Chapter 277

The surroundings fell silent in an instant.

Translation: The surroundings fell silent in an instant.

Everyone's gaze turned to Tuan Tuan, who had just spoken.

Translation: Everyone's gaze turned to Tuan Tuan, who had just spoken.

The men on the few small boats stiffened, their expressions frozen.

Translation: The men on the few small boats stiffened in expression.

The skinny man was the first to react: "Where did this little brat come from, spouting nonsense!"

Translation: The skinny man reacted first: "Where did this little brat come from, spouting nonsense!"

"He's completely dead! Pull him up? Even if you pull him up, can you bring him back to life?"

Translation: "He's completely dead! Pull him up? Even if you pull him up, can you bring him back to life?"

"Kids from rich families are just different—they won't even let a corpse rest! So young, yet so vicious!"

Translation: "Kids from rich families are just different—they won't even let a corpse rest! So young, yet so vicious!"

"Exactly! They won't even let the dead rest in peace!"

Translation: "Exactly! They won't even let the dead rest in peace!"

Tuan Tuan leaned against the gunwale, looking at the skinny man: "You were just so sad; if I can save him, you should be happy! Ah! You're not pretending, are you?"

Translation: Tuan Tuan leaned against the gunwale, looking at the skinny man: "You were just so sad; if I can save him, you should be happy! Ah! You're not pretending, are you?"

The skinny man choked up: "…"

Translation: The skinny man choked: "……"

While speaking, Tuan Tuan quietly scraped off a small patch of moss from the damp part of the boat's side, rolled it into a tiny ball, and clenched it in her palm.

Translation: While speaking, Tuan Tuan quietly scraped a small patch of moss from the damp part of the boat's side, rolled it into a tiny ball, and clenched it in her palm.

Xiao Er grinned: "Did you hear that? My lady said she can save him!"

Translation: Xiao Er grinned: "Did you hear? My lady said she can save him!"

"Zhou Boatsman, what are you standing there for? Pull him out!"

Translation: "Zhou Chuanjia, what are you staring at? Pull him up!"

"This…" Zhou Boatsman hesitated a bit.

Translation: "This…" Zhou Chuanjia hesitated a bit.

"Pull!" Xiao Ningzhu said coldly, making Zhou Boatsman shudder; he no longer dared to hesitate, quickly grabbing a pole and hook with the boatmen and hauled the man aboard.

Translation: "Pull!" Xiao Ningxun's cold face made Zhou Chuanjia shudder; he no longer dared to hesitate, quickly grabbing a pole and hook with the boatmen and hauled the person aboard.

He lay on the deck, soaked through, his face pallid, eyes tightly shut, his chest showing no rise or fall.

Translation: He lay on the deck, soaked through, his complexion pallid, eyes tightly shut, his chest showing no rise or fall.

Hehe, this brother of mine is the best at swimming; his ability to hold his breath underwater is something you'd never notice he's still alive.

Translation: Hehe, this brother of mine has the best water skills; his ability to hold his breath underwater is something you'd never notice he's still alive.

The skinny man felt smug, his wailing grew louder: "Brother! You're already dead, yet these villains still torment you—is there any justice left?"

Translation: The skinny man felt smug, his wailing grew louder: "Brother! You're already dead, yet these villains still torment you—is there any justice left?"

Tuan Tuan walked over, crouched beside the corpse, tilted her head to examine it closely, lowered her head, opened her pouch, and pretended to pull something out.

Translation: Tuan Tuan walked over, crouched beside the corpse, tilted her head to examine it closely, lowered her head, opened her sachet, and pretended to pull something out.

She held up the green little ball in her hand and said solemnly: "Look! This medicine is my master's secret formula from the 'Resurrection Hand,' it's powerful—it's called the Stretch-Legs Stare-Wide Pill!"

Translation: She held up the green little ball in her hand and said solemnly: "Look! This medicine is my master's secret formula from the Spring-Returning Hand—it's powerful! It's called the Leg-Stretching Eye-Staring Pill."

"What pill?" the skinny man asked, stunned.

Translation: "What pill?" The skinny man stared, dumbfounded.

The fat man shouted: "Little girl, stop spouting nonsense! There's no such medicine in the world—and even if there were, could eating it keep someone alive?"

Translation: The fat man shouted: "Little brat, stop spouting nonsense! There's no such medicine in the world! Even if there were, could eating it keep someone alive?"

Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "Sure! This Stretch-Legs Stare-Wide Pill is effective—of course, if a good person takes it, they'll die right away."

Translation: Tuan Tuan looked puzzled: "Sure! The Leg-Stretching Eye-Staring Pill is effective! Of course, if a good person takes it, they'll die right away."

"But if someone who's just died takes it, they'll wake up instantly! Don't believe me? Just try it and you'll see."

Translation: "But if someone who's just dead takes it, they'll wake up instantly! Don't believe me? Just try it and you'll see."

"Anyway, he's already dead—he can't die a second time."

Translation: "He's already dead anyway—he can't die a second time."

"You!" the skinny man was left speechless by her anger.

Translation: "You!" The skinny man was left speechless by her anger.

Tuan Tuan handed the pill to Xiao Er, eyes bright with excitement: "Uncle Two, quickly stuff it into him!"

Translation: Tuan Tuan handed the pill to Xiao Er, her face full of excitement: "Uncle Er, quickly stuff it into him!"

Xiao Ran and Xiao Ningzhu pressed their lips together, trying hard not to laugh.

Translation: Xiao Ran and Xiao Ningxun pressed their lips together, struggling not to laugh.

Xiao Er's mouth twitched, he straightened his face, took the "Stretch-Legs Stare-Wide Pill," and said: "Yes, miss. I'll shove it into his stomach right now!" He bent over to pry open the corpse's mouth.

Translation: Xiao Er's mouth twitched, he stiffened his face, and took the "Leg-Stretching Eye-Staring Pill": "Yes, Miss. I'll stuff it into his belly right now!" He bent over to pry open the corpse's mouth.

Just as Xiao Er's finger was about to touch the "corpse's" lips, the body—appearing utterly dead—snapped its eyes open, let out a loud "ah," and leapt up, rushing toward the boat's side.

Translation: Just as Xiao Er's finger was about to touch the "corpse's" lips, the body that looked completely dead suddenly opened its eyes, let out an "Ah!" and leapt up, rushing toward the boat's side.

"Trying to run?" Lu Qi had been guarding nearby; he stepped forward in a flash, grabbed the man by the back of his collar, and effortlessly hauled him back, pressing him onto the deck.

Translation: "Trying to run?" Lu Qi had already been guarding nearby; he stepped forward in a stride, grabbed the man's collar with a big hand, and easily hauled him back, pressing him onto the deck.

"The act isn't over yet—why rush off?"

Translation: "The show isn't over yet—why rush to leave?"

Tuan Tuan puffed out her little chest: "See? I told you I could revive him!"

Translation: Tuan Tuan puffed out her little chest: "Watch, I said I could save him!"

Xiao Ran burst out laughing: "Exactly, exactly—our Tuan Tuan is the best!"

Translation: Xiao Ran burst out laughing: "Right, right, our Tuan Tuan is the best!"

Seeing the plot exposed, the people on the small boats panicked; the skinny man yelled, "The wind's tight—pull back!"

Translation: Seeing the plot exposed, the people on the small boats shouted, the skinny man yelling: "The wind's tight! Pull the helm!"

The few small boats hastily turned, paddling frantically as they scattered in all directions.

Translation: The few small boats panicked, turned around, paddled desperately, and scattered in flight.

Just as they were about to slip into the reeds by the shore, several slender, shuttle‑like small boats shot out from different waterways at great speed, instantly blocking their escape route.

Translation: Just as they were about to dart into the riverside reeds, several slender, shuttle-like small boats shot out from different waterways at high speed, instantly blocking their escape route!

The men aboard wore the same indigo‑blue short outfits, wielding hooked long poles; with a few swift moves they latched onto the small boats' gunwales, rendering them immobile.

Translation: The men aboard wore the same indigo-blue short jackets, wielding hooked long poles; with agile motions they hooked the small boats' gunwales in a couple of moves, rendering them immobile.

Upon seeing the newcomers, the skinny man gasped in shock: "The Canal Gang!"

Translation: Upon seeing the arrivals, the skinny man turned pale: "Canal Gang!"

He could no longer care about anything else, plunging into the water with a splash; his companions followed suit.

Translation: He no longer cared about anything else, plunged into the water with a splash, and his companions followed suit.

"You think you can escape by jumping into the water?" a deep voice came from the shuttle boat.

Translation: "You think you can escape by jumping into the water?" a deep voice came from the shuttle boat.

The indigo‑clad men moved even faster, leaping into the water together.

Translation: Those men in indigo-blue short jackets moved even faster, leaping into the water together.

In the water they moved more agilely than fish, clearly excellent swimmers.

Translation: In the water they moved more nimbly than fish, clearly expert swimmers.

Soon they were hauling the struggling men out of the water like fish, dragging them back to their respective boats.

Translation: Soon enough, they fished out those desperately flailing people one by one, dragging them back to their respective boats.

A slightly larger shuttle boat glided over and steadied itself beside the passenger vessel.

Translation: A slightly larger shuttle boat paddled over and steadied itself beside the passenger ship.

At the bow stood a young man in his early twenties, tall and straight, with sword‑like brows and starry eyes; though he wore the same indigo‑blue short attire as the others, his demeanor was calm and steady, indicating a higher rank.

Translation: At the bow stood a young man in his early twenties, tall and straight, with sword‑shaped brows and starry eyes; though he wore the same indigo‑blue short jacket as the others, his demeanor was calm and steady, showing a different status.

He cupped his fists toward the people on the passenger deck and said: "I am Luo Zhenjiang, the young chief of the Canal Gang."

Translation: He clasped his fists toward the people on the passenger ship's deck: "I am Luo Zhenjiang, the Young Chief of the Canal Gang."

"You've been frightened! These scoundrels are the dregs of these waters, specializing in swindling, extorting, and deceiving passing boats—we call them 'water rats.'"

Translation: "You've been frightened! These people are the scum of these waters, specializing in swindling, deceiving, and extorting passing vessels; we call them 'water rats.'"

"They often impersonate our Canal Gang's name, ruining our reputation."

Translation: "They often impersonate the Canal Gang's name, ruining our reputation."

"Thanks to you all today, we've netted them all in one go—I, Luo, offer my gratitude."

Translation: "Thanks to you all, we've netted them all in one go—I, Luo, thank you here!"

Xiao Ningzhu returned the salute: "Young Chief Luo, no need for thanks—we're grateful for your gang's help, which saved us a lot of trouble."

Translation: Xiao Ningxun returned the salute: "Young Chief Luo, you're too kind—thank you for your help, it saved us a lot of trouble."

Luo Zhenjiang glanced at Tuan Tuan leaning on the gunwale; although he had been at a distance earlier, he had gotten a general idea.

Translation: Luo Zhenjiang glanced at Tuan Tuan leaning on the gunwale; although he had been far off, he'd gotten a general idea.

A flicker of admiration crossed his eyes: "This young lady remains calm under pressure, clever and quick‑witted; at such a tender age she already shows remarkable presence of mind—I'm quite pleased."

Translation: A flash of admiration crossed his eyes: "This young lady remains calm under crisis, clever and quick‑witted; at such a young age she already has this presence of mind—I, Luo, am quite pleased."

Tuan Tuan blinked and asked crisply: "Big brother, what is the Canal Gang?"

Translation: Tuan Tuan blinked and asked crisply: "Big brother, what is the Canal Gang?"

Luo Zhenjiang blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing: "What an interesting question from a little girl! It seems you've indeed come from afar, unaware of our Canal Gang's reputation."

Translation: Luo Zhenjiang blinked in surprise, then burst out laughing: "What an interesting question from the little lady! It seems you've indeed come from afar, not even knowing the Canal Gang's name."

"The Canal Gang simply makes its living from the waterways; I oversee all the rules on the water."

Translation: "The Canal Gang simply makes its living from the waterways; I oversee all the rules on the water."

He paused, drew something from his bosom, flicked his wrist—with a soft "pop" it landed steadily on the deck and rolled to Tuan Tuan's feet.

Translation: He paused, drew something from his bosom, flicked his wrist—with a soft "clack" it landed steadily on the deck and rolled to Tuan Tuan's feet.

Tuan Tuan bent down and picked it up—a dark wooden tablet about palm‑sized, front carved with an ancient "Cao" character, back etched with intricate water‑wave patterns.

Tuan Tuan bent down and picked it up—a dark wooden tablet about palm‑sized, front carved with an ancient "Cao" character, back etched with intricate water‑wave patterns.

Luo Zhenjiang proclaimed loudly: "This is the Canal Gang's 'Smooth Water Token.' Since you've come to Jiangnan, you'll inevitably travel by water; carrying this ensures unobstructed passage on Jiangnan's waterways."

Translation: Luo Zhenjiang proclaimed loudly: "This is the Canal Gang's 'Shunshui Order.' Since you've reached Jiangnan and will inevitably travel by water, carrying this ensures unobstructed passage on Jiangnan's waterways."

"Show this token, and Canal Gang members along the way will grant you convenience; should you encounter a thorny matter, you may also use it to seek me at the Canal Gang's headquarters at the transport dock."

Translation: "Show this order, and Canal Gang members along the way will grant you convenience. Should you encounter a thorny matter, you may also use it to seek me at the headquarters of the Canal Transport Dock."

Xiao Ningxun's heart stirred; this "Shunshui Order" in the Jiangnan Region's water network area, its weight is not light.

He clasped his hands in thanks: "Thank you, Young Chief Luo, for your generous gift."

Tuan Tuan gave Luo Zhenjiang a sweet smile, revealing two small dimples: "Thank you, handsome big brother!"

Luo Zhenjiang's smile deepened at being called "handsome big brother": "You're also very pretty, little lady, pink and tender and plump."

Tuan Tuan instantly bristled: "I'm not fat at all!"

Xiao Ran laughed loudly, Lu Qi and Xiao Er's mouths twitched, Xiao Ningxun suppressed a laugh and pulled his sister into his arms.

Luo Zhenjiang smiled and clasped his fists: "You all must be on your way; I won't disturb you further. Farewell until we meet again!"

After saying that, he gave a soft shout, the shuttle boat nimbly turned, taking the captured water rats with it, disappearing at the river bend.

The boat family head wiped sweat from his forehead, repeatedly bowing: "Today we really owe it to several honored guests; otherwise I would..."

He glanced at his daughter, still shaken with fright, and felt lingering fear.

Xiao Ran waved his hand: "Just a false alarm, let's set sail."

Finally, the boat arrived at River Prefecture dock, everyone disembarked, and they found the largest inn to settle in.

Tuan Tuan and Xiao Ran lay side by side at the window, looking out.

The river water was like a strip of jade-green silk, shimmering with tiny ripples, weaving through streets and alleys; not far off, an arched bridge resembled a moon, and the willows by the banks drooped gently.

On either side of the stone-paved street, shops stood in rows, and a faint floral fragrance floated in the air.

Xiao Ran couldn't help exclaiming: "No wonder they say Jiangnan's scenery is wonderful! Little one, are you tired? Want to go out and stroll?"

Tuan Tuan nodded eagerly: "Sure! I'm not tired! Let's go out and play!"

The group leisurely strolled along the stone-paved street in front of the inn, and arrived at an arched bridge.

At a corner of the bridge, a sweet, silky fragrance wafted.

Tuan Tuan's little nose twitched, and she pulled Xiao Ningxun's hand forward: "Third Brother, let's go over there! It smells so good!"

Upon approaching, they saw an elderly grandmother with white hair and a kind face, guarding a small charcoal stove and copper pot, selling osmanthus-sweetened lotus root slices.

The lotus root slices were crystal-clear and bright red, drizzled with amber-colored syrup, then sprinkled with golden osmanthus, making one's mouth water just to look at them.

The elderly grandmother was nimble-fingered, threading the lotus root slices onto bamboo skewers.

Tuan Tuan looked on covetously, pulling out a copper coin from her little sachet: "Grandma, I want one!"

The grandmother picked out the biggest, brightest string and handed it to Tuan Tuan: "Here you go, little miss, hold it carefully, it's hot."

Tuan Tuan took it, but before she could bite, a large hand with a thin callus suddenly stretched out from the side and spread before her.

"Little girl, you still owe me two wen for that you bought."