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墨書 Inktalez
The sea has the broadest of hearts, capable of embracing a group of people who have traveled far to Nansha, while also never abandoning the unfortunate souls cast adrift near its shores. On an uninhabited island at the junction of Bohai and Yellow Sea, a blaze roared to life. Jin Bo, covered in ash and with tears glistening in his eyes, gazed at the rising flames and the face hidden within them, crying uncontrollably. A young Brother Soldier stood beside Jin Bo, with Fang Fei and Ye Qingmei flanking them. A group of others stood silently behind, all lost in their thoughts. The fire blazed fiercely, the sea breeze whipping it up several meters high, scorching the dry leaves on the branches until they turned yellow and fell into the Firestorm, emitting their final cries.
Shaoshan lay peacefully in the center of the flames, his life’s achievements and failures reduced to mere memories. It was unfortunate that this carefree tough guy could not withstand illness; he had fought for a long time but eventually grew weary and chose to leave quietly. Fortunately, his comrades and friends attended this silent funeral, lighting candles to illuminate his dark journey. That night in the deep sea, Jin Bo and the others were exhausted, laughing bitterly as they exchanged what would soon be forgotten last words. Shaoshan scoffed at them, mockingly saying, "I’m not dead yet; why are you three so anxious?" After saying this, a brilliant light pierced through the long night, illuminating the dark sea surface.
The Soldier who had fallen into the sea first was miraculously still alive but swept away by the currents to an unknown location. While Jin Bo and his group waited on the rocks for dawn, he awaited death. Eventually, dawn broke, and a familiar Sea Vessel sailed through the waves toward him, drifting past his eyes. The Soldier's eyes brimmed with tears as he dragged his battered body into the sea and desperately climbed aboard, only to find that while supplies remained intact, many people were missing—oh, and much of the deck was gone.
Filled with joy at surviving against all odds, the Soldier turned the ship around and sped back to the area where they had run aground. At night, searchlights illuminated the rocks; he saw faces filled with joy but none that he recognized. A woman informed him that Shaolian and three young people had crossed the deep sea at night and had left some time ago. The Soldier refused to accept this fate and continued to sail after them. Finally, just before four bubbles disappeared from sight, he arrived in time to rescue all four.
Afterward, the Sea Vessel returned to the rocks to pick up a group of bewildered men and women and headed toward a nearby island. The island was small and lacked any man-made structures; it was uninhabited. The group built a fire on the island; several girls stayed behind to care for Shaoshan while others searched for those who had bravely swum through the waves during daylight. However, their search yielded nothing; they were likely among the first people to set foot on this island in years.
On their first night, they gathered around a bonfire and passed it peacefully. As night faded into day, everyone set out again—not only to find people but also to search for anything useful. This time they were somewhat successful; although no survivors were found, they discovered a large amount of bird droppings. This indicated that seabirds had claimed this island as their nesting ground; it would provide them with ample protein.
The island was lush with vegetation, making it easy to collect fresh water. The only pressing issue was finding shelter since temperatures were dropping. Although there was food, fresh water, and medicine on board the ship, there were no warm clothes available. About twenty people had landed on the island; those who suffered from diarrhea due to eating seafood benefited from Shaoshan's care as Soldier distributed medicine to save their lives.
A few men in suits also made it onto the island; since Jin Bo and Shaoshan did not drive them away verbally, they cautiously mingled with everyone else. The curly-haired women along with Dolphin Sound became valuable assistants to Jin Bo; they knew how to care for patients and distribute food and water reasonably well. Their grateful hearts were crucial for their survival on this island.
Unfortunately, there were no specialists among this group; thus they remained on the island for several days without understanding exactly where they were located. There were no nautical charts on board; Radar had long since failed. Ye Qingmei speculated based on their previous direction when falling into the sea that they should be within Bohai Sea, likely near Yellow Sea's vicinity. Her estimation was about seventy or eighty percent accurate regarding their general location but proved useless since Sea Vessel's fuel had run out.
With joy comes sorrow; currently living on this island seemed like a significant blessing amidst survival challenges—the island provided basic conditions for survival. The only source of sadness was Shaoshan because this Soldier was running out of strength; simple medication could not turn back time for him.
For two days following that moment, Shaoshan remained in a coma; he could hardly swallow liquid food or drink more than a bottle cap's worth of water each day. Jin Bo collected many bird eggs and even used a makeshift slingshot to shoot down an unnamed seabird; the curly-haired woman simmered a cauldron of bird soup while saving the tenderest meat for Shaoshan in hopes of helping him recover.
However, not only could Shaoshan not stand up—his eyes remained shut throughout this ordeal. On one morning four days later, Shaoshan suddenly opened his eyes wide; Jin Bo wasn’t sure if he could see everything before him at that moment but noticed he wore a smile on his face. Jin Bo and Soldier stayed by his side and spoke a few words with him; at that moment Shaoshan’s mind was still clear—he didn’t say much but listened intently while occasionally bursting into laughter.
After chatting for about ten minutes and confirming everyone’s safety, Shaoshan smiled as he made his final request in life: “Light me a fire so you don’t get too hungry trying to roast me.” After saying this line himself made him laugh again; Jin Bo and Soldier joined in hearty laughter that echoed far into the woods.
After handling Shaoshan’s affairs respectfully, everyone gathered by the shore waiting for Soldier and Jin Bo to guide them forward. Jin Bo recovered quickly; although he cried hardest during the funeral service, he was also among those who first smiled afterward—this young swordsman never let negative emotions drag him down; perhaps that’s why he survived so recklessly until now.
Soldier handed over decision-making power to Jin Bo since he preferred working behind-the-scenes rather than standing at center stage directing others’ actions. In truth, Jin Bo wasn’t skilled at leading either so he called upon Fang Fei and Ye Qingmei again—both girls expressed their limitations humbly while admitting they preferred following orders instead.
In desperation, they summoned Dolphin Sound along with curly-haired women again only for both women to directly refuse again kicking responsibility back towards them once more. Jin Bo squatted in contemplation inside the ship for quite some time before disembarking to find Suit Man.
Seeing Jin Bo approach fiercely made Suit Man realize debts must be repaid eventually—he closed his eyes tightly while crouching down waiting for Jin Bo’s arrival before uttering: “Please don’t kill me.”
Jin Bo gritted his teeth pulling him up angrily saying: “If you don’t want to die then serve me honestly—understand?”
“Ah? I understand! From now on whatever you say goes! If you tell me to beat dogs I won’t chase chickens…”
“Stop wasting breath.” Jin Bo interrupted Suit Man’s clumsy oath: “Didn’t you want leadership? Here’s your chance! Given our current situation spill any ideas or plans you have!”
Suit Man stared blankly for quite some time before finally grasping what Jin Bo meant—his expression filled with disbelief as he exclaimed: “You’re willing to hand over authority to me?”
“As long as it keeps these people alive on this island you can have any power you want.” Jin Bo spat before adding: “Except for first-night rights.”
“Really? I… I previously…”
“If all you have are useless words then get lost.”
Jin Bo showed no mercy pointing at Suit Man’s nose cursing: “Can you do it or not? Can you?”
“I can! I… great kindness needs no words… no nonsense! I promise I’ll complete my mission!” Suit Man stammered excitedly finally giving an awkward salute towards Jin Bo.
With all his anger dissipated now Jin Bo shot Suit Man one last glare saying ominously: “Don’t get too excited too soon—I’ll be watching you.” Leaving Suit Man stunned behind him he strode back towards shore.
Soldier took some men into woods for logging leaving only women chatting idly by shore—Suit Man didn’t dare slack off after receiving orders following logging team into forest while whether or not he had any real skills remained uncertain until time revealed all truths.
Jin Bo rummaged through half a box of cigarettes onboard lighting one up sitting by shore staring blankly at horizon when Fang Fei brought over a blanket draping it over him smiling as she sat beside him.
Feeling slightly awkward Jin Bo chuckled dryly without continuing further—Fang Fei carried a faint scent about her which couldn’t quite be described as fragrant or foul but felt very familiar nonetheless.
Furrowing his brow deep in thought for quite some time he leaned closer taking a sniff before suddenly realizing something: “Do I smell bad?”
Fang Fei jumped slightly surprised by his action feeling somewhat embarrassed shifting her position subtly: “Nope—it smells just like my friend.”
Thinking about that person made Jin Bo lose his awkwardness becoming much more relaxed: “Oh? Girlfriend?”
Fang Fei blinked playfully smiling: “What kind of smell? I can’t smell anything.”
“Your noses aren’t working properly.”
Jin Bo took another puff exhaling smoke rings while amusement danced in his eyes: “She’s not my girlfriend—she’s amazing with knives.”
Listening intently Fang Fei burst out laughing: “So all you remember is how she can fight?”
Jin Bo chuckled sheepishly scratching his head: “Well remembering is good enough.”
“Is she pretty?” Fang Fei teased pointing at herself: “Who looks better between us?”
“I don’t know.”
Jin Bo studied her seriously for quite some time before finally lowering his head frustrated muttering: “I’m too scared to look directly at her—I only sneak glances.”
“Hahaha!” Fang Fei’s light laughter floated away with wind while nearby women looked curiously at them without interrupting merely exchanging ambiguous glances before giggling incessantly amongst themselves.
After laughing together Fang Fei stopped while Jin Bo continued smoking quietly with traces of smiles lingering on his face too—she patted his shoulder softly whispering: “If there’s another chance don’t leave yourself any regrets.”
“Mm.”
Jin Bo nodded thoughtfully gazing off into distance pondering deeply: “She… is she still alive?”
“She must be.”
Jin Bo replied firmly puffing proudly: “A woman I admire can’t be that fragile!” After saying this though he felt heat rise up his cheeks awkwardly adding: “But who knows if she even likes me.”
Fang Fei pressed her lips together reflecting wistfully: “How wonderful it is having someone special in your heart—you’re never alone.”
Jin Bo nodded agreeing wholeheartedly showing rare seriousness stating: “I have many companions—we should all be thinking about each other from different places.”
“I believe you will meet again someday.”
“Of course.”
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