Chapter 684: Can’t Reach Shore for a Year and a Half

Watching the ship draw closer, Ye Qianning thought for a moment before turning and heading back into the cabin. She put on the human-skin mask the old Taoist had given her.

A stunningly beautiful face was reflected in the bronze mirror. She reached out and touched it. Even though she had seen countless beauties in her past, none could compare to this face.

From her delicate features as a child, she had known she would grow up to be a great beauty, but her current appearance still surpassed her expectations.

She wondered if her dad and the others would even recognize her.

The little monkey rested its chin in its hands off to the side, its eyes fixed on her with a look of utter fascination.

The moment Ye Qianning put on the human-skin mask, the little monkey’s small face immediately fell, and it let out a dissatisfied CHITTER CHITTER.

"The world is a dangerous place. A beautiful woman traveling alone must be cautious." Ye Qianning even felt a little embarrassed herself. ’That sounded a bit vain...’

’Hmph.’ The little monkey sulked, unable to see the beautiful face anymore.

"Don’t be mad. We won’t have to wear this thing once we’re on shore." Ye Qianning looked at the new face in the bronze mirror. "Besides, this one isn’t ugly."

She looked about sixteen or seventeen. Aside from her dark skin, her features were quite well-proportioned.

’Really?’

"Yeah. I’m afraid if I wear it too long, my face will break out."

At these words, the little monkey jumped up, chittering.

Ye Qianning couldn’t help but laugh at the sight. ’Its temper comes and goes so quickly,’ she thought. ’So predictable.’

"Hey, is anyone on the boat?"

A voice called out from outside.

Ye Qianning stood up, straightened her clothes, and walked out of the cabin.

An enormous ship was gradually approaching, now about twenty meters from her small boat.

Many people were leaning over the railing on the large ship’s deck. They grew excited the moment they saw someone emerge.

"There’s someone there! There really is! We’re saved! We’re saved!"

The people on the ship began to cheer.

"Quiet, all of you," Huo Tu barked.

The cheering immediately subsided.

Jiang Chenyi saw that only a young girl had emerged from the boat and found it strange. His eyes scanned the rest of her vessel.

"Young lady, where’s your helmsman?" Huo Feng shouted to her.

Ye Qianning’s gaze swept over the crowd, taking in all their expressions. ’So they’re a group that’s lost its way,’ she concluded.

She looked up at the emblem on the large ship: the character for "Huo."

She had been away from her country for too long and didn’t recognize "Huo" as belonging to any major family.

"Young lady, don’t be afraid. We’re not bad people," Huo Feng called out again when she remained silent.

Ye Qianning’s gaze fell upon Huo Tu. ’He’s the leader of this ship,’ she thought, ’and he doesn’t look like a good person.’

Huo Liran glanced around. "Don’t tell me she’s a mute."

Hearing this, Huo Feng looked at the young girl on the deck staring blankly at their large ship. He figured she was probably just frightened.

"Young lady, we’re not bad people. We just want to ask for directions. How much further until we reach shore?" Huo Tu’s voice was rough, but he made an effort to soften it.

Ye Qianning almost laughed when she heard that. ’How much further until they reach shore?’

Even if there were no storms, at their current heading, this ship could sail for a year and still not reach land. The sea was endless.

"Is she really a mute?" Huo Tu wondered.

"Second Uncle, stop wasting your breath on her! Her boat must have fresh water and food." Huo Liran hadn’t had enough to drink in days. Her throat was so parched it felt like it was smoking, and her patience had run out.

Huo Tu thought for a moment and glanced at Ye Qianning again. Then, he waved to the men behind him. "You few, go down there. See who else is on that boat and how much fresh water and food they have."