Chapter 88: South Sea Voyage Ship, One Hammer Seals The Deal!
With a hum, like a sword’s cry, it shattered the moonlight on the ground.
His tiger’s mouth torn, Bai Manlou roared, gathering all his strength. His body seemed to enter a sword light, slashing out a brilliant sword light.
Bang!
Heavy footsteps sounded.
His figure appeared more than ten Zhang away, staggering and coughing up a mouthful of bloody phlegm.
Bang!
Another muffled thud, and a martial artist in constable’s clothes, with eyes like torches, suddenly extinguished, a look of astonishment on his face, fell heavily to the ground.
A blood line was rapidly appearing from his glabella to his lower body.
The thief Bai Manlou had slain was also a body thief.
It was just that, unlike Chen Shun’an’s ultimate divine speed, which was like a flying immortal.
Bai Manlou hid his ‘body’ within the sword light. His speed was not fast, but it was the most full and complete, like light itself.
Some said this was the path of the Shu Mountain sword immortal.
Bai Manlou didn’t understand; he only knew that killing people this way was the fastest.
But this time, he was three breaths too slow.
Because the opponent was a master who was about to slay his second thief.
Xiao Qingchou jumped down from the eaves, holding his spear, and said with a solemn expression,
“Quick, let’s go! The government’s running dogs are here again!”
A moment later, having shaken off the government’s running dogs, the two hid in a Drum Tower Cave, panting heavily.
Once the government made a move, the Caobang’s brothers felt immense resistance.
Not only were their attacks ineffective, but they also fell into danger multiple times, nearly losing men.
A sliver of a crescent moon appeared and disappeared in the floating clouds in the sky. The pure white moonlight reflected on Bai Manlou’s slightly grim face.
Zheng Shicheng, where exactly are you hiding?!
At this moment, even the moonlight seemed detestable in Bai Manlou’s eyes.
Whoosh!
Suddenly, a strong gust of wind surged from above, leaving only a very faint sound in the silver-white radiance.
The two’s expressions changed, and they retreated backward without thinking.
A Gold Coin Dart was seen embedded in the ground at their feet, kicking up gravel.
A note was tied to the Gold Coin Dart.
Xiao Qingchou’s eyes showed suspicion. He took out a fine silk thread and, with just a hook, retrieved the note.
Upon unfolding it, Xiao Qingchou’s face changed drastically!
Seeing this, Bai Manlou also took the note and looked at it, his eyes then flashing with brilliance!
These locations…
This information…
Wait, could it be that the master who secretly attacked at Kui Xing Tower that day, the body-slaying thief, specifically came to deliver this intelligence?!
The Capital City is indeed a place where crouching tigers and hidden dragons reside, with masters and recluses everywhere; one can encounter them casually.
This person seems to be a benevolent and righteous individual. It wouldn’t be bad to recruit him and plan great things together!
The two thought this in unison.
Bai Manlou cupped his fists and said to the surrounding, empty wasteland,
“I wonder who you are, esteemed sir. Might you reveal yourself for a chat?”
But his voice echoed, and no one answered for a long time.
And from afar, the government’s searching hounds barked, torches flickered, and figures appeared.
The two, with no other choice, then turned into faint afterimages and headed outside the county.
Opposite the Drum Tower Cave, behind a crooked old tree, Chen Shun’an lowered his head, looked at his fingers still in a bent posture, and said expressionlessly,
“My Golden Snake Coiling Silk Hand still needs some practice. Why did it nail the ground?”
…
“Is the content on the note trustworthy?”
“Whether it’s trustworthy or not, we have to try.”
In the grass outside Wuqing County, Bai Manlou and Xiao Qingchou exchanged glances.
Xiao Qingchou rubbed the cold yet hot matchlock gun in his embrace, as if thinking of something, the bitterness on his face finally lessened, replaced by a slight smile.
“Our treasure can finally be brought out to see the light of day. I must say, the Firework Bureau of Wuqing County has excellent craftsmanship. Their niter and iron sand are fine, and not many places in our Shu Land can compare.”
Bai Manlou seemed to understand something, a hint of apprehension flashing in his eyes.
“Then let’s go. Gather all our brothers and assemble at Weng Mountain for a tea party to discuss our next move.”
“No matter what, tonight might be our last chance.”
…
The long street was cold, and the sound of the night watchman striking his wooden clapper drifted from afar.
Outside the Zheng Mansion.
Master Red Fifth stood with his hands clasped behind his back, imitating old Capital City residents by squatting in a narrow alleyway. He kept his head down and back bent, but secretly observed the movements of the Zheng Mansion.
In his perception, from the backyard of the Zheng Mansion, a wispy, dustless aura, like an ancient temple’s green lamp, continuously emanated.
It shared the color of the sky and the brilliance of the moonlight, giving a sense of merging with heaven and earth.
It was entirely different from the robust and bloody aura of a martial artist.
“Is this what they call an immortal?”
Master Red Fifth seemed lost in thought, his mind wandering.
Time passed, and it was already deep into the night.
Master Red Fifth felt no fatigue.
Having already slain four thieves, his essence was abundant. Even if he were to keep watch for another half a month, he would not feel any weariness.
It was just…
Master Red Fifth suddenly sensed something, stood up abruptly, his eyes flashing with sharp light, staring intently at the Zheng Mansion.
That green lamp-like aura had not changed for too long.
Although still distant and untainted by the mortal world, it was like a stiff, rigid painting, lacking the vitality of a living being.
Something is wrong!
Master Red Fifth immediately became alert, his figure flickered, and he entered the Zheng Mansion.
The guards on duty, carrying torches, did not notice him.
Master Red Fifth also paid no attention to the ancient and magnificent gate tower and screen wall of the Zheng Mansion.
He went directly to the rockery cave.
The cave entrance was not large, initially very narrow, only allowing one person through.
Upon entering, it was found to be only about two Zhang deep, with a low ceiling and a natural stone bed in the center.
And now, the stone cave was empty.
Only a whisk floated in mid-air, its countless whisks hanging down, still emitting a faint glow.
The aura Master Red Fifth had locked onto was not that of Tian Xuan Saint, but of this whisk!
Master Red Fifth’s face instantly turned as gloomy as water. Without even looking at this ‘immortal fate,’
He turned abruptly and quickly left the mansion.
Tian Xuan Saint was not here.
Then where was she?!
Not good!
…
As dusk gathered, mist began to rise on the Grand Canal.
The lights of the ferry crossing in the distance floated like scattered stars, flickering intermittently in the night.
Zheng Shicheng, Tian Xuan Saint, and a few other figures stood in a reed dock on the opposite bank of Banye Ferry Crossing.
This place was called Bewitching Bay. A hundred years ago, it was also a ferry crossing, with countless passenger ships coming and going, and boats vying for passage.
But one year, there was a great flood, and a flood dragon passed through, intending to come ashore at Bewitching Bay.
An immortal dropped a dragon-slaying sword. Not only did it slay the flood dragon, but it also became a treasure to suppress the river, blocking the Sea Eye at the bottom of the Sancha River.
From then on, Bewitching Bay became associated with ill omens, filled with malevolent energy. Ships that anchored here would inexplicably sink.
At this moment,
The bottom of the boat scraped against the shallow shoal, emitting a dull rustling sound.
Zheng Shicheng couldn’t help but take a step forward, his face full of smiles, gazing intently at the calm river surface as three red-headed ships, each over twenty Zhang long, sailed into view.
“We’ve finally arrived!”
Zheng Shicheng let out a sigh of relief.
Looking at the appearance of these merchant ships, they should be northbound merchant ships from the Nanhai Prefecture area.
They were carrying ginseng, spices, clocks, and foreign cloth, all novelties.
Black characters were carved on the ship’s sides, blurry in the night. One could roughly make out inscriptions like ‘Home Port: Tongzhou,’ ‘Nanhai Trading Guild,’ and ‘Golden Snake Trading Company · Fortune Ship.’
The lanterns on the masts were extinguished, and the entire ship was silent. The sailors stood on deck like statues.
Finally, the three red-headed ships silently docked in Bewitching Bay.
Out of caution, Zheng Shicheng, Tian Xuan Saint, and the others did not approach.
Two figures leaped from the ships, stepped across the water, and landed before Zheng Shicheng.
“Brother Zheng.”
One of them wore brocade clothes. Although his hair was white, it couldn’t conceal the authority he exuded; one could tell he had been in a high position for a long time.
Zheng Shicheng cupped his fists and smiled, “Money Dragon Head, thank you for personally escorting the ship. And this is…”
Zheng Shicheng looked at the other person.
Money Dragon Head chuckled and introduced him to Zheng Shicheng,
“This is the young master of the Lu Family from the Nanhai Twelve Guilds, and the person in charge of escorting the ‘Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste’ this time.”
Zheng Shicheng quickly cupped his fists and said, “Young Master Lu.”
“Landlord Zheng.” Young Master Lu nodded courteously.
The Nanhai Twelve Guilds was not a fixed number of twelve trading companies; it was a fluid term, sometimes four or five, sometimes over twenty.
It all depended on the scale and strength of the trading companies whether they could join the ranks of the Twelve Guilds.
Young Master Lu glanced at Tian Xuan Saint standing not far away, a hint of suspicion in his eyes, then turned to Zheng Shicheng, handing him an account list.
Young Master Lu said, “Landlord Zheng, please check the cargo. This time there are sixty dan of ‘Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste,’ all hidden within the camphor wood at the bottom of the merchant ships.”
Zheng Shicheng replied, “Why is there a need to check? Young Master Lu is too kind. We have cooperated many times. I will proceed with the imprint.”
Although he said so, Zheng Shicheng still personally watched as a crew member retrieved a piece of camphor wood from the bottom of a red-headed ship.
Upon splitting it open, the camphor wood revealed a slot filled with tin boxes wrapped in waterproof cowhide paper!
Seeing this, Zheng Shicheng then signed and acknowledged with a full smile.
Young Master Lu seemed to recall something and sighed,
“It’s a pity we lost the Azure Gang Yang Huo. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have to take such risks. We spent a lot of effort to avoid the customs inspectors… and we could only choose to smuggle the inferior and poorly effective Heart Clearing Paste.”
Zheng Shicheng’s face also turned grim. “This is my fault. Brother Lu, rest assured, I will definitely retrieve the item… This is Tian Xuan Saint from Yue Shan Daoist Academy, who came specifically for this matter.”
“So it’s an Immortal Master from Yue Shan Daoist Academy!”
Young Master Lu had already been suspicious for some time. Hearing this now, he quickly stepped forward to Tian Xuan Saint and bowed.
Tian Xuan Saint let out a nonchalant snort.
Originally, according to Zheng Shicheng and the others’ initial plan, they were to use Azure Gang Yang Huo to secretly smuggle high-quality Hibiscus Paste Fire, adopting a high-quality product strategy.
They would win over corrupted officials, wealthy merchants, martial artists, and aspiring individuals in Wuqing County and even the entire Capital City who had backgrounds but urgently needed potent medicine to change their current situation.
They would quietly amass wealth, only earning money from the rich.
But that was no longer possible. They had to settle for the next best option, selling the Fragrant Heart Clearing Paste, which had average effects but was easier to transport and lacked a strong, lingering fragrance.
It would be popularized among the common people, opium dens would be opened, and the poor would be squeezed dry.
Young Master Lu said, “With an Immortal Master’s intervention, the Azure Gang Yang Huo will naturally be returned soon. But it doesn’t matter; doing a steady, small-scale business is also less risky.
It just requires managing relationships and sharing some profits. By the way, Money Dragon Head, this merchant ship doesn’t seem to belong to the Caobang, does it?”
Money Dragon Head laughed heartily. “Of course not. It belongs to the descendant of an old friend of mine, from the Golden Snake Li Family. They actively sought to curry favor with me, wanting to do some Western business in maritime transport. I was just thinking I needed a cover, and here it is, delivered right to my doorstep!
“If nothing goes wrong, the money is all of ours; if something goes wrong, the money is mine, and the trouble is theirs! By the way, Landlord Zheng, I heard those rebels from the Guo Lu Society are searching for you everywhere. Be careful not to reveal your whereabouts…”
Zheng Shicheng replied, “Money Dragon Head truly has excellent schemes and skillful means… As for those who want to find me, Zheng, hehe, I have multiple escape routes, and my lips are tightly sealed. Anyone who might know my whereabouts has long since met their end at my hands. Even if the King of Heaven himself came, he wouldn’t find me?!”
“Hahaha, Hahahaha, Excellent! Excellent!!”
The three burst into laughter, like a flock of crows and owls feasting on blood, their cries piercing.
Tian Xuan Saint frowned slightly. Seeing that unloading the cargo would take some time, she said with a cold expression,
“Using the method of ‘replacing the plum with a peach,’ I should be able to deceive Master Red Fifth for a while. You wait here, don’t wander off. I’ll be back shortly. A mere ant dares to offend immortal might… Consider it collecting some interest.”
A murderous intent flashed in Tian Xuan Saint’s eyes.
Having said that, Tian Xuan Saint silently circulated her cultivation method. A blue light flashed outside her body, and she landed on a small boat.
The small boat moved as if by the wind, leaving a ripple, half-hidden in the moonlight, and headed towards Wuqing County.
The three stood in place, bowed to see her off, and remained so for a long time.
Only Zheng Shicheng, with the corner of his eye, silently watched the small boat cutting through the waves, leaving faint ripples.
He mused inwardly.
“An immortal crossing the Grand Canal, not relying on flying techniques or riding the clouds, but still relying on a boat…”
Thus, the awe and mystery surrounding immortals in the hearts of mortals diminished further.
Tian Xuan Saint, piloting the small boat alone, reached Banye Ferry Crossing and returned to Wuqing County silently. After some exploration, she found the entire Wuqing County to be very peaceful that night.
The government’s bailiffs and constables searched with their dogs, but found nothing.
It seemed that the Guo Lu Society’s gangsters had all lowered their banners and ceased their activities, choosing to hide in the shadows and not dare to cause trouble.
“Heh, they can hide from the monk, but they can’t hide from the temple… Gathering for Justice at Weng Mountain, treating it as a stronghold, I suppose they will leave one or two gangsters to act as lookouts.”
Tian Xuan Saint frowned slightly, but quickly relaxed her brows and said,
“Let’s go straight for the kill and destroy your stronghold and nest, and then we’ll see where you can hide in the future!”
