Chapter 145
"A method?"
Wang Jin had a vague impression in his mind, but it was from the original owner's very distant past. He needed time to think carefully to remember it fully.
But to say the inability to use his ability was because of himself? Why say that? Did this 'himself' refer to the original owner?
Wang Jin was puzzled.
Xi Ning said: "You have always resisted it, loathed it, been averse to it, even escaped from it... How could you possibly use the ability, let alone control it, like this? You have to accept it... This beast control ability was passed down from the Xi family ancestors. It is a blessing, you shouldn't view it as a burden."
It seemed he was talking about the original owner. Wang Jin had never considered it a burden...
Seeing no unusual expression on Wang Jin's face, Xi Ning continued: "You seem much more accepting of the beast control art now, unlike before when you'd look wronged as soon as beast control was mentioned..."
Speaking, Xi Ning adopted a fatherly tone: "Don't blame me for talking too much. You are my only younger brother. I say these things only because I'm afraid something might happen to you at sea... If you truly encounter danger, this beast control might save you from a desperate situation. Of course, I don't wish for that 'something' to happen."
Xi Ning pressed his lips together and said thoughtfully: "I hope Cheng Li and Pan Yue can truly keep you safe."
Seeing the worry that had replaced the earlier ease on Xi Ning's face after mentioning the 'something', Wang Jin felt a warmth in his heart. He quickly moved closer and said: "Brother, don't worry. That 'something' won't happen. I'm still counting on coming back to learn more about the beast control art from you."
Hearing this, Xi Ning's eyes lit up: "You... are willing to practice the beast control art again?"
"...Mm." Wang Jin nodded. Of course he was willing to have such a good ability.
A look of relief appeared in Xi Ning's eyes: "Now that's more like a ger of the Xi family."
"Let's go, they are all waiting for you." Xi Ning glanced towards the sea and walked ahead first.
Wang Jin quickly jogged to catch up and saw a large ship already moored by the shore.
Two teams of beastmen, along with Pan Yue, Pan Shulin, and Cheng Li, had already boarded and were waiting for Wang Jin.
Wang Jin waved to Xi Ning and followed them aboard.
As soon as Wang Jin boarded, the ship set off. Xi Ning's figure on the shore grew further and further away.
When he could no longer be seen, Cheng Li came forward and escorted Wang Jin back into the cabin. With Wang Jin were Pan Shulin and his attendant.
The cabin's furnishings were simple: just a few tables and chairs with wooden cups and a wooden pitcher for drinking water. The cabin had windows. Looking out, one could see the endless sea... nothing but water met the eye. The sea surface had no living creatures. Occasionally, a few strange birds would fly across the sky, but they were extremely fast and disappeared in an instant.
Wang Jin sat at one of the tables and poured himself a cup of water. Pan Shulin arrived a little later and, upon entering, directly sat opposite Wang Jin, staring fixedly at him.
Although Pan Shulin's eyes held a smile and his face appeared very friendly, when Wang Jin met his gaze, he felt a chill down his spine.
He shuddered, picked up his cup, chose another table, and quietly moved away from him.
Pan Shulin didn't follow, but from time to time he would look at Wang Jin with a sinister gaze.
Wang Jin endured the discomfort, on one hand recalling the beast control knowledge the original owner had received, and on the other hand constantly paying attention to the situation outside, especially the monotonous sea surface, hoping that a ship or Yuan Heng's figure would emerge.
However, several days passed, and they had found nothing.
During these days, Pan Shulin's gaze had become increasingly uncomfortable. They stayed in the cabin on the first level during the day and went down to the bedrooms below to rest at night.
Although Wang Jin had his own room, he always felt as if Pan Shulin was hiding in his room, staring at him from some unknown corner, making it impossible for him to rest properly at night.
Within a few days, he looked very haggard.
If Yuan Heng were here, he would certainly have noticed something was wrong. But the people on the ship weren't very familiar with Wang Jin, and the well-meaning Pan Yue was also careless... For a time, no one noticed Wang Jin's haggard state.
One day, Wang Jin was sitting by the window, rubbing his temples and habitually looking at the sea surface, searching for any sign of a ship or the man.
These past few days, his vision often blurred when looking at things. He didn't know the reason. Afraid that his condition might hinder Cheng Li and Pan Yue in their search, he didn't say anything.
The blue sea was calm, with no ships or people in sight. Wang Jin withdrew his gaze in disappointment. Just as he did, he seemed to see a human figure in the distance...
Wang Jin stood up joyfully. Pan Shulin was startled and looked in the direction of Wang Jin's gaze, but he didn't share Wang Jin's excitement. He asked: "A-Yao, what did you see?"
"A person, it must be Brother Heng." Wang Jin said happily, walking outside: "I need to go out and tell them to steer over there."
"Hey, wait a moment." Pan Shulin stood up and grabbed him: "I don't see anything. Are you mistaken?"
"Whether I'm mistaken or not, won't we know if they go over there?" Wang Jin shook off Pan Shulin and left the cabin.
Pan Shulin and his attendant exchanged a glance and hurriedly followed him out.
As soon as they left the cabin, Pan Yue hurried over: "Why are you out? Go back inside."
"Pan Yue, I saw a person over there." Wang Jin pointed in a direction.
Pan Yue looked in the direction Wang Jin pointed, a trace of confusion in his eyes: "No, there's nothing there."
"There is! It's right there!" Wang Jin said anxiously: "Please steer the ship over to check."
Hearing this, Pan Shulin quickly said: "I don't see anything either. Why steer the ship over there?"
Pan Yue also shook his head: "Right, young master, there's really nothing there. Besides, we can't set sail now. Brother Cheng Li has gone into the sea to search for someone. We have to wait for him to return, otherwise he won't find our ship when he comes back."
"This..." Wang Jin looked around. Indeed, he didn't see Cheng Li. He looked into the distance. Over there, clearly, a human head emerged from below the sea, moving slowly on the surface.
If it was Yuan Heng, moving so slowly... he must be injured.
"What should we do?" Wang Jin was frantic.
Seeing this, Pan Shulin stepped forward: "I think we should let the ship stay put, brother, you go and check."
"This..." Pan Yue was hesitant: "That won't do. I have to protect you. Brother Cheng Li repeatedly emphasized before going into the sea that I must protect both of you."
Wang Jin said: "We'll stay on the ship, we won't go anywhere. Nothing will happen. Please go quickly."
Pan Yue shook his head. Wang Jin urged impatiently: "I'm telling you to go, so go! I said nothing will happen. The person over there is swimming slowly; I'm worried he's injured."
"..." Hearing this, Pan Yue looked carefully again at the direction Wang Jin pointed, his confusion deepening.
There was nothing there at all.
But he didn't dare say that. Although the ger in front of him was small and delicate, when anger flashed across his features, it was still quite intimidating.
He had heard before that this person was timid, but that time at the banquet, he didn't seem timid at all. He had heard this person had a gentle temperament, but now he seemed fiery-tempered, not gentle at all...
It seemed hearsay couldn't be trusted.
Seeing Pan Yue's hesitation, Pan Shulin stepped forward and said: "Brother, you go. I'll guard A-Yao. Besides, there are so many beastman guards on the ship. It'll be fine."
Pan Yue looked at Pan Shulin. Pan Shulin nodded at him. Wang Jin also looked urgent. Pan Yue finally nodded.
"Then you two wait for me in the cabin." Pan Yue said.
Wang Jin urged: "We know, just go quickly."
Pan Yue, helpless, transformed into his beast form, leaped down, and swiftly swam towards the direction Wang Jin indicated.
In a place no one could see, Pan Shulin curled his lips into a smile. He secretly signaled to the attendant behind him. The attendant understood and quietly retreated, heading to the side.
A moment later, an urgent shout came from the back.
"Help!"
Everyone was startled. The beastmen quickly rushed towards the source of the sound.
Wang Jin was about to follow to see what happened when Pan Shulin, who was beside him, grabbed his arm. This time, he held on with great force, and no matter how Wang Jin struggled, he couldn't break free.
"What are you doing?" Wang Jin looked at Pan Shulin in confusion, only to see his face was extremely gloomy, the darkness in his eyes like a fierce ghost crawling out of hell, making one's heart tremble with fear.
A bad premonition suddenly arose in Wang Jin. He quickly opened his mouth to call out, to attract the beastmen who had been drawn away by the cry for help back.
But Pan Shulin was quick and covered his mouth: "I've finally waited for the chance to get rid of you. Brother Bai will be mine from now on."
"!" Wang Jin stared wide-eyed in astonishment.
This Pan Shulin still wants to eliminate me, and it's for Cheng Bai?
Wang Jin shook his head desperately, trying to tell this person that he had no desire to compete with him for Cheng Bai.
Pan Shulin seemed to know what he wanted to say. He sneered and said: "You did reject Brother Bai, but he still has you in his heart. Only if you die will he perhaps forget you."
After saying this, Pan Shulin leaned close to Wang Jin's ear and whispered softly: "Let you die knowing the truth. The direction you pointed to has no one at all. The reason you saw someone is because there have been illusion powder in the water you drank these past few days, causing you to hallucinate."
After saying this, Pan Shulin pushed Wang Jin outward. Wang Jin, losing his balance, fell uncontrollably downwards.
His face was upward. Before hitting the water, the last thing he saw was Pan Shulin's triumphant, cunning smile, and he heard his words full of smugness.
"You escaped last time, let's see how you escape this time."
Last time?
This isn't the first time?
This was Wang Jin's last thought before losing consciousness.
Seeing Wang Jin sink, Pan Shulin looked around. Seeing there was still no one, he shouted towards where the beastmen were: "Help! Someone, come quickly!"
After shouting, he hardened his heart, gritted his teeth, and jumped into the water after him.
The beastmen had just rescued one attendant and, hearing another cry for help, hurried over to look. They saw Pan Shulin flailing in the water.
The beastmen quickly went down and rescued him.
When Pan Yue returned, he saw his younger brother pale and vacant-eyed. His heart sank, and he hurried forward to hold Pan Shulin, asking: "What happened?"
A beastman nearby replied: "Young Master Pan and that ger fell into the water one after the other. The brothers just pulled them out."
No comments:
Post a Comment