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"never mind."
He walked to the helm and began adjusting the sails.
"This is a good opportunity to reduce the danger and safely cross the windless area."
Chapter 39 Frostmoon Village
Another six months have passed.
The sea breeze carried a salty, fishy smell, making the canvas flutter loudly.
At the horizon, the outline of land finally appeared. It was a tranquil and peaceful island, lush with greenery and wisps of smoke rising from chimneys.
"It's Frostmoon Village."
Liu Jiu, at the helm, calmly announced the name of the island, breaking the silence that had lasted for days on the ship.
Olvia leaned out of the cabin, gazing at the island with a long-lost anticipation and a barely perceptible tension in her eyes. Nearly a year of drifting and hiding at sea had made setting foot on solid ground a luxury.
Robin ran out too, his little hands gripping the gunwale, tiptoeing and peering out: "Uncle, can we go ashore now?"
Her voice held a childlike joy. After all, she was still a child, and the long voyage was inevitably a bit boring.
"Hmm." Liu Jiu adjusted the course, guiding the ship slowly closer to the small, seemingly unbusy port. "To replenish some fresh water and food."
He paused, then added, "And by the way, to find out some information."
The ship docked smoothly.
Drop anchor and lower the gangplank.
The moment Olvia stepped onto the rough wooden planks of the dock, she instinctively pulled down the hood that concealed her face, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily. The port was bustling with people, mostly fishermen and local villagers, with the occasional ronin carrying a knife, but no navy personnel or anyone who looked like a bounty hunter.
She relaxed slightly.
Robin looked around the unfamiliar place with curiosity. The air was filled with the aroma of rice and a faint smell of alcohol. There were stalls selling candied plums by the roadside, their bright red color looking very tempting. Several barefoot children chased and played as they ran past her, their carefree laughter ringing out.
She subconsciously touched the pocket of her skirt, only to find it empty.
Liu Jiu seemed to have read her mind, and took out dozens of Pele from his pocket and stuffed them into her hand.
"Go buy whatever you want to eat." His tone remained flat.
Robin paused for a moment, looking at the small stack of Baileys still warm from his body in his palm. His little face lit up with surprise, and he nodded vigorously: "Thank you, Uncle!"
She carefully clutched the money and jogged towards the plum stall.
Olvia watched her daughter's retreating figure, her eyes filled with complex emotions. She turned to Liu Jiu and whispered, "I'm going to buy some rice, flour, and vegetables."
Liu Jiu hummed in agreement, but his gaze was fixed on the depths of the village, on the dojo with its faintly visible traditional Japanese architecture.
"I'll go over there and have a look."
He was referring to the famous Koushirou Dojo in Shimotsuki Village.
Olvia followed his gaze, nodded, and didn't ask any further questions. After spending so much time together, she had grown accustomed to Liu Jiu occasionally acting alone, doing things she didn't quite understand, but which always seemed to have a deeper meaning.
The two of them split up.
Olvia pulled her hood down, blended into the crowd, and headed towards the market. She needed to buy enough supplies for their consumption over the next period of time, especially those that were easy to preserve.
Liu Jiu then strode off, walking slowly towards the direction of the temple.
His steps were steady, his breath restrained, and he walked along the village path without attracting attention.
At the entrance of the dojo, several young children were practicing their swordplay, the sound of wooden swords whistling through the air. A middle-aged man with glasses and a gentle demeanor stood to the side, occasionally offering a few words of guidance.
It was none other than the dojo's owner, Koushirou.
Liu Jiu stopped outside the dojo, but did not go in. He just watched the children practice swordsmanship for a while.
His gaze seemed to linger more on the temple itself, and the lush, verdant forest further behind.
He didn't try to hide his presence, but his calm demeanor, so different from his surroundings, still caught Koushirou's attention.
Koushirou adjusted his glasses, his gaze passing over the disciples practicing and landing on the unfamiliar, tall figure outside the dojo. The person was dressed plainly, travel-worn, and looked like a passing traveler, but those eyes... were too calm, too calm for an ordinary villager or merchant.
Koushirou still wore that gentle smile on his face. He gave his disciples a few instructions and then walked towards Liu Jiu.
"Sir, are you passing through Shimotsuki Village?" Koushirou's voice, like his personality, was gentle and polite, with a relaxing and approachable quality.
Liu Jiu looked at him and nodded in response.
Koushirou smiled and gestured invitingly: "It's hot outside, would you like to come in for a cup of tea and rest your feet?"
His invitation was so natural, carrying the warmth of a host, that it seemed to be merely out of politeness rather than a genuine inquiry.
Liu Jiu looked at the gentle yet complex eyes behind Koushirou's glasses and remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded again.
"excuse me."
Koushirou stepped aside to lead the way: "Please."
The two entered the temple one after the other.
The dojo was spacious and clean, with gleaming wooden floors and a faint scent of tatami mats and wood in the air. Compared to the heat outside, it was exceptionally cool and quiet inside.
Koushirou led Liu Jiu to a secluded tea room and gestured for him to sit down on a cushion next to a low table.
"Just a moment please."
Koushirou turned around to prepare the tea set and hot water.
Liu Jiu sat cross-legged, his back straight, his gaze casually sweeping over the tea room. The furnishings were simple, yet they exuded a sense of Zen and the weight of time. On the wall hung a powerfully written character for "heart," next to which sat an ancient sword sheathed, its scabbard adorned with delicate frost and moon patterns.
Soon, Koushirou returned with a tea tray. He knelt opposite Liu Jiu and began to brew tea with practiced ease. Washing the cups, warming the pot, placing the tea leaves, brewing... every step was meticulous, with a unique sense of rhythm.
The emerald green tea liquor was poured into a white porcelain teacup, releasing a delicate aroma.
"Please have some tea." Koushirou pushed a cup of tea in front of Liu Jiu.
Liu Jiu picked up the teacup but didn't drink it immediately. He just watched the tea leaves swirling in the cup.
Koushirou also picked up his teacup, gently blew on it, took a sip, and then looked at Liu Jiu, his tone still gentle: "Sir, you're not from the East Sea, are you?"
Liu Jiu looked up at him, brought the teacup to his lips, and took a sip. The tea had a slightly bitter taste, with a lingering sweet aftertaste.
"Hmm." He put down his teacup.
"Are you here to do business, or... visit a friend?" Koushirou asked casually.
Liu Jiu's gaze swept over the ancient sword with frost-moon patterns on the wall, and he slowly spoke, his voice calm:
"Find a place to stay."
Koushirou paused almost imperceptibly as he poured tea, then resumed his normal movements. He looked up, his gaze behind his glasses holding a hint of inquiry, as he looked at Liu Jiu:
"A place to stay? Sir, are you planning to stay in Shimotsuki Village for a long time?"
Liu Jiu met his gaze, his tone unchanged:
He did not explain the reason, nor did he say anything else.
Koushirou looked at the man's expressionless face and unfathomable eyes, a thought flashing through his mind. This man possessed a deep, unwavering aura; he was no ordinary traveler. Did he say he wanted to stay to avoid trouble? Or did he have another purpose?
Frostmoon Village is a secluded and peaceful place. As the master of the Isshin Dojo, he is, in a sense, one of the guardians of this land.
However, the other party didn't seem to have any malicious intent, and...
Koushirou's gaze swept over Liu Jiu's seemingly casual yet impeccable sitting posture, and his hands resting on his knees, with distinct knuckles and thin calluses.
This is a master.
Moreover, they are the kind of masters who have experienced real battles and have restrained their power to the extreme.
Such a person, if harboring ill intentions, doesn't need to be so polite. If seeking peace, Frostmoon Village isn't intolerant of them.
Thinking of this, Koushirou's smile became more genuine again.
"Although Frostmoon Village is remote, the people are simple and honest, and it is relatively peaceful," he said slowly, as if introducing the village or stating a fact. "If you are just looking for a quiet place to stay temporarily, this is a good choice."
He paused, then added, "There are a few abandoned old houses near the mountains behind the village. Although they are simple, they can be tidied up and provide shelter from the wind and rain. If you don't mind, you can stay there temporarily."
Liu Jiu looked at Koushirou and remained silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
Koushirou smiled, picked up the teapot, and poured Liu Jiu a cup of hot tea.
"You are Welcome."
As the aroma of tea wafted through the air, their conversation came to an end.
One extended an invitation, and the other accepted the arrangement.
As for the considerations behind these arrangements, they are temporarily hidden beneath the seemingly calm tea gathering.
Chapter 40 Robin and Kuina
The few abandoned old houses near the mountains behind the village were repaired by Liu Jiu and became their temporary home.
Although still rudimentary, it was at least sturdy and could shelter from the wind and rain, a rare sense of security compared to days adrift at sea.
They live a secluded life and rarely have contact with the villagers.
Olvia spends most of her time indoors, organizing and studying the Ohara relics salvaged from the seabed. Occasionally, she stares out the window, her eyes filled with deep melancholy.
Liu Jiu maintained his usual silence. Apart from purchasing necessary supplies, he spent most of his time at the Yixin Dojo in the village.
At first, he would only visit occasionally, have a cup of tea brewed by Koushirou, and the two would not talk much, mostly just sitting quietly opposite each other. Gradually, he went more often, sometimes even standing at the edge of the dojo, watching the children practice swordsmanship for half a day.
Koushirou never interfered and remained gentle. He could tell that Liu Jiu meant no harm and was happy to provide this peaceful place.
The most noticeable change is in Robin.
In this secluded little village, she had her first companion of the same age, someone she could call a "friend"—Koushirou's daughter, Kuina.
Kuina was different from the other girls in the village who only chased and played around or helped with chores at home early. She had short, neat hair, sharp eyes, and always carried an indomitable spirit. She spent most of her time in the dojo, holding her bamboo sword, which was longer than that of boys her age, and practicing her slashing over and over again.
The first meeting between the two girls was somewhat dramatic.
That day, Robin went to the temple with Liu Jiu. He was engrossed in reading a thick book of ancient Chinese texts and didn't notice his footing. He tripped over the threshold of the temple and almost fell.