Chapter 173 — Washing Hands of the Golden Basin
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 2 of 4
The woman general of Three Marvels Fort was startled; the insect tide beneath her feet halted, and she stood in the air, her lovely eyes blinking. "You are.
.
. Fan Yunxiao, the Fire Bandit? When did you mend your ways and take up the boatman's trade?
" The faces of the many merchants aboard changed drastically; even the several officials blanched, and they all sent their flying swords aloft, pointed at the boat boss. The boat boss spat twice. "What do you mean, mended my ways?
" The woman general of Three Marvels Fort sneered.
"I hear you were a cast-off of the Dao Sect. The Dao Sect judged your heart crooked and drove you from the gate, and so you turned bandit, plundering merchants far and wide; the court has wanted you this many a day.
Now you play at being a boatman — is that not mending your ways? " Fan Yunxiao laughed. "In peaceful times I was a bandit, robbing for coin; but in troubled times, who can be a bandit?
In troubled times I play boatman — the money comes in faster than robbery. General, would you do me the courtesy?
" The woman general of Three Marvels Fort gave a cold snort and glanced about.
The insect army of Three Marvels Fort was still locked in battle with the government troops, and to fight this bandit now would cost her dearly for nothing. And though Fan Yunxiao was a cast-off of the Dao Sect, his abilities were exceedingly high; the court had hunted him all these years without catching him, and she might not be his match. At once her insect cloud rolled up and her figure drifted backward. Fan Yunxiao let out a breath of relief and ordered his mate to drive the tower-ship away.
The merchants aboard stared at this burly fellow in terror, their eyes full of dread. Fan Yunxiao said hurriedly, "Gentlemen may set their minds at ease — I have mended my ways, and in troubled times I do not rob. And you gentlemen officials, rest easy as well — I have mended my ways, and this very ship is on record in the capital!
" An official sneered. "Might this ship of yours, Boss Fan, be that Cloud-Chasing Pirate Ship, so notorious among bandits in former days?
" "You flatter me, you flatter me. The Cloud-Chasing Pirate Ship has changed its name too — it is the Cloud-Chasing Passenger Ship now. When the world is at peace, I shall go back to robbing.
" Fan Yunxiao walked up to the merchant who had been eaten by insects until only a hide remained, frowned, and said, "You took my ship, and I ought to have protected you with all my heart, yet you met with calamity.
I cannot take your fare. " So saying, he took out a purse of money and handed it to the merchant's attendants. The people aboard trembled, feeling they had scarce escaped the wolves only to fall into the tiger's den. This Fan Yunxiao had plagued merchant caravans for years, plundering far and wide; to have boarded his ship, they feared, boded ill indeed.
"I have mended my ways! " Fan Yunxiao bowed to all around.
"Truly mended my ways! Rest easy, I will surely deliver you to the capital.
" The crowd still wore looks of terror. Fan Yunxiao, helpless, looked at Shen Mu and smiled. "Young brother, your swordplay is not bad. Are you of the Yuyuan family?
" Shen Mu shook his head. "Shen Mu of the Grand Academy. Senior brother Fan's scholarship is profound — most admirable.
" Fan Yunxiao's eyes brightened.
He laughed. "This is the first time anyone has praised my scholarship.
Your eye is not bad.
It is laughable how many shut themselves up and cultivate blindly, never knowing how to pursue learning.
They do not understand that cultivation is scholarship; the Dao Sect's supreme arts are all piled up out of learning, and without learning you can't learn a fart.