Chapter 653: One-Eyed Drunkard

The place Luo Yurou took them to was a large market divided into several sections. One section specialized in renting and selling warships, Flying Boats and their parts, essential for long‑distance voyages.

The other sections sold medicinal herbs, food, daily necessities, exchanged Spirit Stones, and traded goods.

The section they arrived at, however, was dedicated to hiring crew members.

"No wonder this is a supply point; they really have everything!" Ye Liuyun exclaimed upon seeing the orderly market and the complete array of goods.

"All supply points are like this. What we have here isn't even complete yet!"

Luo Yurou spoke, then went over the supplies she was preparing for Ye Liuyun and the others.

"I don't even know what to prepare; just handle it as you see fit! Once we've found the crew, I'll take them around to buy whatever they need."

Ye Liuyun also didn't know what to prepare, so he simply left it all to Luo Yurou.

"Young Master, you look distinguished! Planning a long journey? Are you looking to charter a ship or just need crew?" a man in his forties smiled and greeted Ye Liuyun.

"Senior, we're looking for crew, but what does chartering a ship mean?" Ye Liuyun asked, puzzled.

"No need for formalities, just call me Lao He. Chartering means we provide the captain, crew, and the vessel, so you worry about nothing! I, Lao He, am an experienced old captain with ships and crew; I guarantee to get you wherever you need." the middle‑aged man pounded his chest.

Hearing that Ye Liuyun wanted to hire crew, a crowd gathered around, each offering themselves and surrounding him.

Luo Yurou directly refused: "Everyone, this young master is a friend of the Luo family; we're going to find the One‑Eyed Drunkard, please step aside."

At the same time she sent a Transmission Voice to Ye Liuyun: "These people are just well‑mixed here; they can gather resources and promise anything. Don't trust them lightly."

Many people, upon hearing that someone from the Luo family was going to find the One‑Eyed Drunkard, dispersed with sighs.

But Lao He was not giving up, persistently trailing behind them.

"That old drunkard has sworn never to sail again; why would Miss Luo go poke a nail? You can inquire about my reputation—I'm definitely the best captain around here…"

Lao He chattered on behind them, following until Ye Liuyun's party met the One‑Eyed Drunkard, then finally stopped.

Helplessly he tossed out, "Come find me anytime," and turned away.

"Seems the One‑Eyed Drunkard's prestige isn't small!" Ye Liuyun muttered to himself.

Crew or captains waiting to be hired here either stand or sit, gathering in groups of three or five for idle chat. When someone arrives, the eager ones step forward to strike up conversation.

The One‑Eyed Drunkard, however, simply laid out a lounge chair, reclined on it with his eyes closed, basking in the sun.

Before Ye Liuyun's group got close, they could already smell a strong whiff of alcohol from afar.

For some reason, Ye Liuyun suddenly thought of his aunt Feng Wanru.

"Maybe the drunkard has something bottled up inside!"

When Ye Liuyun was younger, he thought Feng Wanru liked drinking; now he realizes she was worried he couldn't cultivate and also concerned about her mother and family matters.

So in his heart, a faint fondness for the old drunkard rose.

He activated his Golden Pupil and looked at the old drunkard, noticing some unusual aspects.

The drunkard's single eye, covered by an eye patch, emitted faint strands of Demon Qi.

The Demon Qi was weak, likely residual from an injury that wasn't fully cleansed; without activating his Golden Pupil, one couldn't have detected it.

He scanned the drunkard again, finding his internal state grim: heavy Demon Qi erosion causing his realm to regress.

Based on the Yin‑Yang Realm pattern on his outer Golden Core, Ye Liuyun judged that he once belonged to the Yin‑Yang Realm, but now only possesses the strength of the Eightfold Tiangang.

At Ye Liuyun's current realm, even using the Golden Pupil, he couldn't have discovered it.

"Boss Fu! I have a business proposal for you!" Luo Yurou's clear voice rang out.

"So the drunkard's surname is Fu after all!"

Ye Liuyun also shouted, "Fu Laoda!"

Here many refer to the captain as "the boss" because once aboard, the captain is the ultimate decision‑maker.

Often, the captain's decisions can save the lives of the entire crew.

The One‑Eyed Drunkard, roused by the shout, grumbled a few dissatisfied hums, squinted at Luo Yurou and Ye Liuyun's party, then grabbed a wine gourd nearby and took a swig.

Ye Liuyun's Golden Pupil saw clearly that the swig temporarily suppressed some Demon Qi in his body, but only superficially.

After the drink, the One‑Eyed Drunkard slowly sat up and spoke to Luo Yurou very politely.

"Miss Luo of the Luo family, my apologies! But don't call me Fu Laoda; I've sworn never to board a ship again."

"Young Master Ye, you're my lifesaver. Don't be so quick to refuse. If you chat, perhaps a deal can be made!" Luo Yurou suggested.

The One‑Eyed Drunkard gave Ye Liuyun an apologetic smile, waved at Luo Yurou and said, "What's there to discuss? My body has only a few years left! I can't even board a ship now."

"Um…" Luo Yurou looked awkwardly at Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun smiled at Luo Yurou, "No problem! His condition means he won't live more than three years at most."

Ye Liuyun knew that as Demon Qi eroded him, the One‑Eyed Drunkard's realm lowered, reducing his resistance.

In three years his realm would likely fall to the Sea Transformation stage, at which point he could no longer fend off the Demon Qi.

"Hm?" the One‑Eyed Drunkard startled at the words, scrutinizing Ye Liuyun solemnly.

"Young Master, you understand my ailment?" he asked tentatively.

"I can cure it!" Ye Liuyun replied simply.

"Are you sure?" the One‑Eyed Drunkard was skeptical. "You're an Alchemist?"

Ye Liuyun smiled, "I do know alchemy, but this illness doesn't need a pill!"

As he spoke, he placed a hand on the old drunkard's shoulder, then activated his Buddha‑Demon Golden Body, absorbing some of the Demon Qi from within, and withdrew his hand.

Absorbing Demon Qi is something almost no ordinary Martial Cultivator dares to do. Even Demon Cultivators cannot take another's Demon Qi; they must cultivate it themselves.

But for Ye Liuyun, who has cultivated the Buddha‑Demon Golden Body, it is trivial, and the absorbed Demon Qi can be put to use.

However, the terms aren't settled yet; he must wait for the drunkard's definite answer before fully curing him.