NOVPUBThe following days passed in monotony—like a hamster wheel. Yin got up in the morning and ran on the deck for about an hour, still half-asleep. Then she had a break, ate breakfast with the others, climbed the ropes, and enjoyed the sunrise in the distance.
Then it was sword time. First, Yin practiced her swings and techniques with Uncle Jian, who checked her every move. He slowly began guiding her through more techniques, which he had her practice until about midday when the day got warm.
It was so warm, in fact, that it made little sense to be outside, and Tang Yin found herself taking naps. One day, when there was no wind, she and a few others gained permission to swim from the captain. She jumped into the sea for a swim alongside a few others who could swim.
Wet, happy, and grinning, she teased Uncle Jian, who, surprised, could not swim and just watched. She found it funny, too. The honorable Sword Douluo was, in fact, a non-swimmer.
She did regret her teasing later during sparring, rubbing salve on a good number of newly blooming bruises and blue spots on her skin.
Eventually, the lookout cried out:
"Land! Land in sight!"—causing everyone to run on deck and watch as Vast Sea City slowly approached from a distance. Even from afar, it was breathtaking. They slowed down as they hailed the harbor, the guests stepping aside as the crew got to work. Hanging high in the ropework, Tang Yin stared at it, eyes wide.
Never in her life—this one or the former—had she seen anything like it. The harbor was gigantic. Large sailing ships stood side by side, people bustling around—some with purpose, some without—everyone blending together. It didn't matter: young, old, rich, poor.
Long stone and wood bridges reached into the sea as the ships anchored. A small boat sailed ahead, navigating them to their anchoring spot as they passed other ships.
Eventually, they stopped, and things got even busier during the anchoring process. The captain shouted orders. Some people were waiting for arrivals—women and the elderly stood on the docks.
They were clad in unfamiliar clothing. Many wore loose linen, suitable for the hot weather, flowing and loose. Beneath her, the work began. Tang Yin jumped and nodded at Madame Ning and the others as the crew began unloading their goods.
Others ran past them, greeting those waiting for them.
Tang Yin walked down the bridge with a wooden box on her shoulder, soon placing it among the others belonging to their group. Madame Ning nodded at her gratefully as she ordered the boxes onto the carriage waiting for them, and Tang Yin stepped in to help the others. Even Uncle Jian helped carry a few of the boxes.
When they finished, Yin settled onto the carriage as it started moving.
"I reserved an inn a bit further in the city for us. The goods go to the Seven Treasures warehouse," Madame Ning explained, and Yin nodded.
"Originally, they were meant to come pick it up, but a large delivery came early, so they asked us to bring it ourselves since they needed all hands on deck. Ah—I can see why they said it's busy."
Tang Yin looked in Madame Ning's direction. Large wooden boxes were on each other as people—spirit masters or not—helped—helped the goods. Madame Ning jumped and walked toward a slightly obese man wearing the customary, currently very sweaty, robes of the Seven Treasures.
The man nodded a few times at her words and then bellowed, "Li!"
A young boy came running. The two clarified something, and then Madame Ning walked back to them with the boy in tow.
"They are again very sorry. We should follow Li; he'll show us where our stuff goes to avoid confusing the rest. We'll use the side entrance."
Everyone nodded as Li led them to a smaller entrance. He took out a few keys, opened the door, and led them into a smaller but spacious hall.
"Here we go. I'll help you unpack. Since yours is a small delivery, it shouldn't take too long," he said, and they all nodded.
Yin looked at Madame Ning as she picked up a wooden box.
"Say—what delivery is this, Madame? It's really quite gigantic."
"I don't know for sure. Li?" she turned to the boy.
"It's a steel delivery. A lot of refined iron—about thirty tons altogether. It was supposed to arrive in two days, but apparently, the winds were good for them," he said. "So they arrived early."
Yin nodded, then set down the box and helped the others tuck away the cargo. Since it wasn't too much, they were finished within an hour. They stepped outside as the boy locked the door, said goodbye, and bowed to them. Madame Ning let out a breath.
"Well, work is done for you," Uncle Jian said, then looked at Yin.
"I have something to deal with for the clan at the Spirit Master Arena and later at the auction—for clan purposes. You can accompany me there, or I'll take you to the hotel to rest and leave you with Madame Ning and the others. Security there is trustworthy—I made sure after our last parting, so you have no need to worry but leaving you on your own poses to much a risk."
Tang Yin tilted her head. She would probably prefer to rest, but if Uncle Jian needed longer than expected, she knew she'd have to stay at the hotel. Or she could accompany him and see a bit of the city since she didn't know when she might pass through Vast Sea City again.
"Say, Teacher—can we take a little look around if I come with you during business?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yes, of course. We can take a scenic route," he agreed readily.
"Then I'd like to come with you," she said, and he nodded.
With a tight hug from the Madame and waves of goodbye, she followed Uncle Jian.
