An Jiu and Chu Dingjiang carried their food boxes back to their cabin.
On the way, they saw a woman in purple standing at the ship’s bow, her clothes fluttering in the wind. She wore a black veiled hat, concealing her face. Though her features were hidden, her tall, well-proportioned figure was evident. Her dress hugged her curvaceous body, clearly defining her alluring silhouette—a sight that captivated the Song Dynasty men accustomed to more modest views.
Such a woman was rare even in Bianjing, let alone on a ship. Many passengers taking the air on the deck wanted to approach her, but sensing she wasn’t a courtesan, they hesitated to make advances.
An Jiu and Chu Dingjiang exchanged glances, then looked at the purple-clad woman.
Chu Dingjiang’s gaze swept over her briefly before he and An Jiu turned to enter the cabin.
Once inside, they remained silent as they ate. After finishing, An Jiu asked, “Did you notice anything?”
“Liao people,” Chu Dingjiang replied. Years of confronting Liao’s enemies had honed his ability to recognize their distinct traits, even when disguised. He could tell the difference even if they were completely covered, let alone with such a thin disguise.
As he cleared the dishes, he said softly, “This ship is quite lively.”
When they first boarded, the situation wasn’t so complex. There were only a few sixth or seventh-level martial artists hired by the boatman for protection. This woman must have booked a cabin in advance but boarded just before departure.
While An Jiu paced in the cabin, Chu Dingjiang went to return the dishes.
On his way back, he saw the purple-clad woman still at the bow. Unexpectedly, she turned, and their eyes met.
As the veil lifted slightly, Chu Dingjiang glimpsed her red lips curving into a smile.
Knowing she was looking at him, Chu Dingjiang still glanced around before bowing slightly, “Miss, do we know each other?”
The woman in purple just smiled and shook her head gently.
Chu Dingjiang quickly realized she was testing him. Almost every man on deck wanted to approach her, but her aura of unapproachability kept them at bay. Now that she was showing interest, what man wouldn’t seize the opportunity?
To approach or retreat—that was the question.
A thought flashed through his mind, and Chu Dingjiang smiled, striding towards her. “May I ask why the miss is looking at me?”
“You seem to be from the jianghu world. Which sect do you belong to?” the purple-clad woman asked.
“I’m Lin Hu, the escort leader from Weiwu Escort Agency. And you are…?” Chu Dingjiang inquired.
“Bai Lengqiu of the Kunlun Sect,” the woman bowed slightly. “This is my first time entering the pass. I’m unfamiliar with the area. If we’re heading the same way, could you perhaps show me the beautiful sights of Jiangnan?”
The Kunlun Sect was outside the pass, and she didn’t deny being a foreigner.
Jianghu folk were usually straightforward, so while Bai Lengqiu’s request was abrupt, it wasn’t too strange.
“Ah, Miss Bai! My apologies for not recognizing you,” Chu Dingjiang said, genuinely having heard of a disciple named Bai Lengqiu under the Kunlun Sect’s leader. He kept his doubts to himself and warmly asked, “Where are you headed, Miss Bai?”
“I’ve heard that the beauty of Suzhou and Hangzhou is unparalleled, even in heaven. Kunlun has always been considered closest to the divine realm, so I want to see if our Kunlun is more beautiful or if Suzhou and Hangzhou surpass it,” Bai Lengqiu’s voice carried a slight huskiness, not quite clear but captivating. However, her words were filled with girlish innocence, creating an alluring mix of sensuality and naivety that was increasingly tantalizing.
“As fellow travelers, I should certainly help. However, I have urgent business in Hangzhou,” Chu Dingjiang paused briefly, then continued, “But I have friends in Jiangning. I can write you an introduction, and they’ll surely take good care of you. I’ll be in Hangzhou for three months, so you can come there after you’ve had your fill of Jiangning.”
“Thank you for your kindness,” Bai Lengqiu lifted her black veil, revealing her face.
Several men around them instantly lost their composure. Her beauty was unique—long, alluring eyes with deep double eyelids, a high nose bridge, and eyebrows that seemed close to her eyes, arching gracefully. Her skin was as white as snow. At first glance, her eyes appeared jet black, but in the lamplight, they shimmered with a faint blue-gray, mixing with the orange firelight to create a mesmerizing, liquid-like depth.
Her features combined lush beauty with icy purity, allure with a hint of majesty—a rare kind of beauty.
Indeed, her appearance didn’t resemble that of a Liao person.
Chu Dingjiang, seemingly dazzled, stuttered for a moment before awkwardly asking, “Which room are you staying in? I’ll send the letter there.”
“Room 4 in the Tian section,” Bai Lengqiu replied.
“I’ll bring it to you shortly,” Chu Dingjiang hesitated, appearing reluctant to leave. Finally, he bowed and strode away.
Bai Lengqiu lowered her veil, confusion flickering in her blue-gray eyes. Could he not be from the Crane Control Army after all?
Chu Dingjiang walked swiftly through the narrow corridor, his mind racing.
An Jiu, having just finished practicing the Duan Jing Palm technique, noticed his unusual expression and asked, “What happened?”
“The woman in purple approached me, claiming to be Bai Lengqiu from the Kunlun Sect,” Chu Dingjiang mused. “Her appearance doesn’t resemble a Liao person, and she’s not wearing a human skin mask…”
Everything seemed unrelated to Liao, but Chu Dingjiang trusted his instincts. He took out paper and brush to write a letter introducing Bai Lengqiu to his friend in Jiangning.
An Jiu sat across from him. “I’ve noticed something too.”
Chu Dingjiang paused, waiting for her to continue.
“There’s someone on this ship whose power I can’t discern. I’ve only encountered one such person before,” An Jiu said. “It’s the madman.”
“He wasn’t here when we boarded, but suddenly appeared just now. It’s strange,” An Jiu found this unsettling and asked, “What should we do?”
“There are ways to conceal one’s aura. Lu Danzhi is skilled in unique techniques, so it’s not surprising if he can hide his power,” Chu Dingjiang pondered. “Let’s not provoke anything. A confrontation on the ship would put us at a disadvantage.”
Chu Dingjiang was cunning and experienced; An Jiu didn’t doubt his decision.
Unaware that his image had shifted from “understanding uncle” to “cunning old fox” in An Jiu’s mind, Chu Dingjiang was pleased with her trust.
“Is this woman here to find the madman? Or is the madman here for her?” An Jiu stated confidently. “I don’t think their presence on the same ship is a coincidence.”
Chu Dingjiang also strongly suspected that this Bai Lengqiu might be Yelü Hangwu. No one would expect such a mastermind to boldly enter Song territory, let alone Bianjing! But given Yelü Hangwu’s ruthless and cunning schemes, perhaps she did have such audacity.
If true, he would laugh at the irony—Liao people freely entering and leaving the capital showed how lax Song’s defenses had become.
Footsteps approached outside. An Jiu glanced at Chu Dingjiang, and then someone knocked on the door.
Chu Dingjiang went to open it.
An Jiu gripped the dagger in her sleeve.