's heart.

  That day, an old sailor on duty talked to Qin Yun about the Thousand Tide City, and as they chatted, they mentioned the city's brothels, how the women of Qingliu Alley were so gentle and charming, and how the girls of Muhong Building were so beautiful and captivating.

  "Humiliation!"

  Just as he was talking eloquently and spitting flying saliva, a cold hum suddenly came from beside him.

  Hearing this humming sound, the old sailor who was in a state of high excitement suddenly felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water, and all his words got stuck in his throat and couldn't be spat out.

  Qin Yun turned his head to look, and found that not far away stood a white-clothed young girl with an icy expression on her face, looking at the two of them with disdain.

  She was about fourteen or fifteen years old, slender and very beautiful. Although her small face still had a childish look, her eyebrows were like paintings, her lips were red and her teeth were white, absolutely a stunning beauty!

  Qin Yun noticed that there was still a sword hanging from her waist, which added a few more points to her heroic aura.

  "Uh, little brother, I still have things to do, see you later!"

  The old sailor was stared at as if he had a thorn in his back, let out a dry laugh and found an excuse to slip away quickly.

  The other party was undoubtedly a guest on the ship. Judging from his appearance and attire, his status was definitely not ordinary. He didn't dare to offend him, so he unscrupulously abandoned Qin Yun alone.

  Qin Yun also felt a bit embarrassed. Even if he didn't understand human emotions, he knew that the old sailor's words were not suitable for a young girl to hear.

  He also wanted to go back to the cabin, but he didn't expect the other party to intercept him.

  "I see you're also a sword learner, how can you mix with these despicable and filthy guys? Always talking about indecent things!" The girl rebuked in a tone of extreme disappointment: "We learners of the sword should..."

  Is it over yet?

  Qin Yun raised an eyebrow and said in a loud voice: "Miss, you're blocking my way. Sorry, please make way!"

  Qin Yun was also a temperamental person, and he didn't think there was anything wrong with chatting with the old sailor, nor did he want to listen to his condescending lectures.

  In Qin Yun's view, these boatmen were the dregs of society, but they weren't the despicable villains in other people's mouths. On the contrary, they were straightforward and simple-minded, far stronger than those who only bullied the weak and poor.

  Toppled by Qin Yun's cold words, the girl almost choked to death, her finger pointing at Qin Yun with wide eyes: "You!..."

  "What's it to you?" Qin Yun said coldly, "What does our private conversation have to do with you? Do we need you to point fingers and criticize? You say they're dirty and lowly, but without their hard work, would you still be able to sit comfortably in a clean cabin on your way home?"

  A sudden gust of wind and rain swept through, causing the girl's face to flush bright red.

  She was born into a wealthy family and had been pampered since childhood, where she had never been scolded like this before, and in her shame and anger, she suddenly drew out her weapon.

  "Draw your sword, I'd like to see what you're capable of!"

  The quarrel between the two men alarmed the sailors and passengers on deck, who came running over to see what was happening.

  As soon as the girl drew her sword, a gleaming blade of autumn water-like sharpness pointed directly at Qin Yun, and many people let out cries of surprise.

  But they didn't worry about a bloody scene unfolding because, no matter how you looked at it, the two of them seemed more like a pair of quarreling lovers.

  "I'm afraid you won't make it!"

  Qin Yun was also a young man with a strong sense of pride, and since the other party had taken the initiative to provoke him, he had no intention of backing down.

  At the slightest thought, his body naturally reacted, and in an instant, he drew out his long sword, stabbing straight at his opponent's throat!

  The fundamental sword technique of twelve forms, Qin Yun didn't know how many times he had practiced it, from drawing the sword to sheathing it, two moves of sword techniques combined perfectly.

  He didn't intend to hurt his opponent either, just wanted to make him retreat in disarray. So this sword was swift and sharp, but wouldn't pose a real threat.

  But the girl was greatly shocked, Qin Yun's sword speed was simply too fast, and she didn't have any time to defend or parry.

  However, she had been practicing sword fighting since childhood and instinctively reacted in the face of danger. Her slender waist turned swiftly, dodging the sword with a quick sidestep.

  "Look at the sword!"

  The girl shouted out and immediately launched a counterattack.

  The autumn water long sword rose and transformed into thousands of sword lights, sweeping towards Qin Yun!

  Qin Yun immediately fell into a passive state.

  He has only been learning swordplay for three months and has only practiced basic sword techniques. His skills in swordplay can be said to be extremely limited, and he also lacks experience in dueling with others.

  And his opponent, the white-robed girl, had been practicing swordsmanship since childhood, far surpassing Qin Yun in both skill and experience. A single move, not particularly brilliant, "Thousand Stars Chasing the Moon", forced Qin Yun to reveal his true form.

  Stars twinkled before his eyes, Qin Yun couldn't see through the sword move's virtual reality, so he hastily retreated his sword to block.

  Ding! Ding! Ding!

  Qin Yun's long sword was instantly covered by the starlight of the sword, and in the midst of the dense metallic crashing sounds, this hundred-refined iron sword was twisted into fragments!

  Qin Yun was suddenly shocked and pale, he hastily loosened his grip on the hilt and quickly withdrew his hand, the sword light that filled the sky in front of him suddenly disappeared.

  The numbness and pain in his hand told Qin Yun that it had already been injured by the opponent.

  But the gushing blood did not make Qin Yun concede, instead it triggered the ferocity in his bloodline, and he suddenly clenched his fist and blasted out!

  Compared with the basic swordsmanship that had been practiced for only three months, the Red Flame Fist that had been bitterly trained for ten years was Qin Yun's true specialty.

  He once used his fist to kill a fierce tiger in the Yunwu Mountains, and now he has mastered the Wumai Qi, with his fist strength increased by at least tenfold compared to before.

  One punch was thrown out, and the surrounding air shook and emitted a thunderous explosion!

  The white-robed girl had just obtained the sword and was about to gloat at Qin Yun, but she didn't expect his real killer move was yet to come. Caught off guard, she couldn't even dodge or block in time.

  The crowd watching let out a burst of exclamations as a green shadow flashed by at the ship's hatch in the distance.

  Just as a fist full of fierce flames was about to hit the white-robed girl, Qin Yun's hot-blooded head suddenly cleared up.

  If this punch were to land, the girl would likely be severely injured if not killed. In reality, he had no grudge against his opponent, so resorting to such extreme measures was clearly excessive.

  "Cheers!"

  Qin Yun opened his eyes and let out a low growl, before the crash he forcibly withdrew his fist, his fist barely stopping in front of the chest of the white-robed girl whose breasts were just beginning to develop!

  After ten years of arduous practice, he had already reached the stage where his Scarlet Flame Fist could be released and withdrawn at will. However, the true energy of the Scarlet Flame that accompanied his fist was not so easily retracted, and when he forcibly stopped it, his blood and qi surged back, causing him such discomfort that he almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

  The girl who had narrowly escaped was now completely blank-minded, acting purely out of self-defense instinct, and swung her sword at Qin Yun.

  Qin Yun did not expect the other party to make a move, his breathing was disordered and his whole body stiffened, he could only stare blankly as the gleaming long sword stabbed towards his heart.

  The surrounding area was filled with cries of surprise.

  "Stop!"