Chapter 246

Ning Jinli said while pondering and analyzing:

"The world you are in and the world I am in belong to highly similar parallel universes; the development and changes of all things are almost identical. Of course, this assumes no external influence has occurred."

"However, since the Spacetime Portal appeared, from the moment we met, external influence has already taken root. As the impact and changes I cause increase, the chain reactions in this world will also increase; this is called the butterfly effect."

"Butterfly effect?" Xiao Qidi exclaimed in surprise, "What does it have to do with butterflies?"

Ning Jinli said, "It is a scientific theory that uses butterflies as an example; it states that a butterfly flapping its wings in one place of a world may cause a storm at the other end of that world."

Xiao Qidi, looking bewildered, asked, "What kind of butterfly is that, a mythic beast from ancient times?"

"Pfft—" Ning Jinli laughed, "It's just an example; basically it means cause and effect plus chain reactions, describing only the cause and result, not the process. To put it this way, my appearance caused your eradication of Mie Sha Yue and the timeline of Yu Guo to advance, which also pulled in the Xuan Guo nobles involved in the He Wan County case, then you eliminated the Xuan Guo noble group, and that in turn provoked Grand General Xing of Ze Country to urge His Majesty to follow suit, leading to Grand General Xing being pursued and his whole family exterminated…"

Xiao Qidi nodded slightly, "I think I understand. When you said a butterfly flapping its wings creates a storm at the other end of the world, it's like the day I passed through the Spacetime Portal and stepped into the back door of your factory's small warehouse, causing me to witness the birth of General Xing today."

Ning Jinli nodded, "That's about right. The butterfly effect is very complex; the more causes there are, the larger the changes from the chain reactions. Surely some linked factor in this process caused Grand General Xing and Lady Xing to marry and have children earlier, so their child was also born early."

Xiao Qidi mused, "So, does that mean the future changes in my world will become so great that they completely diverge from the developmental history of your world?"

"Yes, it will certainly happen," Ning Jinli said firmly. "It's only been half a year, and massive changes are already occurring continuously. It won't be long before more and more historical events in my world no longer reappear in yours; in the end, the developments of the two worlds will be worlds apart."

Xiao Qidi looked at the few people sitting by the fire and asked, "Do you think they are reliable?"

Ning Jinli said, "Based on the known information combined with my intuition, I think they are reliable; however, there is no need yet to reveal your identity to them. Also, I just thought of a good idea that might speed up our Moth Wing Grass collection…"

She then relayed her idea to Xiao Qidi.

Xiao Qidi thought it could be worth a try.

The two returned to the campfire; Fu Bo was already snoring with his head down, and Hei Er, the second head of Heishui Zhai, was also drowsy.

"I have not yet asked your full name," Ning Jinli said with a bright smile as she sat beside the girl.

The girl rubbed her eyes, yawned, and said, "Just call me Hei Er. Ever since I followed my brother leading the surviving villagers of Black Water Bay to become water bandits, we stopped using our original names; my older brother is called Hei Da."

Ning Jinli mimicked, "I am Ning Da, and this kid is Ning Er."

Clearly a pseudonym, the girl laughed, "Alright, then I'll call you Sister Ning Da, and call him Brother Ning Er."

Ning Jinli took out a survival flashlight and said, "Hei Er sister, these two are for you."

Hei Er instantly lost all drowsiness, her eyes bulging, "Such a magical treasure, you… you're giving it to me?! You're not just teasing me, are you?"

Ning Jinli laughed, "If you don't like it, then I won't give it."

"I like it, I like it!" Hei Er nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with excited light.

Ning Jinli handed the flashlight to her.

She treasured it like a priceless treasure, cradling it with both hands, placing it carefully close to her body, then clasped her fists and said, "Thank you, Sister Ning Da! You and Brother Ning Er not only saved me, Lady Xing and her child, and Fu Bo, but now also gave us this treasure. I truly don't know how to thank you. From now on, whenever a place can use Black Water Zhai's help, just ask—I will not shy away from scaling knife mountains, descending into furnace fire, or wading through oil cauldrons!"

Seeing this fifteen- or sixteen-year-old slender girl exuding a seasoned jianghu aura, Ning Jinli couldn't help feeling a pang of sympathy.

She's still a child…

In modern times, that would be school age.

"Hei Er sister, take us to Heishui Zhai and let us meet your big brother," Ning Jinli suggested.

Hei Er grinned broadly, eagerly grabbed Ning Jinli's hand, "Alright! Let's go now; my big brother will definitely like you!"

"Ahem!" Xiao Qidi coughed sharply.

Hei Er hurriedly said, "It's not the kind of liking where she'd become the village's lady; my big brother is big, clumsy, and ugly, not fit for Sister Ning Da. Only Brother Ning Er, with his handsome and imposing talent, would be a good match."

Those words made Xiao Qidi feel especially comfortable.

Soon, under Hei Er's arrangement, several wooden boats carrying Xiao Qidi, Ning Jinli, Lady Xing and her child, and Fu Bo followed Hei Er and the cripple into a marshy lake illuminated by the morning sun, heading toward the core area of Heishui Zhai.

——

Near Black Water Bay.

Two men in black waited in the dense forest until the sun rose, yet saw no sign of their comrades.

They too were members of the assassin group hunting Lady Xing.

Last night a party of seven tracked here; fearing to alert the water bandits of Heishui Zhai while not wanting the near‑captured target to escape, five of them went deeper into Black Water Bay, and the two stayed here to await support.

One man in black said, "According to the agreed time, those guys haven't returned with the target's head yet, so we'll withdraw. The time has already passed; they're probably… facing disaster."

The other man in black replied, "They're all highly skilled; could they possibly be trapped inside? Shall we go in and look?"

"No, water bandits roam inside Black Water Bay; they probably ran into them. Even great martial skill can't overcome the sheer numbers of the bandits."

"What about our target? Do we just let it go?"

"Lady Xing is heavily pregnant, her escort is an old man, and only a capable man‑and‑woman pair can rescue the two, especially the man, who is very strong. But since they entered the bandits' territory, their chances of surviving are probably slim…"

"But without seeing the head, how can the master be at ease?"

"Let's return and report the situation. If the master wants peace of mind, the only way is to turn Black Water Bay upside down, which is beyond what the two of us can accomplish."

After discussing, the two quickly left.

——

A few hours later, Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi arrived again before the Heishui Zhai Old Stronghold.

They had rushed here last night to rescue the old white‑eyebrow monkey, without time to examine it closely. Now they notice that this dwelling, built from a heap of shipwrecks of various sizes, is quite uniquely spectacular.

It is surrounded on all sides by deep water; towering trees grow in the water, their branches laden with countless vines thicker than a human arm, intertwining to form a massive enclosure.

Above, sunlight now streams through the branches, draping the odd structure with a veil of light from top to bottom, making it appear even more imposing.

"It's like a gigantic work of art," Ning Jinli looked up and couldn't help exclaiming, "The piled shipwrecks are random yet rugged, possessing a very special aesthetic."

Hei Er gave a wry smile, "We call this place Luan Chuan Bao. It's been built piece by piece from scrap material we've collected over the years. If it weren't for everyone losing their homes… who would want to live here? Maybe to Sister Ning Da it seems to have a different flavor, but living here makes life very hard."

Ning Jinli lowered her gaze and said softly, "Don't worry, you'll surely have good days ahead."

"Then I'll take Sister Ning Da's auspicious words to heart," Hei Er said brightly, though her brilliance was tinged with deeper bitterness; she treated Ning Jinli's casual comfort as mere words, not taking it seriously.

Soon, a small boat docked at the pier beneath Luan Chuan Bao.

Many people stood on both sides of the pier.

Hei Er stepped onto the pier, saw a tall, muscular man with a ringed eye, and sprinted over, "Big brother! I'm back!"

The water bandits beside the dock shouted in unison, "Salute the second master!"

Hei Da ran toward Hei Er, then pulled her into his arms. "Sister! I'm glad you're okay! Otherwise… I truly don't know how I could live on, and I'd have no face to face our parents."

As he spoke, Hei Da's tears streamed down.

"Alright, alright, big brother," Hei Er said, eyes reddened, soothingly, "I'm living just fine… Guests have arrived; don't make a joke of them."

Hei Da hurriedly wiped his tears and looked toward Ning Jinli and Xiao Qidi, who had just stepped onto the dock.

Regarding last night's events, he had roughly heard the brothers report back.

The exact details were still unclear, but since his little sister said these two were her lifesaving benefactors, they were also his benefactors.

Hei Da dropped to his knees, banging his head three times, the dock planks creaking, "Both of you! I have wronged you before; I beg your forgiveness!"

After speaking, he turned and ordered, "Everyone, kowtow!"

When the command fell, everyone standing around the dock or on the corridors and platforms elsewhere in Luan Chuan Bao knelt on the spot.

A rapid chorus of kowtowing sounds rose in succession.

The whole Luan Chuan Bao trembled along.

Ning Jinli instinctively clutched Xiao Qidi's arm, fearing that this seemingly flimsy building might collapse under the hundreds of water bandits' kowtowing.

Then Hei Da said the feast was ready and invited the two to enjoy it in the main hall.

Lady Xing, her child, and Fu Bo were all exhausted, so a few women from the Black Water Village took them to rest and be cared for.

Hei Er told Ning Jinli that many women lived in Black Water Village, some of whom had families there raising children, and they knew how to care for mothers and infants.

That eased Ning Jinli's mind considerably.

On the way into Luan Chuan Bao, Hei Er linked arms with Hei Da, explaining the situation to him as they walked.

After listening, Hei Da's tangled frown twisted tighter. "Little sister, you originally went to scout the movements of the local grain transport official ships; why did you get tangled in the disputes of high ministers and nobles? Isn't that courting disaster!"

Hei Er lifted his head and puffed his chest, "Big brother, you always told me that when injustice is seen on the road one must draw a sword to help, especially when it involves the General of Punishment's family. How could I stand by?"

"Alas…" Hei Da sighed heavily, helplessly, "You're right, little sister. It's just that the plan to hijack the grain transport official ship at year‑end must be abandoned; we need the brothers to stay in Black Water Village to guard against assassins."

Hei Er's face showed remorse, "I'm sorry, big brother… Without that ship's grain, the brothers will struggle to survive this winter…"

Hei Da laughed, "No problem! We'll just eat a little less, tighten our belts, and get by—haven't we always pulled through tough times before!"

The group arrived at the main hall.

The so‑called main hall was essentially the largest cabin space, containing a huge, shabby long table.

Rough food was laid out on the table.

"Two benefactors, please sit!" Hei Da waved his hand. "You both have distinguished looks and bearing, far from our rough background; I hope you won't disdain the food here."

Xiao Qidi and Ning Jinli sat down and glanced at the food before them.

There was a heap of biscuits baked from unknown grains, dark and hard, the surface rough as if coated with sand.

A few bowls of soup contained wild vegetables and unidentified meat chunks, sticky and thick, the meat flavor mingled with a complex fishy scent that was oddly invigorating.

The relatively presentable dishes were a plate of wilted, unknown fruit and a plate of smoked dried meat.

"Wow, a sumptuous feast!" Hei Er drooled, hurriedly ladling a bowl of meat soup, grabbing a biscuit to gnaw. "Sister Ning, brother Ning, help yourselves, don't be shy!"

Xiao Qidi's expression was complicated.

Ning Jinli asked softly, "Do you… usually eat like this?"

Hei Er ate while speaking, "We don't usually get such good food; big brother has taken out all the reserves. If we're lucky enough to raid a passing merchant or official ship and get good loot, he first distributes it to the elderly, women, children in the village, then a portion to the common folk outside Black Water Bay, another portion to the brothers. As the two heads, we end up with the worst food and supplies."

"Stinky brat, you're criticizing me in front of our benefactors?" Hei Da lightly tapped his sister's head, then added some food to her bowl.

Watching this, Ning Jinli's nose grew increasingly sour.

She lowered her head, rubbed her eyes, and said, "Not to hide from the two heads, we came here to gather some items; if the brothers of Black Water Village can help, we can provide you with food."

That was exactly the idea she had previously discussed with Xiao Qidi.

There were many people in Black Water Village, and they knew the terrain; if they could be employed, the work would be twice as effective, and these people wouldn't have to risk their lives robbing passing merchant ships for a living.

"Gathering items?" Hei Da was surprised. "What could this shabby place possibly have that catches your eyes?"

Hei Er interjected, "Fish, shrimp, turtles, crocodiles in the water, or waterfowl or other beasts? Whatever you need, we'll fetch it."

"No, what I want is this." Ning Jinli placed a sprig of Moth Wing Grass she had picked on the way onto the table.

Hei Da and Hei Er glanced at the Moth Wing Grass, then at Ning Jinli, their faces showing even more disbelief.

"Miss Ning, you… are you joking?" Hei Da's face was full of bewilderment. "This herb can't be used in medicine, nor eaten as a vegetable, and it's everywhere; it's utterly useless!"