Chapter 150: The Boat Returns

After the door closed, Han Yong walked straight past Jiang Wanzhou and shoved the traveling merchant hard.

Caught off guard, the merchant staggered, and with his heels already slipping inside his loose shoes, he stumbled backward several steps before collapsing onto the bed.

“Damn it!”

“Han Yong, what the hell is wrong with you?!”

The merchant, rubbing his bruised lower back, stared at Han Yong, utterly bewildered.

“You little punk! Calling me a shorty and insulting my mother?!” Han Yong let out a roar and lunged directly at the merchant!

“Holy crap! Are you crazy?!” The merchant flailed his arms and legs, trying to push Han Yong off.

But instead of fighting back, Han Yong wrapped his arms around the merchant’s neck, leaned in close, and whispered in a barely audible voice, “Stall for time. Hero Jiang has made up his mind to leave—we need to figure out a way to stop him. We can’t just let him go off to die.”

Hearing this, the merchant finally realized why Han Yong was acting so erratically.

“You’re really going all in, huh? Fine, here comes my Low Blow Kick!”

As he cursed, the merchant raised his leg and muttered under his breath, “Can’t think of a plan right now. Might as well fight and make him intervene!”

“Alright, you asked for it!” Feeling a sharp pain from below, Han Yong grabbed the merchant by the collar and hurled him toward Jiang Wanzhou with all his might.

With the merchant cooperating, Han Yong’s push looked alarmingly forceful.

Their plan was simple: Jiang Wanzhou would surely catch the merchant and step in to break up the scuffle, giving them enough time to convince him not to rush back to Great Wu and throw his life away.

Thud!

A dull crash rang out, followed by the merchant’s body slowly sliding down from the doorframe.

Dazed, the merchant looked at Jiang Wanzhou, who stood not far away with a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Clutching his head, he muttered, “I’m done for, my head’s completely busted…”

“Han Yong! Damn it, you really did push that hard?!”

“I could’ve sworn I saw Hero Jiang laughing just now!”

An embarrassed Han Yong hurried over to help the merchant up. Glancing at Jiang Wanzhou, he exclaimed in surprise, “Your head’s fine. Hero Jiang really is laughing…”

“Huh?” The merchant widened his eyes at Jiang Wanzhou. After a moment of silence, he finally said, “You’re right, he is laughing!”

Seeing how much effort they were putting into trying to stop him, Jiang Wanzhou couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “You two really are something else—absolutely hilarious!”

“Alright, it’s not me whose head is messed up; it’s Hero Jiang who’s lost it…”

The merchant shoved Han Yong aside and said anxiously, “Go, find Master Gu!¹ He’s the only one who can solve this now!”

“Enough.” Jiang Wanzhou stepped forward, blocking Han Yong’s way, and gestured toward the seats. “Sit down and listen to me.”

Hearing this, the merchant and Han Yong exchanged frowns before reluctantly sitting down.

Jiang Wanzhou poured himself a pot of tea, then deftly rummaged through the merchant’s nearby bag for some dry rations.

After finishing the food in just three bites and downing a large gulp of tea, Jiang Wanzhou waved at the bewildered pair. “I’ve already met with Master Gu. He’s helped me fulfill a few wishes…”

“Wait!” The merchant raised a hand to interrupt. “What did Master Gu look like when you met him?”

“Also, where did you meet him?”

Jiang Wanzhou chuckled and replied, “Master Gu wore a green robe and carried an aura of immortality. It’s hard to put into words… but I met him in a dream.”

“In a dream?” Han Yong frowned. “Looks like Hero Jiang’s head really is—”

“Shut up!” The merchant jabbed a finger at Han Yong, then smiled at Jiang Wanzhou. “Go on, Hero Jiang. Keep talking.”

Jiang Wanzhou smiled and recounted everything he had seen and heard in his dream.

After hearing his story, the traveling merchant and Han Yong were astonished, realizing there might truly be living immortals in this world. To enter someone’s dream and allow them to live an entire lifetime within it—what divine methods!

Even though it was just a fleeting dream, it all happened in a single night. From Jiang Wanzhou’s description, he had genuinely experienced every day and night as if living through an entire lifetime.

In essence, it was no different from truly reliving a second life in another world.

“A divine feat!” The traveling merchant grabbed Han Yong’s arm and said seriously, “This is your chance. Don’t let it slip by when it comes to your brother.”

Han Yong nodded. “I understand.”

“That’s why I woke up—to return and seek vengeance. You don’t need to dissuade me.

“And even if you try, it won’t work.”

As Jiang Wanzhou finished speaking, he stood up and cupped his hands in thanks. “Take care, both of you. You’ve accompanied me for half a lifetime, and I am deeply grateful.

“If there’s a way back, I will return to find you and travel the world as carefree merchants.”

Hearing this, the traveling merchant and Han Yong exchanged glances before standing as well.

The former clasped his fists with a smile. “Then I wish you success in avenging your grievances. Come back and join me in making a living when it’s over!”

“No more words,” Han Yong added, bowing deeply. “Take care, Hero Jiang!”

Jiang Wanzhou cupped his hands again, his tone resolute. “Good! You both take care as well. Remember to deliver a message to Master Gu for me:

‘Tell him that I, Jiang Wanzhou, am grateful. If there is a next life, I will repay him by becoming a bull or a horse.’”

…

Thud!

Feeling a faint warmth in his palm, Gu Ning’an, still half-asleep, turned over and groggily withdrew the Worldly Qi. Smiling, he muttered, “No need to repay me as a bull or a horse. Just hold onto the lessons of your century-long experience and stay true to your heart.”

Sitting up, Gu Ning’an looked around.

The lake at dawn was peaceful and picturesque, its surface reflecting the morning glow.

Taking a deep breath of the gentle breeze, Gu Ning’an stretched his body before grabbing the oar to row toward the shore.

Not wanting to disturb the sleeping old boatman, he decided to handle the task himself.

As the oar dipped into the water, the small wooden boat glided smoothly. Despite his seemingly relaxed rowing, each stroke propelled the boat a significant distance.

By now, the lake was dotted with boats carrying passengers. Some older and younger boatmen noticed the unfamiliar sight of Gu Ning’an rowing and couldn’t help but steal a few glances.

Their curiosity only grew when they spotted the old boatman sound asleep at the stern.

“Well, this is something! A guest rowing while the boatman snoozes away!” A middle-aged boatman chuckled.

Not far away, another boatman called out, “Hey, sir over there! Next time, take my boat. I’ll make sure you don’t have to row yourself back to shore!”

Hearing the misunderstanding, Gu Ning’an smiled and explained to the surrounding boatmen, “Now, let me clarify. This lake offers such breathtaking views that rowing myself is a delight. It’s me who insisted on doing it—not because the old boatman is lazy.”

Hearing this, many boatmen grew envious of the old boatman.

After all, who wouldn’t want to earn a living while lying back and relaxing?

Meanwhile, the middle-aged boatman glanced at the couple behind him, lost in their affectionate world, and couldn’t help but offer the oar with a grin. “Would the two of you like to row yourselves? Take this chance to enjoy the wonderful experience of rowing on the lake.”

“Row it myself? Then you better refund me the fare!” The man, joking with his lover, frowned in response.

“My apologies! Just kidding!” The middle-aged boatman quickly turned back and resumed rowing vigorously, though his gaze couldn’t help but linger on the man in the green robe. Sighing wistfully, he muttered, “Such easy work is hard to come by…”