Chapter 397 - Zhang Ci The Blind Bat

While someone was vowing to rob him of his boyfriend, Ji Yao was standing on the deck of his new ship, which he had named Red Valkyrie, watching the drama happening on the docks.

One by one the crew carried cargo into the ship and as they passed him they greeted their captain. Ji Yao gave them a simple nod but his gaze remained on Big Hei and Xunshi Zhe putting up a play.

Big Hei had already been instructed that he would be voyaging with Red Valkyrie alone which he was more than happy with but Xunshi Zhe wasn't. This was his best friend, his bosom buddy and they had never been apart hence the little play happening at the docks.

Xunshi Zhe was hugging Big Hei's thigh refusing to let go. It's either Big Hei was going to remain behind or Xunshi Zhe gets on board as well. Ji Yao sighed as he leaned forward yelling, "You do realise you are five times my age yet you are acting like Xiao Yùnqì."

Xiao Yùnqì who had grown up a little in the last three years was a little offended as he peeked at the two adults throwing a fit. Because Ji Yao and Rui Fei had rescued him from that Aoyin creature he had vowed to follow them. Having been initiated into the organization as an honorary pirate he naturally had to voyage with Red Valkyrie as well.

"Captain Ji..... I am..... I am not like them," he stammered scared that he would get kicked off the ship. He feared that Ji Yao still held a grudge for the time that he hugged Rui Fei. It was for this reason he was extremely cautious.

Ji Yao stared at him and gave him a comforting smile. "I know," he said before turning his head back at Xunshi Zhe who was saying,

"What does age have to do with it. Wuwuwuwu if he goes I go too. We are like twins. Inseparable at birth and inseparable in life."

"Tsk..... how troublesome," said a familiar arrogant voice as he passed the pair. That person could only be Zhang Ci who was over the moon when he heard that he was going on board Red Valkyrie.

Coupled with the fact that Rui Fei was out of the picture, Zhang Ci was thrilled. Having not seen Ji Yao in years he couldn't contain his excitement that his father had to slap him a couple of times out of annoyance.

As soon as he laid eyes on Ji Yao his eyes lit up like a Christmas tree. He immediately climbed on deck but the moment he was a meter away from him Ji Yao's sword unsheathed on its own and the tip of the blade was aimed at Zhang Ci's neck. He raised his hands in surrender with a foolish grin like he was glad that he had caught Ji Yao's attention. 

Ji Yao said to him, "Behave." It was just one word but that was enough to make Zhang Ci's knees soften.

The sword retreated but Ji Yao didn't spare him a glance. Zhang Ci heaved a sigh of relief and nudged Xiao Yùnqì who was standing beside him saying, "I think he likes me too."

Xiao Yùnqì, 'What a fuckin blind bat.'

Ji Yao scanned the entire deck and saw that everyone was here except Lan Wu's successor. From Lady Ching Sei there was a boorish girl named Shuijing. She seemed to be the most disciplined among them.

The other one was from Captain Ju Lang's crew. He was a half Nocru with a Fenrir bloodline named Xiao Lang. From Zhanglang was a short boy barely into his teens named Duan De. These two had barely interacted with Ji Yao because he had sent their captains to suppress the imperial city when his father was kidnapped.

The only person missing was Lan Wu's successor. While he was thinking this Lan Wu showed up with a boy dressed in grey robes following behind. When he saw him he had some sense of familiarity but he had no idea where he had seen that face.

Lan Wu led Tong Tong on board the ship and like a parent sending their kid to kindergarten for the first time he introduced Ji Yao telling him that he should call him Captain Ji. The boy was the polite silent type that seemed easy to bully.

Ji Yao couldn't take his eyes off him as though searching for something. Under such a probing gaze the boy was so terrified. He knew that the person before him was a Qilin, his natural enemy but he had no choice but to board this ship. That's because Lan Wu was afraid if Tong Tong stayed on the island with them Qilin Hao would recognize his Huishe ancestry and kill the boy. He already witnessed Qilin Hao's reaction towards her son's boyfriend then what would she do to this insignificant boy.

He still didn't know that this kid wasn't Huishe but in fact a Qilin. Thinking he would be safer with Ji Yao than on the island he persuaded Tong Tong to sail with Red Valkyrie.

Sensing the boy's uneasiness, Ji Yao softened his voice and said, "Welcome on board, Tong Tong." The boy raised his head to look at him but before he could respond Ji Wen descended from who knows where with a bottle of rum in one hand and serpent's kiss on the other.

"Get off the ship..... I haven't christened the ship yet," said Ji Wen with his wife standing behind him with her arms crossed on her chest.

Ji Yao turned to look at his father with a puzzled expression. "What?" he asked. Ji Wen who was busy trying to judge which bottle weighed less replied,

"You know... to bless the ship and ward off evil."

Ji Yao, "..."

"Ward off what evil... this entire crew is the very definition of evil, your Majesty," said Zhang Ci in a moment of stupid bravery.

As expected there was retaliation. A powerful spark struck Zhang Ci as Ji Wen complained, "Stupid brat..... didn't your father tell you to keep your mouth shut."

As he said this he walked over to the figurehead on the ship only to notice Big Hei still standing there like an idiot with Xunshi Zhe wrapped around his leg.

Ji Wen, "...."

Big Hei who didn't want this pot hanging over his head said, "He said we are inseparable twins," pointing at Xunshi Zhe who got up from the ground so fast like his very existence depended on it.

"Seriously... why is everyone trying to set me off today. Fine, go together for all I care," he replied seeming like a father having separation anxiety. He would rather Ji Yao stay on the island or travel with the Concord. At least then he wouldn't be worried for his safety.

But because of circumstances, he had to travel with amateurs which made him very worried. Ji Yao might be reclusive but he could read his father well.

For the first time in his life, he went off-board and hugged the man who was fighting with a bottle all in the name of blessing a ship. "I will be fine," he whispered into his father's ear as he tightened the hug, "don't worry about me."

Ji Wen who had been strong all this time suddenly felt like tearing up. Even as he watched that ship sail into the horizon his heart hurt. His worry was still written on his face. If only he could send Ji Yao with the Concord but that would draw Qilin San's attention.

A hand patted his shoulder and when he turned around he saw Lan Wu standing by his side.. "He is stronger than you think," said Lan Wu in comfort.