Last night's feast had stretched well into the early hours, leaving everyone aboard the Bamboo Staff sleeping until nearly noon. The combination of abundant food, flowing drinks, and good company had created the kind of celebration that demanded extended recovery time.
"Ahhhh, what a perfect sleep!" Gustave stretched luxuriously, rubbing his eyes as he slowly emerged from his quarters.
The ship was eerily quiet—no voices on his floor, no sounds from the deck below, and even the Red Force moored nearby showed no signs of life. Apparently he was the first person awake despite being one of the last to retire.
As he made his way toward the stairs, the distinctive sounds of electronic gaming drifted from the Moral Lord's room. Gustave shook his head with fond exasperation at his master's unwavering dedication to digital entertainment.
"Master, your commitment to gaming is truly legendary," he muttered with genuine admiration.
His stomach chose that moment to announce its emptiness with an audible growl. "Time to solve the breakfast situation."
But as he passed the third floor, unexpected movement caught his attention. The Gate of All Worlds was shimmering with interdimensional energy.
The portal opened to reveal a tall, powerfully built monk dressed in pristine white robes, Buddhist prayer beads draped around his neck. Despite his religious garments, there was no mistaking the explosive physical strength contained within that deceptively serene exterior.
"A monk?" Gustave observed with curiosity. "That's a first."
While he studied the newcomer, the monk returned his assessment with equally careful attention.
Before either could speak, the Gate activated again. This time a young scholar emerged, his traditional robes and bamboo pack marking him as a man of learning. His handsome features carried a notably submissive, almost nervous quality as he glanced around their unfamiliar surroundings.
The scholar's face lit up with relief upon spotting the monk. He pressed his palms together in formal greeting and bowed respectfully.
"Honored master, might you know where we have arrived?"
The monk returned the gesture with dignified composure before shaking his head. "Fellow traveler, I am as newly arrived as yourself. Perhaps this gentleman"—he indicated Gustave with a slight nod—"can provide answers we both seek."
Only then did the scholar notice the strangely dressed man watching their exchange with obvious interest.
Gathering his courage, the scholar approached and offered a proper bow. "Forgive the intrusion, but could you tell me where we find ourselves?"
"This is the Bamboo Staff," Gustave replied with a welcoming smile.
"Bamboo Staff..." the scholar repeated thoughtfully, testing the unfamiliar name. "How unusual. I've never heard of such a place."
Their distinctive characteristics triggered recognition in Gustave's mind, though he wanted confirmation before making assumptions. "Would you mind sharing your names?"
"This humble monk is called Fahai," the monk replied with practiced humility.
"I am Ning Caichen," the scholar added.
Fahai, as I suspected—but this scholar surprised me, Gustave thought. I expected Xu Xian when I see Fahai. Ning Caichen is from a completely different series.
[Fahai from the film the film White Snake 2: The Tribulation of the Green Snake, and Ning Caichen from A Chinese Ghost Story
"You both must be wondering what the Bamboo Staff is and how you came to be here," Gustave observed.
"Your wisdom would be greatly appreciated, brother," Ning Caichen replied earnestly.
"How about this—come downstairs with me. I haven't had breakfast yet, and you're both welcome to join me while I explain everything."
Fahai and Ning Caichen exchanged glances. Neither had eaten before their journey, making the offer particularly appealing.
"Your hospitality is most generous," Fahai replied for both of them.
"Excellent. I'm Gustave, by the way—owner and head chef of this establishment. The Bamboo Staff is a sea-going restaurant." He gestured for them to follow as he headed toward the stairs.
"A restaurant?" Both men showed surprise at this revelation.
As they reached the second floor, the massive floor-to-ceiling windows revealed the endless ocean stretching to the horizon.
"This... this... how is this possible?" Fahai maintained his composure despite the shock, but Ning Caichen actually began stuttering at the sight of so much water.
"Feel free to take a closer look," Gustave offered with amusement.
Ning Caichen immediately rushed toward the windows, eager to witness his first glimpse of the legendary ocean.
"Strange," he muttered, pressing closer. "I've heard the sea creates tremendous winds, much stronger than those by large lakes. Why is there no breeze at all?"
Driven by scholarly curiosity, Ning Caichen leaned forward to investigate—
"Careful!" Gustave's warning came too late.
THONK!
Ning Caichen walked face-first into the reinforced glass with enough force to send him reeling backward. The transparent barrier designed to withstand oceanic storms proved more than capable of stopping one confused scholar.
He crumpled to the floor, both hands pressed to his injured nose as tears sprang to his eyes.
"Brother Ning! Are you injured?" Fahai inquired with genuine concern.
"I'm fine, truly fine!" Ning Caichen insisted, though blood was already trickling from his nostrils when he looked up.
Gustave couldn't suppress his laughter at the slapstick scene. He produced a clean handkerchief and offered it to the wounded scholar.
"Here, Brother Ning—tear off some paper, roll it up, and pack your nostrils. That should stop the bleeding."
"Thank you, Brother Gustave!" Ning Caichen accepted the offering with gratitude, immediately struck by the paper's remarkable whiteness and smooth texture. Such quality materials were far beyond his usual means, but stopping his nosebleed took priority over admiring fine craftsmanship.
He tore the handkerchief in half, rolled one portion into makeshift plugs, and carefully inserted them. The bleeding ceased almost immediately.
"Brother Gustave, your generosity overwhelms me," Ning Caichen said with a formal bow despite his undignified appearance.
"Think nothing of it," Gustave replied, helping him to his feet.
"Benefactor Gustave," Fahai interjected with curiosity, "what exactly did Brother Ning encounter? I observed his collision, yet saw no obstacle blocking his path."
"Ah, that would be glass," Gustave explained cheerfully. "You might know it as crystal or glazed ceramic in your world, but the glass used aboard my ship is both perfectly transparent and incredibly durable. Brother Ning struck it before I could warn him properly."
"Glass? Crystal?" Both men approached the invisible barrier with cautious fascination.
"Go ahead, touch it," Gustave encouraged.
They extended their hands carefully, fingertips making contact with the smooth, cold surface where empty air should have been.
"What miraculous craftsmanship!" Ning Caichen breathed, studying the transparent walls that sealed the entire second level. "Such treasures must cost a fortune."
He thought wistfully of his own modest circumstances. If I possessed such wealth, I wouldn't need to scratch out a living collecting debts for others.
"Since you've both experienced our glass technology," Gustave said, "shall we head downstairs? We can continue talking over breakfast."
His gentle prompting broke their fascination with the transparent barriers. Both men apologized for their distraction and followed him toward the main deck.
The first floor's central bar immediately captured their attention, along with the impressive array of bottles filling the shelves behind it. Every container appeared to be made of the same precious glass they'd just encountered.
Ning Caichen felt his anxiety spike. Using such valuable materials for mere storage suggested wealth beyond imagination. He began to worry about the cost of accepting Gustave's breakfast invitation—this clearly wasn't an establishment within his means.