It was thought that all would be peaceful from then on, but suddenly, a horn sounded in the distance.
Turning back, I saw several large ships and a cluster of small boats, approaching like a tidal wave.
While I was still wondering, I suddenly heard laughter from the wind, the meaning of which I couldn't grasp.
After the laughter, I heard a man reciting a poem.
"Known throughout the four seas, a blush of red is carried by the wind."
Looking around in confusion, I wondered which master it might be.
Suddenly, with a "whoosh," a group of people emerged from beneath the water.
Each of them held a sharp hook and rope, which they threw at me.
Without time to think, I leaped up and dove into the water.
Suddenly, with a "boom," a cannon blast instantly destroyed the small boat.
I poked my head out in terror, watching the shattered remnants of the boat, my heart filled with extreme fear.
It seemed that if they caught me, they would surely make me wish I were dead. I had to escape quickly.
With a flick of my body like a carp, I dove back into the water.
However, on the larger ships not far away, not a single person dared to enter the sea.
It turned out that this was originally the territory of the Dragon Clan. Although it was rumored that the Dragon Clan had died out thousands of years ago, no one had ever truly confirmed it.
Therefore, they dared not act recklessly and enter the sea without caution.
Everyone on the ship was anxious, able to see but not take action, which was incredibly frustrating.
One of them inquired of the leading captain, Si Fanghai.
"Sir, the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts has already escaped into the water. What should we do now?"
Si Fanghai stood at the bow of the ship, dressed in fine robes and a red cape.
Gazing at the sea, he was not worried at all and replied calmly.
"She cannot escape. She is just above the shallow waters. Send a few more people to drive her up."
"Yes."
A small team of ten sea experts quickly jumped into the sea, swimming like fish as they searched for the evildoer's trace.
At this moment, they seemed to hear the movement of the sea, discerning the sound waves emanating from within.
They soon discovered my whereabouts and hurried to pursue me.
After swimming not far, I realized something was wrong; the people in the water before had completely vanished.
Before I could think further, a flying rope suddenly shot out and entangled my legs.
The person hidden in the deep water then swam up, dragging the rope towards the large ship.
It was only then that I came to my senses and forcefully broke the rope.
I regretted not having learned to swim properly; now, when it was needed, I could barely move.
Suddenly, I spotted a patch of seaweed not far away, perhaps a place to hide.
I then remembered the breaststroke I had seen others do on television and imitated it with a semblance of skill.
Unexpectedly, it actually worked, and I moved forward step by swaying step.
At this moment, the people behind me saw this and threw hooks again, attempting to snag me.
I grabbed one with a backward motion and pulled it straight into the seaweed.
They seemed somewhat afraid and had to let go, slowly pursuing me.
Searching carefully within the drifting seaweed, they found nothing.
Convinced I had escaped, they swam to the surface, returned to the large ship, and reported to Si Fanghai.
"Lord Hai, that person has escaped?"
"Where did she escape to?"
"Into the seaweed. We pursued her but could not find her trace."
Upon hearing this, he suddenly smiled and said to the person beside him.
"Bring the bow and arrows."
"Yes."
A moment later, the bow and arrows were brought. He took them, then used the arrowhead to cut his palm, smearing his blood all over the arrow shaft.
He then nocked the arrow, drew the bowstring, and shot it into the sea, saying leisurely.
"Let's go."
I hid beneath the seaweed and waited for a long time. Seeing no movement on the surface, I slowly swam up.
I wondered how they, with their skills, could not have found me, yet they let me go so easily.
Despite my doubts, I couldn't stay here any longer; escaping was the priority.
Just as I was about to leave, dense clusters of bubbles suddenly rose from the depths of the seabed.
In a daze, a smear of red spread through the water, and a giant dark shadow surged up from the seabed.
I quickly swam away using the breaststroke, but suddenly noticed a pair of glowing red eyes in the sea.
Those red eyes, like two giant light bulbs, swam towards me.
As I was marveling, a large pincer suddenly emerged from the seabed, extending above the water, blocking my path.
Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a large crab claw, and I was instantly startled.
From this large crab claw, I could tell how big it was. I hurriedly maneuvered around it, trying to swim past.
Who knew that it would extend another claw and suddenly clamp down on me?
Then, it dragged me into the water, revealing a gaping abyss-like mouth, about to swallow me whole.
I struggled with all my might, but it was ultimately in vain.
In desperation, I mustered all my strength and punched its head.
It trembled slightly, loosening its grip on me.
Taking the opportunity, I kicked it in the face, using the momentum to propel myself forward.
It recovered and, waving its large claws, pursued me relentlessly.
In a trance, I saw a patch of lush green seaweed ahead and immediately had an idea.
I led it straight towards it, and the giant crab chased me, swimming through the seaweed.
After a few turns, it became firmly entangled by the seaweed.
I looked back, smiled triumphantly, and was about to leave leisurely, when, surprisingly, it opened its large mouth and began to eat the seaweed.
Seeing that the situation was not right, I kicked it again and forcefully pushed myself towards the surface.
With a carp-like flip, I landed steadily on a piece of wood.
The giant crab pursued me relentlessly, suddenly opening its mouth and drawing in a large amount of water, creating a massive vortex.
It intended to suck me in.
In a panic, I remembered the Qinggong I had seen on television and, with a trial-and-error attitude, leaped up, landing on the water's surface, and then quickly leaped again.
I was astonished and delighted, muttering to myself.
"Hahaha, I never thought your demonic power could be used like this.
You didn't even tell me, causing me to suffer so much."
Using the legendary "Lingbo Weibu" (Waves-Treading Steps), I hopped and skipped towards the shore.
Before long, I saw a stretch of beach in the distance.
Finally, I moved quickly and leaped ashore.
Suddenly, a large net descended from the sky, ensnaring me.
At this moment, the enemies hidden around the area excitedly surrounded me.
I looked at these people with some fear; they all had fierce expressions, like demons.
One burly man, seeing this scene, couldn't help but laugh.
"I thought it was some important figure, but it's just a little girl. Isn't this an insult?"
Someone beside him replied coldly.
"Yuan Yi, don't underestimate this girl. She could take your life."
"Don't try to scare me. I'm not easily intimidated."
"If you don't believe me, you can try."
"If you say so, I will."
Just as he was about to step forward, someone behind them shouted loudly.
"Lord Hai has arrived!"
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately parted to the sides, clearing a path.
At this moment, from not far away, a person slowly walked over.
He was dressed somewhat like an official from Zheng He's voyages, with a red cape draped behind him.
His expression was stern, with a hint of the demeanor of a high-ranking eunuch from the Eastern Depot.
He looked young, appearing to be only thirty or forty years old.
Seeing him arrive, everyone cupped their hands and shouted in unison.
"Lord Hai."
It seemed he was a person of great importance; judging by his attire, he was from the government.
Si Fanghai walked up to me. Without rushing to pass judgment, he took a wanted poster handed to him by someone nearby.
He slowly unfolded it and began to compare it carefully.
After a long while, he finally spoke.
"Looking at this appearance, it bears some resemblance. It should be her."
The burly man from before, lacking tact, spoke up.
"Lord Hai, this girl looks petite and lovely. I doubt it could be her."
He still had some conscience.
Si Fanghai slowly turned his head, looking at him with his intensely authoritative gaze, and smiled faintly.
The burly man felt a chill run down his spine and immediately changed his tune.
"Everything is as Lord Hai commands."
Si Fanghai then turned back with satisfaction, looked at me again, and said.
"Young lady, do you know your crime?"
I frowned slightly. If I had to speak of crimes, I indeed had committed them. Having killed so many people, it was a grave offense.
So, I nodded slightly in affirmation.
He smiled slightly, quite pleased, and began to enumerate my crimes.
"The death of King Huan Shan, the death of the passerby, the death of the pursued – all done by you, right?"
I remained silent, only nodding slightly.
He suddenly relaxed, ordered his men to spread the net, drew a sword, and threw it before me, saying.
"If you know your crime, please take your own life. That way, you will have a whole body. Your sins are deep; you must be a good person in your next life."
Listening to his every word, I knew I had nowhere to escape, so I decided to end it all.
I slowly raised the sword, about to commit seppuku.
Suddenly, a gust of demonic wind blew, making it impossible to open my eyes.
Even the sword in my hand was blown away.
I cautiously observed the scene before me, wondering if I should escape. I slowly got up, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, a translucent long sword landed on my shoulder, and a voice said faintly.
"Where are you going?"
I turned around in confusion, meeting Si Fanghai's gaze.
Before I could react, the net that had been removed suddenly flew back and ensnared me.
Si Fanghai put down his sword and asked me.
"Do you wish to end yourself, or shall I help you?"
I was slightly stunned, not understanding.
At this moment, the strong wind passed, and everyone else came back to their senses, tidying their disheveled hair and swaying back to Si Fanghai's side.
Seeing that I did not respond, Si Fanghai understood my decision. He turned away silently and said to the person behind him.
"Kill her!"
Then, the surrounding crowd, having received the order, drew their swords and charged forward with raised blades.
I smiled faintly, thinking that self-termination was something I could do, but now, my life was my own to decide.
With a sudden burst of strength, I grabbed the net, tore a large opening in it, and then flung it upwards, smashing it towards the crowd.
With a leap and a roll, I attempted to escape.
Suddenly, a figure split into multiple forms and moved forward, landing before me, a long sword pointed directly at me.
Looking up slightly, I saw that person was none other than Si Fanghai.
He frowned slightly, his face full of suspicion.
"Such powerful demonic energy. I feel like I've encountered this demonic energy somewhere before."
I felt a sense of confusion. Didn't they already know I was the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts?
Why then, did he not know? Could it be? There were two groups?
Although I thought this, I was not clear about their situation at the moment. It was best to escape first.
Seeing his momentary hesitation, I quickly stepped forward, intending to snatch his sword.
Unexpectedly, he was quick-handed, kicking my hand away with one foot, then another kick sent me flying.
I rolled twice on the sandy ground before stopping, slowly getting up, and wiping the sand off my face with one hand.
Seeing how easily I was defeated, he smiled calmly and confidently.
"You dare to touch my sword."
Saying this, he suddenly raised his sword, pointed it at me again, and asked.
"Who exactly are you?"
It seemed he truly didn't know. I smiled slightly. Since he didn't know, why would I tell him?
Then, with a quick lunge, I kicked up flying sand to blind him.
Rising sideways, I delivered a spinning kick towards him, but he dodged it.
He then raised his sword and thrust it quickly. I couldn't dodge in time and was wounded in the arm by his sword.
The people behind watched for a long time before remembering to do something. They all chased after me and surrounded me again.
Si Fanghai, however, was not in a hurry. He shouted.
"All of you, stand aside. Let me have a duel with her."
Upon hearing this, everyone immediately retreated, leaving an open space.
He walked up to someone, took the sword from his hand, and threw it to me, saying.
"Show me your strength and have a good fight with me. If you win, I'll let you go."
I took a soft breath and asked him.
"Is that true?"
"It is true."
"Good."
Without hesitation, I raised my sword, slowly closed my eyes, and recalled the wuxia dramas I had watched in the human world.
Thinking of the moves of the wuxia characters, I could only vaguely remember: drawing the sword, parrying the sword, striking quickly, and delivering a fatal blow.
Without time to think, I could only react.
I brandished my sword and charged at him. He effortlessly blocked this sword strike and then pushed me away forcefully.
Then, he swung his sword, beating me so badly that I had no power to retaliate.
He seemed to have discovered something and said.
"You possess powerful demonic energy, yet you don't even know how to use a sword. It seems this demonic energy doesn't belong to you."
I frowned slightly, wondering what else he might guess.
Seeing that I did not reply, he continued to guess as he swung his sword.
"This demonic energy, however, seems to come from one person, the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts from a thousand years ago."
Upon hearing him guess correctly, I was not afraid, as this was no longer a secret.
He continued to himself.
"Recently, there have been rumors that the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts has been resurrected. I guess you are the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
At these words, everyone present was astonished, staring at me in a daze.
A man who looked somewhat thin, holding a sword, said, dumbfounded.
"She, she, she is, is the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts? The King of Ten Thousand Ghosts is a woman?"
Everyone was also shocked. The burly man exclaimed even more.
"My heavens, I thought she was just an ordinary young girl. I never expected her to be the ruthless King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
A man beside him, harboring resentment and strong animosity towards the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, said fiercely.
"King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, if she truly is the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, then she is someone everyone should slay. Heaven and earth will not tolerate her."
Another person agreed and added.
"Then killing her is only natural. Lord Hai, I think I'll help you."
Si Fanghai, however, refused.
"No need. She is indeed the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, but not the true King of Ten Thousand Ghosts."
"Not the true King of Ten Thousand Ghosts?"
Everyone was confused, not understanding what he meant.
But he did not elaborate further. For everyone,
Knowing that I was the King of Ten Thousand Ghosts was enough. As for whether I was the true King of Ten Thousand Ghosts, who cared?
He smiled faintly and swung his sword.
"Alright, the match is over. Leave your life behind!"
Si Fanghai:
"Known throughout the four seas, a blush of red is carried by the wind."
Si Fanghai, a maritime voyager from Nanhai City.
His true form is a descendant of the ancient divine beast, Yu'er Shen.
In his youth, he lived by the vast ocean and was intimately familiar with the ocean's movements and dangers.
Therefore, after coming of age, he was noticed by the City Lord of Nanhai City and promoted to Maritime Governor.