Darkness Port in November was starting to get lively because Medley Sea Day was just around the corner.
What was Medley Sea Day? It was a festival related to Darkness Port’s sailing day. The ships that had the qualifications to go on an expedition would set sail on the 1st of December every year.
A week before the sailing day, the captains of the ships would bring out their best harvest throughout the year and put them on sale at the largest free market in the commercial district of the deck area. The festival lasted for a whole week, and on the last two days, there would be an auction.
Without a doubt, all the items listed at the auction were the best of the best.
Why the annual festival? There were many reasons behind it such as earning extra money for ship repairs, maintenance, or purchasing some new ornaments for the ship.
Life at sea was uncertain as anything might happen during a voyage. Therefore, sailors tended to spend the money they earned and enjoy their lives. It was almost certain that they would celebrate and party wildly before setting voyage.
In summary, as time went by, it became a tradition for the people, and a week before the voyage, the first day of the grand sale was set as Medley Sea Day. It was the most celebrated festival in Darkness Port. Everyone was bound to be early and some might even start to prepare half a month earlier.
“As a matter of fact, after the old civilization was wiped out, many celebrations vanished together with their tradition.”
Tang Long was walking on the busiest street of the commercial district of Darkness Port. Even though he was just wearing simple casual clothes and had a mask over his face, his handsome eyes were on display and coupled with his outstanding temperament, his presence attracted many gazes from the girls.
All their gazes were ignored because his own burning gaze was glued to Higan’s side profile.
Higan was wearing a common attire that the girls of Darkness Port wore. Her top was a little tight and her bottom was a combination of bloomers and a skirt. Together with the casual attire was a hat with a thin opaque veil over her face.
Even with her face covered, she was still Higan, hence the gaze from Tang Long.
“If you put it this way, Medley Sea Day isn’t a traditional festival either.” Higan was a little absent-minded as she walked, but she was then attracted by a shell ornament on sale at a little stall along the street.
She walked up, reached out and stroked the little ornament. The trigger was switched on. Together with a pleasant crashing of waves, the shell slowly opened up and a mermaid doll appeared in the center. The doll looked a little shy but sad. Her hands were in front of her chest when she started singing.
I am sailing.
I am sailing.
Home again ‘cross the sea.
I am sailing stormy waters
To be near you,
To be free.
I am flying…
“It’s cute.” Higan propped her cheek on her hand and watched the little ornament quietly. Her gaze behind the opaque veil was a little intoxicated as a faint smile hung over her face.
As the scene unfolded, Tang Long signaled to the men behind him and one of them walked up to the owner of the stall. “Excuse me. How much is this?”
Just when the owner wanted to reveal the price, Higan stood up and looked away. “I don’t want it.” She then walked away on her own and continued curiously sizing up the lively stalls in the street plus the people who were preparing to welcome Medley Sea Day.
“What’s wrong?” Tang Long walked up to her. He was used to Higan’s fluctuating mood, so the atmosphere was not embarrassing for him at all.
“Where were we just now?” Higan did not answer Tang Long’s question. Instead, she shifted the topic back to the festival.
“Medley Sea Day isn’t a traditional festival. The only traditional festivals that were passed down from the old civilization were the Chinese New Year of ancient Huaxia in Dongsheng Continent and Christmas Day of the Light Continent.” Tang Long was full of patience when he was with Higan. He did not care whether or not she answered his question, but he would certainly answer hers.
“Oh, I see.”
“Even if the traditional festivals are on the brink of being forgotten, people always need a reason to let go of themselves and be wild for some time. People will always celebrate new festivals. Otherwise, how would life continue?” Tang Long sighed.
Then, a bodyguard walked up to Tang Long and whispered into his ear, “Young Master, I’ve just gotten wind about Zero’s whereabouts. Do you want to meet him now?”
Tang Long looked at Higan in hesitation. It was rare for her to have the mood to stroll around and she did not mind him following along.
“Go, I’ll be fine on myself.” Higan heard what the bodyguard said, so she turned around and gave him assurance.
“Wait for me.” He removed his mask and smiled at her.
The smile was caught by a girl near them and her heart raced as she was jealous of Higan. The young boy was so handsome. His smile was as warm as the sun, but what really moved people was the deep affection in his eyes which felt like it could melt the coldest ice mountain.
To Tang Long’s slight dismay, Higan nodded lightly and turned around. She continued forward in the commercial district with two bodyguards keeping their distance from her.
Tang Long gazed at her departing figure for a while before he walked away with the bodyguard who had informed him about the news. When he walked past the store with the little shell ornament again, he paused and told his men, “Buy it.”
******
“A damned toy costs eight Black Sea coins!? That’s madness!” Han Xing gazed at the young boy’s back who he walked past. His eyes were flashing with disbelief and his tone sounded jealous and bitter.
The days in Darkness Port had not been kind to Han Xing. In less than a week, he was broke and even had to pawn off the sheath of his sword. His father might have killed him if he knew what he had done.
However, it could not be helped! His first day in Darkness Port started off smoothly, but when he spared an extra glance at a lady on the street, trouble had ensued.
With that in mind, he scratched his head in frustration.
He had been naive enough to think that the ladies of Darkness Port were passionate. He thought that all they needed was a few glances and they would show him the most welcoming smile. After that, his arm had been hooked by one of the ladies. He had been stupid enough to feel thrilled about it and had also felt surprised that he was handsome and charming enough to win the lady’s heart with a single glance.
In the end, the lady had dragged him to the stall beside the street for a drink. As a matter of fact, having a drink was totally fine since Han Xing assumed himself to be a decent drinker as well. He might be able to win a mature elder sister’s favor after a drink or two, and his 18-year-long dream would finally come true when he graduated from boy to man!
However, when he was about to step into the store for a drink, a voice came into his ears. “One drink costs you 10 Black Sea coins. Can you afford it?”
Han Xing was shocked. When he had first entered the city, he had stopped by the currency exchange center to get some local currency and the money he brought was only enough for 5 Black Sea coins. Of course, he knew how much a Black Sea coin was worth.
So, he asked the passionate lady that had hooked his arm out of curiosity, “One drink is 10 Black Sea coins?”
“Little boy, you look so prestigious and handsome, yet you are concerned about a mere 10 Black Sea coins?” The lady’s eyes had displayed an exotic and attractive gaze while the smile on her lips was breathtaking.
Han Xing did not want to part with such a beautiful lady either, but he had pulled his hand away from her and admitted, “I don’t have that much money. Can we go somewhere else?”
It was then that the lady’s face had changed for the worse. Several men had ganged up on Han Xing and taught him a consequential lesson. Since he was unable to beat the men in a fight, he was blackmailed. No one helped him and it was his wishful thinking to hope for the rules or laws to serve them justice.
The 5 Black Sea coins were taken away because of this little incident although he had no idea why.
However, Darkness Port was a cutthroat city where even sleeping on the street required money.
It was then that he heard the voice in his ears again. “Go to the pawnshop. Your sword is worth something. If you cannot part with it, pawn off your sheath. The crystals embedded on the sheath are greater-class crystals, aren’t they?”
Until now, Han Xing had no idea who the voice was and why the voice had guided him. Due to his desperation, all he could do was follow the voice.
After pawning his sheath, he received 7 Black Sea coins and things improved a little.
A few days later, he settled his lodging with the money and bought some useful information. He made up his mind to fight in the ring to make a living for the moment. Since he was already in Darkness Port, he ought to seize the chance that his father mentioned.
To his surprise, he climbed up the rankings in the teen category. He already had three wins under his belt, and if he could secure a fourth win, he would gain the qualification to participate in the Man of Darkness match in a few days. He might be able to buy back his sheath in the stipulated time!
Han Xing was a carefree person. The thought in his mind put a smile on his face and he forgot the fact that the young boy had simply bought a toy that cost 8 Black Sea coins in a heartbeat.
He had come to Darkness Port to shine. He wanted to seize the chance to achieve the perfect breakthrough and become a Purple Moon Warrior!
******
“Hahaha, no, I am not laughing at you on purpose, Little Tang Tang.” Ding Ling covered her mouth as she served breakfast.
There was steaming hot crab porridge, aromatic buns with crab roe filling and two plates of side dishes, plus a pot of milk from some animal.
The breakfast was perfect, yet Tang Ling had no appetite. He glared at Ding Ling. Even Ding Dong could not hold back her laughter while wiping the table and she giggled together.
“I’m sorry, Little Tang Tang. Haha, I’m really sorry. I don’t mean it. Hahaha.” Ding Dong’s laughter was loud and exaggerated. She even rolled around on the shell couch as if she was a tangyuan rolling in a bowl.
Boss Huang cleared his throat and put down the newspapers in his hand. He feigned a serious tone and said, “Ding Ling, Ding Dong, you shouldn’t laugh at Tang Ling. It’s rude of you.”
He then looked at Tang Ling with a pretentious look. “Eat your breakfast. Don’t forget you have an hour to go out today. Fill up your stomach…Hahaha!”
“Boss, what are you laughing at!? I think I’m not going out today!” Tang Ling was as angry as a boiling pot as he glared at Boss Huang with gnashing teeth, yet the boss was still laughing.
“No, no, no. You should go out to relax.” Boss Huang stifled his chuckle.
“I’m not going!” Tang Ling wiped his face violently.
Boss Huang bolted up and ran upstairs.
A minute later, he tossed Tang Ling a mask and said with a flattering smile, “Will you go now?”
