Chapter - 255 A Shiver of Sharks In the Big Waves (8) (2/2)

”The Old Heretic Huang deceived us!” Zhou Botong hatefully said, ”Where is the strange thing on this boat he was talking about? He is such a liar!”

Hong Qigong, however, was still in doubt. He leaped to the mast and with his strength tried to rock the mast and the sail, but again, he found nothing out of ordinary. He lifted up his eyes looking at a distance; he saw seagulls flying, the billows rolled and the horizon where the sea met the sky. The boat's three sails were fully raised; they were heading north. He spread his collar and enjoyed the invigorating wind. Turning his head he saw Ouyang Feng's boat following them approximately two li's [about 1 km] behind.

Hong Qigong leaped down the mast, made a hand signal to the sailor, told him to change course to the northwest. A moment later he looked again and saw that Ouyang Feng's boat had also changed its direction to the northwest.

”What does he follow us for?” Hong Qigong muttered under his breath, ”Can he really have good intentions? The Old Venom shows kindness of heart, the sun may have to come out from the west.” He was afraid if Zhou Botong knew he would throw a fit of temper. He didn't say anything, but signaling the sailor to change course to the east.

The boat made an abrupt turn that the sail were almost touching the water and they slowed down. Approximately the time needed to drink a cup of tea later Ouyang Feng's boat was also changing its direction to the east. ”If you want to settle our score on the sea, that's allright with me,” Hong Qigong thought.

He left the deck to enter the cabin only to see Guo Jing looked depressed; he was quiet, lost in thought. Hong Qigong said, ”Tu'er [disciple], let me teach you how a beggar begs for rice: if the master of the house did not give you anything, you hang around his door for three days and three nights, see if he still didn't want to give you anything.”

Zhou Botong laughed, ”What if the master of the house owns a vicious dog? What if he told to dog to bite you because you don't want to go? What would you do?” he asked.

Hong Qigong laughed, ”That case he is a heartless rich man. If you come again at night and steal his belonging, you are not violating the heaven's law.”

Zhou Botong turned to Guo Jing. ”Brother, do you understand your Master's speech? He taught you to be persistent in front of your father-in-law. If he still won't give his daughter to you and beat you for no reason, then you can steal her at night,” he said, ”Only if you really have to steal that treasure, you don't have to do it yourself; all you need to do is just call out, 'bao bei er [Treasure, precious], come!' And she herself will come out and follow you.”

Listening to him Guo Jing was unable to restrain a smile. He saw Zhou Botong pacing up and down the cabin, could not stay still even for a moment. Suddenly a thought came into his mind, ”Big Brother, do you have any destination to go?” he asked.

”I don't have any,” replied Zhou Botong, ”I will go where my heart tells me to. I have stayed on the Peach Blossom Island for too long, I felt cooped up.”

”I have a favor I'd like to ask Big Brother,” Guo Jing said.

Zhou Botong shook his head. ”No, I am not going to the Peach Blossom Island to help you steal a wife, I don't want to.”