LRAB Chapter 552: The Wind Never Stops
Chapter 552: The Wind Never Stops
Chapter 552: The Wind Never Stops
The shark’s tears were of no use, because even the two on its back had no idea where they were headed.
Navigating the vast ocean without a compass or other navigational instruments, relying only on the stars, made it nearly impossible to determine an accurate course. Even if they wanted to return, they would not know the way. All they could do was wander aimlessly, hoping to find an island more hospitable, where they could fully recover before deciding what to do next.
Besides, despite Lady Three’s impressive display, she would not be able to ride the shark for long. Prolonged strain made her ribs ache, and no amount of kisses from Zhao Changhe could fix that. She simply could not sustain steering the shark for an extended period.
It was not long before her claim of being capable of multitasking would be proven nonsense. After just a few kisses, the shark started acting out, nearly tossing its love-struck riders into the ocean.
Lady Three pushed Zhao Changhe away, angrily subdued the shark, and then gave Zhao Changhe a good thrashing. “I’ve already recovered. Do you really think you can still take advantage of me, you filthy pig?”
Zhao Changhe stood off to the side, hands clasped, looking aggrieved. Maybe she should just pretend to be weak again...
Fortunately, luck was on their side. Before Lady Three’s strength ran out, the rain began to lighten, and the fog thinned. Dim light filtered through the overcast sky, and visibility gradually improved.
As the fog lifted, they spotted the silhouette of another island in the distance. This one looked significantly larger than the desolate rock they had left behind. Most importantly, it had trees.
Lady Three was elated, and she urged the shark toward the island.
As they drew closer, they could see the distinctive shape of coconut trees. Coconuts meant coconut water, and they could also be used to make cups and bowls. It was as if their everyday needs were falling into place.
Zhao Changhe was equally elated. He felt a sense of deliverance, light at the end of the tunnel. It was funny how the human mind worked. They were still stranded, surviving on an island, yet it felt as though they had been rescued.
It was like going from living under a bridge to getting a ten-square-meter room—it was still tough, but it felt like a vast improvement.
At this moment, neither of them realized that the more comfortable the environment became, the more likely it was that Lady Three would end up being claimed by the “filthy pig.”
The two of them could hardly wait, using their movement arts to leap ashore, searching for a flat patch of land. Zhao Changhe immediately drew Dragon Bird, enthusiastically chopping down trees.
In the end, it was Dragon Bird that took on all the heavy lifting.
Fortunately, it was a saber that had endured countless battles without so much as suffering a nick. Chopping down trees posed no problem.
When Zhao Changhe turned to look around, Lady Three had already gathered a pile of dry grass and wood, using her true qi to dry them. Then, with a snap of her fingers, she lit a fire.
Zhao Changhe continued sawing the wood into planks, glancing at her curiously. “Where did you get a firestarter?”
Lady Three replied, “With my true qi restored, I can access my storage ring.”
“...You have one too?”
“Did you think only you had one?” Lady Three giggled. “Technically, your ring should belong to me by right of inheritance.”
Zhao Changhe blinked in surprise. Oh, right. The ring I have originally belonged to the ancient Black Tortoise. Wait, why does it belong to you just because it used to belong to the Black Tortoise?
Lady Three hummed to herself as she added more wood to the fire. “Fine, consider it a gift from me to you. It seems fitting enough for the Fire Pig of Shi to use the Black Tortoise’s belongings.”
Mm-hm, and I don’t see anything wrong with the Fire Pig of Shi enjoying the Black Tortoise, Zhao Changhe thought to himself. But instead of responding, he kept focused on chopping planks.
Lady Three’s eyes sparkled mischievously as she vanished into the nearby woods. When she reappeared, she had changed out of his oversized coat and was now wearing something new. The innocent charm of her being wrapped in his loose outerwear was gone, replaced by an elegant robe that Zhao Changhe had never seen before.
The robe was clearly in the same style as Vermillion Bird’s—something identifiable as part of the Four Idols Cult’s regalia. But while Vermillion Bird’s attire was bright red and fiery, Lady Three’s robe was dark, with interwoven black and blue patterns. It was heavy, solemn, perfectly embodying the Black Tortoise’s silent majesty.
Zhao Changhe glanced up at her, lips twitching, before turning his attention back to chopping wood.
Lady Three tied her hair into a ponytail, smiling. “What’s wrong? I look dignified, no?”
Yes, people do say clothes make the person, and in this case, she certainly does look dignified. But while the garments are majestic, her bright smile makes her look like a squirrel. Even an empress’s robes couldn’t change that. And what’s with the ponytail? Is she trying to look youthful now?
In truth, the more imposing her appearance was, the more it reminded him of holding her bare and kissing her, and it made her all the more alluring.
Zhao Changhe had reason to suspect she was trying to seduce him. After all, why else choose an outfit that practically begged for an overthrow of authority?
But in the end, he shook off those thoughts and focused on building them a shelter.
“I initially thought that you went there since you had some connection to the northern barbarians.”
Lady Three considered for a moment. “I do, actually. Why, are you worried about Batu?”
“I am, in fact. Batu certainly does have the numbers on his side, but his top-tier fighters are lacking. And now that you’re here, if the armies of the Mobei come down again, I’m not sure how he’ll hold them off.”
“You always worry too much about things that aren’t your business,” Lady Three huffed. “Let Tang Wanzhuang deal with it. She hasn’t even let you have her, so why are you acting like her devoted lackey?”
Zhao Changhe glanced at her but remained silent.
Wow, that was a pretty jealous comment...
Lady Three realized her tone was off, and she let out a grumbling noise before falling quiet.
Recently, it seemed as though any topic they discussed somehow twisted into something awkward. Even when they were talking about people like Ying Five or Batu, it always ended up in a strange place... and she was always the one leading it there.
Frustrated, Lady Three flung a fishbone far out into the sea.
* * *
As night deepened, the sounds of woodwork became more distinct on the island.
The man and woman, having finished their meal, worked together on their shelter. Zhao Changhe positioned the beams while Lady Three set in the planks.
The small couple worked side by side, smiling with satisfaction as their little cabin gradually took shape. The joy on their faces was evident, and they laughed like children as they looked at each other’s dirt-smeared faces.
It was all laughter and merriment until they started discussing how to put together a wooden bed, and their eyes met by chance. Suddenly, they both seemed to realize something.
Last night, under that makeshift stone shelter, there was no way anything could happen.
But now there was a wooden cabin, and inside it, a bed. The newly built shelter, the warmth of the fire—it all seemed to point to something more.
Is this a wedding chamber?
Even if it isn’t, it would be easy for it to become one.
The thought had crossed both their minds even during dinner, but they had both pushed it down. Now, with the shelter completed, they could not avoid the question any longer.
“You...” Lady Three hesitated, grinding her teeth before finally blurting out, “I’m your superior. You sleep on the floor.”
Zhao Changhe did not say a word. He simply lay down on the bed, stating plainly, “My spirit is weak. I need proper sleep. I don’t have the energy to do anything to you. What are you worried about?”
Lady Three eyed him suspiciously. “Really?”
Zhao Changhe did not respond. Instead, his breathing evened out, and a hint of soft snoring emerged.
He really was exhausted. He had stumbled during the shark attack and had pushed himself through the entire day. It was a miracle that he had not passed out during the construction.
Lady Three stared at his sleeping face, which looked so peaceful and innocent—almost like that of a child who had not yet grown up.
After hesitating for a moment, she finally lay down beside him, still clothed, and closed her eyes. She needed rest too. After an exhausting day, her ribs were aching again. The medicine had long run out, and rest was the only way left to heal.
Luckily, her body was not just resilient in defense but was also excellent when it came to recovery. An ordinary person with broken ribs would not be up fighting sharks the next day, but Lady Three was practically back to full strength after just one day. A few more days of proper rest, and she could be on her way again—half a month was far more than necessary.
In her half-awake state, Lady Three’s thoughts wandered—Honestly, maybe we don’t even need to leave... Whatever happens, what does it have to do with me?
She rolled over, wrapping her arms around the human-shaped pillow beside her, a faint smile on her lips as she drifted into a sweet slumber.
The waves gently lapped against the shore, the night as quiet as could be.
Far out at sea, a fleet of ships sailed steadily onward.
“Captain, we’ve spotted an injured shark in the distance... There may be other people in these waters.”
1. Just a small note that the Chinese character for turtle and tortoise are the same. ☜