Chapter 23: The Colossal Shadow

The streets of Jinghai Town felt like a corner forgotten by time, suffocatingly grim. In the deserted thoroughfare, tattered banners whimpered in the sea breeze like ghosts, adding to the eerie atmosphere. Boatman Chen clutched the hem of Miss Lin’s garment, his face deathly pale, his knees knocking together. Even Miss Lin, usually so bold, felt her palms grow damp as she gripped her compass.

Only Feng Ruqing remained calm, a sharp, piercing light glinting in her obsidian eyes. She was the first to step into this dead zone. A chilling sensation surged from the soles of her feet to her crown, yet it failed to shake her resolve. "Let’s go," she said softly. Her voice was steady, imbued with an unquestionable authority that acted like an invisible blade, severing the unease in the hearts of her companions.

The group moved cautiously through the empty streets. Their footsteps rang out with jarring clarity in the silence, like a heartbeat drumming against their chests, each strike unsettling. Suddenly, a gust of wind swirled dead leaves into a rustling whisper, sounding like murmuring spirits. It startled Boatman Chen so badly he let out a shriek and nearly collapsed.

"Who’s there?" Feng Ruqing stopped abruptly, her gaze sweeping the surroundings with the sharpness of a hawk. An ominous premonition surged within her like a rising tide.

The moment she spoke, countless dark figures erupted from the houses lining the street. They brandished curved blades, their faces twisted into savage snarls, emitting bestial roars that shattered the town's dead silence like demons crawling out of hell.

"Watch out!" Feng Ruqing commanded. With a flicker of movement, she stood before her companions. She struck out with a palm, the force of it creating a fierce gust that sent the lead attacker flying into a wall with a dull thud.

"Kill!" The assailants were not deterred by her formidable presence. They raised their weapons and swarmed forward like a tidal wave.

Miss Lin quickly drew her scimitar and stood back-to-back with Feng Ruqing, shouting heroically, "To hell with fear! I’ll send you lot to your graves!" Her blade danced, the steel flashing like silver lightning as she carved lethal arcs through the shadows. Her technique appeared chaotic, but it was deceptive; every stroke wove a net of death, cutting down any shadow that dared approach.

Seeing this, Boatman Chen braced himself and brandished his oar, barely fending off the attacks. Helmsman Li stayed close to the wall, eyes fixed on the fray, ready to provide support at any moment.

Feng Ruqing moved like a wraith, weaving through the throng. Using the walls of the dilapidated houses to propel herself, she dodged enemy strikes with precision, delivering fatal blows in return. Her form blended into the gloomy environment; she appeared to be the master of this mysterious town. Every strike was precise, clean, and devoid of hesitation—she was a grim reaper harvesting lives on the battlefield.

Miss Lin coordinated perfectly; the two fought back-to-back, balancing offense and defense, firmly holding back the surge of enemies. Amidst the flash of steel and the deafening cries of battle, the town was plunged into chaotic slaughter.

As the fight wore on, Feng Ruqing keenly sensed that the number of enemies was far greater than anticipated, and their attacks were growing increasingly desperate. The battle reached a stalemate. She did not press the attack blindly. Taking a step back and drawing a deep breath, she suddenly stopped, plunged her blade into the ground, and called out, "Stop!"

The sudden change left both sides stunned. Miss Lin’s eyes widened in disbelief, her scimitar nearly slipping from her hand. "Sister Feng, what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?!" Boatman Chen collapsed to the ground, trembling, "It’s over, it’s all over!"

Even the ferocious men in black exchanged bewildered glances, their assault faltering. Silence spread through the air, broken only by the whistling sea breeze and the rustle of leaves, like the whispers of death.

Feng Ruqing scanned the area, her eyes locking onto a burly, masked man. "You must be the leader of this lot, right? Why don’t you come out and talk?"

The masked man hesitated for a moment before stepping slowly from the crowd. His voice was low and tinged with suspicion. "What do you want to talk about?"

"A partnership," Feng Ruqing said, a meaningful smile curling her lips. "I know you aren't exactly a united front."

The masked man shuddered, a flicker of panic crossing his eyes before he masked it. "What do you mean?"

Feng Ruqing didn't answer directly. Instead, she turned to the men in black and proclaimed, "Everyone, have you ever considered why you follow a leader of unknown origin, risking your lives to fight us? Your homes and your loved ones are waiting for your safe return! Yet he only seeks to use you to satisfy his own selfish desires!"

Her words were like a stone cast into a calm lake, stirring ripples. A stir went through the ranks of the men, many eyes betraying hesitation and doubt. The masked man’s face darkened. "Shut up! Stop spouting such poisonous lies!"

Feng Ruqing remained unmoved. "I’ll give you a choice: continue to throw your lives away for him and end up in an unmarked grave, or turn away from darkness and cooperate with me. I guarantee that once this is done, you will all be well-rewarded and return home safely!"

Her voice was resonant and powerful, carrying an undeniable authority that shook the spirit of everyone present. Whispers began to spread among the men, their gazes shifting uncertainly. Finally, one man dropped his weapon and knelt before Feng Ruqing. "I am willing to follow you!" With the first came a second, then a third... more and more men laid down their arms, choosing to defect to Feng Ruqing.

The masked man watched his subordinates turn on him, his face turning livid. Gritting his teeth, he spat out, "You..."

Feng Ruqing smiled coldly. "This is only the beginning."

Seeing that the tide had turned, the masked man’s eyes flashed with malice. He threw a smoke bomb, and thick clouds instantly billowed, obscuring everyone’s vision. When the smoke cleared, he had vanished without a trace.

Feng Ruqing chuckled coldly. She didn't bother to chase him, instead turning to the defectors. "Search! Turn this town upside down. Don't let a single suspicious person escape!" The men shouted their compliance and scattered to scour the town.

Miss Lin looked at Feng Ruqing with unconcealed admiration. She hurried to her side and said genuinely, "Sister Feng, you’re incredible! You dismantled their offensive with just a few words. I am truly in awe!"

Boatman Chen had crawled up from the ground, patting his chest. "Good heavens! You nearly scared me to death! How are you women so formidable? My old bones can hardly handle this." Despite his complaints, the look he gave Feng Ruqing was one of awe and trust.

Feng Ruqing smiled faintly, her gaze sweeping over the ruined streets. Her tone grew cold. "I fear it isn't that simple. I have a feeling there is an invisible hand pulling all the strings."

Just then, a man in black ran up, kneeling in haste. "Report, my lady! We discovered an abandoned wharf at the back of the town, and there are several suspicious ships docked there!"

Feng Ruqing’s expression sharpened, her unease intensifying. "Take me to them!"

The group followed the man to the wharf. Several dilapidated fishing boats sat silently, covered in seaweed and rust, as if abandoned for ages. Yet, nestled among these wrecks was a brand-new speedboat, looking completely out of place.

"That ship—there’s something wrong with it," Miss Lin noted, her eyes sharp as she spotted the anomaly.

Boatman Chen looked at the speedboat with terror, tugging at Feng Ruqing’s sleeve. "Miss Feng, let's leave! This town is too eerie. I have a bad feeling about this."

Feng Ruqing shook her head firmly. "Don't worry, Boatman. With me here, nothing will happen." She patted his shoulder, giving him a look of reassurance, then turned to Miss Lin. "Take a few men and check the boat. Be careful."

Miss Lin nodded and led a group of men onto the speedboat to begin a thorough search.

Just then, Feng Ruqing saw a figure emerge from the cabin—a tall man with a hideous scar across his face. It was the very enemy she had been hunting: Hu Dahai.

He wore a cold, twisted smile as he looked at Feng Ruqing. His voice was low and raspy. "Feng Ruqing, we meet again."

Feng Ruqing’s gaze hardened. She drew her scimitar and pointed it at him. "So, you orchestrated all of this."

Hu Dahai threw his head back and laughed, his expression filled with madness and triumph. "That’s right! This town is the grave I prepared for you!"

Feng Ruqing’s eyes turned icy, her grip tightening on the hilt. The desire to kill surged within her. "Hu Dahai, today is the day you die!" Her voice sounded like a judgment from the depths of hell.

Hearing this, Hu Dahai’s smile vanished, replaced by a surge of murderous intent. "Is that so?" He suddenly turned his head toward the cabin. "Bring them out."

Feng Ruqing’s brow twitched; an ominous feeling washed over her.

A man in black dragged Helmsman Li out. The helmsman’s hands were bound, blood trickling from his lip, his expression one of agony.

"Feng Ruqing, do you think you’ve won?" Hu Dahai sneered, gesturing to the hostage. "Drop your weapons right now, or I’ll kill him!"

Feng Ruqing’s expression darkened, her hand tightening around her blade. Helmsman Li was honest and loyal, an indispensable member of her crew; she could not let him come to harm. But she knew Hu Dahai’s cunning well—he would not be easily fooled.

"Hu Dahai, do you think such a trick would work on me?" Feng Ruqing laughed coldly. "Do you think I didn't know this whole town was a trap you set? From the moment we stepped foot here, you were the one who walked into my snare!"

Hu Dahai’s face changed. "You... what do you mean?"

"What do I mean?" Feng Ruqing curled her lips in mockery. "Did you really think those men would betray me? They are my people!"

Hu Dahai’s eyes widened, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead. His body retreated involuntarily, his legs shaking like a leaf as he muttered to himself, "Impossible, this is impossible..."

As she finished speaking, the men who had supposedly defected to Feng Ruqing turned in unison, pointing their blades at Hu Dahai and his remaining cohorts. Hu Dahai turned deathly pale, finally realizing he had been outplayed.

"You... how could you..." He pointed at Feng Ruqing, unable to find the words.

"Hu Dahai, your schemes end here!" Feng Ruqing’s gaze was sharp. With a command, the men surged forward, surrounding Hu Dahai and his remnant forces.

Feng Ruqing walked up to Hu Dahai, each step feeling like a heavy blow to his heart. The scimitar in her hand glinted with cold light. She used the tip of the blade to lift his chin, sneering, "You thought you could outsmart me? You’re still too naive."

After a fierce skirmish, Hu Dahai and his followers were all captured. Feng Ruqing walked to the bound Helmsman Li and personally cut his ropes. "Helmsman Li, are you alright?"

Li shook his head, looking at Feng Ruqing with gratitude. "Thank you for saving my life, my lady!"

Feng Ruqing patted his shoulder. "As long as you are safe."

Having resolved the crisis in the town, the group set sail once more. Standing at the bow, Feng Ruqing gazed out at the vast, deep ocean. The experience in the town made her realize that their journey across the sea would be far more dangerous than she had imagined, but she did not retreat. She knew that only by pressing forward could she find the truth and avenge her sister.

"Ahead lies the Foggy Sea," Miss Lin said, walking to her side and pointing toward a stretch of ocean shrouded in thick mist. "They say there is a mysterious island there, but it hides many unknown dangers."

Feng Ruqing looked at the fog, her eyes firm. "No matter what dangers lie ahead, we must push through."

Boatman Chen shrunk back, his voice trembling. "Miss Feng, let's take another route. That place is cursed..."

Miss Lin patted his shoulder, laughing boldly. "Don't be afraid, Boatman Chen! With Sister Feng here, there’s no need to fear any demons or monsters!"

Feng Ruqing said nothing, keeping her eyes fixed on the mist. She had a faint premonition that this part of the journey would be full of trials. Suddenly, the ocean began to churn, the once-calm surface turning treacherous and chaotic as the ship rocked violently.

"What’s happening?" Miss Lin exclaimed.

Feng Ruqing’s expression shifted. "This is bad!" She looked up at the sky; the once-clear expanse had been swallowed by dark clouds. A gale began to howl, and a powerful force was closing in on them.

"What is that?" Boatman Chen pointed ahead, his eyes wide with terror.

Following the direction of his finger, Feng Ruqing saw a massive, dark shadow slowly emerging from the depths of the fog...