Mingyun hurried over to the guard captain and began patting his back vigorously until the seawater he had swallowed was forced out.
"Ugh—ugh!"
The guard captain looked utterly miserable.
Seawater really tasted awful.
"Uncle Fu, please trust me. This samurai is a friend of Lady Kitsune Saiguu from the Grand Narukami Shrine. Everyone, put your weapons down."
Mingyun realized the situation would take too long to explain, so he simply revealed Ren Kai's identity.
The name worked instantly.
Uncle Fu and the guards quickly lowered their weapons.
"I sincerely apologize, sir samurai."
"This misunderstanding is entirely my fault. If anyone deserves blame, it is me alone. They were only following my orders."
"I hope you won't hold it against them."
Uncle Fu stood there awkwardly. After some thought, he decided to step forward and take responsibility himself.
Compared to Mingyun, he had far more experience.
Kitsune Saiguu was a famous great yokai. If this man was her friend, perhaps he was also some kind of powerful spirit.
That movement technique just now had been far too terrifying.
"No harm done."
"Since Young Master Mingyun has invited me, we are now on the same side."
"There is no need to dwell on it."
At that moment, Ren Kai was starting to feel troubled about his samurai outfit again.
In just a few hours, he had already run into three incidents because of this appearance.
He really needed new clothes.
After all, the Transformation Technique still required a base appearance. If he suddenly changed outfits without reason, people would become suspicious.
"Mr. Ban, on behalf of the guild, please accept my apology."
"And thank you for showing mercy earlier."
"If there's anything you need, please tell me. I'll do my best to arrange it."
Seeing that the guard captain was unharmed, Mingyun hurried over and apologized sincerely.
He had witnessed Ren Kai's Body Flicker Technique earlier.
It was incredibly impressive.
Clearly, Mr. Ban had held back during the encounter.
"You're too polite, Young Master Mingyun."
"My current outfit causes too much trouble."
"If possible, I'd like two sets of clothing from Liyue."
Inside, Ren Kai sighed with relief.
At last, he had successfully joined the Feiyun Commerce Guild without any major issues.
And he would even get two free outfits.
Definitely a profitable deal.
"No problem. That's easy to arrange."
"Mr. Ban, please come aboard and rest for now. Once we reach Liyue, we'll have two outfits tailored specifically for you."
Mingyun's face lit up with joy.
He hadn't expected this mysterious expert to be so easygoing—even after one of his men had attacked him.
Mingyun led Ren Kai onto the merchant ship and guided him directly to the area outside his own cabin.
"Please have a seat, Mr. Ban. Try some tea from Liyue."
Mingyun politely invited him inside and took out his prized tea leaves to brew a pot.
"Then I'll accept your hospitality."
Ren Kai's tone softened slightly toward his benefactor.
After all, even Rex Lapis himself had shown patience when dealing with Hu Tao.
The two of them chatted pleasantly over tea while the workers and guards on the ship continued their duties.
Meanwhile, outside—
"Uncle Fu, you nearly killed me this time."
"I was already injured, and that kick almost sent me to the afterlife."
The guard captain complained bitterly.
"Ahem… that was my fault."
"I'll request a salary increase for you."
"This is a personal compensation from me. Use it to buy medicine."
Uncle Fu handed him a small pouch.
This really had been his mistake.
Sometimes even good intentions could lead to trouble.
After saying that, he left quickly, too embarrassed to face the captain any longer.
About an hour later, Uncle Fu arrived outside Mingyun's cabin and knocked on the door.
"Come in."
Mingyun spoke calmly, as if he already knew who it was.
"Young Master, Mr. Ban."
"The cargo has been fully loaded. Mr. Ban's cabin is ready as well."
"Should we set sail?"
Uncle Fu opened the door politely and reported with a smile.
"Good work, Uncle Fu."
"Mr. Ban is now officially an advisor to the Feiyun Commerce Guild."
"Please escort him to his cabin. I'll handle the departure arrangements."
Mingyun looked radiant.
He was in an exceptionally good mood.
After negotiating with Mr. Ban earlier, the agreement had been finalized.
He would pay a monthly salary of one hundred thousand Mora, plus five percent of the profits from escorted shipments.
It was double the guard captain's salary.
But the cost-performance ratio was simply too good.
"Congratulations, Young Master. This is truly wonderful news."
"Advisor Ban, please follow me."
Uncle Fu spoke respectfully.
He didn't know what price had been paid to secure this expert, but Mingyun's expression said everything.
"Thank you for leading the way, Uncle Fu."
Ren Kai's attitude toward Uncle Fu had improved as well.
After bidding farewell to Mingyun, he followed Uncle Fu toward his cabin.
Inside, he was thrilled.
Earlier, when Mingyun had paid the restaurant bill, it had only cost five thousand Mora.
Now he would earn one hundred thousand Mora a month.
That was far better than his old job.
And traveling with a merchant guild meant paid travel plus commission.
In one word—
Perfect.
Uncle Fu led Ren Kai only a short distance—just two doors down.
"This cabin belongs to you, Advisor Ban."
"My room and the guard captain's are next door."
"I hope we can rely on your guidance in the future."
Uncle Fu calmly opened the door and gestured politely for Ren Kai to enter.
"You're too polite, Uncle Fu."
"We'll simply help each other."
Ren Kai clasped his fists in a Liyue-style gesture of respect before entering the cabin.
The room was only slightly smaller than Mingyun's.
The interior was elegantly decorated, with all the furniture one might need.
"If you need anything, feel free to find me."
"I won't disturb your rest any longer, Mr. Ban."
Uncle Fu was pleasantly surprised.
Despite his imposing arrogance, Advisor Ban clearly understood Liyue's etiquette.
It made him feel much more comfortable.
"Understood. Take care."
Ren Kai waved politely.
Uncle Fu was clearly the steward of the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
If Ren Kai wanted to thrive here, it was best not to offend his own people.
Before leaving, Uncle Fu carefully closed the door behind him.
Liyue truly valued manners and civility.
No wonder it resembled the culture of ancient Liyue so closely.
"Whew… I'm exhausted."
"Playing Madara is really hard."
"Maintaining a cold attitude without offending people… that's not easy."
Ren Kai canceled the Transformation Technique and collapsed onto the bed.
Then he opened the role-playing interface.
[Uchiha Madara]
Role-playing Progress: 12%
Strength: Peak Kage Level
Dojutsu Power: Mangekyo Sharingan
"Only two percent more?"
"In those novels, protagonists start with forty or fifty percent role-playing."
"Why is mine progressing so slowly?"
"At this rate, when will I ever defeat the Heavenly Principles?"
Ren Kai stared helplessly at the interface.
His life depended on it.
After thinking for a while, he began recalling the War God Rexas's memories.
"Wait a minute…"
"If Khaenri'ah hasn't fallen yet…"
"Doesn't that mean the Greater Lord Rukkhadevata and the Yaksha clan are still alive?"
"And the desert landscapes… I should definitely visit them."
The thought made him excited.
There were many things he could plan now.
Only a few minutes later, Ren Kai heard a shout from outside.
"Raise the sails! Set sail!"
Hearing the command, he immediately got out of bed.
After using the Transformation Technique again, he opened the door and walked to the ship's railing.
The merchant vessel slowly began moving across the sea.
Ritou and Inazuma grew smaller and smaller in the distance.
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Ren Kai noticed something.
About a hundred meters from the harbor, beneath a maple tree, stood a figure.
Looking closely—
It was Kitsune Saiguu.
And in her arms, she was holding a small pink fox.