Chapter 239 White Fish Island
Since Wu Shaogan wasn't on Baiyu Island, Zhong Cai naturally had no intention of staying and directly declined the invitation.
Duan Xingchen was taken aback.
He was very good at reading people's expressions, and these days he could see some impatience in Zhong Cai's eyes and brows.
At this point, although he was mainly observing the situation regarding himself on White Fish Island, he did not neglect Zhong Cai either.
Therefore, Duan Xingchen discovered that although his savior originally wanted to come to White Fish Island, after arriving, the person seemed to be in a daze for a while before deciding to leave.
·
After these days of calm, Duan Xingchen has been repeatedly thinking about the current situation... He feels that if he really dies in the sea, their vast family fortune on White Fish Island will probably fall into the hands of his cousin!
After all, his father only had him as his child. If he were to die, he would definitely find a genius among the clansmen to inherit the family business and keep White Fish Island under the control of the Duan family.
Therefore, the most likely successor to the island lord is undoubtedly Duan Xingming, who has a close relationship with Duan Xingchen, was raised by his father, and is outstanding in all aspects.
If they succeed, even if he dies at the hands of the fish, he will fight to the death and come back to life!
The more Duan Xingchen thought about it, the stronger his gratitude towards Zhong Cai, his benefactor, became.
As for the few Xuanzhu and Xuanshi given away... he realized at the time that they were not taken seriously by the other party.
Later, he discovered that the guardians around the other party were at least level seven—and maybe even higher level puppets!
Duan Xingchen felt that even if they offered up all the resources of White Fish Island, they might not be able to win the other party's favor. They still had to repay the debt of gratitude, so... they had to think of other ways to do their best.
In addition, Duan Xingchen still wanted to befriend such a cultivator who seemed to have an extraordinary background.
·
After being rejected, Duan Xingchen quickly thought of several things and asked, "Young Master Zhong, is there something important that you need to leave so soon?" He then hurriedly explained, "I must repay your life-saving grace. If there is anything I can do... Although White Fish Island may not have a high ceiling, we still have enough manpower."
There was actually a hint of probing in those words.
Duan Xingchen vaguely felt that this benefactor's attitude was very much like he was looking for someone or something.
Although it's unclear why the benefactor felt that what he was looking for wasn't here after arriving at White Fish Island, it doesn't matter—White Fish Island might not be able to help much in other aspects, but when it comes to "searching," they can really offer manpower and effort.
Duan Xingchen believed that once his father learned of his ordeal, he would certainly spare no effort to help him.
·
Zhong Cai did intend to leave immediately, but he wasn't stupid. After hearing Duan Xingchen's words, he understood what the other party was thinking.
It was at this moment that Zhong Cai's gaze stopped wandering and landed on Duan Xingchen.
"You said you could provide a lot of manpower to help me find people?"
Duan Xingchen felt certain; it really was someone he was looking for!
Without hesitation, he immediately replied, "Of course! As long as Young Master Zhong gives the order, all the men of White Fish Island are at your disposal."
Zhong Cai stared at him and asked, "Can you make that decision?"
Duan Xingchen immediately replied, "I have no brothers or sisters. My father's influence is my influence. Young Master Zhong saved my life. If my father still refuses to send anyone, I will take my brothers myself! It will be much easier than if Young Master Zhong went alone."
Zhong Cai sized up Duan Xingchen for a moment, then slowly said, "Alright then."
Duan Xingchen smiled and gestured invitingly, saying, "Then please come to my home as a guest, Young Master Zhong. We need to discuss how to find people and who to find beforehand. This will also make our purpose clearer when we send out our men."
Zhong Cai nodded, which was taken as an agreement.
·
Duan Xingchen's suggestion is indeed a good idea.
Although the mirror provided Zhong Cai with the direction of Wu Shaogan's location, the sea and the continent were both incredibly vast, and the same direction pointed to by the arrow represented a very wide area.
For example, when Zhong Cai arrived at Baiyu Island, he knew that Lao Wu was not on the island because the arrow was pointing outwards.
But what if the arrow itself is pointing towards the island itself...?
The island's area is far more than a hundred miles in circumference. If the arrow points east, and there are multiple cities to the east, he would have to enter each city one by one to confirm whether Lao Wu was in that city, which would waste a lot of time.
Furthermore, even if his and Lao Wu's arrows are pointing in the same direction, and the two are heading towards each other on the same straight line, the distance between them is uncertain. There will be many obstacles in between, requiring them to take detours, and there may be some mistakes that might occur.
But if we bring a lot of people with us, it's always better to have more people and it will be more convenient when we need to conduct investigations.
Once a certain area is identified, these people can be dispersed to different cities with images, spreading the news that he is looking for someone, while he stays in the original position... Old Wu is definitely looking for him too, and will definitely pay attention to news related to him. If he can pass the message to Old Wu, it will be much easier for him and Old Wu to meet up.
Perhaps, once his manpower expands, he can also send back messages that match Lao Wu's image in the direction the arrow points?
The more people you have... logically speaking, the easier it should be to get things done.
Whether we'll ever need it or not, it's always better to be prepared.
In this way, he and Lao Wu might be able to reunite sooner.
·
Upon seeing Zhong Cai agree, Duan Xingchen immediately smiled and took out a contracted rare beast.
This is the unicorn lion that his father prepared for him. It is very powerful, but it has only been trained to the fourth level for the time being and cannot swim. In addition, he was unconscious in the sea, so it did not appear to fight the sea beasts for him.
But now, it can be used for transportation.
The unicorn lion was quite large. It shook its mane and growled at Duan Xingchen.
Duan Xingchen leaped up and landed on the back of the unicorn lion.
Then he looked at Zhong Cai, preparing to invite him to come up to the lion's back as well.
However, Zhong Cai lightly patted the beast sac at his waist, releasing an incomparably ferocious and magnificent silver wolf.
Its long, silver fur shimmered, making it an extremely beautiful creature. The aura it exuded was also quite terrifying; even without uttering a low growl, it sent chills down one's spine.
Duan Xingchen could tell that this was a sixth-tier rare beast!
Moreover, their bloodline should be quite strong, and their potential should be enormous.
Duan Xingchen took a deep breath and remained relatively calm.
If one can carry around even level seven or eight puppets, then it's only natural to contract a rare beast like this.
Well, I'm a little envious.
Duan Xingchen quickly stroked his own unicorn lion, putting aside his envy.
His lion grew up with him, and they have a very close relationship; he is already very content.
·
Duan Xingchen said, "Young Master Zhong, please lead the way."
Zhong Cai nodded casually.
Duan Xingchen was used to his benefactor's taciturn nature, so he didn't say much. He simply pressed his lion and quickly ran off.
As he ran, Duan Xingchen kept looking back.
But before he could even turn around, the silver wolf had already appeared beside him.
Silver Wolf's posture was relaxed and composed, as if he hadn't exerted much effort at all, making it seem effortless.
Duan Xingchen thought to himself, "Sixth rank, it will indeed be faster..."
He patted the lion, and the lion moved even faster.
The silver wolf remained steady and walked alongside the lion.
And so, the two men and two beasts sped away like the wind.
·
The scenery on Shirai-jima Island is picturesque, with lush vegetation growing in many places.
The places they passed through along the way also formed a considerable number of villages, towns, and small cities.
On the vast land, all kinds of medicinal herbs and grains are planted. Perhaps because of the rich energy of heaven and earth, they all grow very vigorously, absorbing and releasing a large amount of energy.
In the past, Zhong Cai would have been chattering away to Old Wu, but now, when Zhong Cai glanced at the scene and subconsciously turned to look at her old man, she saw nothing... and lost all interest.
Old Wu isn't here, so who can he talk to?
He didn't want to tell anyone!
·
The island was very large. Even with a clear target and route, it took the fourth-tier unicorn lion more than an hour to reach a more prosperous city, despite running at full speed.
There are city gates and streets here, all of which are wide and bright.
The armored cultivators guarding the city showed delight the moment they saw Duan Xingchen, saying, "Young Island Master, you're back so soon?"
Duan Xingchen greeted him with a smile and asked, "Is my father at the manor?"
The armored cultivator immediately said, "The island lord hasn't left the island recently."
Duan Xingchen nodded, ordered the city gates to be opened, and once again extended a solemn invitation to Zhong Cai, expressing considerable respect.
Zhong Cai kept her eyes straight ahead and didn't talk to anyone. She just followed behind Duan Xingchen, gently patted Qinghui on her seat, and entered the city with Duan Xingchen.
·
After the two figures disappeared, the armored cultivators at the city gate exchanged glances and whispered among themselves:
"Whose young master came with the young island lord just now? I've never seen him before!"
"He must be of very high status. I can tell from the young island master's respectful attitude towards him."
"This is truly rare... I've never seen the young island master treat anyone like this before, not even to Young Master Xingming."
"They must be distinguished guests. Anyone who can subdue a troublemaker like the young island lord must be extraordinary!"
"You guys think... could he be the young island lord's confidant? This young master's appearance is in no way inferior to that of Young Master Zixi, and his demeanor is even better! Perhaps the young island lord has fallen for someone else?"
"Shut up! If he really had fallen for someone else, would the young island master be so respectful? In my opinion, it's not that he's a close male friend, but rather that the young island master owes him a favor and is completely devoted to him!"
"Haha! That's really true!"
"Let's all keep quiet. If they are truly distinguished guests, we shouldn't offend anyone on behalf of the young island master..."
·
All the rumors and speculations were left behind because the two rare beasts were running too fast, and even Duan Xingchen himself didn't hear them.
As for Zhong Cai...
With his father not around, he lost interest in gossip and wouldn't even send out his spirit to listen to the idle chatter around him.
Zhong Cai is now like a withered medicinal herb.
Unless his father comes to take care of him, he'll just stay listless.
·
On White Fish Island, the main city where the island lord's mansion is located is also quite large—although it is probably smaller than a city of the same level on the mainland, it is not that small—it still took the two rare beasts some time to cross the main street and arrive in front of the island lord's mansion.
Upon seeing Duan Xingchen, the armored cultivator at the gate quickly opened the door.
Duan Xingchen still politely invited Zhong Cai in and settled her in the best guest room.
"Young Master Zhong, please wait a moment. I will go to see my father and tell him what happened. I will come to welcome you back shortly."
Zhong Cai nodded casually, without saying anything more.
Duan Xingchen went immediately.
·
The owner of Baisha Island was named Duan Jin. He once had a wife, but she was of poor aptitude. After many years of hard work and the use of many miraculous medicines, she finally gave birth to a child for Duan Jin, named Duan Xingchen.
However, Duan Xingchen was not yet ten years old, and the island lord's wife was about to die.
Duan Jin loved his wife very much, but he couldn't get any more elixirs to prolong her life. So he tried to use a rare and precious herb to freeze her in ice, hoping to find something to extend her life in the future and wake her up.
After that, Duan Jin devoted himself to raising Duan Xingchen.
The father and son have a very deep bond.
·
When Duan Xingchen came to see his father, he didn't need to announce his arrival; he was granted passage directly by a token.
Soon, Duan Xingchen rushed to the quiet room where his father was cultivating and began to ring the bell.
A short while later, a tall, middle-aged man came out and said helplessly, "Xingchen, what's the rush?"
Upon seeing his biological father, Duan Xingchen immediately broke down in tears.
"Father! I almost didn't get to see you again!"
Duan Jin was taken aback. He grabbed his spendthrift son's shoulder, looked him up and down for a while, and seeing him crying with tears and snot streaming down his face, he became a little anxious and immediately asked, "What happened to you? How come you almost didn't see me again?"
Duan Xingchen cried miserably, but he never cared about saving face in front of his father. He pushed his father back into the quiet room, closed the door, and immediately told him everything that had happened.
He used to respect Duan Xingming and care for Zhu Zixi, but in the days before, he was on the ship reminiscing about the past... Thinking about it carefully, those two weren't without flaws in front of him.
That Zhu Zixi sometimes couldn't hide her dislike for him at all—he just didn't think much of it.
But now, Duan Xingchen wasn't stupid, so of course he told his father everything in great detail, including all the odd things he had dug out from his memories and all his thoughts.
As Duan Jin listened to his son's complaint, his face grew increasingly gloomy, then gradually turned red, and he angrily slapped the side!
A loud "boom" was heard!
A deep handprint was slapped into the wall—if the wall hadn't been made of such sturdy material, it probably would have been punched right through!
Duan Jin took a deep breath, barely managing to suppress his anger.
He abruptly closed his eyes, a chilling murderous intent rising within him as he looked at Zhu Zixi and Duan Xingming.
Duan Xingchen asked, somewhat puzzled, "Father, why is there no reaction on the island?"
Duan Jin let out a breath and said in a deep voice, "I'll just assume you went out to play like before."
Duan Xingchen frowned: "They didn't come back?"
Duan Jin said, "I didn't know you went out with them."
Duan Xingchen was stunned.
Then... he realized what was happening.
·
When Zhu Zixi lured him out earlier, she sent him a message saying that she wanted to meet him alone at sea.
This had happened before, and each time it was indeed just the two of them traveling together—which was one of the reasons why Duan Xingchen had never suspected Zhu Zixi before.
Duan Xingchen was very open-minded. In the past, Zhu Zixi was not very affectionate towards him, and he just assumed that Zhu Zixi thought he was not good enough, so she would be unhappy occasionally. But he also felt that Zhu Zixi valued this marriage, otherwise why would she always ask him to meet alone?
This time is no exception.
Although Zhu Zixi used a very discreet method to send a message to Duan Xingchen, the content, method, and meeting place were similar to those in the past, so Duan Xingchen did not suspect anything and went to the appointment as usual.
But this time at sea, Zhu Zixi changed to an unfamiliar ship—they had always traveled on Zhu Zixi's ships before, and it wasn't like they hadn't changed to new ships before.
In Duan Xingchen's view, everything was normal.
He didn't think too much about it and followed Zhu Zixi.
However, when they reached the sea area far from White Fish Island...
Zhu Zixi then poured tea for Duan Xingchen.
Zhu Zixi used to take care of Duan Xingchen in the same way.
Duan Xingchen, of course, still had no doubts.
So, he drank the medicinal tea and became semi-conscious, when Duan Xingming suddenly walked in... and then the two of them pulled those tricks.
Duan Xingchen then realized that he was indeed invited out to play by Zhu Zixi from time to time, but Duan Xingming and Zhu Zixi did more than just play; they often went out together.
·
Now, Duan Xingchen understands even more.
In the past, when he went out to travel on his own and met with Zhu Zixi to travel together, he would usually just say that he was going to travel on his own and would not give any specific details - this time was no exception.
The people in the island lord's mansion, of course, all assumed that everything was as usual.
Zhu Zixi himself didn't come, so his father wouldn't know that it was actually Zhu Zixi who took the initiative to invite him this time.
Duan Xingming and Zhu Zixi killed him together, but since they didn't make any ruckus, there were no flaws... After many more days passed and he still hadn't returned, his father searched everywhere for him and then tried to ask Tianjizi to predict his fate...
At that time, everyone will think that he died while playing at sea—even if the cause of death is determined, it will be that he was torn apart by sea monsters!
He even thought Duan Xingming and Zhu Zixi were just making excuses.
What excuse do they need?
No one else knew that they were related!
·
Duan Xingchen slapped himself hard.
How can he be so carefree!
Zhu Zixi must have planned this all along, and she and Duan Xingming waited a long time for an opportunity to make sure it wouldn't arouse any suspicion, so they could kill him!
As for Zhu Zixi herself...
If you were to inquire now, you would probably only find out that Zhu Zixi has been diligently cultivating at home and has never left the house.
·
Duan Xingchen said, "We don't have any evidence yet, so how are we going to deal with Duan Xingming and Zhu Zixi?"
Duan Jin sneered, "What evidence do you need?"
Duan Xingchen disagreed: "Father is the island lord. If I'm the only one who comes out and says they're having an affair and want to kill me, they'll probably smear me."
Duan Jin patted Duan Xingchen's head and said with a smile, "You don't need to worry about that."
Duan Xingchen frowned as he looked at his father.
Duan Jin said, "We don't need evidence, we just need to kill them."
Duan Xingchen: "Huh?"
Duan Jin smiled and said, "There's no need for them to admit anything. Since you say they're the ones who harmed you, I have plenty of ways to make them die."
Duan Xingchen was stunned again.
Then he realized what was happening.
Yes, what kind of evidence do you need?
What if there is evidence, and what if there is no evidence?
His father's strength and manpower are undeniable.
It's better not to reveal it.
Now that it's been exposed, this matter is under public scrutiny and must be dealt with openly and honestly.
He's not dead. If the Duan family members start nagging his father about it and try to get him to spare him because of Duan Xingming's strength and talent, and his father refuses, his reputation might suffer.
Moreover, being cuckolded and forced to witness a live sex show... what's there to brag about?
If this gets out, those two scoundrels might lose face, but does he think he'll have a lot of face?
He'll be pointed at and gossiped about just the same thing!
Being despised by your fiancé to the point of wanting to kill him, or even plotting to kill him... it's just too disgusting and too frustrating!
It would be better to kill him in private.
Moreover, Zhu Zixi has quite a few admirers.
Among those people, there were a few with decent backgrounds and influence. If those people stepped in to protect Zhu Zixi, and he insisted that Zhu Zixi pay the price, it wouldn't benefit him much—and some clueless individuals might even make enemies with him.
Does Zhu Zixi even deserve it?
·
Duan Jin could tell from the change in his son's expression that he had sorted out his thoughts.
Then, he patted Duan Xingchen on the shoulder and said, "Don't worry, those two will be dead within three days."
Duan Xingchen quickly said, "The sooner the better, otherwise things might change."
Duan Jin nodded.
Without saying much, he summoned his bodyguards.
This bodyguard had watched Duan Xingchen grow up. After hearing Duan Jin's few simple instructions, he showed anger on his face and left very quickly.
The secret guards always act in secret, and they have many methods. With them on duty, there won't be any problems.
·
Then, Duan Jin said to Duan Xingchen, "About your benefactor... who is also my benefactor. He saved you for me, and he can command as many people as he wants on my island, except for those left to protect the island."
Duan Xingchen said happily, "I'll go tell my benefactor right away!"
Duan Jin held Duan Xingchen down and asked him a few more questions, including about Duan Xingchen's plans for further assistance to that Young Master Zhong...
He nodded and said, "Your idea is good. Now go and arrange a welcome banquet. Make sure to treat them well."
Duan Xingchen readily agreed.
·
Therefore, Duan Xingchen and his son Duan Jin went their separate ways.
Duan Xingchen was mainly there to arrange the banquet, while Duan Jin went to the storeroom and found some treasures.
Although the provision of manpower has been confirmed, it cannot stop there.
Even if the treasure offered is useless to the other party, you can't really refuse to give it...
·
Zhong Cai stayed in the guest courtyard and made the most of his time to cultivate.
Since he couldn't go find Lao Wu right away, he couldn't waste any more time.
If you don't refine pills, then cultivate to improve your strength.
Not long after, Duan Xingchen came again.
He said excitedly, "My father has given me a token that allows Young Master Zhong to mobilize manpower at will."
As they were talking, Duan Xingchen handed the token directly to Zhong Cai.
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