They skirted past the two opposing navies. As they flew out over the deep sea, some seagull-type oceanic soul beasts attacked Huo Yuhao and his team. However, they were not powerful enough to threaten the group and were easily dealt with.
After they skirted around the two navies and entered the territory of the Sun Moon Empire, Huo Yuhao directed his team to fly closer to the sh.o.r.eline before flying ahead. They did not rest. When the soul power of their flying-type soul tools was depleted to a certain extent, they would immediately replenish them with filled Sealed Milk Bottles.
After they flew for another four hours, they soon approached Huo Yuhao"s second designated location. This was a city near the southern coast of the Sun Moon Empire called Seajoy City. Seajoy City was located near the southern sea of the Sun Moon Empire and could be considered a big city. It was built on the Sun Moon Empire"s greatest natural port, Sun Moon Harbor.
While s.h.i.+ps could not enter the deep sea, progress in soul engineering technology ensured that s.h.i.+ps sailing near the coast would be safe. After all, transport by sea was easier than transport by land, as it required less manpower and logistics. It would, however, require a greater upfront investment.
Everyone could see Sun Moon Harbor in the distance. However, Huo Yuhao did not fly there straightaway with his companions. Instead, they landed near the coast around five kilometers away from Sun Moon Harbor and Seajoy City. There, everyone changed into the style of clothing worn by the people of the Sun Moon Empire. Only then did they head toward Seajoy City on foot.
Seajoy City could not compare with Radiant City or Shrek City. Relative to the cities of the continent, it was considered medium-sized.
Perhaps because of its rather inaccessible location, Seajoy City"s security was much less strict. Huo Yuhao and the rest were able to enter it easily.
Seajoy City"s buildings were different from those in the inland cities of the Sun Moon Empire. The city did not have the tall buildings of Radiant City, but more of the characteristics of a fis.h.i.+ng village by the sea. They all looked extremely st.u.r.dy, as they were probably designed to withstand sea storms. The buildings of Seajoy City were all located on higher ground, while Sun Moon Harbor was located on a downward slope.
------
They first found a medium-sized hotel to settle down in. After flying for almost half a day, they needed time to rest.
"Qiuqiu, come and walk with me," Huo Yuhao gestured to Nan Qiuqiu.
Nan Qiuqiu looked at Ye Guyi next to her, and said, "Ask Sister Guyi instead. Why me?"
Huo Yuhao"s faced darkened as he said, "What did I say before we came out? You have to obey all orders. If you don"t want to listen to my instructions, you can go back by yourself."
Nan Qiuqiu stuck out her tongue and said crossly, "There"s no need to be so fierce. I"ll go with you!" As she said that, she shot an odd look at Ye Guyi. Ye Guyi blushed, and her hips moved slightly. Then, Nan Qiuqiu ran out with a smile.
Huo Yuhao said, "Take this time to rest, guys. In the meantime, you can replenish the soul power in our Sealed Milk Bottles. We"ll come back soon."
Xu Sans.h.i.+ said, "Go, we"ll be fine here."
Huo Yuhao did not dare to delay. He was afraid of this young mistress. Heaven knew what kind of trouble she would cause.
He followed her outside and saw that she was not far away. Only then did he relax. He rushed over and said, "Come, hold my arm."
Nan Qiuqiu was startled. She jumped to one side as she stared at him warily and said, "What are you doing? Don"t even think about taking advantage of me! Back in the hotel, there"s someone who"s dying for you to do that to her. What"s wrong? Have you fallen for me?"
Huo Yuhao slapped his forehead and said helplessly, "Can you stop being so perverted? Do you want to save your mother or not?"
Nan Qiuqiu said angrily, "Saving my mother doesn"t mean I have to sacrifice my virtue! Stop using this to threaten me!"
The muscles on Huo Yuhao"s face twitched as he said, "Okay, fine. Go back and get Ye Guyi to come. Tell her that we need to pretend to be a couple."
"Pretend to be a couple? For what?" Nan Qiuqiu"s wariness was replaced by curiosity.
Huo Yuhao said angrily, "This is our disguise! We pretend to be a couple to gather information. If not, why would I want you to hold my arm?"
"You should have made yourself clearer," Nan Qiuqiu replied with a snort. Only then did she shuffle over unwillingly and she held his arm. However, she grabbed the inner portion of his s.h.i.+rt with two of her fingers.
Huo Yuhao sighed and said, "Sometimes I feel that it was a mistake for elder brother to let you tag along. Let"s go." As he said that, he strode forward with big steps.
Nan Qiuqiu"s mouth twitched as she said, "I"m a proper girl. What if I become pregnant pretending to be your girlfriend?"
Huo Yuhao almost stumbled and fell. His arm trembled as he pushed Nan Qiuqiu"s hand to one side as he said, "Fine, you win, mistress. Let"s pretend to be brother and sister, alright? You won"t have to "suffer" so much like this. I"m truly in awe at how you think holding hands can lead to pregnancy."
With that, he ignored her as he continued to walk forward.
"Oi! Why are you so fierce? This time, you"re in the wrong! There"s no way for you to pretend to be my older brother. I should be your elder sister instead! I"m older than you! Oi, stop walking so fast, wait for me!"
Huo Yuhao was afraid that he might really blow his top because of Nan Qiuqiu, and hence he walked ahead quickly. In his heart, he felt frustrated and helpless, but a smile crept across his face. This seemingly dumb and proud girl was indeed interesting. Ever since Dong"er fell into a deep slumber, he was finally able to relax a bit, even though it was because he was dealing with such petty issues.
---
As he walked down the street, Huo Yuhao bought some interesting local delicacies, such as dried fish, scallops, and some dried meat. He also bought a map of Seajoy City and its Sun Moon Harbor.
Nan Qiuqiu ultimately decided to be his girlfriend. While she did not like it, she held his hand.
"Why are you buying all this? They don"t look very tasty! Speaking of food, your grilled fish yesterday was excellent. Make more next time, it"s praiseworthy!"
Huo Yuhao said in a low voice, "I don"t need your praise. From now on, try not to talk. Just smile."
"Why can"t I talk? I want to talk."
"Save your mother! Save your mother!"
"Hmph!"
---
After making two rounds through the city following the instructions on the map, he finally stopped in front of building with a pointy top. He did not enter it immediately, but instead turned to look at Nan Qiuqiu and said, "After we enter, say nothing, is that clear? Listen to my instructions. If not, you can go back."
"Alright, I"ll keep quiet," Nan Qiuqiu agreed unwillingly.
Huo Yuhao sighed in relief, but just as he was about to enter, Nan Qiuqiu said, "Have you realized that Sister Guyi seems to like you?"
Huo Yuhao missed a step, and he turned back and glared at her, saying angrily, "Shut your mouth, is that clear?"
"Alright!" Nan Qiuqiu shut her mouth unwillingly, but she continued to mumble, "I don"t know what Sister Guyi sees in you. So fierce, hmph!"
Huo Yuhao did not bring Ye Guyi out because he sensed that she was looking at him oddly. Last night, it was clear from the way she watched him prepare the fish. Maybe she did not like him, but she was definitely curious about him. Huo Yuhao was quite sensitive to this. Qiu"er and Dong"er were already fighting for him. He could not blame Qiu"er for it, but he definitely did not want anyone else to fall for him!
However, he regretted it now. Bringing Nan Qiuqiu out was torture! Had he known that, he would have brought Ye Guyi out. At least she was more normal!
There was a sign on the pointed building, which bore the words Sun Moon Harbor s.h.i.+pping Company.
After he entered the door, he was greeted with a bustling sight. The main hall was wide; at least four hundred square meters in area. There were ten counters, all of which were manned by busy staff. It was not particularly clean, and one could smell the reek of salt rot. Nan Qiuqiu could not help but frown. Huo Yuhao pinched her, stopping her from complaining about the place.
Huo Yuhao looked around at his surroundings before walking to a counter. The counter was empty, except for a middle-aged woman sitting on the other side.
"h.e.l.lo, may I ask what the prices are for renting a boat?" After staying in the Sun Moon Empire for two years, he was able to imitate the local accent almost perfectly. Furthermore, he deliberately lowered the sound of his voice, making it hard to hear him clearly in this bustling place.
"Renting a boat? Little boy, why do you want to rent a boat? Don"t you know the ocean is unsafe?" The middle-aged woman looked at Huo Yuhao and waved him away impatiently.
Nan Qiuqiu, who was next to Huo Yuhao, almost laughed. Little boy, what a nice moniker!
Huo Yuhao said calmly, "Sister, it"s not right to say that. While I"m young, this doesn"t mean I can"t do business! I want to rent a cargo s.h.i.+p that can transport around five thousand kilos of goods."
"You want to s.h.i.+p something? Where?" The middle-aged woman finally perked up.
Huo Yuhao said, "To Pegasus Harbor in the east. How much will it cost?" Pegasus Harbor was located near the eastern seaboard of the Sun Moon Empire. It was near the Star Luo Empire"s naval base, which faced the Sun Moon Empire"s fleet. It was the easternmost port of the Sun Moon Empire and was just a bit smaller than Sun Moon Harbor.
The middle-aged woman said, "A cargo s.h.i.+p that can carry five thousand kilos of goods to Pegasus Harbor? It"ll cost at least twelve hundred golden soul coins. Little fellow, it isn"t cheap!"
Huo Yuhao said, "Money is no issue, but I want to know if it"s safe. Also, what kind of cargo s.h.i.+p can you provide?"