There was no pursuit from Changxian Cave or other caves, nor did the supposed ambush of "Cao Kaixiu's encirclement" appear, possibly due to the deviation towards the northwest. A small rock cave near a pool provided a place to rest. Besides cooking, Gou'er spent his days accompanying Lin Chaoying in recuperation, while Wang Chongyang was outside procuring food and guarding them.
"Gou'er, have we left that place?" Lin Chaoying asked as soon as she regained consciousness.
Gou'er nodded.
Thus, they had left that place, left… a familiar yet seemingly incomplete land. From now on, everything would be…
After traveling northwest for three days, they turned south, heading towards Jinzhou. Seeing that Lin Chaoying's spirit and strength had recovered, but she still couldn't use her internal energy, Wang Chongyang settled them in an abandoned farmhouse and planned to go to the small town ahead to try and buy some medicinal herbs for blood circulation and calming the nerves. Before leaving, he repeatedly instructed Gou'er, "If you encounter danger, evade it and then return here. You must wait for me here, understand?" The town was short on supplies, and he only managed to find two or three of the herbs he needed. Anxious, Wang Chongyang did not want to delay. After purchasing a few more items, he hurried back under the cover of night. It was nearing dawn, with no moon, the sky at its deepest. Yet, Wang Chongyang saw a dark figure standing by the broken fence. He immediately rushed forward with his remaining strength, his haste and excitement overriding his caution. He exclaimed, "Are you well?" Lin Chaoying replied, "I am, and I will surely take your head as planned." She then turned and returned inside.
Hiring a carriage, Lin Chaoying and Gou'er remained inside for extended periods, not even coming out to stay at inns or eat. Wang Chongyang understood that they were still under the control of Moluan and the Jin dogs, and their staying out of sight would avoid trouble. Nevertheless, he couldn't help but wonder, intending to seek her forgiveness and mend their relationship on their way to Dengzhou this time. Now, he had no plan… Still, the fact that she was behind the carriage curtain made him feel content and secure.
Upon arriving in Jinzhou, the shortage of supplies was more severe than in any of the places they had passed. More people were dissatisfied with the Jin ruler's conscription order, and they were more wary of Lin Chaoying, dressed in her dark attire.
Lin Chaoying, impatient with Wang Chongyang's entrustment to the shopkeeper to find a boatman for the sea voyage, went to the seaside herself to scout for one after two days without any news.
Wang Chongyang could only follow, ready to prevent any incidents.
The empty seaside had only one not-so-large cargo ship.
"My vessel is temporarily unavailable for hire. You should look for another," said the boatman, a man with a very honest and kind appearance, but his attitude was indifferent. Lin Chaoying adjusted her dark robe and said, "You should know, I have my ways of requisitioning this ship." Wang Chongyang quickly smoothed things over, "We will not be stingy with the rent. We hope you can accommodate us." The woman beside the boatman smiled obsequiously and said, "Please wait a moment. Let us discuss it." Saying this, she pulled the boatman aside to talk. Lin Chaoying remarked, "I dislike her smile."
The boatman's name was Hai Zhuanhao, and the woman called herself Tao Sanniang, his wife. Their ship had two cabins.
"Sir, why don't you rest in the cabin as well?" Tao Sanniang asked solicitously. Wang Chongyang replied, "I can sit here. You have worked hard; it's better you use the rooms."
Lin Chaoying listened to their conversation outside her room. Let him guard outside one more time.
Most of the ship's food was caught and cooked at sea. Coupled with Tao Sanniang's exquisite cooking skills, it was truly mouth-watering. Lin Chaoying was also drawn to it, recalling how she always enjoyed good food when she was with him. At this moment, she heard Wang Chongyang ask, "Tao Sanniang, do you know how to make 'Pine Fragrance Grilled Mandarin Fish' from Su cuisine?" Tao Sanniang replied, "I'm sorry, I haven't heard of it." He still remembered… that meal was indeed memorable.
Gou'er was pleased to see her eating with gusto and was also surprised that she was no longer wary of strangers' food. After four days of sailing, they had crossed nearly half of the Bohai Sea. The thunderstorm from two days prior had ceased, but the weather was becoming increasingly muggy, and the wind direction was not very clear. "Tao Sanniang, my lady has been feeling unwell lately and has a poor appetite. Could you make some broth for her?" Gou'er asked. Wang Chongyang was anxious, suspecting it was a recurrence of her old ailment, which explained why she had been distant lately. Tao Sanniang replied, "Then, I'll stew some porridge with preserved fruits. It will surely whet Miss Lin's appetite."
Long clouds obscured the remaining sunlight, and the sea instantly turned gray. Two wraith-like dark figures were cast on the door leading to the cabins—Hai Zhuanhao shielded his wife, and Tao Sanniang smiled at her husband's thoughtfulness, saying, "Don't worry. Earlier, I added a small amount of my unique 'Golden Peach Powder' to every meal. It's colorless, odorless, and non-toxic. We'll rely on the preserved fruits in this meal mixed with 'Black Aconite Powder' to induce its toxicity. Once the poison takes effect, they'll immediately gasp for air and faint. It seems they are already inside, unconscious." The couple entered the cabin and saw Wang Chongyang slumped at the end of the corridor. Hai Zhuanhao raised his large saber. Tao Sanniang stopped him and whispered, "He was also driven by a moment of passion, by that demoness. Quickly kill the main culprit to appease our spirits in heaven." Entering the room, they saw Lin Chaoying and the other also unconscious. Hai Zhuanhao swung his saber towards Lin Chaoying's neck. With two light sounds, Hai Zhuanhao agilely used the saber's body to block Gou'er's "Lice Scratch," while Wang Chongyang simultaneously stabbed from behind with one of the Seven Forms of the Tomb, his sword attacking like a volley of crossbow bolts. Hai Zhuanhao turned and deflected it with a spinning saber. He then used "Sword Stab Like a Sword" in the narrow passage, forcing Wang Chongyang out of the cabin. Tao Sanniang's two weapons had handles only five inches long, with peach kernel-shaped blades fitted at both ends, capable of being used as daggers or as judging pens. Seeing her fingers dancing, striking, cutting, and piercing, she countered Gou'er's "Shrimp Whisker Hook" staff technique as if striking a snake's seven-inch vulnerable spot. However, she was concerned about her husband's condition and retreated while fighting onto the deck.
Wang Chongyang and Hai Zhuanhao clashed near the main mast on the right side of the porthole, and the boatman Xu Guang also joined the fray. He also wielded a saber, and although he lacked Hai Zhuanhao's immense strength, his moves were also fierce and imbued with power. Lin Chaoying followed Gou'er out, surveying the surroundings. Xu Guang noticed her and immediately held back some of his strength, guarding against any attack from her. Wang Chongyang, preoccupied with concern, also showed hesitation in his swordplay. Hai Zhuanhao, seizing the opportunity, kicked off the side of the ship and leaped up, his saber falling like thunder from above. His intention was to lure Wang Chongyang into using a deflecting move, and then he could pounce from behind to attack Lin Chaoying. Wang Chongyang saw through his intention and, gritting his teeth, attempted to use the "Golden Boy Swordplay" while channeling internal energy from his fist techniques. His moves were like a warrior galloping through dust, breaking through mountain passes; his strength was like their undying resolve to avenge and erase hatred. Lin Chaoying marveled at the synergy of the moves and strength in the "Golden Boy Swordplay," so powerful and fierce.
Hai Zhuanhao was repelled and fell towards the left side of the ship. Suddenly, rain poured down and waves surged, causing him to lose his footing and be thrown overboard, the massive waves churning as if ready to devour him. Lin Chaoying forcefully threw a steel rope, wrapping it around his waist. Xu Guang saw her action and, without hesitation, swung his palm towards her right flank. After being struck, Lin Chaoying flew backward several feet and fell, her momentum also pulling Hai Zhuanhao back onto the deck. Wang Chongyang, Gou'er, and Tao Sanniang immediately rushed to check on them. Hai Zhuanhao, having narrowly escaped, said, "Sanniang, quickly take her back to the room." Wang Chongyang glares at them menacingly with his sword. Hai Zhuanhao hurriedly said, "Lord Lao Tzu above, I swear on the heavens that if I have any more evil intentions, I shall not meet a good end."