A long time had passed when the cabin door finally opened.
By then, the large ship had slowly approached the shore.
People thought that two corpses would surely be tossed out of the cabin. After all, those two people hadn't been seen coming out for so many days.
However, things seemed to be different.
The first one to emerge from the cabin was the child who had barged in.
Behind her followed the young and charming girl in red, Zhao Xiangxiang.
And then came Xie Yu, the young master of the Xie family.
The Huai River was the Xie family's territory. South of the Huai River, it was mainly under the control of Xie Yu's elders, while north of the Huai River, Xie Yu was quite well - known.
Everyone knew that Xie Yu was a good - for - nothing playboy.
He was extremely arrogant. It would be harder than climbing to the sky to make him submit to anyone.
But look! At this moment, Xie Yu was actually willingly following behind two women. Among them, the woman named Zhao Xiangxiang was the one he had once claimed he would make a low - level maid.
As soon as Xie Yu came out, it caused quite a stir.
The people from the Xie family who had come to greet the ship were all looking at him in confusion.
"Master, what's going on?"
"She's my boss."
When Xie Yu said this, his eyes were shining brightly.
The servants were completely puzzled.
Their young master didn't seem like the kind of person who would be willing to be subordinate to others. So why was he acting so differently today?
Moreover, why did their young master look so proud when he said this? It was really strange.
"What are you standing there for? Call her!"
Xie Yu slapped one of the dazed servants, and only then did they react. They quickly nodded and smiled obsequiously.
"Boss, this way please."
Zhao Shuning saw the flattering look on Xie Yu's face and knew that he respected her because of her alchemist identity, not because she was a woman.
Perhaps Xie Yu had a bit of tenderness for Zhao Xiangxiang.
Zhao Shuning didn't tease him. She just walked down.
She knew very well how to ride on the wave.
However, when her foot stepped on the south bank of the Huai River, a familiar feeling hit her.
Zhao Shuning's steps faltered, and her eyes dimmed.
It felt so familiar.
This feeling, was it...?
Bai Ze? Was it Bai Ze?
But the feeling only lasted for a moment and then disappeared. Zhao Shuning could only smile helplessly and console herself in her heart.
If Bai Ze were to appear by this small Huai River, the area south of the Huai River would have been in an uproar long ago.
Moreover, her master was so busy. How could he possibly appear in such a small place in the Eastern Wilderness?
Although she strongly suppressed her thoughts, Zhao Shuning's heart was still pounding violently.
There was even a faint hope in her heart.
If it was really her master here, how wonderful that would be!
If her master really cared about her, he wouldn't have stood by during the siege eight years ago, right?
So, what was she expecting now?
"Boss, why aren't you walking?"
Only then did Zhao Shuning realize that there were quite a few people behind her. The servants of the Xie family were well - trained. Since she had stopped in her tracks, they didn't move forward.
The people on the ship were also waiting for her to go first.
"Zhao Shuning, what's wrong with you? You rarely act like this."
Zhao Xiangxiang stepped forward worriedly and placed her hand on Zhao Shuning's arm. The Zhao Shuning that Zhao Xiangxiang had seen was either vigilant and sensitive, or calm and composed, or brave and resourceful. But she had never seen Zhao Shuning look so panicked.
"It's okay. Maybe I'm just overthinking."
Zhao Shuning gave a charming smile and lightly leaped onto the shore of the Huai River.
"Xie Yu, why aren't you leading the way quickly?"
Xie Yu was stunned for a moment and then quickly caught up.
"Boss, this way please."
Zhao Shuning followed Xie Yu. Along the way, she attracted quite a few glances. This showed that the Xie family's prestige south of the Huai River was truly extraordinary.
At this time, a person who looked like a servant caught up and seemed to have something to say to Xie Yu.
Judging from his stuttering appearance, he was obviously worried about Zhao Shuning's presence.
"You two talk. I'll go first."
Zhao Shuning didn't want others to think that she was a burden.
She had latched onto Xie Yu just to find a place to stay south of the Huai River.
Apart from that, she didn't want to get herself into any trouble.
Xie Yu had a smile on his face. While saying "Take your time, boss", he glared fiercely at the servant beside him.
After Zhao Shuning had walked far away, he said, "What's the matter?"
"Master, Xie An is back."
"Let him come back. What does it matter to me? That useless burden. Only my father thinks highly of him. He's just a brute from the mountains."
The servant then said, "Master, this time, Xie An is back to participate in the Disciples' Joint Tournament."
Xie Yu's advancing steps stopped because of this.
"The Disciples' Joint Tournament?"
"Yes."
Xie Yu spat and then said, "That useless burden actually got this spot. I really underestimated him before."
Previously, Xie Yu had looked down on this Xie An. He thought that a kid from the countryside couldn't have much ability, yet his father had to personally welcome him.
"Wasn't he just a second - grade spiritual herbalist when he left? What kind of opportunity did he get that he could reach the level of a fourth - stage spiritual herbalist in such a short time?"
"I heard that a superior helped him."
Xie Yu was annoyed.
"What ability does this Xie An have? Why is he the only one who can get such a good opportunity? My father already thinks he's a promising talent. Now that he's reached the fourth stage at such a young age, my father will nag at me even more in the future."
This outsider, Xie An, was like a ticking time bomb to Xie Yu.
Xie Yu considered himself quite talented, but this Xie An had caught up with him in such a short time.
Xie Yu now felt that Xie An was an increasingly dangerous threat.
"Master, what should we do?"
"What else can we do? Cross that bridge when we come to it."
This outsider, Xie An, although his parents were so humble, had a natural air of pride. He was gloomy and rarely spoke. Every time Xie Yu talked to him, he basically wouldn't respond.
That was why his father had given Xie An the nickname "Poison Snake".
"Sometimes I even suspect that this Poison Snake is my father's illegitimate son."
Xie Yu followed up sullenly.
If the Poison Snake came back and saw the boss he had recognized on the ship, he might cause some trouble.
Right!
A plan suddenly occurred to Xie Yu.
If Zhao Shuning went to the Xie family and met Xie An, with Xie An's temperament, he would surely clash with Zhao Shuning.
With the Poison Snake's unyielding character, when he met the alchemist Zhao Shuning, he was going to have a hard time.