Chapter 442: Young Miss

Chapter 442: The Young Lady

Su Mo had indeed instructed Song Yuanlong to search for the people earlier.

However, that was only the first half of the order.

The second half was for Song Yuanlong to stay low-key after locating them.

Had Xi Menxiong been willing to disclose the location of their inheritance truthfully, Su Mo would've been happy to help.

But judging from the current situation, getting that kind of info out of the old-timers wasn’t easy.

In that case, they’d have to work through the younger ones.

Thus, the person had been found—just not turned in yet.

Now, Su Mo led Yang Xiaoyun, following Song Yuanlong, deep into the ship’s belly.

This was where the crew bunked.

As they moved further inside, guards were posted at every door.

Pushing open a cabin door, they found a young man dressed like a deckhand sitting on the edge of the bed, frowning.

The door’s creak made him jump.

He quickly turned his head. Upon seeing Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, he bolted upright.

He cupped his hands nervously, opening his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of what to say.

Finally, he mustered his courage and blurted out:

“M-My lord…”

Su Mo remained composed, but Yang Xiaoyun burst out laughing.

“Guess he hasn’t been aboard long enough to know how to address us properly.”

She glanced at Su Mo.

Su Mo shook his head slightly:

“He only came aboard right before we shoved off—not even half a day back.”

Then, turning to Song Yuanlong, he asked:

“Only him?”

“Yes.”

Song Yuanlong frowned, confused. According to the earlier account from the two men, there were supposed to be two runners.

Did they go separate ways?

Their casual discussion, talking like he wasn’t even there, had the “deckhand” turning red and white alternately.

Knowing he was made, he suddenly bolted for the door, trying to duck past them and make a break for it.

Yang Xiaoyun sidestepped to cut her off, lifting an arm to seize. The 'crew member' stood her ground, unfazed, parting her hands defensively—one to fend off Yang Xiaoyun's grapple, while the other covertly gestured at Su Mo.

Her plan was simple: first, to hold off Yang Xiaoyun, then seize Su Mo to make an escape.

If lucky, she could’ve flipped the script and reversed the situation.

Unfortunately, she’d clearly miscalculated.

Though Yang Xiaoyun's skills lay primarily in her family's Canglong Bahuang Dianyun Spear technique, her close combat was just as sharp.

Otherwise, she’d be screwed if someone closed in.

They traded blows in quick succession, but in terms of technique, the 'crew member's' grappling skills outclassed Yang’s own techniques.

Yang raised an eyebrow, remarking, "Truly impressive claw technique!"

Yet as she spoke, her fingers pulsed with internal energy, forcefully breaking the 'crew member's' grip. Her fingers then shot toward the woman's shoulder, sliding down along several pressure points toward the wrist before twisting sharply.

The 'crew member' let out a yelp, involuntarily turning as Yang Xiaoyun wrenched an arm behind her.

But the other arm still thrashed, trying to break free.

Yang Xiaoyun effortlessly seized it as well, pinning both wrists with a light chuckle.

"Your family's techniques are quite refined, young lady."

"...You relied on internal energy to win—not exactly fair play," the 'crew member' retorted stubbornly.

Yang Xiaoyun couldn't help but snort. "In combat, victory or defeat decides the outcome—since when do fights have rules? Besides, if I stubbornly fought your strengths with my weaknesses, wouldn’t that be foolish?"

"You’re insufferable!"

The 'crew member' thrashed uselessly, only to find her resistance met with empty air as a shove sent her stumbling back, freed from restraint.

Turning back, she saw Yang Xiaoyun smiling.

"Young lady, ease up on the attitude.

"Look, if not for my husband's willingness to spare you, you’d be dragged back to Twin Heroes Island by Shangguan Zhiyuan and Xi Menxiong today."

"What?!"

The 'crew member's' face paled.

Earlier, she’d felt something off—why had the ship's crew suddenly stirred while she slept?

She knew something was wrong but not what exactly.

After a brief assembly, everyone was dismissed, but while her roommates were called away, she was left alone.

That was when she knew trouble was coming.

Yet the cabin had no windows, and with guards at the door, escape was impossible.

But she never expected that Shangguan Zhiyuan and Ximen Xiong would come in person.

However, at this thought, she cast a doubtful and uneasy glance at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun:

"Uncle Zhiyuan's martial arts are extraordinary, and that Ximen bastard is even more formidable.

"If they personally came to capture me...

"Could you really stop them?"

"The two you mentioned have already returned."

Su Mo produced two tokens from his pocket—one engraved with 'Shangguan' and the other with 'Ximen'—and flashed them at the 'waiter':

"Young Miss Shangguan, surely you'd recognize your own family’s token, wouldn’t you?"

"They actually gave you tokens?"

The 'waiter' was none other than Shangguan Jingjing. Earlier, when she displayed her martial arts, it was clear she was using the Shangguan Family’s Sky-Grasping Eagle Claw Style.

Now, seeing the tokens Su Mo produced, she was completely shocked:

"What exactly did you do?

"Our family and the Ximen Family’s tokens are not handed out to just anyone."

"Young Miss Shangguan, this is not the place to talk."

Su Mo smiled. "May I invite you to talk somewhere private?"

Shangguan Jingjing nodded.

Since Su Mo had the ability to obtain these two tokens—and from Shangguan Zhiyuan and Ximen Xiong, no less—it proved he must be seriously capable.

If he had wanted to forcibly capture her and take her out of the cabin, it would've been easy.

Now that he was asking nicely, she thought there was no reason to refuse.

Even if he were to hand her over to Shangguan Zhiyuan and Ximen Xiong, she could only count herself unlucky.

She followed them calmly, bringing up the rear.

Once on the deck, however, she saw no sign of Ximen Xiong or Shangguan Zhiyuan and finally relaxed.

Following Su Mo to the ship’s lounge, everyone sat down.

Su Mo had someone serve Shangguan Jingjing a cup of steaming tea and began looking her over.

Her appearance was impossible to see clearly—her face was smeared with dirt, and while her disguise was half-hearted, it did hide what she really looked like.

He gave a dry laugh:

"Speaking of which, wasn’t this Young Master Ximen with you when you left?

"Any idea where he went?"

"..."

Shangguan Jingjing hesitated for a moment, but after glancing at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, she answered truthfully:

"We were recognized at the docks.

"We didn’t dare travel together, to avoid raising suspicion.

"So we agreed to meet… elsewhere."

"Elsewhere?"

Su Mo gave her a thoughtful look.

Shangguan Jingjing held his gaze briefly before looking down, conceding:

"Tianqi Island. We agreed to meet at Tianqi Island."

"Ah, I see."

Su Mo smiled. "You held back earlier—were you worried I might tip off your family and his?"

"..."

Shangguan Jingjing dropped her gaze, silent.

"Then why did you decide to tell me now?"

Su Mo asked, amused.

Shangguan Jingjing frowned, as if calculating the risks, before finally sighing:

"I’m betting on a chance."

Su Mo exchanged a knowing look with Yang Xiaoyun, then smiled.

"Go on—what’s your wager?"

"That you… might help me one more time."

At this point, Shangguan Jingjing looked up at Su Mo, her expression steadying.

"You helped me once already, and you succeeded in taking those tokens from the two of them.

"That alone proves your skill.

"And… you have kindness to spare.

"Now, I’m stranded in unknown lands.

"Without assistance, reaching Tianqi Island would be next to impossible.

"What’s worse, the Shangguan and Ximen families might be hunting me at every step.

"I’d be caught well before I ever reached Tianqi Island.

"But if you’re willing to help me, even if they catch up, flashing those tokens should stop them in their tracks.

"That way, I can safely reach Tianqi Island and… meet my Ximen brother again."

"So this honesty comes with a price?"

Yang Xiaoyun smiled faintly.

Miss Shangguan sighed:

"Since I've already left home, I have no intention of going back."

"Now, I must either fight through all hardships to be with Master Ximen forever..."

"Or... die out on this endless sea, better than living a life against my will."

Su Mo gently massaged his temples and glanced at Yang Xiaoyun:

"See? I told you women always take their lover's side."

"..."

Yang Xiaoyun rolled her eyes at Su Mo. "Haven't I done the same?"

Su Mo was struck speechless, finding no way to argue with that.

Though Yang Yizhi had merely been acting back then, Yang Xiaoyun had indeed cut ties with Old Yang for his sake.

Saying she "took her lover's side" wasn't unfair at all.

He could only turn back to Shangguan Jingjing:

"But I wonder, Miss Shangguan, what are your plans after reuniting with Master Ximen at Tianqi Island?"

"From what I see, both your families seem determined to pursue you."

"They won't give up easily."

"I know that well and have a plan ready."

Shangguan Jingjing paused here, then looked at Su Mo:

"But I don't know if... you'd be willing to help me?"

"Miss Shangguan already said I like to help lovebirds."

Su Mo smiled. "I wouldn't mind lending a hand to Miss Shangguan to see this through."

Shangguan Jingjing lit up with joy and was about to rise to thank him.

Then Su Mo's tone shifted: "However..."

"However what...?"

Shangguan Jingjing asked urgently.

"Miss Shangguan may be alone, but on my ship, feeding people and horses isn't cheap."

"Moreover, helping you dodge the Ximen Family and your own family's pursuit along the way—if we're lucky, no problem. But if we hit trouble..."

"That means crossing both families."

"The risks are way too high..."

Su Mo wore a pained look. "If it was only me, it wouldn't matter. But my ship has many lives counting on me—I can't not be responsible for them."

At first, Shangguan Jingjing thought Su Mo was just trying to exploit her situation.

She felt a surge of anger.

But upon hearing his later remarks, she found them reasonable and understandable.

With a frown, she demanded, "Then what do you want?"

Su Mo sighed:

"I wouldn’t dare ask for too much. Sigh... I just wish my martial arts were stronger. Otherwise, I wouldn’t care about crossing these two families."

"This..."

Shangguan Jingjing glanced at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

She believed him.

Even though Yang Xiaoyun had overpowered her with internal energy in their fight, her techniques were sharper.

With that thought, she smacked her palm and declared:

"In that case, why don’t I teach you my family’s Heavenly Eagle Manual!?"

"Ah!"

Su Mo was stunned.

You’re seriously this generous? Does your father, Shangguan Hongtu, know about this?

Your family’s secret techniques—you can’t just hand those out!

He quickly waved his hands:

"That’s too generous—I can’t accept!"

Shangguan Jingjing’s enthusiasm wilted at his refusal:

"Then what should we do? I... I don’t have anything worthwhile on me now and truly don’t know how to repay you..."

Su Mo smiled faintly:

"Honestly, I’d never dream of taking the Shangguan or Ximen Families’ secrets.

"Moreover, if your families found out, I’d be in deep trouble.

"But..."

He hesitated.

Shangguan Jingjing urged, "Just say it. If it’s something I or my sworn brother from the Ximen Family can do, just ask."

"Very well..."

Su Mo shook his head. "This might be too much to ask.

"But since the opportunity is rare, I’ll go ahead and say it."

The words were cryptic, making Shangguan Jingjing's heart race uncertainly about what this person truly wanted to say.

After glancing at Yang Xiaoyun, she felt slightly more at ease and waited quietly for what would follow.

Then she heard Su Mo say:

"I have long admired the Ximen Family's martial arts. It is said they inherited two legendary techniques in the past.

"One is called the Great Transformation Enlightened Mind Sutra, while the other is the Jade Crown Heart Tempering Sutra, the current heritage of the Ximen Family.

"I wouldn't presume to seek the Jade Crown Heart Tempering Sutra.

"However, I would like to ask Young Master Ximen about the location of the ancient heritage.

"To see if I might find the legendary Great Transformation Enlightened Mind Sutra.

"This technique is not part of the Ximen Family's heritage, so I doubt it would anger them."

"What? You want to go there too?"

"Also?"

Su Mo blinked in surprise and his eyes automatically went to Yang Xiaoyun.

"Well..."

After pausing briefly, Shangguan Jingjing spoke solemnly:

"Truth be told, our escape plan was actually someone else's doing.

"We don’t know this person’s origins.

"But their martial arts are peerless, their cunning remarkable, and their reach limitless.

"During today’s marriage tournament, the reason Zhou Chang could defeat his opponents was because they all received instructions from that person, leading to Zhou Chang’s 'defeating all challengers.'

"And this person went through all this trouble to help us plan this.

"Precisely... precisely for the location of the Ximen Family’s heritage site."

Hearing this, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun couldn’t help but feel their hearts skip a beat.

However, they kept straight faces. Su Mo put on a show of surprise and said:

"Is that so?

"You agreed?"

"Hmm..."

Shangguan Jingjing smiled faintly: "Truth be told, the Ximen Family’s heritage site has been martial world gossip for ages. But in reality, it isn’t that mysterious.

"Young Master Ximen once made it clear to me that his ancestors once followed the trail to find it.

"And they did find it...

"But aside from a crumbling, abandoned Taoist temple, there was nothing left.

"With no sign of the Great Transformation Enlightened Mind Sutra."

"So when that person proposed this, the man didn't hesitate and agreed directly."

"I see."

Su Mo nodded slightly, though his mind lingered on the mention of the 'dilapidated Taoist temple.'

Could that be the Cuixin Temple?

If the Nanhai Cuixin Temple Wan Yutang spoke of was indeed that place, then regardless of the circumstances, he would likely have to go and investigate.

Moreover, if it was truly as Young Miss Shangguan said—that the place was already empty—then why would those digging into its location go to such lengths?

There was probably more to it than met the eye.

In any case, the Nanhai Cuixin Temple was connected to the Xuanji Token, so it couldn’t be taken lightly.

If no one else was interested, he could have waited until after his trip to Western Province before deciding whether to visit.

But now that someone was actively investigating this matter, he couldn’t just leave it be.

What if these people were also affiliated with the Jinglong Society?

There might even be unexpected windfalls.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, he heard Shangguan Jingjing say:

"Would you like to change your condition?"

Su Mo smiled. "No need for that. As the saying goes, 'Gain is luck, loss is fate.'

"I’ve long been eyeing it, and I’ve already prepared myself for the possibility of finding nothing.

"But without seeing it, I’ll never be satisfied.

"So… I ask for your help, Young Miss Shangguan."

"Very well."

Shangguan Jingjing nodded. "That’s easily done. Elder Brother Ximen agreed with them that once we’re safely on Tianqi Isle, we’ll hand over the sea chart.

"Once we’re safe, I’ll have him make a duplicate for you."

"Good."

Su Mo stood up. "My thanks, Young Miss Shangguan."

"No, it is I who owe you thanks."

Shangguan Jingjing finally relaxed.

Later, Su Mo found Song Yuanlong and Yin Xiaoyu to see to lodgings for Young Miss Shangguan.

When Shangguan Jingjing saw Yin Xiaoyu, she betrayed no surprise.

She trailed behind them as they departed.

At this moment, the couple exchanged a smile, and Yang Xiaoyun pouted, saying:

"Picking on a kid like this isn't the demeanor befitting the First Master of Donghuang."

"Yet I didn’t see my lady stopping me either."

Su Mo chuckled wryly: "But this young miss truly seems to have been spoiled rotten by Shangguan Hongtu, completely unaware of the dangers of the jianghu."

As he spoke, his smile faded slightly:

"We’d better pick up the pace."

Who these other chart-seekers are, we still don’t know.

But those two youngsters might not walk away unharmed after handing over what they desire.

I wonder if this Young Master Ximen is as... clueless as Young Miss Shangguan.