Teacher by day, Farmer by passion

Chapter 42 In search of boats [2]

"I'll buy it, but I need to see the boat first," Ace said cautiously.

The drunk man wobbled, swaying like a leaf in the wind. "Oh no, no, nooo, can't do that, lad," he slurred, waving a half-empty bottle in the air.

"I guaran-damn-tee it sails! Best boat you'll find—trust me! Hic! Ain't nobody 'round here gonna sell ya one anyway!"

Ace stared at him, then sighed. "Fine. I'll take it."

He pulled out 50 gold coins and slapped them into the man's outstretched, trembling hand.

The drunk man blinked at the money, grinned a little too wide, then turned on his heel.

"Right then! Follow me!" He staggered forward, nearly tripping over his own feet as he led the way.

Ace and Liu Mei followed the drunk man to the so-called 'boat,' both of them cautiously hopeful.

That hope died a brutal death the moment they laid eyes on the monstrosity before them.

The "boat"—if one could even dare to call it that—was a disaster.

The hull was more hole than wood. The mast? Leaning like an old man with back problems. The oars? One was snapped in half, and the other was missing entirely.

Ace stared. Liu Mei stared. Even White Fur, curled in Liu Mei's arms, stared.

The drunk man? He just chuckled, looking far too pleased with himself.

"Wha—" Ace opened his mouth, but no words came out.

He tried again. "What... in the ninth hell... is this?!"

The drunk man patted the rotting wood fondly. "A beauty, ain't she?"

Ace felt something inside him die.

Liu Mei, ever the optimist, tilted her head. "Master, maybe it just needs a little fixing?"

Ace pointed at the gaping hole in the side. "A LITTLE?"

Liu Mei pursed her lips. "Well, okay, a lot."

"A LOT?!"

The drunk man waved them off. "You young folk are so dramatic. A little elbow grease, a few patches, and she'll sail just fine."

Ace looked at the boat. Then at the man. Then back at the boat.

"Sir," he said slowly, "this boat is one good wave away from becoming driftwood."

The drunk man shrugged. "Still floats."

Ace narrowed his eyes. "How do you know?"

"I don't."

Silence.

"...You don't?" Ace repeated, voice flat.

"Nope!" The man grinned. "But hey, for an extra 20 gold, I can sell you a bucket."

Ace let out a long, suffering sigh. "I swear, if I survive this trip, I'm uninstalling you."

Good luck with that, buddy.

The sun had long since set, and the moon was only just beginning to rise in the night sky.

Ace wiped the sweat from his brow, hands aching from spending half the day patching up this sorry excuse for a boat.

He looked at his work.

The boat was still ugly. It still creaked ominously. It still gave off the strong vibe of a 'barely floating death trap.'

But hey. At least now, it wouldn't fall apart the moment they touched water.

"Good enough," he muttered, stepping back.

Just as he was about to test the sturdiness, a flickering light caught his eye.

A young woman hurried toward them, panting, clutching a lantern in one hand.

"Please... please!" she gasped. "Would you mind if I joined you?"

Ace squinted at her. Then at the boat. Then back at her.

'This boat is already flirting with disaster. Adding more weight? Might as well start digging my own grave.'

Before he could voice his concerns, Liu Mei nodded enthusiastically.

"Of course! Come aboard!"

Ace slowly turned to his disciple. "Mei'er. My dear, sweet disciple."

"Yes, Master?"

"Are you aware that this boat is—"

The moment the girl climbed aboard, the boat let out a loud, distressed groan.

Ace's soul left his body.

He turned back to the girl, who was anxiously shifting her weight.

"Why are you in such a rush?" he asked, wary.

The girl bit her lip, looking pale.

"My younger brother is sick. I need to bring a doctor from the other shore before it's too late."

Ace sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Of course. Of course, it's something urgent. Can't be anything simple, like I just wanted to see the ocean at night."

Liu Mei nudged him. "Master, we have to help her!"

Ace looked at the boat again. Then at the girl.

The voice in his head chimed in helpfully.

So, are you accepting your fate now, or do you want me to laugh at you first?