The ferry didn't stop for long. After Cao Gao came back, it was about time to set off.
Chen Xia stumbled back onto the ferry, just in time to run into Cao Gao.
They were both startled. Cao Gao hurriedly greeted, "Greetings, senior."
Chen Xia was somewhat puzzled, "Going begging?"
Cao Gao's current attire was indeed unpresentable, too messy, not much different from a beggar in the mortal world.
Cao Gao also realized this was unseemly, especially in front of Chen Xia. He brushed his hair aside, revealing his pale face, and cracked a smile.
"No, no, just some accidents happened."
"What accident could make you slap your palm print on your face?" Chen Xia was even more curious, and leaned against the hull.
He always liked finding things to lean on.
"The difference between high and low, strong and weak among cultivators, survival of the fittest, you should know about it." Cao Gao touched his cheek. There was indeed a very deep palm print on it, as if it was about to swell up.
This was hit intentionally hard, Cao Gao knew, to leave the palm print on his face.
To engrave shame on him.
Like training a dog with a leash.
"It seems this person has profound research on slapping." Chen Xia commented blandly, with no detectable emotion.
"More or less." Cao Gao nodded slightly, and smiled, "Please go back and rest, we'll be setting off soon."
"Alright." Chen Xia nodded. His body leaning against the hull straightened up and he walked towards his cabin. Halfway there, he suddenly turned his head and said.
"Use your hair to cover it a bit, maybe it'll look better."
"If you don't want to cover it, then use something else."
Chen Xia didn't say what that something else was. He ambled slowly back to his cabin.
The ferry was docked at the Jade Terrace Mountain pier for about three days, waiting for boarding and disembarking cultivators to finish up, then set off again, sailing towards the stars.
It was too boring in the cabin. Chen Xia would sometimes wander around, and told Cao Gao not to be too deferential to him, in case his identity was exposed.
Although Cao Gao nodded in agreement, that inherent restraint was still hard to change. But it was definitely much better than at the very beginning.
When they had nothing to do, they would observe the starry sea from the upper deck of the ferry. Cao Gao hadn't seen some of those stars either, twinkling in the distance, just a flicker and gone.
"What's in the starry sky?" Chen Xia leaned on the railing, curiously asking.
"Opportunities and dark invasions." Cao Gao thought for a while, gave his heartfelt answer, and explained at the same time.
"You should understand opportunities. For our line of work, we especially value opportunities. If lucky, we can really make a good profit."
"If unlucky, we may lose our lives. As for dark invasions, it should be unique to the starry sky. No one can say for sure what exactly they are. Some speculate they are the lingering souls of the great emperors of the heavens, corroding cultivators' souls."
"Many guesses, not one confirmation. However, cultivators below the Daohai realm really can't wander the starry river alone. If someone like me at the Moving Mountain realm went alone, I'd probably go insane within a year."
Chen Xia nodded, "I feel some of it, like whispering words echoing in my mind, continuously resounding."
"How do you deal with it then?" Cao Gao asked curiously.
"Spacing out." Chen Xia chuckled lightly, pointing at his own head.
"As long as my mind is empty enough, it has no way with me."
Cao Gao was stunned for a moment, then laughed blankly, "You really are amazing."
Hurried footsteps suddenly came from above the ferry deck. A winged figure rushed over, first glanced at Chen Xia, then quickly retracted his gaze, and said to Cao Gao.
"Captain, I'll be returning to the clan after the next pier. I came to bid you farewell in advance."
"Oh, alright." Cao Gao nodded, groped inside his clothes for a while, took out an ancient purse, and asked,
"I've settled your wages, should be 300 Spirit Stones right?"
"Yes, yes." The winged figure hurriedly nodded.
"Is 300 enough? Or should I give you some more? I remember you were originally exiled from the clan because you didn't have enough Spirit Stones to pay the clan fees." Cao Gao asked concernedly.
"Enough, enough. You aren't well off either. I'll be fine with 300 Spirit Stones."
"How am I not well off, I'm still a ship captain. I won't lack a mere 200 Spirit Stones. Take it, don't let the clan look down on you when you return."
Cao Gao chuckled and took out 500 Spirit Stones from his pocket, handing it to his subordinate.
The subordinate took the Spirit Stones, pursed his lips, repeatedly saying, "Thank you captain, thank you captain..."
"It's nothing. Remember to take care of yourself. If you're not treated well in the clan, feel free to return to the ferry. It's more relaxed here." Cao Gao chuckled.
After excitedly giving thanks, the subordinate quickly left.
This was just a small interlude.
"You have quite a good temper." Chen Xia said with a smile.
"Can't say it's that good." Cao Gao touched his cheek and chuckled lightly, "After suffering bitterness myself, there's no need to impose more hardship on others."
Chen Xia didn't say anything.
Cao Gao's expression showed more apprehension. He quickly said, "My thinking may be a bit naive. Don't mind me, just take it as my nonsense."
"Why did you become a ferry captain? Being an elder in a small sect should give you a better life, no?" Chen Xia suddenly asked.
Cao Gao shook his head slightly and replied, "The reason I became a ferry captain is simple. One, I can earn more money. Two, relatively more freedom."
"Joining a sect, I could become an elder, but so what. I'd still be suppressed by those above me. To live well, I'd mostly have to suppress those below me."
Cao Gao glanced at Chen Xia's expression. Seeing no surprise, he continued.
"My thinking may be too naive. Because where I grew up, the concepts of immortals and chivalry were combined into one called immortal chivalry."
"I can't become immortal, nor can I be chivalrous. I just want to try my best to get close to that. Being a ferry captain, I have freedom and can help some cultivators in trouble. It's quite fitting."
"If I stop being a captain in the future, I'll probably find a star to live in seclusion, waiting for a natural death."
"Quite interesting." Chen Xia chuckled in evaluation.
The swaying ferry sailed in the starry sky, carrying heavy dreams.
Chen Xia stood high up with his white clothes fluttering. Among the stars, he turned his head, as if relying on the stars, chuckled and asked.
"Are you among the million stars?"
Cao Gao was stunned, unable to respond for a long time. After a long while, he finally opened his mouth.
His mouth shape seemed to form "yes", but when he spoke, it carried thick bitterness.
"No."
Driving a Mercedes at 17, without relying on parents, all thanks to the previous owner forgetting to take the key out.