The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

On a certain terrestrial planet in the boundless starry sky, in the southern sea area of ​​the Floating Life Continent, the so-called Tian Sha Islands are located in the A Meng South Sea.

Ameng Nanhai shares the same name as Ameng Nancheng in the Nanzhao Kingdom. It is located southeast of the Nanzhao Kingdom and directly south of the Nanhan Kingdom.

Li Hongbo stood at the bow of the ship, gazing at the sea area called Ameng South Sea, lost in thought. Previously, on the first island of the Tian Sha Islands, Beiwang Island, Li Hongbo had obtained his only clue: a large ship carrying male fishermen from Beiwang Island was sailing south, and the man named Er Gou should also be on board.

Beiwang Island is the northernmost island in the Tian Sha Archipelago. It is closest to the mainland, and looking north from here is believed to bring good luck to fishermen, as their homeland and homeland are both to the north.

However, Beiwang Island is ultimately one of the Tian Sha Islands, and the name Tian Sha means it is a dangerous place.

The ship's captain, Qin Changkai, and his sailors had only made a brief stop on the shore of Beiwang Island and had not followed Li Hongbo to the empty houses on the shore.

Seeing Li Hongbo standing at the bow, Captain Qin Changkai handed the helm to the first mate beside him, went out of the cabin, crossed the deck, and came to Li Hongbo's side at the bow.

……

In a sea area north of the South China Sea on the Floating Continent of Ameng, three wooden warships from the Nanzhao Kingdom are sailing south.

They sailed past Beiwang Island, almost following behind Li Hongbo's ship, heading towards Wangjungui Island. At this point, neither side knew of the other's existence, but their goal was indeed the same: to find the missing fishermen.

"Grand Scholar, a large number of fishermen have disappeared in this area of ​​the South China Sea. They went to the Tiansha Islands to fish and never returned. I sent people to search the Tiansha Islands before, but they did not find a single fisherman from my Nanzhao Kingdom." On the main ship, Meng Xi, the city lord of the South City of Ameng, tried to ask something.

“None of the other city lords in the vicinity are so concerned about this matter, why do you insist on reporting it?” The speaker was Cai Kong, a college student from the Nanzhao Kingdom.

“His Majesty previously sent the Imperial Guards out to sea to investigate, but we haven’t heard from them since. Some of the fishermen they took with them have also disappeared. I’m worried something might have happened.” Meng Xi, the city lord of Ameng South City, asked his question directly, cautiously probing the situation.

"His Majesty is busy with the southern expedition, and the Imperial Guard has already been recalled. I haven't heard that they took any fishermen with them before setting sail. Even so, what could possibly go wrong?" Cai Kong, the Grand Scholar of Nanzhao and now the commander of these three warships, was somewhat dismissive.

"Grand Scholar, you know what I'm talking about, otherwise you wouldn't have come here in person. It's a legend from two thousand years ago. Because of the 'Lanting Legend' from a thousand years ago, people have gradually forgotten the legend of the 'Sea Demons.' But Ameng South City cannot forget that two thousand years ago, those demons landed in Ameng South City." Meng Xi, the city lord of Ameng South City, finally voiced his long-standing concern.

Cai Kong, the chief scholar of the Hanlin Academy of the Nanzhao Kingdom, looked at Meng Xi, the city lord of Ameng South City, and asked, "How much longer until we reach Wangjungui?"

"Wang Jun Gui" is the name of the last island in the Tian Sha Islands. This may be the end of the land, and the sea ahead is even more dangerous and unpredictable. The name of this island is also a reminder to people to stop here.

"We'll be there soon. That little dot ahead should be Wangjungui Island. Beyond that island lies the vast, endless sea," Meng Xi replied, looking at the distant dot.

"Stop the ship!" Cai Kong, who was holding binoculars, suddenly shouted.

The captain ordered the three warships to remove their sails, drop anchor, and stop the ship.

As the boat came to a stop, Mengxi couldn't help but ask, "What did you see?"

"Have pirates ever appeared in the South China Sea?" Cai Kong asked, handing the binoculars to Meng Xi.

"No, how could there be a pirate ship? Could it be that the disappearance of those people was the work of pirates?" Meng Xi looked south through his binoculars and saw a pirate ship in his line of sight. He said in astonishment, "We didn't see any pirate ships on our previous voyages to search for people."

"Prepare the gunpowder and anchor," Cai Kong said to Mengxi, who had already put down her binoculars.

......

On a pirate ship not far from Wangjungui Island, Captain Qin Changkai's sword was held to Li Hongbo's neck.

"You'd better have a reasonable explanation." Captain Qin Changkai, somewhat embarrassed and angry after hearing his subordinate's report, said to Li Hongbo.

“You can kill me after you’ve crossed the river, there’s no need to dismantle the bridge now,” Li Hongbo said, staring at Qin Changkai.

Qin Changkai gave the first mate a wink, and the first mate handed the binoculars to Li Hongbo. Li Hongbo took the binoculars and looked north.

"You'd better have a reasonable explanation for these three royal warships." Captain Qin Changkai of the pirate ship still held his sword to Li Hongbo's neck.

“If I were still one of them, would I need to lure you here before making my move? The world is in chaos right now, and all nations are busy waging war. Bandits on the ground have already caused many nations to lose cities. Do any monarch still have time to worry about pirates? I’m afraid they’ve also received some information and want to come and make a quick buck too,” Li Hongbo replied calmly.

Qin Changkai still didn't lower his sword and continued to ask, "Then where do you think they got their information from?"

“I’m not the only one in the world who understands divination; they’re just not in the government or in public. There are probably countless reclusive diviners in the martial arts world. Besides, the person who came to Mount Emei with me saw me take that book but remain unmoved. He probably already knows some secrets,” Li Hongbo continued, appearing calm and natural.

"You said yourself that the man was a minor general from the Chu Kingdom, and from Chu Ji's side. But look closely, what's coming now is your Nanzhao Kingdom's royal fleet, three ships about to confront us." Qin Changkai persisted.

"Put the sword down, isn't it tiring to hold it? If you wanted to kill me, you would have done it already, why ask me so many questions?" Li Hongbo took a few steps forward.

At this moment, Qin Changkai finally put down his sword. He sheathed his sword, walked to Li Hongbo's side, and asked, "Is the gold and silver treasure there really worth taking such a big risk?"

"Apart from these three warships, to be honest, we haven't taken much risk. This is much easier than the battlefields on the mainland. Those ships that disappeared are probably enjoying themselves long ago." Li Hongbo knew that his life would be in danger if he went astray, so he had woven this lie flawlessly.

"You're too optimistic. Do you know that before this 'Lanting Legend' a thousand years ago, there was a 'Sea Demon' legend two thousand years ago?" Clearly, the pirate captain, Qin Changkai, was also familiar with this legend.

"My idea is that they were just an army from another world. Times have changed now." Li Hongbo had already learned something through divination, but he would never tell Qin Changkai.

"Another world, your terminology is quite accurate. Another continent truly is another world. I doubt many people on the Floating Life Continent have ever left it," Qin Changkai said, regaining his composure.

"Captain, those three ships haven't been shaken off yet." Just then, the first mate, holding binoculars, said to Qin Changkai.

"It's alright, if they can't shake us off, they can't. Let them follow us, they won't be able to catch up anyway. We'll start the war when they get to the Tiansha Islands. There are too many islands and reefs here, it's not convenient to fight." Pirate Captain Qin Changkai regained his usual confidence.