Chapter Twenty-Nine: Promoted to Boatswain, the Transformation of the Mystic Blossom

"Bai Xuan? Never heard of him before."

"I remember him. That young man is always quite low-key, but he works hard. Did he really just get promoted straight to boatswain?"

Many sailors whispered among themselves.

"He hasn't even been aboard for half a year, has he?"

"That's right, he's very young. But I heard he played a big part in the recent whale hunt, made great contributions, and even saved the third mate—who's now the second mate."

At this moment, Bai Xuan himself felt a touch of surprise. He had intended to slip away quietly, but now he found himself thrust into the spotlight.

"Appointing Bai Xuan as boatswain—any objections?" Bai Xuanji swept his gaze over the crowd!

His eyes were much sharper now, and the sailors below weren't fools—they could sense well enough that the captain was not seeking their opinion, but rather commanding their assent.

"Agreed!"

"No objections!"

Most of the sailors voiced their consent, Old Li shouting the loudest and immediately prompting the others to follow suit.

Bai Xuan glanced around and saw Bai Tiannian nodding at him.

After a moment's thought, he stepped forward and spoke, "I will not fail your trust."

"Very good. The following eleven are promoted to first-class sailors, responsible for the core fishing work..." Bai Xuanji finished announcing the personnel changes before saying, "All right, everyone disperse and make ready. In three days, the Thousand Currents sets sail!"

A short while later, in a tavern near the harbor.

"This voyage is mainly because I can't accept that our ship was destroyed. I wanted to do something at sea; otherwise, staying at home for a year or two would make a man rusty," Bai Xuanji's voice was steady.

At the table sat Bai Xuanji, Bai Yuanjiu, Bai Tiannian, Liu Yuezh, and Bai Xuan. Folding screens surrounded the group, and a few small dishes had already been served.

Bai Xuanji, standing eight feet tall, bore a stern countenance and a ramrod-straight back.

"Frankly, with your actions on the last ship—saving my younger brother, hurling a spear at the giant whale—you should've been promoted long ago. I meant to promote you as soon as I returned home and took command, but... the Kaiyang was destroyed," Bai Xuanji said calmly, though a hint of hatred flickered in his eyes.

"Fortunately, I have friends, and I managed to borrow this Thousand Currents. We can still get things done at sea."

Beside him, Bai Tiannian raised his cup, his expression earnest despite his injuries. "Thank you for saving me that day. I drink to you. Don’t worry, with my elder brother looking after you, your position as boatswain is secure."

Soon, the cups clinked back and forth. Bai Xuan, though he did not drink, quickly found camaraderie with the new officers of the Thousand Currents.

By the time they left the tavern, the others were staggering, but Bai Xuanji and Bai Xuan remained upright and collected.

"In the end, I still boarded the ship," Bai Xuan mused, shaking his head in the night after seeing the others off.

He had agreed to stay partly because Bai Tiannian was there—he had personally saved his life and been recommended in public. As long as nothing unexpected happened, he shouldn't be in danger.

Bai Tiannian and Bai Xuanji were brothers; with that relationship, Bai Xuan had reason to stay.

Still, being promoted to boatswain was cause for celebration if there was no danger. The boatswain held real authority on board, able to command the sailors and even take a share of the catch. For most sailors, even reaching first-class was a stretch—few ever hoped to become boatswain.

...

Three days later.

In the harbor, a massive vessel stood ready, her sails and masts rising high, dozens of ship-mounted ballistae bristling with a deadly aura.

On the deck—

"Come on!"

"Go hard! Punch him! Is that all it takes to be a real man?"

Dozens of sailors crowded together, excitement running high.

"Old Liu, you're the third mate—others might respect you, but not me! I've just broken through to the second stage of vital energy, and I want to test my fist against you today!"

The speaker was a burly man named Gao Hong. His muscles bulged and, with a roar, the surge of his new strength was plain for all to see.

Sailors most revered the strong. For an officer to be challenged openly was a test—he had to answer, or lose respect.

Gao Hong's challenge was clear-cut provocation!

Third Mate Liu Yuezh understood this well. With a confident smile, he strode forward, his own vital energy surging visibly.

"Good!"

"We'll settle this with our fists!"

"Our officers must be true men of strength!"

As the two men’s vital energy flared, sailors shouted, old hands growing excited, some even placing bets on the spot.

First Mate Bai Yuanjiu watched from the deck, a look of amusement twisting his scarred features.

He made no move to stop them.

Such things—clashes and friction—were natural and even necessary. On a big ship, they were inevitable; a little bloodshed now would only serve to bind the crew closer together.

"Good!" Gao Hong bellowed, stamping the deck and lunging forward.

As his vital energy roared, a massive skeletal tattoo appeared across his back—grim and fearsome—his muscles swelling with sheer power.

Bang, bang, bang!

In an instant, the two were trading blows, fists and feet thundering together!

Gales whipped across the deck as they fought, bodies shrouded in a protective aura of vital energy, their hard-trained skills evident—they neither dodged nor retreated, each punch landing solidly.

They both held their strength in check, each gauging when the other's energy might falter. After dozens of exchanges, Liu Yuezh's eyes narrowed, and he shouted—

"Stonebreaker Kick—open!"

He swept his leg in a sudden arc, speed blurring, a visible wind curling around him like an iron whip. The kick caught Gao Hong under the chin, snapping his head back and sending blood spurting from his nose!

Thud!

Liu Yuezh pressed his advantage, leaping forward and pummeling Gao Hong with dozens more punches, scattering his vital energy completely.

"Bravo!"

The sailors cheered, while those who had lost bets grumbled and handed over their stakes.

"The winner—Liu Yuezh!"

Beside them, First Mate Bai Yuanjiu rose, his scarred face twisted in a fierce grin as he shouted.

"Thank you for the match," Liu Yuezh replied, a bit tired but spirits high, helping Gao Hong to his feet.

"Whew, your strength is impressive—I yield!" Gao Hong stood, raising his hands in surrender.

He had shown his worth—breaking through the vital energy barrier twice, strong enough to serve as an officer on a lesser ship.

Losing to Liu Yuezh was no shame; it only proved the strength of this vessel’s crew.

Satisfied, Gao Hong stepped back into the ranks, the sailors parting respectfully to let him through.

Nearby—

"Fighting for the sake of it... must be bored," Bai Xuan said, shaking his head.

Just then, Gao Hong’s gaze slid toward Bai Xuan.

If he couldn’t beat the third mate, what about the boatswain? Just a young upstart, after all!

But as he was about to make his move, a heavy hand landed on his shoulder with a smack.

"Enough. The ship’s about to sail. Go do your work and listen to the boatswain, understood?" Bai Yuanjiu’s scar twitched as he spoke in a deep voice.

Gao Hong felt as if an iron claw gripped his shoulder. He grimaced. "All right, all right, Second Brother, can you let go? My shoulder’s about to split!"

"Your skills need work. Less challenge, more training," Bai Yuanjiu snorted.

He had been entrusted by Bai Tiannian to keep watch over the deck, ready to step in if anyone challenged Bai Xuan.

Having served as second mate for years, his authority was formidable—none dared provoke him.

"Ah, no choice then..." Gao Hong slunk back to the sailors, prompting a round of laughter.

Everyone could see now—

Bai Xuan's position was tightly bound to the three brothers, unshakable.

If it were mere nepotism, it would draw scorn—but everyone knew that Bai Xuan had saved Bai Tiannian's life in the whale hunt. No one could say a word against him.

Such a life-saving debt—if the Bai brothers did not repay it, then they would be the ones disgraced.

At that moment, Bai Xuanji strode onto the deck with several sailors.

"Set sail!"

With hands clasped behind his back, Bai Xuanji surveyed the gathered crew.

Rumble!

The mighty Thousand Currents, bearing a hundred sailors, unfurled her sails and slowly slipped from the harbor of Qianshan Island, heading out on the current.

Soon, several days had passed, and the Thousand Currents ventured ever deeper into the ocean.

Each day, Bai Xuan took to the deck, supervising the sailors, joining in the heavy work himself—hauling nets, dividing the catch.

He possessed the Eye for the Sea, could read the weather, and steer the ship—skills far beyond a typical sailor.

In no time, he had fully integrated with the crew.

"The boatswain—who knows how strong he is, but he’s a fine worker."

"On his own, the boatswain is worth ten good men. Whatever you say, he’s capable, and he’s the captain’s man—his future’s bright."

The sailors were no fools; they recognized ability.

At first, there had been some doubts and scrutiny, but now the crew had come to trust and respect their new boatswain.

...

In the cabin, Bai Xuan felt a stir within him.

"The Tree of Longevity."

At his summons, the bronze Tao Tree appeared, upon which a fiery script blazed:

"Serving as boatswain, commanding the hunt... Your path advances. The flowering of the Mysterious Blossom comes ten years early, and the required Dao Insight is reduced by one-third!"