Chapter 45

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Unless Chen Fangjie was not in Donggang, otherwise if he did not come to greet, it would be a complete disregard for the Wang family.

Given the deep marital ties between the two families, such a rude act would never happen.

Sure enough, after Wang Dinghai responded with a signal, the other ship quickly approached. Standing at the bow was a young man dressed in martial attire, handsome and valiant.

With Wang Shouzhe's keen eyesight, he recognized the young man from a distance; it was Chen Fangjie, the young patriarch of the Donggang Chen family. Last year, after he and Wang Shouzhe's elder sister, Wang Luoyi, became engaged, he had visited the Wang family.

And when Wang Dingyue passed away, he also came to pay his respects on behalf of the Chen family. However, since they had not yet formally married, according to etiquette, he could not wear mourning clothes and guard the spirit.

Chen Fangjie clearly saw Wang Shouzhe as well. A smile appeared on his face, and he leaped from the ship with a single foot, landing on the deck like an arrow released from a bow, and then landed steadily after a mid-air flip.

He smiled and said to Wang Shouzhe, "Shouzhe, you're coming to Chen Harbor but didn't notify me a few days in advance. I could have sent a ship to pick you up."

"Met you, Brother Chen," Wang Shouzhe replied with a bow, "The trip was decided too hastily. Please forgive me, Brother Chen."

Indeed, this Chen Fangjie was his future brother-in-law. However, since they had not yet formally married, he could not call him casually.

As they spoke, Wang Shouzhe secretly observed him. Compared to last year, Chen Fangjie, who was a year older, had become even more valiant. Even Wang Shouzhe, with his strength, could barely discern his cultivation level.

It was evident that Chen Fangjie had already reached the Seventh Layer of the Qi Condensation Realm at a young age, and he was not just a beginner at this level. This made him an exceptionally talented young man, and on the surface, he was not inferior to Wang Shouzhe.

However, Wang Shouzhe was very confident and calm inside. Chen Fangjie's overall level was at most on par with the pre-transmigration Wang Shouzhe. As for the current Wang Shouzhe, he had enough confidence that by the time he reached Chen Fangjie's age, his cultivation would far surpass him.

Meanwhile, Chen Fangjie was also secretly observing Wang Shouzhe, and he was quite surprised. Previously, he thought Wang Shouzhe had great talent and worked hard in cultivation, but his overall demeanor still needed refinement.

However, after just a short time, he found that Wang Shouzhe's demeanor and aura had completely transformed. What surprised him even more was that Wang Shouzhe's aura subtly gave him a sense of pressure, indicating that he was close to breaking through to the Seventh Layer of the Qi Condensation Realm.

At eighteen, reaching the Seventh Layer of the Qi Condensation Realm!

In the entire Changning Garrison area, this was already a top-notch achievement. Chen Fangjie himself had only reached the Seventh Layer at nineteen. This future brother-in-law was no simple person.

With this thought, Chen Fangjie's affection grew even stronger: "Shouzhe, what are you talking about? Between us, there's no need to be so formal. After meeting my father, I'll take you around Chen Harbor for a while to relax."

"Brother Chen, under normal circumstances, I wouldn't refuse," Wang Shouzhe said with a smile, "But after visiting Uncle, I need to head to Bai Dao Garrison."

Although he was also a patriarch, Chen Dewei, the patriarch of the Chen family, was his sister's future father-in-law and a senior. It was only proper to visit him when passing by.

"Bai Dao Garrison," Chen Fangjie's expression became slightly serious, "You mentioned this in the letter you sent earlier. However, Shouzhe, I must remind you that Bai Dao Garrison is a remote island city, and the influence of Longzuo County there is weak. It's a place where all sorts of people mix, unlike our Changning Garrison, which is orderly."

"Brother Chen, I understand," Wang Shouzhe responded solemnly, "But I will need the Chen family to arrange the route for this trip."

Continuing along the An River, beyond the funnel-shaped mouth was the East Sea.

The ship borrowed by Uncle Wang Dinghai could navigate the An River without much issue, but it was far from suitable for the sea. A sea vessel must be large and stable, with excellent storm resistance and experienced sailors.

In short, the mysterious and unpredictable sea was not easy to navigate, especially in this fantastical world.

"It's not much trouble," Chen Fangjie said hesitantly, "As you know, our Chen family's merchant ships sail to Bai Dao Garrison once a month, mostly transporting various goods. Apart from the crew quarters, there are about ten guest cabins, though the conditions are relatively basic. If you really want to go, I can squeeze out some spots, and we can set sail this afternoon. We'll arrive at Bai Dao Garrison by the morning after tomorrow, but our ship can only dock there for five days."

A sea vessel is a massive investment, and each voyage is very costly. The route, tides, and weather must all be calculated and estimated.

Wang Shouzhe, of course, would not be so impolite as to request a dedicated ship from the Chen family. He immediately agreed and asked Chen Fangjie to arrange three guest cabins.

With the itinerary confirmed, Chen Fangjie naturally did not make things difficult and agreed.

Subsequently, under the guidance of the escort ship, Uncle Wang Dinghai's ship docked. Longyan Laozu and the others temporarily remained on the ship, while Wang Shouzhe accompanied Chen Fangjie to visit the current patriarch of the Chen family, Chen Dewei.

Chen Dewei naturally greeted Wang Shouzhe with the appropriate etiquette and expressed gratitude to the Wang family for the early warning about the honey worm infestation. For the Chen family, whose main business was not agriculture, with only two small farms totaling about three to four thousand acres, the overall loss would not be significant with the early warning.

Meanwhile, Chen Fangjie quickly arranged the sea voyage for Wang Shouzhe and introduced several Chen family members who would accompany him, instructing them to take good care of Wang Shouzhe and his group.

Since Wang Shouzhe declined to board the ship with him, Chen Fangjie gave him a small booklet before he left, containing information about various forces and intelligence in Bai Dao Garrison.

Not long after, at the deep-water port of Donggang, Wang Shouzhe and his group quietly boarded the sea vessel named "Junyao." The ship was named after the Chen family's "Junyao Laozu" to deter any ill-intentioned individuals.

After boarding, a Chen family member named Chen Fanghua politely led them to the guest cabins.

Chen Fanghua was the elder brother of the young patriarch Chen Fangjie, and at the age of twenty-five, he had already reached the high Fifth Layer of the Qi Condensation Realm, making him one of the elite among the younger generation of the Chen family.

The three guest cabins were connected, with one being a special suite for distinguished guests.

The fact that a suite could be made available so quickly clearly showed that Chen Fangjie held Wang Shouzhe in high regard and was thorough in his arrangements.

"Brother Chen, thank you," Wang Shouzhe said to Chen Fanghua, bowing, "I hope you will take good care of us during the journey."

"It's my duty, it's my duty," Chen Fanghua hurriedly replied, bowing, "The young patriarch's distinguished guest is our Chen family's distinguished guest. Please make yourselves comfortable, and if you need anything, just let me know."

With that, he took his leave. The ship was about to set sail, and this was the busiest time.

To avoid making it known to everyone, Wang Shouzhe had asked Chen Fangjie to keep his identity confidential. Therefore, the Chen family members on the ship only knew that he was a distinguished guest of the young patriarch.

After everyone left.

Wang Shouzhe bowed to Longyan Laozu and said, "Laozu, I apologize for having you travel on a cargo ship." If he had chartered a ship, it would not only be very expensive, but the matter would also be more complicated.

"It's fine, Shouzhe's arrangements are very proper," Longyan Laozu said calmly, "The trip to Bai Dao Garrison should be done quietly and quickly for the best results."

"Fourth Aunt, please take care of Laozu," Wang Shouzhe said to Xu Zhirou, "This journey will take over twenty hours, so don't let Laozu get too tired."

"Shouzhe, don't worry, I will take good care of Laozu," Fourth Aunt Xu Zhirou said solemnly, then helped Longyan Laozu into the suite.

The suite had inner and outer rooms, allowing the distinguished guest and their entourage to rest separately.

Wang Lici was about to follow in, but Wang Shouzhe called her back, "Big girl, come with me first, I have something to say to you."

"Yes, Fourth Uncle."

Wang Lici's heart skipped a beat, had she done something wrong? She followed him into the adjacent room, looking as if she had lost a loved one.

Wang Shouzhe, seeing her expression, flicked her forehead irritably, "What's that look for? I'm your Fourth Uncle, not a monster."

Wang Lici quickly changed her expression, forcing a guilty and ingratiating smile.

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