Cloud Sea Nocturne

An invitation for a discussion, not an order to offer your life as tribute to the stars. The wording on this missive was starkly different from previous ones; it lacked the chilling killing intent, yet the overwhelming arrogance that disdained the very stars remained undiminished!

Du Chen glanced at the missive again, a mix of vexation and relief swirling in his heart. He had trusted Professor Mina’s intelligence too readily, failing to consider one crucial detail—Professor Mina had claimed the Foremost Assassin under Heaven only struck at the end or beginning of the month, during the Silver Moon’s Retreat. But this was merely an analysis based on the assassin's past actions. Who decreed that the Foremost Assassin under Heaven couldn’t act in the middle of the month!?

Thankfully, for some time now, his entire family had been residing on the Belkus. It was fortunate he had sent everyone to perform good deeds today; otherwise… if Beibei had still been on the ship when the Foremost Assassin under Heaven arrived, he would have regretted it eternally!

Upon Du Chen’s persistent questioning, the guard recounted the events in detail: “Mister Francis, that man, enveloped in a silver starlight, suddenly descended from the heavens, landing on the deck of the Belkus. By the time our brothers discovered him, he had already used battle qi to propel your vessel a considerable distance away.”

The guard pointed south towards the docks. “He headed in that direction. Our gang’s seagoing ships have already set out in pursuit!”

The Belkus usually docked at the southernmost pier of Battle God Isle, guarded by the brothers of the Red Sand Gang. Du Chen had saved their leader, Pied, so these brothers were extremely diligent.

Du Chen looked at the missive a third time. ‘An invitation for a discussion.’ It seemed the Foremost Assassin under Heaven wished to speak with him! In that case, there was no need to worry about him escaping beyond reach!

“Brothers, you’ve gone to great trouble. I still have a few matters that require your assistance!”

The guard was sharp-witted and quickly responded, “Thirteenth Master, please give your orders. Our leader said you are his life-saving benefactor, a bond forged through life and death! Your ship was stolen under our watch; if we cannot resolve this matter for you, we will have no face to meet our leader!”

“Haha, no need for such grave words!” Du Chen rubbed his nose thoughtfully before instructing, “First, go to the city and find my Battle God Retainer, Brook, and tell him to come here immediately. Then, have Harry take my daughter and Cassian, and with your escort, go to…”

He had intended to ask the Red Sand Gang to look after his daughter, but a second thought struck him: Kristina, the young mistress of the Red Sand Gang, and Annie were like sisters. Wouldn’t having them look after his daughter invite more trouble? “Have Harry take them to the library. My aunt, Sherine, misses Beibei anyway!”

The guard immediately turned to carry out the orders.

Du Chen stood by the sea, hands clasped behind his back, a slight frown on his brow. Flaying had vanished after safely passing the beginning of the month; Heaven knew where he was carousing. Now, only Deboning was available for his command… but that should be enough. Since Deboning’s battle qi had advanced, among the known peerless masters of this era, besides the Pontiff and Dragon God, who rarely made an appearance, only Roland and Flaying could decisively defeat him. At worst, Du Chen could conceal himself within the Precious Lotus Scripture, allowing Deboning to lead their escape; there would be absolutely no problem. For Deboning, known for his speed and skill, to flee, even the Foremost Assassin under Heaven would likely be left in the dust!

A short while later, Deboning flashed into appearance. Upon learning that Du Chen’s sacred ship had been seized, he merely let out a sinister chuckle, “He must pay a small price!”

A small skiff cut through the waves against the current, Du Chen standing at its bow, hands clasped behind his back. Deboning had already concealed himself within the Precious Lotus Scripture—multiple real-world battles had proven that a sudden, sneak attack by Deboning was far more potent than a direct confrontation! A faint trace of battle qi propelled the small boat slowly forward. Under the night sky, the scene of golden hair and white robes against the dark heavens and azure waters was indeed enchanting and splendid.

Along the way, they encountered several Red Sand Gang ships. The intelligence they brought made Du Chen sneer; the man piloting the Belkus sped up and slowed down erratically, seemingly deliberately allowing himself to be tracked and pursued, as if lying in wait specifically for Du Chen.

After sailing more than ten nautical miles eastward, the shadow of the Belkus appeared where the sky met the sea. As Du Chen approached, it had already come to a halt. The Red Sand Gang warships trailed far behind, some preparing to board and engage. “Brothers of the Red Sand, please stop. Tonight is an old friend’s reunion; I will board alone!” These ordinary gang members were far from a match for Deboning, and Du Chen did not wish for them to die needlessly. He touched his nose, secretly clutched two Precious Lotuses, and urged his boat forward.

“A fine ship! A fine man! And remarkable courage!”

A long, deep voice, like a dragon’s roar yet also a sword’s clang, emanated from the Belkus. “I was just wondering if you would come alone, or if you would be accompanied by High-level Battle Gods and armored warships!” He laughed heartily, “Since you have come alone, this audacity deserves a cup of ‘Star-Snow Sea’ personally brewed by me. Please!”

As Du Chen soared towards the Belkus, he felt a biting sea wind erupt before him, and an object whistled closer. Yet, it contained little battle qi; faintly, a fragrant aroma of wine wafted into his nostrils.

With three fingers, he delicately caught the base of the wine glass. In the most elegant aristocratic manner of wine tasting, he brought the silver-white, starlight-shimmering vintage in the crystal glass to his lips, taking a gentle sip. “Indeed, a fine wine!” Du Chen flew the glass back towards the man, using the opportunity to scrutinize him.

The so-called Foremost Assassin under Heaven did not resemble a bloodthirsty, sinister, and vicious killer; instead, he was more like a bard, refined and gentle! He had set up a rosewood round table on the deck, where he reclined, meticulously tending to a row of silver-white barware. He wore a star-patterned mask, revealing only half of a handsome face. Clad in black silk robes, a cascade of silver-starlight hair flowed loosely behind his head, dancing with the sea breeze.

“Galas!” He raised his glass and introduced himself. “But I prefer to be called ‘Heaven’s Will’!”

As he spoke, starlight shimmered on the Belkus, and the massive yacht actually lifted into the air, flying higher and higher. In a flash, clouds appeared before Du Chen’s eyes.

His thoughts were already linked to the Precious Lotus Scripture; Deboning could strike at any moment. Du Chen scanned the directionless clouds and chuckled, “Did you invite me just to drink in the sky?”

Galas smiled faintly but did not reply, instead calmly navigating the Belkus through the sea of clouds!

Was he intending to take him to some secret place? Du Chen was puzzled, but with Deboning at hand, he wasn’t overly concerned!

A long while passed.

“Of course, it’s not as simple as just drinking! I want to know something…” He turned, gazing across the sea of clouds. “Do you, in fact, have a beloved?”

Du Chen was secretly stunned. He had expected Galas’s question to be about that fabricated mysterious master, but how had it turned to whether he had a beloved?

“Does this matter concern you, esteemed sir?”

“Of course, it does!”

Galas leisurely explained, “Do you know why the Saint Dak family is holding this husband recruitment event?”

Du Chen shook his head slightly, not voicing his own guesses—that way, he could learn more from Galas.

“My family’s bloodline is very special; each generation of males can only marry women who possess Divine Grace to continue the lineage!” Galas noticed Du Chen’s peculiar expression and couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t misunderstand, I am a normal man and can seek out women, but only those with Divine Grace can bear my children, understand?”

‘Brother, you’re stronger than me!’ Du Chen curled his lip.

Galas continued, “In my generation, I am the only male heir in my family… To perpetuate the family bloodline, my family’s old patriarch scoured the Three Continents, searching for a woman with Divine Grace… and finally found one, Frinda!”

Du Chen gave a knowing smile, “But Frinda already has a marriage contract with me!”

“Indeed, Frinda already has a betrothal! But in the face of a crisis for the family bloodline, all etiquette and rules are mere hogwash! So, my family’s old patriarch shamelessly pretended not to know about Frinda’s existing betrothal, using the Divine Compact to propose to the Saint Dak family! The result was quite interesting!”

Galas elegantly mixed a drink for Du Chen, then poured himself a glass of iced water, continuing, “The Saint Dak family, constrained by the Divine Compact, couldn’t easily refuse my family, yet they also wanted to honor their promise to Madam Philia to marry Frinda to you, Francis! So, they devised a not-so-clever scheme—exploiting a loophole in the Divine Compact to escalate the matter, dragging in all the renowned young lords from across the land, and then secretly aiding you, Francis, in the chaos to marry Frinda!”

“So that’s why Battle God Isle has seen so much commotion recently, with so many young lords vying against each other!” Du Chen interjected with a laugh. “It seems we are ‘love rivals,’ but I’ll tell you clearly, I will not marry Frinda!”

“Wrong. We are not love rivals; we should be considered… brothers in shared misfortune! Ha!” Galas laughed loudly. “If you don’t want to marry that tomboy, do you think I want to marry her!?”

Du Chen was startled for a moment, then burst into laughter. “Indeed, brothers in shared misfortune! I’m being forced into marriage by the elders of the Saint Dak family, and you are being forced by your elders to marry Frinda! Ha, this is truly interesting, Mister Galas, what do you plan to do?”

“Originally, the situation should have proceeded as follows: I would remain in the shadows, feigning effort without actually contributing, watching you marry Frinda amidst the chaos! This way, I would have an explanation for my family, and you would become the son-in-law of the Saint Dak family, and also a member of the Fallen Gods. Thus, my family wouldn’t be able to trouble you!”

Galas stared at Du Chen with amusement. “But then you rejected the marriage! This infuriated me, do you understand? Those warring young lords below are merely pawns in the game between the Saint Dak family and mine. Only two people can truly marry Frinda—you, or me!”

Du Chen met Galas’s gaze without flinching, his voice growing cold. “So, if I withdraw, you will have to marry the Frinda you dislike!”

“Precisely. Only if you marry Frinda can I continue to live my good life in peace! Francis, we are brothers in shared misfortune, but one of us must fall into the quagmire of Frinda. So, who do you say it should be?”

The atmosphere instantly grew tense.

Du Chen calmly stated, “It certainly won’t be me; I have a beloved!” He grew wary.

Galas nodded. “I am not an unreasonable man; I would rather raze ten temples than sever a bond of true affection! If you truly have a beloved, I will not make trouble for you, my brother in misfortune! But honestly, I’ve investigated you for a long time… do you truly have one?”

His voice also turned cold. “My stance is simple: if you can prove you genuinely have a beloved, then I will find another way to reject the marriage—I will not trouble a pair of lovers! But if you do not have a beloved, then I apologize, but why can’t you marry Frinda?”

Both men stood up, their stances bristling with tension.

“Francis, let me see your beloved—and I guarantee by a Battle God Blood Oath that she will not encounter any trouble!” Galas smiled slightly. “But can you even find ‘her’?”