Chapter 677: Why Don’t You Know Kindness?

"Can I take that as a compliment?"

The old man rolled his eyes at her. He couldn’t deny it—the brat’s beauty was practically unparalleled. He had already predicted she would cause a huge stir on the continent.

"These weren’t all people you’ve mentored, were they?" Ye Qianning asked lazily.

The old man choked, raising his foot to kick her.

But Ye Qianning was prepared. She leaped into the air, her robes fluttering, and landed lightly on the ship’s deck. "I was just asking. Why get so mad? Even if you have, I wouldn’t hold it against you."

"Get lost, you brat! Right now! Immediately!" The old man felt his chest tighten just looking at her.

"I’m going."

Ye Qianning weighed anchor, and the boat slowly pulled away from the shore.

As the old man watched the boat move, a lump somehow formed in his chest, making it hard to breathe. It was an awful feeling. ’The brat is gone. From now on, the island will be peaceful.’

’I’ll have my peace and quiet too. That’s good. That’s good.’

"Old Man, take care of yourself! Go check out the rocky coast when you have time!" Ye Qianning shouted from the deck.

The old man’s chest was already tight. Her shout made him let out a breath, but it left his heart feeling empty.

As Ye Qianning watched the island shrink into the distance, a thousand emotions washed over her, and her eyes grew misty.

"I’ll come back to see you in the future! You have to take care of yourself!" As the boat pulled further away, Ye Qianning cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted with all her might.

’If things ever settle down in the future, I’ll come back. Ten years here have taken root in my life.’

’This place is like a second home, one I cherish deeply.’

’Dun Dun never came. That’s probably for the best. I really hate goodbyes.’

Her distant shout reached the old man’s ears, and his eyes instantly reddened. He raised a sleeve to wipe their corners. "That brat... getting all sentimental even as she leaves. It’s surprisingly touching. If I’d known, I would have made her more of her favorite food back on the island."

’Sigh... Who knows when we’ll meet again.’

The old man took a flower pastry from his sleeve. With red-rimmed eyes, he stared at it for a long while before finally putting it in his mouth. The flavor was excellent, but... something wasn’t quite right.

"You brat! Why can’t you ever be nice?!"

---

After leaving the island, the ship would reach the Yanluo Sea Region in about a day.

The Yanluo Sea Region was an area of extreme atmospheric pressure surrounding the island, creating massive winds and waves. It was nearly impossible for outside ships to approach, effectively forming a protective barrier for the island.

That was why no one could find the island. The old man had said that after crossing the Yanluo Sea Region, it would be another two months of sailing to reach the mainland.

Inside the cabin, Ye Qianning studied the route the old man had given her.

The ship’s helm was automated. The old man had said it couldn’t get lost, which had made her curious. But now, seeing several strange fish leaping in the water ahead of the boat, she finally understood why.

The bizarre-looking sea fish appeared to be ones the old man had raised; she had seen them in the waters below the cliffs a couple of years ago.

’The fish are leading the way. No wonder it can’t get lost. Even if I mess up and go off course, they’ll be able to put me back on the right track.’

"The old man has some tricks up his sleeve."

Ye Qianning entered the wheelhouse. Iron gears turned on their own. ’He really is a master of contraptions,’ she thought.

"WHOOOOSH..."

The ship’s hull shook violently, followed by the sound of a huge wave washing over the deck.

Ye Qianning steadied herself and quickly exited the wheelhouse. Out on deck, she saw two enormous, pitch-black deep sea creatures thrashing and rolling in the water, seemingly locked in a vicious struggle.

The creatures were so massive that their collisions with the hull sent the ship rocking violently.

Ye Qianning walked to the bow and leaned on the railing, not looking the least bit panicked.