novelraw Chapter 980 - 537: Ten Thousand Fisherman Fires
Chapter 980 - 537: Ten Thousand Fisherman Fires
The Great Master felt at ease allowing Huangfuming to go out alone without attendants, so she didn’t bring the Hidden Guard either. She only carried a metallic monster Faceless within her sleeve, and followed Huangfuming out of the King Jinghai Mansion. Servants had already brought out two Green Water Golden Eye Beasts, known for their speed, and were waiting by the side.
"Where to?"
Huangfuming thought for a moment and said, "In this city, you can visit anywhere during the day, but I’ll take you to a place that only reveals its beauty at night." He mounted one of the Defect Beasts and rode toward the Northwest.
In any other city, the gates would close after sunset, but Duling City’s North Gate remained open all night, continuously guarded, though not allowing unrestricted access. Anyone wishing to come or go must hold official permission. This wasn’t due to King Jinghai Mansion’s negligence; rather, it was because toward the Northwest lies the largest natural deep-water harbor along Mirror Sea, accommodating a constant stream of cargo being transported in and out of Duling City. Closing the gate would disrupt trade immensely—countless fortunes lost in minutes.
The young Master from King Jinghai Mansion needed only to show the Mansion’s waist card, and which guard would dare refuse entry?
The Prince’s Mansion was already near the North Gate, and with the swift pace of the Defect Beasts, they reached the seaside in about an hour. The pitch-black mountains undulated in the night, like the back of a monster.
"What’s there to see here?" The mountains seemed no different in the night. However, she heard the sound of the tide rising and falling, a sound that evoked a deep nostalgia.
"We took a shortcut. Follow me." Huangfuming turned his Defect Beast and headed up the mountain, leaving her to follow.
Huangfuming, the first to reach the mountaintop, waved his whip and pointed down with satisfaction, saying, "Look, quickly!"
She urged her mount up the ridge and looked down, holding her breath.
Below the mountain was a ’冂’-shaped bay, with high rocky fortresses enclosing three sides, turning the vast bay into a sheltered harbor. What lay before her were countless flickering spots of light floating on the dark sea. Against the pure black backdrop, they emanated an orange-red glow, warmer than fireflies, swaying with the waves, yet so bright and warm.
She instantly knew what it was.
These were the lights of tens of thousands of fishing boats anchored in the harbor. The ship owners connected their boats with thick ropes, forming an enormous boat formation to withstand light winds and waves. At night, they naturally lit lamps, one lamp per boat, reflecting on the water and flickering in and out of view. Looking down from the mountain, they stretched endlessly, each point of light corresponding with the stars above, a spectacle of the Mortal World.
She had seen such a scene before, in another world.
The small town where she was born was close to the sea, and fishermen stayed overnight on their boats, lighting similar lights in the bay, though far less magnificent. She loved this sight, feeling at peace and calm each time she saw it. Unfortunately, this beauty vanished a few years later.
Such distant memories had almost sunk to the depths of her mind. Now, without warning, they resurfaced, the childhood dreams filled with joy somehow piercing her heart. In retrospect, the scene seemed blurry, its outline lost.
Could she ever go back?
Ning Xiaoxian was lost in thought until a small paw touched her face, and she heard Huangfuming’s cautious voice: "Ning... are you okay? If you don’t like it here, there’s no need to cry." His words carried a bit of regret.
She suddenly came to her senses and realized she was crying at the sight of the Ten Thousand Fisherman Fires. Embarrassed, she laughed and said, "It’s nothing, just memories of the past, which made me smile. Biting her lip, she gently stroked his soft black hair and said sincerely, "Thank you. I thought I would never see such a sight again in this life." At that moment, her heart softened, and the young man before her seemed much more agreeable.
Huangfuming had just reached out to wipe her tears, feeling the soft, smooth sensation on his fingertips. He clenched his hand into a fist behind his back, lightly cleared his throat, and said: "No need for thanks; what’s so unseen about it? I could bring you to see this every day... Let’s go down." He rode ahead down the mountain.