Chapter 379 - 200: Boating on the Lake

Chapter 379: Chapter 200: Boating on the Lake

Jin Ming, a restless chatterbox, quickly steered the conversation toward the other three competitors. He was well-informed and knew their backgrounds, temperaments, and signature techniques like the back of his hand.

"That Zhao Yan kid—don’t mind his ’everyone-owes-me-money’ face. He works his tail off in cultivation. His proficiency with the True Yang Secret Technique is considerable. I heard that last year, to hone his combat skills, he even specifically requested to spend three months with the Water Police. His practical experience is definitely solid."

Jin Ming picked up his teacup, his expression animated. "He’s just too arrogant and intolerant. I bet he’s raring to go tomorrow, just waiting to prove himself in the ring."

"As for Sun Yan, he’s a quiet one, but his mind runs deep. He’s from a commoner background, and he climbed his way up to the Second Patrol Department of the Provincial Hall purely through his ability to stay calm and collected. He might not be as ferocious as Zhao Yan in a head-on fight, but with a guy like that, who knows what tricks he has hidden up his sleeve."

He clicked his tongue. "Guys like that are the toughest to deal with."

"As for Han Xue..." Jin Ming’s expression grew a little more serious. "Her family’s circumstances are quite ordinary. In terms of sheer diligence, I doubt any of the five of us can compare. But she’s trained so bitterly, she’s almost ground her humanity away. When you fight her, be careful not to let her stubbornness drag you into a battle of attrition."

Yang Wenqing listened quietly, committing the details to memory without being overly concerned. After all, he wouldn’t be truly participating in the tournament tomorrow.

Tang Yuan occasionally chimed in with a more detailed rumor circulating within the Provincial Hall. Gao Zhen, however, was mostly silent, his gaze occasionally sweeping over Jin Ming with a hint of scrutiny.

After chatting for about the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Jin Ming grew restless. He stretched, his gaze drifting past the courtyard wall. "It’s so boring just sitting around. On a beautiful spring day like this! Brother Yang, Senior Brother Gao, how about we go for a walk? I heard some new musicians have arrived over at Jade Mirror Lake. We could rent a painted pleasure boat, drift on the water, listen to some tunes, and sample some fine wine. Wouldn’t that be grand?"

A flicker of interest showed in Gao Zhen’s eyes at the suggestion. The whole reason he’d come to the Provincial Government was to unwind and clear the mental stagnation from his long period of closed-door cultivation.

Yang Wenqing mulled it over for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."

He glanced at his somewhat reserved brother beside him, and an idea suddenly struck. He said to Yang Wenjian, "Wenjian, why don’t you go next door and invite Miss Yufei to join us? It’ll be more lively with more people."

A faint blush crept onto Yang Wenjian’s face, but with his brother’s command, he immediately stood and replied, "Yes, Brother."

With that, he strode quickly out of the courtyard.

Seeing this, a mischievous glint flashed in Jin Ming’s eyes, and he shot to his feet. "Yes, yes, yes! We should get Yufei! I haven’t seen her in ages!"

With that, he even followed after Yang Wenjian, slinging an arm over his shoulder and murmuring jokes to him as they walked.

Gao Zhen watched Jin Ming’s retreating back, took a sip of tea, and murmured to Yang Wenqing, "That kid... he seems wild and unrestrained, but his mind is as clear as a mirror. He’s incredibly smart."

Yang Wenqing just smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Jin Ming’s cleverness lay in knowing exactly what he wanted and how to achieve it with the least amount of effort, all while making others see him as endearingly frank and guileless. This kind of street smarts was, in a way, a talent in itself.

Before long, Yang Wenjian and Jin Ming returned, accompanying Wang Yufei.

Wang Yufei wore a light, elegant, lake-green blouse and skirt, her hair adorned with only a simple silver dangling hairpin. She greeted everyone in the courtyard with natural grace.

As expected, Jin Ming was well-acquainted with her and broke the ice with just a few sentences. Upon hearing about the boat trip, Wang Yufei’s eyes lit up with delight, clearly pleased with the idea.

"So, shall we head out? I’ll arrange for the boat—I guarantee I’ll find the biggest and most comfortable pleasure boat available!" Jin Ming declared enthusiastically, patting his chest.

Yang Wenqing, however, glanced at Tang Yuan, giving him a look.

Tang Yuan caught his meaning at once and said with a smile, "Brother Jin, you’re our guest. There’s no reason to have you go to the trouble. I’m acquainted with a few boat owners here in the Provincial Government."

With that, he stepped to the side, activated a communication Token, and murmured a few words into it.

Jin Ming saw this and didn’t press the issue, simply shrugging. "If Brother Tang is making the arrangements, then all the better. I’ll just sit back and enjoy myself!"

Tang Yuan quickly finished his call and returned. "It’s at Tingtao Dock. The boat is called *Drunk on Misty Waves*. We can head straight over."

Wasting no more time, the group rose and left the small courtyard.

Tang Yuan had specially arranged for a spacious, carriage-style Flying Shuttle, which carried the group toward Tingtao Dock on the shores of Bilan Lake.

Tingtao Dock wasn’t a bustling public pier, but a relatively secluded moorage for private yachts. Not many vessels were docked, but every one was elegant in design.

The Flying Shuttle landed in a small plaza beside the dock. As everyone disembarked, a breeze blew in from the lake, carrying with it damp water vapor and the faint fragrance of flowers, invigorating their spirits.

Tang Yuan led the group toward the water’s edge, where a three-story pleasure boat was moored silently in its designated berth.

The hull was crafted from precious camphorwood, with exquisite palace lanterns hanging from the eaves. Though unlit, they shimmered iridescently in the sunlight. A plaque on the bow bore the four words *Drunk on Misty Waves* in large, semi-cursive script.

A middle-aged man who appeared to be a steward was already waiting by the gangplank with two maids. Seeing Tang Yuan and his party arrive, he rushed forward, bowed, and said, "Master Tang, gentlemen, Miss, good afternoon."

While Tang Yuan spoke with the man, the others boarded the pleasure boat in turn.

The interior of the boat was even more spacious than it looked from the outside. The first level was an open hall, elegantly and comfortably furnished. The entire side facing the water was lined with carved wooden windows, which were all pushed open, revealing an unobstructed view of the lake and mountains.

In a corner of the hall sat two musicians, both beautiful women. One held a pipa, and the other was seated before a guqin. Upon seeing the guests board, they rose gracefully and nodded in greeting.