Chapter 146: Fear of Waking from the Dream

“It’s fine. You two go to the town and rest; I’ll come find you later.” With that, Gu Ning’an took out fifty copper coins, stuffed them into the old boatman’s hand, and smiled. “Thank you.”

The old boatman, overjoyed, pocketed the coins and grabbed his oar. With a strong push against the shore, the wooden boat slowly drifted away.

“Ah…” Just as Han Yong opened his mouth, the traveling merchant clamped a hand over it.

“What are you ‘ah’-ing about? Now that he’s gone, you suddenly care? Where was all that hesitation earlier?”

The traveling merchant lowered his voice, glaring at him. “You’ve known Mr. Gu far longer than I have. How could you not see he enjoys sightseeing?

“Now that he’s left, are you worried he won’t help you figure out your brother’s situation? Why didn’t you think of that before?”

Han Yong pulled the merchant’s hand away and retorted, “No, it’s not—”

“Not what? Keep it down! He hasn’t gone far yet!” The merchant reached out again to cover Han Yong’s mouth.

“Mm!”

Han Yong, his face flushed red, staggered back a few steps and spat several times. “What did you touch with that hand? It stinks!”

“I wasn’t worried Mr. Gu would just leave!”

“I was going to ask if we should save some breakfast for him tomorrow!”

“Oh, look at you!” The merchant’s tone shifted to admiration. “So honest and quiet usually, but when it comes to something important, you’re sharper than me!” He rubbed his slightly sore nose as he spoke.

But the moment he did, the smell hit him—an unbearable stench that made him gag.

“Ugh!”

Dry heaving, the merchant shook his hand in disgust. “Let’s go, let’s go. Find an inn and take a bath. After soaking in water earlier, we’re starting to stink…”

The old boatman’s rowing skills were exquisite. With minimal movement and barely a sound, he kept the boat gliding smoothly across the water at an even pace.

“Sir, would you like me to tell you the story of Nu Mountain Lake?”

“Thank you, but my companions already shared it with me earlier.”

“Alright then. I’ll take you around the lake and then to its center. Does that sound good, sir?”

“I’ll follow your lead.”

“Got it!”

After this brief exchange, the boatman fell silent, focusing on rowing, while Gu Ning’an enjoyed the scenery around him.

The night breeze was gentle, and the mirror-like surface of the lake rippled with faint waves. The myriad stars in the sky reflected in the water. If not for the ever-present ripples, it would be impossible to tell where the sky ended and the lake began.

It took an hour to circle the lake, though Gu Ning’an hardly noticed how much time had passed. Instead, he felt as though the stunning sights passing before him had flickered by too quickly, leaving him yearning for more.

When the boat reached the center of the lake, the old boatman, who had been quiet for a long time, set down his oar and pointed to the water below. “Mr. Gu, they say the immortal cave is right beneath this spot.”

“I know; my companions mentioned it,” Gu Ning’an replied as he found a spacious spot on the boat to lie down. He then asked, “May I sleep here on the lake tonight?”

“Of course,” the boatman replied with a smile, though he couldn’t help but ask, “Mr. Gu, aren’t you even a little curious about the immortal cave?

“It’s said to be the dwelling of a god…”

“I’ve spent my whole life rowing this lake, ferrying passengers. I’ve met plenty of wealthy merchants, famous scholars… These people, though of high status, are all very interested in the rumored immortal cave.”

“Sometimes, they don’t even need me to say anything. They just lean over the boat, straining to look at the lake’s bottom.”

“Some even dive their heads straight into the water to see…”

“You, sir, are the first person I’ve met who isn’t interested in the immortal cave!”

Hearing this, Gu Ning’an smiled and replied, “The starry river above, and the starry river to the side; such a beautiful sight. To me, this is far more wondrous than that so-called immortal cave.”

The old boatman nodded with a smile. “You’re extraordinary, sir. I’ll leave you to enjoy your rest and go to the stern.” He added, “If you can’t sleep or want to return to shore, just call for me.”

“Thank you.”

“Ah, I should thank you for making this deal with me,” the old boatman joked as he walked through the boat’s canopy and toward the stern.

Gu Ning’an said nothing more. Lying at the bow of the boat, he felt the soft evening breeze on his face as he gazed at the starry sky surrounding him.

He couldn’t help but recall the line of poetry: “The boat full of clear dreams presses down on the starry river.”

Closing his eyes and emptying his mind, Gu Ning’an felt an overwhelming sense of lightness. Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

…

“Whoa! It’s been two days since Hero Jiang ate, and he’s still so heavy!”

After placing the one-armed swordsman on the bed with Han Yong, the traveling merchant sat down on a wooden chair in the guest room and took a big gulp of tea.

He paused for a moment and said, “Hero Jiang hasn’t eaten, and yet he hasn’t… you know, had any… other business…”

“Pfft!” Han Yong spit out some water, frowning. “Old Han, can’t you keep the shit talk to yourself when I’m drinking?”

Han Yong rolled his eyes. “To be honest, you don’t smell any better than a toilet right now.”

“Hey~” The merchant slammed his teacup onto the table, pointing at Han Yong and stretching out his voice, “Now you’re criticizing me? I thought you weren’t smelling any better than me!”

“Anyway, I smell better than you.”

“You damn…” The merchant was halfway through cursing when a soft laugh suddenly came from the bed.

“Whoa!”

“Hero Jiang’s awake?”

The merchant hurried to the bed, shaking the Lone Blade Master’s shoulder. “Hero Jiang! Hero Jiang, wake up!”

“Stop laughing, wake up quickly!”

Han Yong grabbed the merchant’s hand, frowning. “Stop shaking him. He’s probably still asleep.”

“He’s laughing but still asleep?”

“Exactly. He hasn’t woken up because of the laughter.”

“Why?”

“We’ve been traveling together for many years. When have you ever seen Hero Jiang smile?”

At this, the merchant’s expression froze. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then lowered his head, giving a bitter smile. “Yeah, he’s never smiled…”

“No wonder Mr. Gu said he doesn’t want to wake up. It seems that, in this dream, he’s far more at ease than when he’s awake…”

Standing up, the merchant walked toward the door while speaking. “Let’s go. I need a bath. This whole day’s been exhausting.”

“Old Fan!”

The merchant stopped at the door and turned to look at Han Yong, his patience wearing thin. “What now?”

Han Yong, half-smiling, replied, “I didn’t ask Mr. Gu for help with divination… I’m just afraid that if I wake up from the dream…”