"You two looking for a boat?"
A thin man slunk out from the shadows, his bony fingers rubbing together as he grinned. His teeth were yellowed, his eyes sharp and calculating.
Ace barely glanced at him. "Yeah. A boat for two."
The man chuckled—a low, raspy, grinny laugh that sent a faint shiver down Liu Mei's spine.
"Alright, I'll help you find one for fifty gold coins.."
Ace stared at him. Then he let out a slow, deliberate sigh.
"Listen here, whatever you think we are," he said, voice dripping with unimpressed annoyance, "we're not gullible. Now shoo."
The man clicked his tongue in irritation. "Tch. Bunch of fools."
Muttering under his breath, he slunk away into the shadows.
Liu Mei watched him leave, her brows furrowed.
"Master… what was that?"
"Ignore him. Just a scammer trying his luck."
"But Master, will we actually find a boat?"
Ace didn't answer immediately. Because at this point, boats were the least of his worries.
