Chapter 1479: Hundred Steps (2)

The owner of this passenger ship is Zhu Yugu, the boss of the Human Market.

Chief Engineer was shocked and said, “Who did this? Was it the Boss?”

Boat Master said, “It’s not the Boss, but news from the Boss’s side said it was a ruthless person from Greenwater City, Li Qi, who did it.”

“Li Qi…” Chief Engineer thought for a moment; the name seemed familiar, but he couldn’t recall what this person did.

“I just saw a photo of Li Qi on Black Face Island, and it seems to resemble one of our passengers.” The Boat Master showed the photo to the Chief Engineer.

Chief Engineer looked at it for a long time, then shook his head and said, “Boss, you can’t even see the face in this photo; it only shows someone dressed in a suit and wearing a hat. There are many people dressed like that. How can anyone say that the person on our ship is Li Qi?”

This photo was clipped from a newspaper; it was originally a candid shot by a photographer, so Li Qi’s face was not visible at all.

The Boat Master said, “But I’ve heard that Li Qi has come to Sea City. If we calculate the days, it’s really possible that he’s here. I’ve also heard that the boss of Sea City’s Guan Huodong hasn’t shown up for several days. Many people are saying that he went to find Li Qi a few days ago and hasn’t returned since.”

The stoker turned pale and said, “Boss, should our ship still set sail?”

“Set sail…” The Boat Master rubbed his hands together, becoming more frightened the more he thought about it.

This Chief Engineer, being quite old and experienced, was calmer than the Boat Master: “Boss, we have to set sail. If we stay here, things could go wrong. Just think, if Li Qi is not on our ship, stopping here will offend the passengers, and we can’t take that risk. If Li Qi is on our ship, we definitely can’t offend him. If this killer gets angry, who among us can survive? Black Face Island is such a small place; we have nowhere to hide!”

The stoker said with a sullen face, “What if he turns on us at sea? What will we do then?”

“Once we’re at sea, we’ll have more options.”

Seeing that the Chief Engineer spoke with confidence, the Boat Master made up his mind and said to the stoker, “Tell the guys to add coal and water; it’s time to set sail.”

The stoker didn’t operate the boiler; he was the head of those who did, with more than ten people under his command.

These ten-plus individuals were charged with coal-adding, water-supply, forced draft, and valve control.

As the steam pressure reached the right level, the turbine started to rev up, and the passenger ship slowly sailed away from Black Face Island.

The Chief Engineer repeatedly instructed the Boat Master to keep an eye on Li Qi’s movements.

While all these people were looking for Li Qi, Li Qi was currently bullying Hong Ying inside the Portable Residence.

Li Banfeng sat beside Hong Ying, patting his conscience and saying, “In our family, when it comes to brains and bravery, the first one that comes to mind is Ying Ying! Let’s not talk about distant matters; take Bafang, for instance. He’s such a clever Arithmetic Cultivator that ordinary people can’t manage him at all. Ying Ying used a brilliant plan to subdue Bafang, something that no one else could achieve!”

Miss Jiu rolled her eyes at Li Banfeng: “What do you mean ‘subdue’? It was clearly about beating him into submission. When you couldn’t solve it, you just grabbed him and beat him senseless. Is that what you call a brilliant plan?”

Li Banfeng glared at Miss Jiu: “Tailoring your approach to the person shows extraordinary skills; Ying Ying has immense wisdom!”

Tang Sword swung his blade slightly: “General Hong indeed has great wisdom!”

Hong Ying snorted: “No need to flatter me. I know you just want to learn my marking technique. If you don’t call me a good wife, I definitely won’t teach you.”

Li Banfeng rubbed his hands together and said, “Look at you, so stubborn; why do you insist on being called a wife?”

Hong Ying looked at Li Banfeng and said, “You heartless man! If I’m not your wife, what else can I be? Your servant girl? I’m not competing with Xiaowan for affection, but I do need a title. So, will you call me ‘wife’ or not?”

“No,” Li Banfeng insisted stubbornly.

“Then don’t come looking for me!”

Tang Sword advised Li Banfeng: “My lord, calling her ‘wife’ doesn’t cost you anything, and General Hong’s marking technique is truly impressive.”

Li Banfeng gave Tang Sword a stern look: “I already have a wife; how can this be treated lightly?”

Tang Sword placed his blade vertically in the middle of the room and said righteously: “The Marshal isn’t the type to fuss over such matters. But if it comes down to it, let them have a fair fight, General Hong. Whoever wins can be the Lady. I’ll stand witness!”

Whoosh!

A burst of steam came, and Tang Sword, with his body flushed, stood next to Li Banfeng: “I’ll join my lord as a witness!”

Li Banfeng ignored Tang Sword and continued his discussion with Hong Ying.

Hong Ying wouldn’t agree, and Li Banfeng took a step back: “It’s fine if you don’t teach me, but at least tell me what the markings of Traveling Cultivation are for? If I learn the marks, can I use the Thousand Mile In A Step technique freely? Does it ensure no more getting lost?”

This was a worry for Li Banfeng and the reason he insisted on learning the markings.

The Thousand Mile In A Step was Li Banfeng’s favorite Traveling Cultivation Technique. On the battlefield, it allowed for easy movements—killing enemies or escaping—where else could you find such a method?

But the technique had a huge drawback: stepping out, you wouldn’t know where the opposite side would land, nor your own destination. A little carelessness could ruin everything, which is why Li Banfeng never dared to use the Thousand Mile In A Step lightly.

Marks could be used to find people and surely for positioning too. If there was a way to fix positions, the drawback of the Thousand Mile In A Step could be greatly mitigated.

Hong Ying put down her brow pencil, looked at Li Banfeng, and smiled smugly: “Qi Lang wasn’t wrong. Once you learn my markings, you can use the Thousand Mile In A Step technique at will.”

Hearing this, Li Banfeng’s eyes were full of anticipation.