551: Lu Xueqi (28)

Bi Yao quietly clutched heartbreak flower.

Lu Xueqi's fingertips also had a faint, almost imperceptible electric current flowing.

Su Han's expression remained calm, but the True Qi within him was already circulating silently.

Just as a conflict was about to erupt, a loud voice came from inside the shipyard.

"Hahaha, Young Master Situ, what a temper you have.

Who upset you?"

A plump, ruddy-faced middle-aged man, dressed in merchant's attire, walked out with a laugh.

Behind him followed several elders with profound auras.

This Fatty Jin seemed amicable, but his eyes sparkled with shrewdness, clearly indicating he was a formidable character.

When Situ Ming saw this Fatty Jin, his expression changed slightly.

He dropped his arrogant demeanor and cupped his hands, saying, "So it's Boss Jin.

What brings you out here?"

The Fatty Jin, referred to as Boss Jin, chuckled.

"I heard distinguished guests were arriving.

How could I, Jin, not come out to greet them?"

His gaze fell on Su Han, and he scrutinized him carefully, especially pausing for a moment on the seemingly ordinary jade pendant at Su Han's waist.

A hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, and then his smile became even more enthusiastic.

"This Young Master has an extraordinary demeanor.

He must not be an ordinary person.

Your presence at my small shipyard truly brings honor to my humble abode."

Su Han's heart stirred.

This Boss Jin had sharp eyes and seemed to have noticed something.

"Boss Jin, you flatter me.

I am Su Han, traveling here with my two Junior Sisters.

We wish to find a good ship to sail out to sea."

Boss Jin smiled and said, "Easy, easy.

I, Fatty Jin, wouldn't dare boast about anything else, but when it comes to the quality of ships on the East Sea, if my shipyard claims to be second, no one would dare claim to be first.

Young Master Su, please come inside."

He then said to Situ Ming, "Young Master Situ, you too?"

Situ Ming snorted coldly, but he seemed quite wary of this Boss Jin and said nothing more, following them inside.

Entering the shipyard, the interior space was vast, with dozens of ships of varying sizes and designs docked.

Some were entirely black, gleaming with a metallic cold light, while others were carved with ornate decorations, and still others were covered in various strange devices.

Boss Jin personally accompanied them, introducing, "Young Master Su, please look.

This 'Black Dragon' is made from hundred-year-old ironwood, incredibly sturdy, enough to withstand ordinary storms.

This 'Flying Fish Boat' is extremely fast, capable of traveling a thousand li in a day without effort..."

Su Han listened while observing.

Although these ships were good, they were only top-tier mortal vessels.

He didn't feel any spiritual energy fluctuations, so they were clearly not the spirit boats he needed.

"Boss Jin, these ships, though good, are not what I need."

Su Han interrupted.

Fatty Jin's small eyes narrowed.

"Oh? What kind of ship does Young Master Su need?"

"I need a ship that can cross the eerie mist, resist dark currents, and travel through perilous lands."

Su Han said slowly.

The smile on Fatty Jin's Face receded somewhat, and Situ Ming also showed surprise.

"Where does Young Master Su intend to go?"

Fatty Jin asked in a deep voice.

"Liubo Mountain."

Su Han uttered three words.

Both Fatty Jin and Situ Ming's expressions changed simultaneously.

The atmosphere inside the shipyard instantly became heavy.

"Liubo Mountain..."

Fatty Jin took a deep breath.

"That is a place of no return, a land of certain death.

Young Master Su, it's not that I, Jin, am being nosy, but that place cannot be visited."

Situ Ming also sneered, "So he's looking for death.

No wonder he brought two beauties.

Is he afraid of being alone after he dies?"

Su Han ignored Situ Ming's taunt and looked at Fatty Jin.

"Boss Jin, just tell me if you have such a ship."

Fatty Jin pondered for a moment, then lowered his voice and said, "Young Master Su, this is not the place to talk.

Please follow me."

He led Su Han and the two women towards a secret room at the back of the shipyard.

Situ Ming also tried to follow, but was stopped by Fatty Jin.

"Young Master Situ, I apologize, but this matter is of great importance, and it's inconvenient for outsiders to be present."

Situ Ming's Face turned ashen, but he ultimately didn't dare force his way in.

He glared fiercely at Su Han, then turned and left.

In the secret room, Fatty Jin closed the door and activated a sound-insulating Formation.

Only then did he solemnly say, "Young Master Su, do you truly intend to go to Liubo Mountain?"

"Yes."

Su Han nodded.

"Why?"

"Entrusted by others, to fulfill a duty, and also to uncover some truths."

Fatty Jin sighed.

"Liubo Mountain is a place of great danger.

Ancient records state that even a Nascent Soul Cultivator once went there and never returned.

Young Master Su, you are so young, why risk such danger?"

Su Han calmly said, "Thank you for your kindness, Boss Jin.

My mind is made up."

Fatty Jin looked at Su Han's determined eyes, knowing that persuasion was useless.

He then said, "A spirit boat, I did indeed once have one here."

"Oh? Where is it?"

Su Han's spirits lifted.

"It was bought three months ago."

Fatty Jin said with a bitter smile.

Su Han frowned.

"Who bought it?"

"It was a Black-Robed Person."

Fatty Jin recalled.

"His Face was unclear, and his aura was cold.

He offered a very high price, and..."

He paused.

"He also had a token in his hand, very similar to the one at your waist..."

Su Han's heart jolted.

Another Black-Robed Person!

They always seemed to be one step ahead.

"Did he leave a name or a destination?"

Fatty Jin shook his head.

"No.

After he bought the spirit boat, he sailed directly into the deep sea.

The direction... was precisely Liubo Mountain."

Silence fell in the secret room.

The clue seemed to have broken again.

"However..."

Fatty Jin hesitated.

"That spirit boat originally had some flaws."

"Flaws?"

"Yes."

Fatty Jin explained.

"That spirit boat was built from a fragmented diagram in an ancient text.

The core driving Formation was incomplete.

It's fine for a short time, but if it sails in the eerie mist for a long time, there's a risk of insufficient spiritual energy.

I told the Black-Robed Person at the time, but he didn't seem to care."

Su Han was thoughtful.

"Boss Jin, besides that one, is there any other way to obtain another spirit boat?"

Fatty Jin pondered, "A ready-made spirit boat is probably hard to find.

But if Young Master Su trusts me, I, Jin, can gather craftsmen to custom-build one for you.

It's just..."

"How long would it take?"

"At least three months.

And the core Materials, 'Spine of the Water-Evading Golden-Eyed Beast' and 'Thousand-Year Lightning-Struck Wood,' are extremely rare.

I don't have enough in stock here."

Su Han shook his head.

"That's too long."

He pondered.

The Black-Robed Person went to Liubo Mountain in a flawed spirit boat.

Was he confident he could compensate for the flaws, or did he have another objective?

Perhaps, this was an opportunity.

"Boss Jin, can that flawed spirit boat be tracked through its flaws?"

Fatty Jin's eyes lit up.

"Young Master Su is indeed quick-witted.

The spirit boat's driving Formation has a disharmony that emits a special fluctuation.

With a 'spirit seeking plate,' its direction might be sensed within a certain range."

"Where can a spirit seeking plate be obtained?"

"This item is not common, but in the Black Water Port's black market, you might be able to find one."

Fatty Jin said.

"It's just that the black market is a mixed bag, and it's hard to distinguish true from false.

You need to be extra careful."

"Thank you for your guidance, Boss Jin."

Su Han cupped his hands.

"Young Master Su, you're too kind."

Fatty Jin hesitated for a moment, then still said.

"Young Master Su, Liubo Mountain is no small matter.

If things become impossible, preserving yourself should be your priority."

"Also, that Situ Ming holds grudges.

Since you made him lose Face today, he definitely won't let it go.

You need to be careful of the Black Water Gang."

"I understand.

Thank you."

Leaving the shipyard, Su Han informed the two women of the situation. (End of Chapter)