Chapter 196: Chapter 124: Middle Stage 2

As he spoke, he took out a one-thousand-tael silver note he had already prepared. “A small token of my appreciation. It’s not much, but please take it to buy some wine for you and your brothers to ward off the cold on the road. I hope you’ll do me the honor of accepting it.”

Tang Zhenshan glanced at his master, Du Lingchuan.

Du Lingchuan was in a fine mood and gave a slight nod.

Only then did Tang Zhenshan accept the silver note. A smile touched his lips as he made a show of refusing, “You’re too kind, Junior Brother Chen. Slaying demons, defending the righteous path, and saving the innocent are all part of our duty. But since you’ve been so generous, it would be rude of us to decline.”

He discreetly tucked the silver note into his robes.

“It was my pleasure. Thank you for your hard work, Brother Tang and everyone else!” Chen Qing said, cupping his fist once more.

Watching how thoughtfully Chen Qing handled matters, Du Lingchuan’s estimation of him rose even higher.

He felt a surge of glee at the thought that Peng Zhen was still unaware of this uncut gem hidden right under his nose.

He stroked his beard and smiled. “Rest assured, my Xuanjia Sect will see this person safely delivered to the Wu Family. You must also be careful as you continue to stand guard here.”

Du Lingchuan planned to visit the Wutai Sect the next time he had a chance, just so he could properly taunt Peng Zhen.

At this thought, he couldn’t suppress his smile.

“Thank you for your kindness and concern, Senior. I understand,” Chen Qing replied respectfully.

The Xuanjia Sect’s Treasure Ship set sail once more, slowly leaving the waterway and heading toward the Prefecture City.

Chen Qing stood at the bow of his ship, watching until it disappeared into the wind and snow.

The wind and snow gradually subsided, and the towering flames and deafening battle cries on Nine Waves Island finally fell silent.

In just a few short days, the Nine Waves Island bandit lair that had occupied these waters for years was reduced to scorched earth. The Zheng Family, once illustrious in Yunlin Prefecture for a century, had vanished like smoke. All that remained was a scene of utter devastation and ruin, a truly lamentable sight.

The last pockets of resistance on the island were utterly crushed. Most of the bandit leaders and core members of the Zheng Family were put to the sword, but a few who slipped through the net used the chaos to flee deep into the vast Qianchuan Marsh. Like drops of water in the ocean, they were now impossible to find.

The Treasure Ships of the Four Great Sects shuttled back and forth without rest. Chests and bags of valuables, Secret Manuals, Elixirs, and Weapons were pulled from the ruins and continuously transported back to their respective Sects.

Gold, silver, and Jewelry glittered dazzlingly in the sun. The scent of ink wafted from the Secret Manuals and ancient texts. A vast array of Pill Bottles and jars were on display, and cold, gleaming Weapons were piled high as mountains.

However, anyone with a discerning eye knew this was merely the tip of the iceberg—the broth the Four Great Sects ladled out for their disciples and allies.

The real prize—the vast foundation of the Zheng Family and Nine Waves Island, the core wealth and secrets they had accumulated over centuries—had long since been carved up and devoured by the first Astral Force titans on the scene and their core factions.

Who had profited the most?

No one knew, and no one dared to ask.

The storm seemed to have passed, but the undercurrents it stirred had only just begun to churn.

One day, Shen Xiuyong stepped onto Chen Qing’s Treasure Ship.

His usual lazy smile was gone without a trace, replaced by an expression of deep sorrow.

“Nephew.”

Shen Xiuyong’s voice was low, devoid of its usual teasing tone. “Pack your things and prepare to return. Our business here is done; there’s no need to stand guard any longer.”

Chen Qing’s heart sank. He had a bad feeling, but asked anyway, “Elder Shen, the island…?”

Shen Xiuyong took a deep breath and said slowly, “Xiao Ruize… is confirmed to have fallen. Lin Wei and three other elite disciples of the Li Fire Institute perished with him.”

Even though Chen Qing had his suspicions ever since he discovered Zuo Feng impersonating Junior Brother Wang, his heart still lurched to hear the news of the Li Fire Institute’s Chief Disciple, Xiao Ruize, confirmed dead.

Xiao Ruize, the leading figure of his generation in the Li Fire Institute, a master at the peak of the Mid-stage Embracing Pill Force, a prodigy expected to one day reach the Astral Force Realm, had fallen just like that!

His death, along with Lin Wei and several other disciples of great potential… This was undoubtedly a crippling blow to the Li Fire Institute!

A huge storm was sure to erupt within the Wutai Sect.

“Is there any news on who did it?” Chen Qing asked.

A cold glint flashed in Shen Xiuyong’s eyes, mixed with deep apprehension. “The lingering aura at the scene… it’s the Blood Evil True Gang! The attacker, nine times out of ten, was that old Demon, Zuo Feng! Not only has he fully recovered from his injuries, but he dared to sneak back onto the island. And he had the audacity to attack disciples of our Wutai Sect!”

He paused, his tone growing heavier. “And there’s more… The Liu Family’s Treasure Ship was found in the waters at the border of three prefectures, on the way to Fengle Prefecture. It was completely empty, with signs of a fierce struggle on board. The lingering blood aura… it matches Liu Han’s. Someone saw from a distance what looked like Zuo Feng piloting the ship away. I’m afraid Liu Han has likely met a grim fate as well.”

“The Liu Family has gone berserk. Droves of their masters have poured out, frantically scouring the waterways for any sign of Liu Han or Zuo Feng.”

Chen Qing remained silent.

’I was the one who finished off Liu Han after he fell into the river. His body sank to the bottom. It would be a miracle if the Liu Family ever found him.’

’Meanwhile, Zuo Feng has probably already fled far away with Zheng Hui, changed his appearance, and gone into hiding.’

’The Liu Family is going to have a hard time finding the real culprit to vent their rage on.’

Zuo Feng had thoroughly muddied the waters.

“Water that’s too clear has no fish.”

Shen Xiuyong took a deep breath and said, “Behemoths like the Zheng Family and Nine Waves Island, with deep and twisted roots stretching back for centuries… To uproot them completely, to wipe them out to the last man? Easier said than done.”

“There will always be a few who escape, lying dormant with their hatred and secrets. To have destroyed their main force and crippled their foundation this time is already a remarkable achievement.”

“Take a moment to pack. We’re preparing to head back.”

Chen Qing nodded, saying no more.

Each piloting their own Treasure Ship, the two men left the chaotic waters and headed in the direction of the Wutai Sect.

For safety’s sake, Chen Qing kept his Treasure Ship behind Shen Xiuyong’s.

「By evening.」

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