Voyage With The Pirate King

Yes, Ji Wen should be a little hopeful and trust in his son's strength but he couldn't accept it so easily. His gaze shifted to Qilin Hao who was standing behind them watching in silence. Beyond her lone figure, he could see the Qilin San's delegates standing further up watching them like hawks.

His gaze shifted back to Qilin Hao and he could see the ripple of emotions in her eyes. Because she had to keep her distance from Ji Yao and pretend that they had a terrible relationship she was forced to stand there and watch as her son left without saying goodbye.

She knew it was all a part of the deal but her heart ached. Qilin Hao didn't know why she had to torture herself like this. She initially intended to stay in the courtyard and not see him off but in the end, she couldn't help herself, especially after she heard the clanking of porcelain bottles in the other room.

Her husband who was having a hard time accepting this had suddenly taken bottles of liquor before dashing outside like he was going to start something. She subconsciously followed after him but was forced to watch from a distance.

Seeing her like this Ji Wen stopped whining and walked over to her before draping his arm over her shoulders. "Let's go home," he whispered in her ear before kissing her hair. The couple passed by the delegates without a word but the pairs of eyes followed them until they disappeared.

With their figures gone one of them asked, "You think he couldn't stand staying in the same place as her that he left?"

"It does seem so but where would he go? He can't live on that ship for the rest of his life, right?" said the other Nocru as he watched the distant dot on the horizon. It was Red Valkyrie sailing off to who knows where.

"We should inform his majesty about this..... just in case," he said before turning to walk away.

***

Ji Yao who had no idea that he had drawn the attention of Qilin San's hound dogs was looking at the chart but his mind wasn't there. He knew what his parents said about painting again was right but he couldn't bring himself to do it.

He was afraid of what he would see but his mind kept drifting there. He didn't want to get hurt but he also wanted to find out. As he sat there looking at the chart he could feel a strong magnetic force pulling him towards the closed drawer at the corner of his cabin.

Even if he wanted to ignore it the pull was so strong that no matter how hard he concentrated he couldn't stop thinking of it. His heartbeat quickened the more he thought of it. As his self-control crumpled to dust his palms were covered in a cold sweat. It was at this moment he realised he was going to do it.

But just as he stood up the door was suddenly knocked followed by a timid voice calling out to him. He knew that it had to be Xiao Yùnqì want did the boy want especially now when he had decided to finally do what he had been dreading all this time.

"Ahem... come in," he said as he straightened up his body trying to appear natural.

Having been given permission Xiao Yùnqì walked in but he wasn't alone. Behind him was a group of youngsters who had apparently shoved him forward just in case Ji Yao blew up.

Ji Yao coldly glared at them for a second making them want to run out. After taking another glance at the drawer he looked at them again this time his gaze less vicious. He gestured with his fingers for them to come in.

Everyone heaved a sigh like they had just survived a great tribulation. They walked on and stood by the door with their backs plastered on the wall all with exception of Zhang Ci who comfortably took a seat right next to Ji Yao.

Feeling contented he smiled at Ji Yao only for his smile to fall when he was met by an icy gaze. "Oh," he mumbled before moving a few inches away but that gaze remained fixed on him causing a chill all over his body.

He kept moving until Ji Yao stopped staring at him menacingly. By the time he stopped moving he was already sitting much closer to the door. Seeing this the others moved forward to sit next to Zhang Ci but before they sat Ji Yao spoke,

"Do I look that scary?..... Come sit closer."

Everyone, "....."

Zhang Ci also got up following the rest but Ji Yao raised his index finger and said, "Not you..... everyone else take a seat here."

"So it's just me then," asked Zhang Ci who felt so annoyed after being shunned.

Ji Yao didn't even bother with him. He focused on the faces right in front of him and said, "Speak," in a gentle tone.

It was that boy who Lan Wu brought that spoke after being urged on by everyone. "Cap-captain Ji.... where are we headed?" he asked with his head lowered but the moment he raised his head he was met by that probing gaze just like before.

Ji Yao felt something off about this kid but he still couldn't put his finger on it. He wanted to know more about him but now wasn't the time so he looked away and said, "I haven't figured that out yet. For now, just follow my orders and there is nothing to stress about."

It was indeed true that he hadn't figured it out yet. He knew the only way he could figure out his next move was painting again. It was illogical to anchor near the next location his mother determined waiting for the gateway to open. How long would they have to wait? A month, a year, two days?

His best bet was anchoring at the closest port near their target so when the curtain between the two worlds is unveiled they would reach the place as fast as possible. This place was so far away so for the time being he could only paint and figure out their next step.

With a few words, he got his new crew out of his cabin. As soon as they were gone Ji Yao walked over to that drawer and opened it. With a gentle tug, he pulled the ribbon holding up his hair in a half ponytail and his hair came falling like a waterfall mesmerizing and enchanting.

With a slight tremble in his hand, he gently caressed the brush set that Rui Fei bought for him with a look of nostalgia. This time he vowed to have that cub tied to his hip when they meet again. He would never let him out of his sight.

Bolstering his courage he took out the set. Settling himself in front of a setup canvas he closed his eyes trying to put himself in the same emotional state he was in the last time he did this but it wasn't easy.. He found himself struggling for a while but the moment his heart became one with the circulation of his seraphic energy throughout his body his hands began to moved subconsciously.