Gates of the Myriad Realms Chapter 573

Seagulls flew over the dawn.

The shimmering waves were gilded with shattered gold in the morning glow.

Young Augustus yawned and sat down on the deck swaying with the sea breeze.

He was hungry.

Luckily, the work was done well.

He should be able to eat his fill today.

Augustus, bored, touched the ribs on his chest and counted them one by one for fun.

Someone came out of the cabin, placed an earthenware pot in front of the young boy, and said:

“Eat, little fishmonger.”

Augustus opened the pot.

Inside were shrimp paste and white rice.

The rice was still steaming.

Young Augustus swallowed, immediately picked up his chopsticks, and went straight for the shrimp paste.

He took a cherished lick of the shrimp paste, then quickly gobbled a few mouthfuls of rice.

— This was truly the highest enjoyment in the human world.

Having white rice was already a pretty good treat, not to mention shrimp paste, which was only eaten during the New Year.

“Uncle Cheng, why such good food today?”

The young boy couldn’t help but ask.

The man, called Uncle Cheng, puffed on a cigarette and squinted at him:

“Bah, isn’t it because of that dead man you fished out last night? You hit the jackpot this time, kid.”

“I don’t understand, Uncle Cheng,” Augustus said.

Uncle Cheng spat into the sea, then said:

“Ghost Head Bay has twenty-eight hidden reefs, countless whirlpools and undercurrents. Everyone says that if a body is thrown here, even immortals would have trouble finding it—”

“But you, kid, saw the bounty and fished the body out.”

“Today, the big boss heard about your skill and personally gave the order for you to fish out a body from West Tiger Reef.”

“As long as you fish it out, there’ll be a reward!”

“West Tiger Reef? It’s very dangerous there, I almost lost my life last time, Uncle Cheng.” Augustus said indistinctly while shoveling down his rice.

“Damn your mother,” Uncle Cheng pointed at his earthenware pot and said, “Does good food not cost money? Does your old man’s medical treatment not cost money? Are you going to live in that dilapidated shack of yours your whole life?”

“Uncle Cheng.”

Augustus put down his chopsticks and called out in dissatisfaction.

Uncle Cheng patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly:

“Little Gu, if you don’t seize opportunities when they come, you’ll never make waves in your life, just like a dead fish adrift at sea, floating on the surface with no one caring.”

“— You think about it yourself.”

He then turned and left.

Augustus stared blankly at his retreating back, momentarily even forgetting to eat his shrimp paste.

Half an hour later.

West Tiger Reef.

The reefs beneath the sea here were as sharp as knives, and there were many undercurrents, sometimes even whirlpools.

Moreover, there were countless ferocious fish.

Augustus squatted on the wooden boat, carefully observing the situation beneath the sea.

There were many tricks to this.

For example, how the fish schools moved, how many jellyfish there were, if there were any big creatures, or if the sea crabs were coming out frequently or not.

— Every single thing was related to undercurrents and bodies.

And also related to his own fate.

Money.

Yes.

He needed money.

Even just to repair the roof of his house, so it wouldn’t leak wind and rain anymore, would be good.

Augustus stretched his body and looked up at the sky.

It was around eleven in the morning.

The light was abundant.

The visibility underwater was also at its best.

No need to wait anymore.

Go fish for the body!

Augustus plopped into the water.

He was like a nimble fish, swimming freely in the water, darting among the corals, and searching for clues beneath the reefs.

Strange.

This stretch of water was too quiet.

Where were the fish schools?

Where were the crabs?

Augustus continued to swim.

He rounded a coral reef and immediately saw the scene ahead.

A corpse.

Its hands and feet were bound, and a heavy stone was tied to its waist, sinking it to the bottom of the sea.

— Many marine creatures were feasting on it.

Found it!

Augustus became excited, swimming forward while taking out the dagger he held in his mouth, ready to stab any clueless fish.

But when he got close to the corpse, he completely forgot about killing fish.

“How…”

Augustus stared at the corpse in a daze.

It was a scarred male corpse, wearing an official uniform. His eyes were wide open in death, and his face was etched with anger and despair.

— This was an official constable!

Augustus’s heart slowly sank.

He remembered that when he was a child, a constable had also died in the county—

Killed by bandits.

It caused quite a stir at the time.

There were rumors everywhere.

Finally, the government dispatched troops to find the bandits.

All the able-bodied men from the seven townships and eight villages were massacred, their bodies dragged back and used as “wiped-out bandits.”

The county magistrate was promoted and left.

— Is it going to happen again?

As Augustus was thinking, he suddenly saw a massive shark swimming towards him.

This type of shark was called “white skin,” large in size and ferocious, but generally, it wouldn’t attack humans.

But to be safe, Augustus remained suspended in place.

Who knew that today he would be so unlucky—

A shark, at least five meters long, swam towards his side, suddenly flipped over, and bit right at his head.

Augustus’s eyes rolled back.

Damn it!

What’s wrong with this shark today!

His last thought dissipated.

Darkness.

Darkness.

Darkness.

A scene suddenly flashed by.

There was a person.

A man holding a long blade.

He was covered in blood, but a victorious smile appeared on his face.

“I cut you.”

He said.

Augustus heard himself say:

“But you’re dead—you risked your life to cut my arm—is that something to be proud of?”

“Let’s die together anyway,” the man chuckled.

Augustus suddenly opened his eyes.

Morning.

The morning sun sprinkled shattered gold, covering the sea.

The sea breeze blew.

The boat swayed.

Hiss—

Augustus gasped, springing up from the deck.

He touched his head.

His head was intact.

How was that possible!

He looked at the rising sun again.

This was—

Morning?

A fat man with a potbelly came out of the cabin, placed the earthenware pot for eating in front of the boy, and said:

“Eat, little fishmonger.”

Augustus opened the pot.

Inside were shrimp paste and white rice.

The rice was still steaming.

Young Augustus swallowed, subconsciously picked up his chopsticks, and was about to reach for the shrimp paste.

Suddenly, his hand trembled, and he dropped the chopsticks onto the deck.

“What’s wrong? Feeling unwell?”

The fat man asked.

“Uncle Cheng, I’m fine.” Augustus forced a smile in response, subconsciously reaching for his arm.

It felt as if someone—

A person with a blurred face—

Had cut his arm with a blade.

“What are you doing? Cramp in your hand?” Asked the fat man called Brother Cheng.

Augustus’s lips moved, but he couldn’t speak.

— His arm was perfectly fine.

So it was just a dream?

Wait.

He looked at the white rice and shrimp paste in the earthenware pot, and couldn’t help but swallow.

I…

Reborn?

Truly reborn?

Or something else?

Augustus’s heart pounded incessantly. He suddenly picked up his chopsticks and stirred them frantically in the pot.

Eating shrimp paste mixed with rice was an extravagant act.

He used to save some shrimp paste.

Only licking a mouthful with each meal.

For example, this morning, he had only taken one chopstickful of shrimp paste, and saved all the rest.

But.

If he was reborn—

If—

He possessed the ability to be reborn.

This shrimp paste would not be so precious anymore.

— He could completely enjoy a hearty meal!

He would be able to earn more money in the future!

In an instant.

The rice and shrimp paste mixed together, emitting an alluring aroma.

Augustus swallowed.

He opened his mouth and said:

“Uncle Cheng, why such good food today?”

Uncle Cheng puffed on a cigarette and squinted at him:

“Bah, isn’t it because of that dead man you fished out last night? You hit the jackpot this time, kid.”

“I don’t understand, Uncle Cheng.”

Augustus recalled his previous words and repeated them.

Uncle Cheng spat into the sea, then said:

“Ghost Head Bay has twenty-eight hidden reefs, countless whirlpools and undercurrents. Everyone says that if a body is thrown here, even immortals would have trouble finding it—”

“But you, kid, saw the bounty and fished the body out.”

“Today, the big boss heard about your skill and personally gave the order for you to fish out a body from West Tiger Reef.”

“As long as you fish it out, there’ll be a reward!”

The young man listened intently, seemingly excited, but soon disappointed:

“Uncle Cheng, I can’t do it today.”

Uncle Cheng waved his hand carelessly:

“I know—West Tiger Reef is so big, it can’t be searched in a day or two. You rest well for a day, and tomorrow I want to see you go down to fish for the body—any problem?”

“No problem! I’ll listen to Uncle Cheng.” Augustus quickly said.

“Hmm,” Uncle Cheng was very pleased with his attitude, “If you follow me, you’ll get rich sooner or later. I remember your family even arranged a marriage for you?”

“Yes, I’m engaged, Uncle Cheng,” Augustus said.

“Good that you’re engaged, stick with me and you’ll make big money! I guarantee you’ll get married!”

Uncle Cheng patted him on the shoulder, then turned and left.

Augustus sighed in relief.

He had finally passed one hurdle.

No matter what, he wanted revenge.

This old man, and all his subordinates, must die!

Augustus held the earthenware pot and wolfed down the food.

While eating, he touched his waist.

The dagger was still there.

Eat first, then kill!