mynovelweb Chapter 157: The Ocean Fleet
Chapter 157: The Ocean Fleet
After everyone greeted the Southern Heavenly King, they took their seats, and the servants served breakfast, tea, and various delicacies.
The group ate and chatted at the same time.
"Xiao Zhou, this final task for Aya's search for a husband is not so simple."
"Your Majesty, I will do my best."
"Okay, here's the task list I've written. Take a look. Actually, because completing this task requires a lot of preparation, I've tried to include the preparations in the task list as well."
"Thank you for your kind words, Your Majesty."
"Xiao Zhou, do a good job, and I will never treat you unfairly."
"Yes, Heavenly King."
The Southern Heavenly King beckoned, and a maidservant stepped forward. The Southern Heavenly King took out a book from his robes; the book was quite thick. He handed the book to the maidservant, who approached Zhou Yuan and presented it to him with both hands.
Zhou Yuan felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the thick book, but he had no choice but to accept it.
"Because the task is quite challenging and complex, I will try my best to meet your requirements as long as you ask."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. Your Majesty, this book seems quite thick. Could you please give a brief overview?"
"The final task is for you to find four similar items for me. These four items are located on four different continents, which require crossing the sea. Therefore, the journey is fraught with danger and the task is arduous."
Zhou Yuan and the other three were startled. "Four almost identical things?"
"Heavenly King, can you tell me what these four almost identical things are?"
“Yes, it’s a book too.” After saying that, the Southern King waved his hand, and the servants bowed and left, leaving only six people in the entire courtyard.
The Southern Heavenly King took out a small, dark metal box from his robes. This small metal box was clearly not a creation of this era.
The Southern Heavenly King turned a round, protruding knob on the box, and the metal box lid popped open. As soon as the box was opened, golden light overflowed from inside, shining brightly and giving people a sacred feeling.
Just as Zhou Yuan and his companions were astonished, the light flowed like glass, spreading outwards and growing larger until it filled the entire courtyard, forming a large rectangular light screen. Suddenly, the rectangular light screen began to rotate rapidly around the box, and rows of hieroglyphs appeared above it, like reliefs, each hieroglyph gleaming with golden light.
"Little Zhou, to tell you the truth, this is a 'heavenly book' that we obtained by chance. It can predict the future. Look at the last few lines of text on the south side; it mentions your name and that you will serve me and help me unify the world." The Southern Heavenly King was extremely excited as he spoke, as if he already held the world in his hands.
"Your Majesty, unifying the world is a good thing. The suffering of the common people from a century of war should be over."
"That's true. But you know, human greed is insatiable. This 'heavenly book' is only a part; there are four more parts, which, according to my analysis, are located on four other foreign continents. Only when all five 'heavenly books' are combined can the whole thing be complete. Therefore, I need you to find the other four 'heavenly books' for me."
The Southern Heavenly King closed the box, and the light screen disappeared. He then turned the round, protruding knob again, locking the metal box, and then put it into his robes.
"Father, could you please give Brother Zhou a different task?" Aya asked anxiously.
“Girl, I know you’re worried about Xiao Zhou. But although the journey is fraught with danger and the road is long, I will give them the best warships, the best guards, and enough supplies.”
"Your Majesty, I'd like to ask, how long did the last expedition take?"
"Last time they went to Xin'ao Continent, the round trip took a total of three and a half years."
"Xin'ao Continent?"
"It's the second nearest continent to ours. If we're only talking about sea travel time, it only takes two years to go round trip."
"Oh, if each continent spends another six months searching for the 'Heavenly Book,' it will take at least five years in total to return."
"Actually, it doesn't take half a year to search each continent. I sent people to explore more than ten years ago, and we've basically determined their locations. These 'heavenly books' are all the same; they're all in a huge cave. If things go quickly, they can return in three years. Are you confident about that?"
Zhou Yuan lowered his head and remained silent for a while, seemingly deep in thought. Aya, however, looked tense and wanted to plead for Zhou Yuan, but was stopped by the stern gaze of the Southern Heavenly King.
"Your Majesty, if that's the case, I'm confident. Three years isn't a long time, is it?"
Aya looked at Zhou Yuan with a resentful gaze, "Father, what am I going to do in three years?"
"Hmm, let me think. Here are two options: one is that as long as Xiao Zhou gets one 'Heavenly Book' for me, he can become my son-in-law and then find the other three 'Heavenly Books' for me; the other option is that you can go with Xiao Zhou to find four 'Heavenly Books' over these three years. The choice is yours."
Aya frowned, pondering which choice to make, but soon her brows relaxed.
"Father, I choose the second option: to find the four 'Heavenly Books' with Brother Zhou. I know the complete Heavenly Books are extremely important to you. But what about Young Master Liu Qinglong?"
"Aya, don't worry, I'll take care of everything with Young Master Liu. Xiao Zhou, you've really found a perfect match this time; you two are destined to be together."
"Your Majesty, could we postpone this matter concerning Aya?"
"Why? Is Aya not pretty enough, not to your liking?" the Southern King rebuked sternly.
"Your Majesty, please don't blame Brother Zhou. He already has Sister Shan and Sister Ya," Chu Xiaolu quickly interjected, trying to absolve Zhou Yuan.
"Of course I can tell. You little girl, you like Xiao Zhou too, don't you?"
Upon hearing what the Southern King said, Chu Xiaolu blushed and felt too embarrassed to reply.
The atmosphere was a little awkward for a while.
“Your Majesty, I think Aya is very good. However, after three years of traveling, I don’t know if Aya can endure this hardship.” Lefia thought of Aya’s pampered upbringing and how she got tired after walking for three hours when she took four people shopping last time.
Aya felt somewhat ashamed, but she didn't blame Lefia. Her physical condition was really not good; even Chu Xiaolu, who was younger than her, was not as strong.
"What's the big deal? It'll be fine after two months of walking and two months of hardship."
“Your Majesty, the search for the ‘Heavenly Book’ takes up most of the time at sea, and I’m worried that Aya won’t be able to withstand too much rough seas.”
Aya glanced at Zhou Yuan, her eyes red and looking aggrieved. Zhou Yuan, however, was determined to refuse Aya's request to accompany him.
Aya gritted her teeth and said firmly, "Brother Zhou, please don't worry, I won't hold you back. I just like you, and I'll go wherever you go."
Lefia, Wei Shan, and Chu Xiaolu stared at Aya in surprise. Even the Southern King's eyes widened. "This girl has exploded," the Southern King thought to himself.
Zhou Yuan was speechless, his head spinning. First it was Chu Xiaolu, and now it was Aya. He didn't know why he was so popular with women. Was his luck with women really so good that nothing could stop him?
"Okay, it's settled then. I don't like wishy-washy talk. Xiao Zhou, the five of you, after you finish eating, head to the seaside port. Warships, cargo ships, personnel, supplies, and everything else are all prepared."
"Ah?!" All five exclaimed in surprise, not expecting the Southern Heavenly King to let them set off so quickly. It seems that this complete "Heavenly Book" is really very important and tempting to the Southern Heavenly King. It is estimated that apart from Aya and unifying the world, nothing else is as important as this "Heavenly Book".
Zhou Yuan knew that the Southern Heavenly King was a man of his word, so he didn't waste any more words.
"Your Majesty, we'll pack up a bit and then set off."
“Good. Little Zhou, you are exactly what I want. No wonder the ‘Heavenly Book’ records that you are my capable assistant, even more considerate than the other four.” Of course, Zhou Yuan and the other three knew that “the other four” referred to the four men in black.
"You flatter me."
The six then had a meal, and the Southern King also reminded Zhou Yuan and the others to pay attention to safety during their long journey.
After the meal, the Southern King stroked Aya's head and said, "Girl, be careful on the road and take care of yourself." Then he turned to Zhou Yuan and the others and said, "Aya is in your care now. Little Zhou, you must take good care of her."
Zhou Yuan nodded. "Your Majesty, please rest assured."
"Father, please take care of yourself."
"Okay, I'll take you to the port."
The Southern King stepped out of the courtyard, and surrounded by his guards, Zhou Yuan and the others boarded the carriage. The grand procession set off for the port.
Two hours later, the ocean could be seen in the distance, and many large ships were docked at the shore. Half an hour later, the group arrived at the port.
This port is an official port, and it is actually under the jurisdiction of the Southern Heavenly King. So it is mainly the Southern Heavenly King's personnel and ships that enter and leave this port.
A colossal warship, fifty large warships, one hundred and fifty small warships, and four hundred large vessels lined the sea, a truly magnificent sight. Perhaps due to its long-standing engagement in maritime fishing and trade, the shipbuilding industry in the Southern Heavenly King's territory was highly developed, and being situated by both the river and the sea, it was also one of the wealthiest regions. The Southern Heavenly King's power was at its zenith; even the Zhou emperor had to show him considerable deference.
The port suddenly became incredibly bustling. Those accompanying Zhou Yuan on his voyage, including sailors, navigators, soldiers, infantry, cavalry, archers, and laborers, boarded the ships one by one. Large quantities of military and domestic supplies, such as cannons, bows and arrows, swords, grain, water, and daily necessities, were loaded onto large cargo ships in bulk. To stabilize morale, the Southern King even dispatched dancers, singers, and courtesans.
When Zhou Yuan received the "Southern Heavenly Gate Sun Army Command Token," the precious sword bestowed by the Southern Heavenly King, and the inventory book of accompanying personnel and supplies from the Southern Heavenly King, he couldn't help but recall the magnificent voyages of Zheng He during the Ming Dynasty in Country C of Earth Era. At this moment, he realized that on this underdeveloped planet, such a massive ocean expedition fleet was truly extraordinary.
Zhou Yuan glanced at the personnel statistics booklet. The fleet had about 60,000 officers and soldiers, and about 80,000 other personnel.
Zhou Yuan bid farewell to the Southern Heavenly King and his generals, and boarded the largest giant warship with four beautiful women. This giant warship was the flagship of the entire fleet.
The Southern King and his men on the port shore grew smaller and smaller, and more than 600 warships and ships began to weigh anchor.
Thirty large warships led the way, followed by Zhou Yuan's flagship, then fifty small warships, then four hundred large ships, with the remaining one hundred and twenty large and small warships evenly distributed on both sides.
The vast ocean-going fleet was heading towards the nearest continent, Sakhalin.
After settling in on the ship, Zhou Yuan immediately contacted the three flying saucers and Park So-yeon in his room. Zhou Yuan ordered Park So-yeon to dispatch a space warship to track the ocean fleet and be ready to escort it at any time. Zhou Yuan told Park So-yeon that the "Heavenly Book" of that continent was with the Southern Heavenly King, and that she must obtain the contents of the "Heavenly Book" and show it to him as soon as possible.
Zhou Yuan repeatedly instructed Park So-yeon to tell Chu Tianxiong, the commander of the Earth Star Fleet base, to report to him immediately if there was any hyperspace communication response from George on Tianxing-2.
Since Zhou Yuan was going to the other four continents to find the "Heavenly Book," it would take at least three years. Considering that he would be leaving the capital star system in four months and entering hyperspace, Zhou Yuan asked Park So-yeon to deploy the "Intelligent Super Energy Exchanger" to create a "light speed barrier" between this huge blue planet and the sun. In this way, ten years within the "light speed barrier" might only take ten days in the eyes of Park So-yeon and the others.
Park So-yeon, of course, knew what her boss Zhou Yuan was thinking. After deciphering the contents of the four "heavenly books," she put them back in the distance and told Zhou Yuan their exact locations.