Leaving the humid heat of Yogyakarta, Lin Xingyun and his companions journeyed eastward, where the weather became even more muggy and rainy. They traveled by various modes of transportation through eastern Java, eventually boarding an old passenger-cargo ship in Bali. They crossed the strait and landed on the island of Kalimantan, then journeyed through the vast waterways of the Mekong Delta.
The world here seemed made of water. The murky waters of the Mekong River, like a lifeblood, nourished the endless green rice paddies, lush tropical rainforests, and scattered villages along its banks. The main street formed the broad river, and various boats—from roaring motorized longtail boats to silent rowboats—replaced cars as the means of transportation. The air was filled with the uniquely sweet smell of the river, the scent of algae, and the rich aroma of ripe dragon fruit and mangoes from the orchards on both sides.
Following the vague guidance of the short sword and Aisha's hazy "vision," they followed a tributary and arrived at a large floating market. This was a true carnival on the water! Countless boats crammed together, their bows laden with a myriad of goods: mountains of spices, vibrant fish and shrimp, dew-drenched flowers, golden jackfruit, and steaming, enticing bowls of Vietnamese pho and baguette sandwiches. The haggling between vendors and customers, the patter of oars on the water, and the faintly mournful strains of folk tunes drifting from distant platforms intertwined into a vibrant symphony of the delta.
The three of them settled on a larger houseboat that doubled as a restaurant and ordered several steaming bowls of pho. Buakaw marveled at the aquatic life here, while Lin Xingyun and Aisha focused more on sensing the faint resonance.
"The water flows in so many directions, the aura is so chaotic," Lin Xingyun murmured, feeling the guidance of his dagger become scattered here. Aisha also frowned, trying to recall the image of the earring glimmering in the waves. Just then, a commotion erupted from the other side of the market. Several obviously modified speedboats, their engines roaring, aggressively pushed aside other small boats and docked in front of a seafood boatman. Several men in flowered shirts and menacing faces jumped aboard. Led by a burly man with a scarred face, he spoke with a local accent and barked at the boat owner, seemingly demanding far more than the usual "protection fee."
The old boat owner pleaded, only to be met with a rough shove. The other boatmen nearby, though indignant, dared not speak out. Clearly, these bullies were regulars here.
"Damn it! I can't stand this!" Buakaw frowned, about to stand. As a boxing tyrant, he hated this kind of bullying.
But Lin Xingyun gently pressed his shoulder and cast his gaze toward the direction the bullies' speedboats had come from: the river, thick with coconut palms. "Wait a moment. I feel... the water's 'mood' has changed."
Just as the scarred man reached out to snatch the old boat owner's cash box, a clear, melodious female voice, half chanting, accompanied by the tinkling of some musical instrument like water hitting rocks, drifted from the depths of the coconut palm grove. The song seemed to possess a magical power, instantly quieting the bustling market, and even the murky river seemed to flow more gently.
Then, a slender, light boat, like a leaf, silently glided out from the greenery. Aboard stood a young woman, about sixteen or seventeen, dressed in a pure white ao dai. The traditional Vietnamese gown perfectly fitted her figure, with high slits at the sides, revealing the same white trousers as the boat swayed slightly. She looked fresh and refined, like a white lotus in the water.
She had a beautiful face, but her eyes held an unbending calm and determination. What caught her attention most was a pair of quaint silver earrings adorning her fair earlobes, each swaying slightly with her movements! In the bright delta sunlight, the earrings reflected a soft, unique shimmer!
"It's her!" Aisha exclaimed, excitedly grabbing Lin Xingyun's arm. Lin Xingyun also felt the distinct resonance of the dagger; the target was right before his eyes!
The scarred man was startled at the sight of the girl, then a lewd smile flashed across his face. "I thought it was someone else, but it's the little girl from the Ruan family! What? You're trying to get ahead again today? Your tricks might scare others, but not me!"
The girl, known as Ruan Shimei, was unfazed by his obscenities. She stopped the boat and stood quietly at the bow, gently waving her hands in front of her, as if feeling the wind or preparing for some ritual. Her toes tapped the planking, and her body began to sway in an extremely slow and rhythmic motion. This was no ordinary dance. Every movement was imbued with an indescribable charm, as if merging with the surrounding river and breeze. She began to twirl, her ao dai's sleeves fluttering like ripples on the water. As she moved, the surrounding light seemed to shift subtly, and a fresh, moist scent permeated the air.
The scarred man and his men scoffed at first, but soon their smiles froze. They noticed the speedboat beneath them began to sway uncontrollably, not from the waves, but as if being pushed from all directions by countless invisible hands! The river seemed to come alive, forming flexible ropes that entangled their hull and even attempted to climb up their ankles!
"Witch! What the hell are you doing!" The scarred man, in a mixture of shock and anger, tried to start the engine, but found the propeller entangled in the force of seaweed!
Nguyen Thi Mai's steps grew increasingly rapid, her fingertips slicing through the air, leaving visible trails of pale blue vapor. Suddenly, she swung her hands forward! Several waterspouts suddenly rose from the murky waters of the Mekong River. Though small, they slammed precisely into the water bullies! The waterspouts didn't pack a lethal punch, but they packed a powerful rotational force, sending them careening and tumbling into the speedboat. The boatmen, who had previously been furious but unable to speak, erupted in suppressed laughter.
"Get lost!" Nguyen Thi Mai paused in her dance, her breath slightly panting, but her voice was cold and single.
The scarred man, well aware of the girl's cunning tactics, knew he was in for a fight today. He glared at her resentfully, uttered a few harsh words, and then, with his men, fled in the still-unruly speedboat in disgrace.
The crisis averted, the market returned to its bustle, and many boatmen cast grateful glances at Nguyen Thi Mai. The girl then gently paddled her boat, preparing to return to the coconut grove. "Please stay!" Lin Xingyun immediately stood up and walked to the side of the boat, calling out in as gentle a tone as possible.
Nguyen Thi Mai turned around, warily eyeing the three unfamiliar faces, especially the fierce-looking Buakaw. Her gaze swept across Lin Xingyun, finally landing on the tool box he carried, and her expression shifted slightly.
Lin Xingyun said nothing, simply slowly unsheathing the Chris dagger. Almost immediately, as the dagger appeared, the pair of silver earrings on Nguyen Thi Mai's earlobes emitted a subtle yet distinct humming sound, their surfaces shimmering with brilliance!
The girl's expression instantly changed, a complex mixture of shock, disbelief, and a certain sense of fate. She looked at Lin Xingyun, then at Aisha and Buakaw beside him. After a moment's silence, she asked softly, her voice trembling slightly:
"Are you... those guided here by the 'stars'?"
(End of Chapter 9)