Chapter 283: 259 True Mind, Part 1

Seeing the person’s clothing outside the door was of fine quality, an appearance of a wealthy man.

“Please come in, please come in!” Li Erchan thought it was another wealthy patron like Zhang Jingrong, immediately putting a smile on his face and opened the door.

Sun Dinglong thanked him and quickly entered the Li Mansion, looking up towards Li Guanyue who was coming to greet him.

“Master Li, I have a long-standing grievance with that Zhang Jingrong. The authentic Martial Arts of the Thirteen Guardians horizontal training, I assume you wouldn’t want it to be leaked.

So, I came here this time to offer you a helping hand.”

Li Guanyue’s expression darkened, immediately raising his guard. He gestured to his son to close the courtyard gate and hold the fort.

He carefully scrutinized the man.

“How do you know about this? And, help me? Why should I trust you?”

“Master Li doesn’t know the details of that person, but I can tell you, relying solely on yourself to completely escape Zhang Jingrong’s surveillance and control, to fly high and far, is very, very difficult.”

Sun Dinglong smiled slightly, explaining.

“But with our assistance, we can certainly make him lose both people and wealth, suffering severe losses!”

“Oh? And what is your identity to be so confident?”

Li Guanyue’s heart skipped a beat. His previous plans were unexpectedly guessed and revealed on the spot by this person.

Indeed, he was worried that relying solely on himself might not be able to handle the Zhang family’s influence.

Although his own capabilities are decent and he has cards up his sleeve, in Cituogang Port, the Ninth-Grade Experts openly seated there were far more numerous than in his hometown. If something went wrong…

“We… you can call us, Hundred Forms.” Sun Dinglong replied with a smile.

Looking at this simple-minded fool in front of him, he inexplicably anticipated Zhang Jingrong’s fury and despondency after realizing he had been tricked.

The Thousand Teachings Alliance had previously suffered considerable losses to this Great Dao Teaching Daoist.

Which also led to this branch of theirs facing more disappointment from the Demon Eagle Sect Leader.

Now, discovering that Zhang Ying wanted additional training in new Hard Skill. They could completely cooperate with Li Guanyue, subtly altering the training method of the Hard Skill.

Such that no one would know, let Zhang Ying train abnormal patterns.

Sun Dinglong knew very well that there was definitely a force not weak beside Zhang Ying, constantly guarding him.

So slightly apparent malicious intent would easily be detected.

But if it were a very subtle method requiring a long time to be discovered, then…

“Master Li, as long as you cooperate with us, when things come to fruition…” Sun Dinglong casually took out a roll of silver notes from his sleeve and handed it over.

Li Guanyue received it and was immediately taken aback.

It was actually all thousand-tael denomination silver notes!

Well then…

This group truly doesn’t treat money as money!

He originally had no intention of leaking his family’s inherited martial arts, but with this person before him inciting, a thought suddenly stirred within him.

If careful, handling both sides, making money from both… eventually, when he journeyed far abroad, wouldn’t he have a double harvest!?

Thinking of this, he became faintly excited.

“Rest assured, I will certainly cooperate! But how to cooperate, still needs careful discussion.” He said in a deep voice.

If he wanted both sides to believe in him, trust him, the difficulty would indeed be considerable.

But trying wouldn’t hurt, what if it succeeded?

And moreover, if it really doesn’t work, he could totally use his children as collateral.

After all, if the children are gone, he can have more, carrying a large sum of money and a fleet, once out there, where couldn’t he find a wife or spouse?

As long as he has money and power, isn’t that to have as many children as he wants?

Sun Dinglong didn’t know his thoughts, but smiled slightly, stepped forward, and began to speak quietly.

The two men whispered their conspiracy for a while.

Sun Dinglong confirmed that Li Guanyue remembered the key points of the plan, satisfied, he then left.

He promised to help him leave Citong after the matter was successful.

Of course, promises are one thing, whether to fulfill them is another.

If the matter doesn’t succeed, it doesn’t matter, it was just a casual move. If it does succeed…

*

*

*

Zhang Rongfang had quite the patience.

After understanding Li Guanyue’s second condition, he immediately mobilized forces to search for that so-called missing ship.

While on usual days, besides practicing, he would go to Cotton Cloud Residence to boast and debate, spending time with three other friends.

It was indeed luck.

He hadn’t searched for long when Grand Owner Isebas took the initiative to send someone to inform him that the West Wind was within a fleet under his command.

Without spending a penny, the West Wind was transferred under Zhang Rongfang’s command.

Immediately, he took the ship to Li Guanyue.

In the early morning of April 17.

By the seaside coast in the outskirts of Citong.

Zhang Rongfang, Li Guanyue, and two other subordinates arrived at the dock along the coast.

At this time, three ships were docked at the wharf with an old and battered appearance, yet their designs were somewhat peculiar.

The three large ships were lined up, all chained and tied to the dock.

There were also crew members from Isebas onshore responsible for waiting to connect.

Before Zhang Rongfang’s group fully approached, Li Guanyue’s eyes had already glazed over.

He intensely stared at the ships by the dock, face shocked, almost unable to speak.

“How is it? Master Li, does this fulfill the second condition?” Zhang Rongfang gently asked beside him.

Li Guanyue looked at one of the three large ships, with the ship’s body clearly engraved with the three characters: West Wind.

The shock in his heart was far more intense than what appeared on the surface.

“…Young Master Zhang… truly trustworthy! Sticking to your word! Admirable, admirable!!” Li Guanyue paused, then nodded slightly stirred by emotions.

“Yes, the second condition, consider it fulfilled.”

“So, can Master Li now share the third condition?” Zhang Rongfang asked with a smile.

“The third condition….” Li Guanyue actually hadn’t thought of a third condition at all.

He believed fulfilling the second one would also take quite some time.

But now…

“It seems Master Li hasn’t figured out what the third condition should be. No rush, you can take your time thinking about it, I’m not in a hurry,” Zhang Rongfang said with a considerate smile.

“Young Master Zhang truly trusts people. In that case, allow me some time to think carefully,” Li Guanyue smiled slightly.

In fact, if not for the ancestral commandment that the family Martial Arts must never be passed on to outsiders, he would have directly taught this wealthy man before him.

Truly, this person’s conduct is so straightforward, sincere, and considerate.

Li Guanyue quickly boarded the ship and inspected it thoroughly, discovering that it was indeed his former flagship, which moved him slightly.

This ship was the fruit of much effort and dedication when he originally built it.

Now that it has finally returned to his possession, his impression of Zhang Rongfang improved significantly.

“How is it?” Zhang Rongfang asked from the side.

“Very good! Extremely satisfactory!” Li Guanyue tried to find faults but found he simply couldn’t.

Not only was the West Wind retrieved for him, but it was also completely repaired inside. Although the exterior appeared old, the inside had been renovated and was as good as new.

It could now be taken for long voyages at any time.

“I’m glad you’re satisfied,” Zhang Rongfang nodded. “In that case, I’ll take my leave now. Master Li, please consider the third condition as soon as possible.”

“Of course!” Li Guanyue replied earnestly.

Before long, after the handover, Zhang Rongfang left with his attendants.

As for Li Guanyue, he inspected the West Wind and the other two ships once more.

After ensuring there were no issues, he disembarked and returned home.

Now that he had the ship, the next step was to recruit sailors and prepare for a trial voyage.

But in his heart, Li Guanyue had another plan.

A few nights later.

He quietly left the residence and stopped at a desolate beach, approaching a large black reef to wait in silence.

The night was hazy, the moonlight dim. The black-gray waves rolled in layer by layer, resembling oil spread on the coast.

He did not wait long.

Soon, a shadowy figure in a bamboo hat quietly appeared on the other side of the reef, walking toward him.

“Master Li, it seems you’re ready to start?” The figure raised his face, revealing himself to be Sun Dinglong, who had visited the Li Mansion previously.

“Since I agreed, I will definitely follow through. It’s just…” Li Guanyue hesitated.

“Just what?”

“It’s just that Zhang Jingrong’s power is too strong. I’m worried that something might happen at that time…”

“No need to fear. After you teach him part of the content, with our help, you can easily set sail and leave this country.

By then, no matter how powerful Zhang Jingrong is, he won’t be able to do anything to you,” Sun Dinglong said with a smile.

“But… I feel a bit unwilling… Young Master Zhang is truly a good person!” Li Guanyue sighed. “I still think the agreement we mentioned before doesn’t count.”

“Is Master Li planning to earnestly teach the Hard Skill?” Upon hearing this, Sun Dinglong’s expression lost its smile.

“Exactly, it just feels that for such a small profit, going against a good man like Young Master Zhang makes me uneasy…” Li Guanyue sighed.

“…Another five thousand taels!” Sun Dinglong was silent for a moment before speaking resolutely.

“This… I still…”

“Eight thousand!” Sun Dinglong continued to increase the offer.

“I…”

“Ten thousand!”

“…Alright… It seems Brother Sun is also a sentimental person. In that case… I’ll take the plunge this once!” A smile finally appeared on Li Guanyue’s face.

He felt that if the negotiation continued, the situation might turn hostile, so he decisively stopped.

“Master Li, it’s better not to be too greedy as a person,” Sun Dinglong said lightly, taking all the silver notes from his sleeve, rolling them into a bundle, and handing them over.

“Brother Sun is entirely correct!” Li Guanyue nodded with a smile. “Rest assured, since I agreed to this matter, I will certainly get it done properly!”

“That will be best!”

Sun Dinglong nodded. The money was merely temporarily placed with this person since it would all be recovered sooner or later.

He was not in the least bit anxious.

The next day.

Zhang Rongfang just got up, grooming himself while listening to the person who was disguising themselves for him, reporting various situations from recent days at his side.

He glanced at his attribute points, finding that his free attribute points had reached as many as 18.

And now, his life points were at 78.

This meant… just four more points, and adding them all to life would reach a hundred.

Previously, he hadn’t noticed, but now that he suddenly discovered this key point, his heart moved greatly.

He felt a bit of anticipation building up.

“The other day, the Western Sect sent people to build Wanghai Temple in the Western Suburbs, and the person in charge is Zen Master Wangshu from the True Buddha Temple. He has already visited once.”

“Another conflict broke out between the Jade Sea Gang and Chain Gang, leaving twelve dead and over sixty injured on the Chain Gang side, and four dead and over ten injured on the Jade Sea Gang side.

The Chain Gang was thoroughly defeated and ceded two docks in Districts 1 and 2.”

“There are traces again of the White Ten Sect being discovered in the city, and it seems efforts to proselytize have resumed.”

“Cargo boxes fell at the District 3 dock, injuring the young daughter of the Chief of Justice. The Chief himself arrived in anger, dismissing several officials, attempting to confiscate the cargo, and capture the individual behind it, but it was to no avail.”

“The Gesang Fleet arrived at Cituo Port this morning. Among the goods they unloaded, there was the latest batch of…”

The disguised elder’s report was interrupted as suddenly an official guard hurried in from outside.

“Sir! Urgent news! Li Guanyue of the Li family and his family mysteriously disappeared last night. Someone claimed to have seen him on the departing Pengsha Fleet at four o’clock, possibly fleeing!”

Zhang Rongfang was slightly taken aback. His hand paused mid-air while raising the teacup.

“Is the information confirmed?”

“It was reported by those observing the Li family and the docks,” the guard quickly answered.

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes.

He sighed heavily.

“Let’s go have a look.”

Chen Han, watching from the side, felt a bit helpless as well.

He had actually advised the Daoist not to trust that man too much, but the Daoist believed that one should treat people with sincerity, and if one wanted to learn others’ family-inherited arts, naturally one should show their utmost sincerity.

…And now there was indeed an issue.

Leading a group of people, Zhang Rongfang hurriedly proceeded to the Li Mansion.

But when he arrived at the Li Mansion, it was already deserted.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep