"Woooo——"

On Shimmering Star Lake, the sound of the tower ship approaching the shore echoed from afar.

Awakening the night sky completely before dawn.

At Pingyang Port, countless tower ships are anchored here overnight, and equally numerous forces and gangs are vigilantly waiting.

A ship arriving at midnight, although startling, does not cause chaos.

At the port, specially designed wind lanterns lined up along the long piers, illuminating the vast lake surface as if stars have fallen into the mundane world.

The watchman from Lingwu Gang cried out in astonishment: "It's our ship! What's happening? How come our ship is docking now?

Isn't this Qingyuan supposed to take at least nine more days to arrive?"

Tower ships like these are all renowned and identifiable.

Especially such massive five-story thousand-men tower ships, they carry an undeniable presence even in the eyes of regional powerhouses.

Such ships have records and schedules for when to arrive and depart, it's impossible for them to suddenly come and go.

Yet the Qingyuan before them truly startled the watchman.

Thirteen days ago, this ship had just departed from Pingyang Port, and this journey between Pingyang and Qinglin Prefecture usually takes no less than twenty days.

How is it possible for it to dock again tonight?

Unless, unless the ship never actually returned to Qinglin Prefecture.

It must have turned back midway!

At that moment, the watchman, both shocked and furious, tore open a token without a second thought.

Whoosh——

A spot of bluish light suddenly shot towards the sky, instantly alarming countless night watchmen at the port.

Lingwu Gang's incense master and hall master were mobilized, while other powerful factions discreetly paid attention.

In that instant, the port almost boiled over because of this token.

Of course, the so-called turmoil was actually quite limited.

After all, various factions coexist here, having a certain mutual understanding for many years.

Though the watchman issued the token, other factions immediately paid attention, yet wouldn't act rashly.

Thus, while there was disturbance, it was chaos within order.

However, on the tower ship, the incense master guarding the second-floor corridor suddenly exclaimed, "No, we can't wait anymore. Such commotion might displease Master Chen!"

Indeed, the short and stout incense master had guarded the corridor all night, hoping for Chen Xu to appear.

Even if he didn't appear, it would still demonstrate his sincerity.

Yet unexpectedly, the ship sailed too swiftly, not even giving him time to inform the port before the ship had already sped through Nine Hundred Miles of Shimmering Star Lake and approached Pingyang Port—

Actually, Wang Xiangzhu had previously sent out a token.

But the token's speed couldn't match the ship's rapid pace, causing the token to be sent out yet the ship still reached the port first.

The speedy arrival of the ship stirred suspicion and unease among the Lingwu Gang night watchmen at the port.

The minor commotion arose from this.

Once the turmoil began, Wang Xiangzhu didn't even have time to deal with potential internal doubts—

These issues weren't truly worrisome, considering the entire ship was packed with witnesses, given enough time, he could certainly clarify everything.

Wang Xiangzhu merely uttered an "Ah" in the corridor, then dashed straight to Chen Xu's room door.

The expression on his face was one of shock and anger: shocked and angered by the port's sudden token.

Then it shifted from shock and anger to urgency, urgency into a smile.

Finally, he bent down, gently knocked on Chen Xu's room door, and in a voice suppressed with emotion, asked quietly: "Master Chen, may I ask if Master Chen resides here?

This humble one is Wang Meng from Lingwu Gang, serving as the steward of this tower ship.

The ship is about to dock, and the port is somewhat chaotic, which might slightly disturb Master Chen's peace.

This is entirely my fault, I hereby apologize to Master Chen."

As he spoke, he chuckled lightly, his face akin to Maitreya, and continued:

"If Master Chen has any instructions, please do let me know, and I will stand by the door, ready to assist Master Chen at any time.

Is Master Chen planning to disembark now?

Do you need me to arrange a place for you or to rest at the port for a while, and formally enter the city at dawn?"

Wang Meng's series of words conveyed his utmost sincerity.

His emotions gradually stabilized, thinking that although the port's night watchmen reacted overly and caused commotion, upon reconsideration, this commotion might not be a bad thing at all.

If not for the current chaos outside, would he ever have the chance to speak with Chen Xu?

Wang Meng calmly waited for Chen Xu's response from the room.

Yet unexpectedly, after a while, there was no sound from the room.

Wang Meng's mood shifted from anticipation to a growing gloom, feeling somewhat anxious, he couldn't help but call out again: "Master Chen?"

Still, no response came from the guestroom.

Wang Meng could hardly believe it, could Chen Xu really be so arrogant?

Even though a person like him might not warrant much attention, it shouldn't result in such a situation where not even a single word is returned.

Is responding even a single word truly this difficult?

Just as Wang Meng was internally suffering, pondering whether he should continue to inquire, a rapid set of footsteps suddenly echoed from the corridor's end.

Soon followed was a hearty voice: "I heard Brother Chen is staying on our Lingwu Gang's tower ship, may I know where Brother Chen is? Sorry for the delay, Brother Chen, don't be offended, hahaha..."

The newcomer's voice was bold and his stride swift.

Upon seeing him, tall with a thick beard, despite his scholarly attire, he bore an air of heroism.

This person is none other than another renowned scholar of Pingyang Prefecture: Zhou Huan!

The very Zhou Huan who infuriated another scholar to death, and later defended and helped that scholar's wife and children when they were bullied by their own clan.

Zhou Huan enjoys extraordinary ties with Lingwu Gang, to the extent that Lingwu Gang can be considered a subsidiary gang to the Zhou family.

Thus, Zhou Huan's claim of "my Lingwu Gang" isn't mere empty talk.

Wang Xiangzhu was startled, ready to explain upon seeing Zhou Huan approaching, but Zhou Huan continued his approach, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Something's not right." Zhou Huan suddenly remarked,

Zhou Huan enjoys extraordinary ties with Lingwu Gang, to the extent that Lingwu Gang can be considered a subsidiary gang to the Zhou family.

Thus, Zhou Huan's claim of "my Lingwu Gang" isn't mere empty talk.

Wang Xiangzhu was startled, ready to explain upon seeing Zhou Huan approaching, but Zhou Huan continued his approach, his brow furrowing deeper and deeper.

"Something's not right." Zhou Huan suddenly remarked,

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