536 Long Lives the Elegy (2/2)

In the silence, Ye Qingxuan muttered, ”Long lives the elegy for us.”

The organists answered him with their hand over their heart. ”We will follow your order, sir.”

The organists from all over the world lowered their head in front of the young man. They half knelt in the rain to offer their loyalty.

There was no more hesitation.

”Very good.” Ye Qingxuan nodded gently, smiling. ”Dear sirs, please enjoy this long journey to death with me.”

…

Ten minutes later, on the deck of the iron ship.

The realignment of the ship was over, and the engine was warmed up. Everyone was in position and the last batch of supply was moved from the Cloister of Cavern to the ship. Standing at the ship deck, Ye Qingxuan watched the scene quietly.

”The speech just now, to be frank, really sucked.” Igor stood beside him with a big cigarette in his mouth, smoke coming out of his nose.

”Is it really that bad?” Ye Qingxuan forced a bitter smile. ”I am still not good at this.”

”Don't worry. It might've been bad, but it worked.” Igor couldn't help but glance at Ye Qingxuan again with an odd stare as if he was checking out something dangerous. ”Mr. Ye, has anyone told you that you are really good at dealing with lunatics?”

”Is that a compliment?”

”Sort of.” Igor shrugged.

Pretty soon, the last man was on board. The Cloister of Cavern became quiet again; as quiet as a grave. The handling of the supplies was finished, so was the inspection of the ship. Yet, looking at the ship, Ye Qingxuan felt there was something short. He patted on his head and finally remembered the order he had given to Igor.

”Captain, where is our new figurehead?” He said to Igor, ”I've been waiting for so long.”

”As you commanded, my lord.” Igor grinned. ”This is the only one of its kind, I assure you.” He waved his hand and several sailors went. Pretty soon, the just-finished figurehead was carried out with a thick layer of dust-cloth over it, keeping everyone from seeing what it looked like.

With the assistance of the hoister and pulleys, the new figurehead was installed on the bow of the ship very soon. Inside the dust-cloth, the figurehead was like a living thing, struggling with all its might, which made Ye Qingquan and his crew pleasant.

The rope that tied up the dust-cloth was undone, and the cloth was blown up into the sky by the heavy wind. The thing under it was finally revealed, gasping for air.

Seeing Ye Qingxuan with his blood-red eyes, he shouted desperately in his hoarse voice, ”Ye Qingxuan, you will die miserably!!!”

On the bow, Xavier, tied up on the cross, was struggling in an attempt to get out of the chains. But his limbs were merged into iron by some sort of magic of alchemy. Welded on his body like a turtle shell was a sharp iron plate, on which someone wrote with paint: I am a defeatist.

With the iron structure, he replaced the bronze woman statue. As the new figurehead of the ship, he would break the waves and be the first to sail into the dark sea.

”How do you like it?” Patting the new statue, which he considered to be his masterpiece, Igor asked Ye Qingxuan, who nodded in admiration.

”This is like a piece of art, my captain,” Ye Qingxuan said.

”Haha. I knew it.” Igor laughed heartedly. ”I was born to be a f*cking artist!”

”Ye Qingxuan! I curse you! You will be damned! Sooner or later!” Xavier shouted desperately from the bow of the ship. Seeing the dark sea of surging waves, he became aware of his own fate. His face twisted with terror, he screamed with all his strength, ”Kill me, you pussy! You pervert! Lunatic! Psychopath! I curse you! Curse you!!!”

”It's so good to see you in such a good health.” Looking at Xavier calmly, Ye Qingxuan said, ”Enjoy our journey, Mr. Xavier. As I promised, you will witness everything from the best position.”

In the midst of the screaming and cursing, Ye Qingxuan turned to Igor with a smile. ”Set it off, my captain. I can't wait to go.”

Igor nodded and tossed the cigarette under his feet. Stomping on the cigarette butt, he waved to the bridge. ”Turn to the North!” To Anglo! To Alderney! Weigh anchor! Set sail!”

The steamer tooted. The iron wheel gave out a loud and sharp sound, tearing apart the eternal silence of the darkness like the roaring of a giant beast. The noise almost deafened everybody's ears.

The iron anchor was raised slowly out of the sea. The shaking of the iron wheel caused turbulence in the sea. Propelled by the engine, the wheel drove out the water and tore up the waves.

They were singing, tweeting and shouting.

They sailed into the deepest part of the lightless sea.

Darkness devoured everything.