The Return of Stars to the Jianghu

Chapter 56 Captain Zhang Discovers Pirate Ship in Arctic Waters

"No, that's not the case. Pilgrims usually return home on the same day. Some high-ranking officials and wealthy merchants come to the temple for quiet meditation and ask for lodging. Occasionally, wandering knights-errant also come to the city to ask for lodging," the young monk Huiming answered earnestly.

Luo Yifei nodded, recalling the stories Qiao Zhi had told him during the nights from Mount Emei to Wanfeng Lake, in which he mentioned Buddhism as having "a long history and many sects." So he asked, "I've heard that there are many sects in Buddhism. I wonder which lineage Huangjue Temple belongs to?"

“Amitabha, well said, well said. Huangjue Temple was built by the eminent Tang Dynasty monk Xuanze 2,500 years ago when he obtained the true scriptures from the Tibetan region of the Western Regions and lectured in his homeland. It was expanded by successive Tang Dynasty royal families and became the Huangjue Temple we see today.” The young monk Huiming recounted what his master had told him when he entered the temple.

Luo Yifei thought of a question, "Who is the Buddha of this world?" However, fearing to displease the young monk, he didn't ask aloud. Instead, he cautiously inquired, "Are most people in the Tang Kingdom Buddhists?"

“Our Buddha has been spreading his teachings in the Tang Dynasty for many years, so naturally he has many believers. During festivals, many pilgrims will come to temples in various places to burn incense,” the young monk Huiming replied.

The two continued chatting intermittently for a while.

The sky gradually darkened.

……

On the Floating World Continent, on Mount Emei, inside the Nine-Story Pagoda of the Red-Clothed Sect.

After arranging for Lin Lei and Wan Li's group of three to settle down and rest, Lin Hai did not go to his own bedroom but stayed there instead.

The satellite phone that Wanli brought was placed on the table.

The tea on the table had gone cold, and the water in the stove next to it was boiling and making a hissing sound.

Lin Hai sat at the table without moving.

The satellite phone on the table vibrated, and a young AI male voice came from the other end, "Zhang Zhaoyi has been detected to be in the service area. We are trying to connect you."

"Hello. Who is this?" A middle-aged man's voice came from the other end of the phone; it was Zhang, the leader of the Phoenix Team.

"Old Zhang, this is Lin Hai. I'm currently being transferred through the Mars Outpost to speak with you. I don't know if you're already aware of the situation," Lin Hai said.

“I have a general understanding. Nie Ri and Du Qi gave me a brief report. The situation is not optimistic. The situation in the Arctic is also terrible. We discovered a pirate ship from the spirit world. It was empty, without anyone, and without food or water. I just arrived at the Yellow River Station.” Zhang Zhaoyi’s voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Is there any UN resolution?" Lin Hai asked.

“No, there are many secret meetings between countries. The public meetings didn’t mention it. There are rumors that the United Nations is going to form a coalition government to coordinate the response to the crisis. What are your plans? Are you going to come back with those guys? There’s a chance you won’t have another chance.” As he spoke, Captain Zhang followed his teammates into the lobby of the two-story building of the research station.

“I’m not going back. Take good care of Lin Fan for me,” Lin Hai replied. He stood up and lifted the kettle off the stove.

"Don't worry. Is there anything you need?" Zhang Zhaoyi asked.

“Winter is coming soon, and I have many people here. There won’t be enough time to prepare this year. I need a lot of cotton quilts, the more the better. Also, cotton seeds and the latest hybrid rice seeds.” Lin Hai poured water into a cup.

"Is there anything else?" Zhang Zhaoyi asked.

"No, there will be time next year. They need to produce the supplies themselves," Lin Hai replied.

"Are you sure those kids will come back?" Zhang Zhaoyi asked on the other end of the phone.

“No problem, Ding Wenyuan of Wu will send them back. Wen Bin might also help. He probably can’t wait any longer,” Lin Hai replied.

"That's good. There's a conclusion on the Arctic issue. I'll have Nie Ri send the news to you."

"Okay. Hopefully things go as we expect, and all the tunnels can be closed."

"Let's wait for news, I'm hanging up now."

"it is good."

……

Half a month ago, in the southern sea area of ​​the eastern continent of the Floating Life Continent, south of the Tian Sha Islands.

The people on Li Hongbo's pirate ship had previously witnessed three Nanzhao Kingdom warships disappear before their eyes, accompanied by three plumes of light.

Now, after the wizard Li Hongbo cast several spells, the light mist finally reappeared. But their wizard had fainted.

"Boss, shall we drive over there?"

"Wait a little longer, and try to wake him up," the ship's captain, Qin Changkai, replied to his first mate's question.

"Boss, the light fog is starting to dim," the lookout shouted.

There was a brief silence.

"Let's not wait any longer, let's drive over."

Then, the ship disappeared into the mist of light.

……

Let's go back to Earth four years ago.

A wooden pirate ship appeared in the Arctic Ocean.

Green aurora appeared in the sky.

"Boss, he's awake."

Qin Changkai entered the cabin and said, "Strategist, you're finally awake. We passed through the light mist and arrived here. It's very cold here, the sky is green, and there are icebergs floating on the sea. We've lost our way."

"What?" Li Hongbo threw off the covers and got up, feeling the biting cold.

"Strategist, please put on your cotton coat first." Qin Changkai was unusual; he knew that whether they could get out of here depended entirely on Li Hongbo.

Li Hongbo put on a cotton coat, wrapped himself in a quilt, and came to the deck.

"We've come to the wrong world, and the timing is wrong too. We must find a way back as soon as possible."

“We’ve lost our way,” Qin Changkai replied.

An iceberg has appeared ahead.

"Let's abandon ship and go ashore," Li Hongbo said, looking at the iceberg.

"But it's too cold outside. We'll freeze to death if we go outside the cabin," Qin Changkai said, somewhat unwilling to give up. He wasn't angry or blaming Li Hongbo as he had before.

"If we don't get out, we'll starve. Pack warm clothes, water, and food. Let's get ready to leave." Li Hongbo knew that if they didn't set off soon, it would be too late. He hadn't expected that instead of going to the Immortal Realm, he would end up in the mortal world.

After the boat came to a stop, the group walked onto the iceberg.