66: The Night Boat That Can Hear the Truth (Seeking Monthly Tickets)

At this moment, three hundred li to the south, at the foot of Jing Mountain, by the Nu River, a burly, bearded man stood by the river, hands clasped behind his back.

He gazed at the rolling river, flowing eastward, his brow furrowed with worry.

If Chen Yuan were here, he would surely recognize this man as Qin Hu, the Patrolling Mountain Commandant of Baidi City.

Qin Hu felt that he was truly unlucky.

He had just returned halfway from a public errand to Qingshan County when he received a secret order from Fu City.

Once again, he was on a dusty journey to Jing Mountain.

All just to investigate the “night ferry” case.

A few days ago, a rumor spread in this vicinity, claiming that there was a boat that sailed at night, and legend had it that if one boarded it, one could comprehend the Dao.

This attracted many Jianghu individuals who flocked to the area.

Then, the night before last, that boat truly appeared.

A crowd surged forward, but it also drew a demon.

The demon went on a killing spree, and the boat also vanished.

Qin Hu investigated along the way, first looking into the origin of the rumor, but he found that it was baseless, a mere fabrication.

He didn't know who had spread it for fun.

And that boat…

Thinking of this, Qin Hu’s eyes became somewhat serious.

The reason Fu City issued a secret order was to specifically investigate this boat.

To see if it was related to the one recorded in the Fu City Weapon Repository.

Regarding this boat, Qin Hu had only heard of it once during his many years of service in Fu City.

And that was a very long time ago.

Legend has it that hundreds of years ago, a great Divine Ability user, in his youth, worked as a night ferryman. At night, while piloting the boat, guests often conversed about national affairs, or Jianghu oddities, discussing everything from the three religions and nine schools of thought to immortals and ghosts, from the Hundred Schools of Thought to all knowledge under heaven.

Among them, there were often hidden Dragons and crouching tigers who would utter earth-shattering words.

This would spark debates and profound discussions that made people ponder deeply.

Listening to the eloquent discussions of people from all over the world who came and went, over time, this ferryman stumbled upon an Opportunity and embarked on the path of cultivation, making rapid progress and attaining the Dao.

After attaining the Dao, this great Divine Ability user became even more engrossed, piloting the boat across the north and south of the great rivers, inviting heroes from all over the world to debate, and establishing a formidable reputation.

However, this great Divine Ability user ultimately could not escape the merciless passage of time, and later vanished without a trace. The boat he left behind during his lifetime seemed to carry out his will, traveling between the great rivers of the world, picking up heroes who were about to seek the Dao, and inviting them aboard to debate.

There are also rumors that this night ferry, having listened to countless heroes debate over hundreds of years, had itself attained the Dao.

Qin Hu always felt that these recorded legends were a bit mystical.

After all, he hadn't reached that level yet.

But he knew that Fu City’s secret order made him turn back to investigate.

It seemed they attached great importance to it.

However, at this moment, he had no clue about it and could only sigh towards the river.

But just then,

The sound of horse hooves galloping towards the mountain came.

Qin Hu turned his head to look.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

A hint of displeasure flashed in his eyes.

The fellow who arrived was the one he found most unbearable in Fu City.

He had connections and ability, but he was unscrupulous in his methods.

A two-faced fellow.

He had fallen victim to him several times.

Soon, the sound of hooves approached from afar.

“Whoa!”

A long sigh.

A tall, black horse stopped in front of Qin Hu.

The horse was entirely black, its coat glossy and shiny.

Only a wisp of white hair was beneath its neck.

The white Qi expelled from its large nostrils, however, contained scattered sparks of fire.

Clearly, it was a special breed!

And at this moment, atop this special breed of horse, was a man in his thirties, dressed in a purple brocade robe.

The other party looked down from above.

With a forced smile, he cupped his fists.

“Patrol Officer Qin, you’ve worked hard. Have you found any clues?”

Qin Hu felt uncomfortable looking at this fellow’s expression and grumbled.

“Why did Fu City send you here? Don’t they trust my old Qin’s investigative abilities?”

“How could that be?”

“Fu City knows that Patrol Officer Qin has been traveling tirelessly and is very tired, so they sent me to offer comfort. Oh, by the way, I heard that Patrol Officer Qin went on an official errand to Qingshan County two days ago, and I heard that a colleague suddenly appeared there. How is it? Is it true?” The other party asked with a smirk.

“Surname Liu, you’re very well aware of my movements, aren’t you? Besides, do I have to report my official business to you?” Qin Hu snorted coldly.

“How dare I? How dare I? The situation in Fu City is not optimistic now, and I also hope to have more strength, to add more fuel.”

“You don’t need to speak to me in officialese. The one in Qingshan County has been confirmed, and their strength is very strong. Protecting a county should not be a big problem.”

As Qin Hu said this, he thought of Chen Yuan and felt that the new colleague in Qingshan County carried a hint of mystery.

Liu Ming’s eyes flashed with surprise when he heard Qin Hu say this.

He had worked with this rough man for many years, but he rarely heard him praise someone.

Very strong?

Interesting.

Just as he was about to ask a couple of questions, he was impatiently interrupted by Qin Hu,

“Stop with the nonsense. Get to the point. Fu City suddenly sent you here, what is the new directive?”

A sinister glint flashed in Liu Ming’s eyes, but he kept a smile on his face.

Then, an object flew out from his sleeve.

He held it in his hand!

It was a bronze lamp!

Liu Ming held the bronze lamp, his expression slowly turning serious,

“This was specially retrieved from the depths of the Weapon Repository by Fu City and brought by me.”

“I heard that this lamp belonged to that night ferry.”

“It was originally an ordinary lamp, but after constantly hearing famous scholars debate, it developed a hint of the divine.”

“It is difficult to damage with swords, and holding it can clear one’s mind.”

“I have already tried it, and it is indeed true.”

“And this item, according to those in the Weapon Repository, can be used by a Body Profound Perfection cultivator to ignite a flame by activating their Divine Ability True Qi, thereby sensing the location of that boat within a certain distance and boarding it.”

Speaking of this, a hint of fervor couldn't help but appear in Liu Ming's eyes.

“Fu City wants me to hold this lamp and board the boat to investigate. Perhaps I can find an Opportunity!”

“Qin Hu, I ask you for the result of your investigation. Where on the river did that boat appear?”

Towards the end, his tone became stern, carrying an intimidating gaze.

Qin Hu was shocked when he heard that this fellow had actually gotten such a good thing.

He was very displeased.

He did all the dirty and tiring work, while this fellow got the good stuff.

“If you want to know, ask yourself. This lord won’t serve you!”

“You dare!”

A sudden burst.

Liu Ming’s expression turned fierce.

The terrifying Aura of Body Profound Perfection erupted.

“This is a Fu City order. My success or failure concerns the future safety of Fu City. Do you dare to defy the order?”

Qin Hu stared at the other party, his eyes bloodshot, his breathing becoming heavy.

After a long moment.

He let out a muffled sigh, a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

He pointed straight ahead.

“Right here!”

Liu Ming was satisfied to see this rough man give in,

He withdrew his Aura.

He stepped on the horse’s back, leaped dozens of meters into the air, and landed directly on the river surface.

Then, he looked at the sky, which was gradually darkening.

He took a deep breath.

He raised the bronze lamp in his hand, and his body hummed.

A halo of light emanated from the lamp he activated in his hand.

However, as time passed, the lamp didn’t change much, only constantly trembling.

Just as Liu Ming’s face grew increasingly pale.

Finally, a wisp of starlight-like flame leaped out from the wick.

As if it could extinguish at any moment.

“It’s lit!”

Liu Ming became delighted.

Then, his expression immediately tightened.

He continued to activate the dwindling True Qi within his body.

He tried his best to keep the flame steady.

Then, he closed his eyes and carefully sensed through the lamp.

Approximately half an hour passed.

The sky had gradually darkened.

Liu Ming suddenly opened his eyes, his face unable to hide a hint of wild joy.

“I sensed it. It’s real after all!”

Furthermore, he gradually and clearly sensed that the boat was coming towards him.

However, not long after,

His expression changed.

The boat, which was originally coming towards him, suddenly accelerated, turned around, and fled!

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