novelraw Chapter 153: Get Some Proper Rest
Chapter 153: Get Some Proper Rest
...
Under the starry night, twinkling starlight reflected off the shimmering waves.
The small houseboat followed the lighthouse's direction along with many other adventure vessels, heading towards Damarro Town's harbor.
The old lighthouse keeper waved at Chen Qi.
Chen Qi looked up, recalling his first return to Damarro Town.
The rickety small houseboat docked at Damarro Town's pier with creaking sounds.
Chen Qi placed Water Spirit No.1 on his shoulder and disembarked at Damarro Town's port.
Now was precisely the time for returning.
Chen Qi walked along the pier path, surveying his surroundings.
During his last visit, he hadn't noticed the changes that had come to Damarro Town.With the Dimensional Tide, Beiguo's officials had constructed defensive facilities and weather towers in Damarro Town, while keen-nosed merchants seized the opportunity to purchase numerous shops in town.
Now, Damarro Town had transformed beyond recognition. This once-neglected little island inhabited only by fishermen and miners now gathered elite adventurers from Beiguo's mainland and even foreign lands.
Chen Qi walked forward, noticing newly added facilities near the pier - 'Weapon Shop', 'Moonstone City Hunter Association Branch', 'Potion Store', and others.
Merchants and adventurers chatted freely at the docks.
Chen Qi pricked up his ears.
Two merchants - one tall, one thin - were conversing.
"Ghost ships robbed our merchant vessel! We must dispatch hunter teams to reclaim what's ours!"
"Reclaim what's ours? Don't you know when facing Canary Trading Company's ships, those ghost ships just circle them singing?"
The ghost ships' rampage made both sigh deeply.
"Sigh... If this continues, even coastal routes won't be safe. Maybe we should explore new routes, like those dangerous waters - say, White Tree Shallows."
"Shut up! Do you know about the Black Rabbit Massacre at White Tree Shallows? Just wait - there's a shipbuilder from Steam Hand Workshop who supposedly can make ships faster than ghost vessels."
"Forget these troubles. I heard Damarro Town's bonfire feast tonight invited many famous chefs!"
Ghost ships, new routes, Steam Hand's shipbuilder...
Chen Qi shook his head imperceptibly.
Even coastal waters weren't peaceful under the Dimensional Tide's influence.
I advise against going to White Tree Shallows... Chen Qi couldn't rest yet, quickening his pace toward Damarro Town's central bonfire feast.
At the town center, a grand open-air feast was arranged - from the number of tables, it could accommodate over five hundred people.
In the past, Damarro Town would never host such a lavish banquet.
Chen Qi scanned the area for Teacher An.
But before spotting Teacher An, he first saw the beaming Damarro Town Mayor.
The mayor was discussing land leases with a wealthy merchant.
Mayor Damarro had exhausted himself for his children's future - marrying a wife two heads taller, working hard to earn money, all to establish his own family like nobles.
Yet he never imagined his lifetime earnings couldn't compare to profits brought by the Dimensional Tide.
Now wealthy, Mayor Damarro planned to find a genetically mutated tall woman for his son Little Damarro to improve their family genes! To steer their lineage toward mutation!
The fastest, most economical path to establish a great family!
Spotting Chen Qi, Mayor Damarro bid farewell to the merchant and approached:
"Long time no see, Qi! I heard you've become a renowned chef! A super chef!"
Chen Qi smiled:
"No, my fame mainly comes from White Pigeon Times' coverage. My culinary skills are still far from true mastery."
After exchanging pleasantries, the mayor expressed admiration when hearing Chen Qi ventured to Rift Sea.
Suddenly remembering his unmarried daughter, the mayor asked curiously:
"So, Qi, any interest in settling down in Damarro Town?"
Mayor Damarro's eyes shone expectantly.
Though Chen Qi didn't attend academy, in his view, his talent was second only to An's.
If Chen Qi settled here, his current fame could surely establish another renowned restaurant, attracting more tourists!
Settle down? These times don't allow settling - wandering is king! Chen Qi shook his head:
"I've no plans to settle currently. By the way, Mayor, do you know any luxury goods merchants?"
Rather than selling Sea Cloud's wool in Moonstone City, dealing directly with the mayor might be better.
Rejected... The mayor sighed:
"Indeed, you and An are cut from the same cloth - neither can settle down... Wait, luxury goods?"
"During my Rift Sea voyage, I was fortunate to acquire some Sea Cloud wool."
"What?"
"Sea Cloud wool."
"Sea Cloud wool!!"
Mayor Damarro eyed Chen Qi suspiciously.
Sea Cloud wool-made bath products could turn dark wheat skin into delicate white complexion - safely and pollution-free.
His wife had been longing for this precious bath product, so he knew Sea Cloud wool well.
Extremely rare items!
Where'd you get supply?
Though Damarro Town has few capable youths, those who are capable are remarkably ruthless... The mayor pondered:
"Cloud wool is coveted everywhere. I'll try finding buyers, but these merchants are shrewd - without sufficient supply, they might lowball."
The mayor provided several merchants' information.
Chen Qi memorized the details - after tonight, he could sell all Sea Cloud wool for at least four million Shell Coins.
"Qi, Qi..."
An's voice called from behind.
"Ahem, someone's inviting me to drink. I'll challenge An's father - let this tavern owner know who's the true drinking champion!"
Mayor Damarro coughed, immediately grabbing a cup to find An's father elsewhere at the feast.
Chen Qi turned to see An.
She wore a side ponytail, strands casually framing her face, adding clever charm and nonchalance.
Her white lace dress with delicate cloud patterns appeared simple yet exuded unique allure.
So she owns other clothes... Chen Qi marveled.
An was a typical workaholic, usually wearing school's battle mage robes without dressing up.
Her wardrobe contained at least ten identical mage robes.
Chen Qi rubbed his hands, ready to showcase culinary skills:
"An, where's the kitchen? Let me challenge the chefs here!"
Instead of answering, An inspected Chen Qi like a curious cat - top to bottom, left to right - like a professional doctor.
Then she raised a finger with serious expression:
"Dark circles, bloodshot eyes, chaotic spiritual energy, signs of cold. And just yesterday you encountered ghost calamity and major storm! Earlier you were still discussing business with Mayor Damarro!"
"Moreover, today's voyage to Moonstone City - no proper sleep either!"
Huh? Chen Qi was stunned by An's rapid-fire observations.
Then An looked up, lowering her voice:
"Continuous travel causes accumulated stress - and excessive stress can kill, Qi! What you need now is rest - stop thinking, get proper rest!"
Proper rest... Chen Qi touched his shoulder as sudden exhaustion flooded him.
The constant travel had indeed worn him out.
Only now did he realize it.
Hearing An's nagging, Chen Qi recalled her other nickname - Mother An.
Though often expressionless like a robot, An was actually highly observant.
Chen Qi questioned:
"So tonight's feast doesn't actually need Water Spirit Restaurant's chef? You clearly said chefs were needed today."
No chef duties existed, yet An still summoned him.
Huh? An froze, struggling to respond:
"Today... temporarily... found several master chefs. Qi, you just returned from dangerous Sea Monster Gorge - should enjoy fine food."
Her speech became fragmented, robotically uncertain.
"......"
Chen Qi surveyed the feast tables laden with fragrant delicacies.
Indeed, he no longer needed chef earnings.
And recently he'd been too practical, advancing endlessly like a player.
Occasionally resting to savor fine food wasn't bad.
Chen Qi stretched his stiff body:
"Alright, thanks for caring, Teacher An."
Suddenly An blushed inexplicably:
"It's my duty, I didn't mean... mean... anything... um..."
Realizing her stuttering, she frantically patted her reddening cheeks:
"Ahem! Besides making you rest - tonight's feast also has a famous shipbuilder!"
"If opportunity arises, you could commission a ship from him!"
Shipbuilder? Following An's gaze, Chen Qi looked toward the feast's center.
There sat a scruffy-bearded middle-aged man wearing light upper-body armor, looking melancholy.
Chen Qi started slightly.
This man was also an Ice Demon Pirates member - one who disliked humans.