Chapter 4781 — Huo Yudie Follows

"Truly?" Liu Ziqi looked at him dubiously, opening her mouth as if to say something, then hesitating.

She had heard something of how Wei Zhao had steered the Northern Island treasure ship through that crisis, but to the vast majority of people—herself included—it could only be put down to good luck. After all, every trade has its own craft; without being a genuinely seasoned ship's master, one could not possibly serve as a danger lookout.

"Perhaps you should not force it," Huo Yudie said anxiously. "For simply monitoring dangers, I too believe your ability is more than equal to it—but they have made it plain they mean to pick fault, and against that there is no guarding."

"That's right—if you insist on going, then take me with you. Wherever you go, I go!" Ning Xuefei declared flatly.

Seeing the girl wearing the look of a wife who follows her man through thick and thin, Wei Zhao was at once amused. He could not help laughing out loud. "Feifei, don't be ridiculous. I'm only going to serve a turn as danger lookout—it's nothing as grave as you imagine. Besides, they won't let you onto the lookout platform anyway."

"Quite right, Feifei, you truly cannot go," Liu Ziqi put in hastily. "Your identity is far too sensitive; no one would dare let you up onto the lookout platform at will, and I would not permit it either. You had best stay here with us."

If something happened to Wei Zhao, she would of course grieve—but that would be a matter of private feeling only, and would not deal too great a blow to the larger situation. Ning Xuefei was different. If the heiress of the Western Island came to harm here, the Western Island and the Eastern Continent would turn on each other in an instant, and thousands upon thousands would die for it. The greater stakes allowed not the slightest mishap.

In truth, Liu Ziqi was confident that even Okuda Qi, who had set his sights so deliberately on Wei Zhao, would never dare let any harm come to Ning Xuefei—otherwise, to appease the Western Island's fury, this captain would surely be thrust forth as the scapegoat, with no hope of escape.

"But…" Ning Xuefei still clung tightly to Wei Zhao's hand, wanting to say more.

"There is no 'but.' There is no room for discussion in this matter. Your mother entrusted you to my care, and I absolutely will not let you go and take the risk," Liu Ziqi cut her off.

Seeing Ning Xuefei's aggrieved, helpless look, Wei Zhao smiled and patted her hand. "You know my strength well enough," he said reassuringly. "A trifling scene like this won't trouble me. Feifei, just set your mind at ease and stay."

"Then…" Ning Xuefei hesitated a long while before nodding reluctantly. "All right. I'll do as you and Aunt Liu say—but if you fall into danger, I'll be the first to charge in after you."

"Ha, the lookout platform isn't an executioner's block—how dangerous could it be? Set your heart a hundred percent at ease," Wei Zhao said with a laugh.

After much coaxing and persuading, Ning Xuefei was at last talked round. But the moment he turned his head, Huo Yudie suddenly bit her lip and said, "If Feifei can't go, then I'll go with you!"

"Ah?" Wei Zhao was speechless at once—one had barely been persuaded when up popped another. It was enough to drive a man to his grave. Helpless, he said, "I'm going to monitor dangers, not on a country outing. What would you do there?"

"I can help you!" Huo Yudie said with a perfectly straight face.

"Help me? How would you help me? Have you done this sort of work before?" Wei Zhao asked, puzzled.

"Well, no…" Huo Yudie thought for a moment, her eyes darting about. "But my nose is sharp! Surely that counts for something."

"Uh…" Wei Zhao was at a loss for words. This girl's way of thinking truly soared beyond the clouds—what danger lookout ever worked by his nose?

With no other choice, Wei Zhao turned to look at Liu Ziqi, hoping her master would step in and dissuade the girl. To his surprise, Liu Ziqi nodded and said, "Very well then. Die'er, you go with Wei Zhao—and be sure to take every care for your safety."

Pfft! Wei Zhao nearly spat at the words. So it was not only Huo Yudie whose thinking was peculiar—her master was plainly of the same school. Like master, like disciple, sure enough.

In truth, Liu Ziqi had agreed so readily for two reasons. First was a sense of making it up to Wei Zhao: both he and Ning Xuefei had been entrusted to her care by Ning Shanghe, and yet because she had not been forceful enough, Wei Zhao had been pushed into danger; having Huo Yudie accompany him would at least provide some support. Second, she had seen into her precious disciple's heart and decided to grant the girl her wish.

Hearing the conversation from afar, and especially hearing that Huo Yudie meant to accompany Wei Zhao up to the lookout platform, Ren Zhongyuan—still gloating over on his side—nearly choked with fury. He had meant to shove Wei Zhao into a pit of fire; how had he somehow handed the man a chance to be alone with Huo Yudie?

The lookout platform stood high above, all but cut off from everything below, free of any disturbance. Up there, Wei Zhao and Huo Yudie would be living in a pure two-person world. What pit of fire was this? It was a veritable haven of tender romance!

Yet Ren Zhongyuan could not stop it. He could only gnash his teeth in silence and console himself: Go on, go on—let him look at Wei Zhao a couple more days. Within two days, that boy would be a dead man!

After the noon meal, Wei Zhao and his companion, seen off by Liu Ziqi and Ning Xuefei, arrived at the crew's working area. The first mate of this ancient warship glanced at the two of them—it seemed Okuda Qi had already spoken with him beforehand—and asked lazily, reclining slantwise in his chair, "Wasn't it said there was only one substitute lookout? Why are there two?"

"This is my assistant," Wei Zhao replied coolly. Huo Yudie had been absolutely set on coming, and she had Liu Ziqi's backing besides; there was nothing he could do about it.

"Assistant?" The first mate eyed Huo Yudie sidelong, a leering smile playing across his face. "What sort of assistant? The kind that keeps you company at night? I don't mind telling you, it does get dreadfully dull up there—without something to do, a man could go mad. Seeing as you're such a pitiable fellow, assistant it is."

The words made Huo Yudie flush to the ears, and even Wei Zhao felt a little embarrassed. He truly had not thought of that angle…

"The lookout platform is up above; you can go up yourselves. I needn't waste words on the duties of the post—report dangers in real time and give prompt, accurate orders to evade them. If there's the slightest slip—heh heh." The first mate cast Wei Zhao a look of pity.

There was no need to say what the rest of the sentence meant: once a fault was found, Okuda Qi would surely seize the chance to punish him. If Wei Zhao's negligence alone brought danger upon everyone aboard, then no amount of pleading would avail—the words "dealt with under military law" were not spoken idly.

"I understand," Wei Zhao nodded. Just before leaving, he suddenly said, "May I ask a question? The post of danger lookout is not a thing to be trifled with. Simply to make trouble for one man, are you truly willing to take such a risk?" (To be continued.)