Chapter 119: Treasure Ship |
As they were speaking, a mid-sized cargo ship flying the banner of the Weiyuan Escort Agency came speeding out from the direction of the island interior.
The ship moved quickly, clearly wanting to leave this dangerous place as soon as possible.
Five or six people stood at the bow, led by a burly man with a full beard. His aura clearly showed he was at the early stage of embracing elixir strength.
Though he and the escort masters behind him were covered in bloodstains and many were injured, their faces beamed with wild joy and excitement. The cargo hold was packed full, with bulging cloth sacks even spilling out through the cabin doors.
A flash of light gleamed in Shen Xiuyong's eyes. His figure shifted slightly, and in the next instant he appeared on the water surface directly in front of the escort ship. His Lihuo true qi formed an invisible platform beneath his feet, holding him steady.
The speeding escort ship came to an abrupt halt, its bow kicking up large sprays of water.
"Halt! This one is Shen Xiuyong, an elder of Five Terraces Sect."
Though Shen Xiuyong's voice wasn't loud, it clearly reached the ears of every escort master. "Five Terraces Sect is here to eliminate the remaining demon sect evildoers! Who are you people? What cargo do you carry? Do you have any traces of Zheng family remnants or the Nine Waves Island bandit chiefs? Submit to inspection immediately!"
The bearded escort leader's wild joy instantly froze on his face. Seeing clearly who was blocking their path, his heart sank heavily, and he cursed their bad luck inwardly. How did they run into this troublemaker!
Shen Xiuyong's face remained expressionless. His gaze swept over Zhao Kun and the nervous faces of the escort masters behind him, then glanced at those bulging, valuable-looking packages on the ship. "Oh? Assisting? Empty words prove nothing. With the chaos on the island right now, there's no guarantee that water bandit remnants haven't mixed into the rogue cultivator groups, carrying important evidence or demon sect valuables as they flee. You must open your hold for inspection. If it's truly legitimate spoils, you may naturally proceed. But if you're concealing demon sect forbidden items or core stolen funds from the Zheng family... hmph!"
His final cold snort carried sharp killing intent that made Zhao Kun and the others shiver involuntarily.
Open the hold for inspection?
As for how much of the valuables on the ship were legitimately obtained versus seized in the chaos or even stolen through backstabbing, they knew perfectly well in their own hearts.
If they really let this Five Terraces Sect elder examine everything carefully, they'd be in big trouble!
Cold sweat poured down Zhao Kun's face as he instantly understood the other party's intention.
What inspection? This was clearly extortion under the guise of authority!
Though he felt stifled and angry inside, facing this troublemaker Shen Xiuyong and the massive organization behind him, any thought of resistance was snuffed out the moment it arose.
He gritted his teeth and forced out a smile even uglier than crying.
"Senior is perceptive! How would we small-time people dare to privately conceal demon sect items? The ship only carries some worthless crude goods that couldn't possibly interest senior... However, since senior and the distinguished disciples of your sect have worked so hard here to eliminate bandits and maintain order, how could we juniors show no appreciation? A small token of our hearts, merely to buy senior and the fellow disciples some tea to refresh yourselves!"
As he spoke, he painfully waved his hand.
Though the escort masters behind him were full of reluctance, they still quickly dragged out several heavy hemp sacks and two exquisite wooden boxes from the cargo hold, carefully lowering them with ropes onto the deck of Shen Xiuyong's treasure ship.
Only then did Shen Xiuyong nod slightly, his face showing a trace of satisfaction as he waved his hand. "Mm, Chief Escort Zhao is thoughtful. Go on then, be careful on the road."
The Weiyuan Escort Agency's ship, as if granted amnesty, immediately powered up to full speed and fled in panic without looking back.
Seeing this, Chen Qing suddenly understood completely!
This Shen Xiuyong was truly talented!
Shen Xiuyong's so-called "guarding the vital passage" and "preventing any fish from slipping through the net" was essentially using Five Terraces Sect's prestige to conduct open and "legal" robbery!
The risk was far lower than the chaotic fighting on the island, yet the profits could be even more abundant and stable!
This was much shrewder than rushing onto the island to snatch chestnuts from the fire!
Shen Xiuyong's figure flashed as he returned to his own treasure ship's deck.
With a rustling sound!
He casually sliced open the mouth of one hemp sack, and golden light immediately poured out!
Inside were neatly stacked gold ingots, easily over a hundred taels!
The other hemp sack contained various unpolished ores that glittered brilliantly in the sunlight.
Opening the wooden boxes, one contained neatly arranged high-grade cloud brocade, while the other held several precious medicines. Though their ages weren't high, only two or three years old, they were still quite valuable.
Just the thirty percent "tea money" alone was already worth far more than an ordinary fishing ground executive's income over several months!
Shen Xiuyong tossed a pigeon-egg-sized ruby in his hand. Seeing Chen Qing's enlightened expression, he chuckled and said in a low voice, "Kid, do you understand now? This is called 'leveraging influence'! Understand? Xuanjia Gate's Sect Master Shi, Courtyard Master Chu, Courtyard Master Peng, those great masters of Gangjin strength are stationed on the island, killing until heads roll, holding down all the biggest tigers. So our Five Terraces Sect's name is a golden seal of approval in these waters, the greatest influence!"
"We guard this vital chokepoint and conduct legitimate inspections. Those guys who've had their fill and want to slip away, whether they're dragons or tigers, must coil and crouch! Making them bleed a little to buy safe passage, they should even be grateful we didn't investigate deeper! This way we both complete the sect's assigned mission of 'assisting in suppression and maintaining order' and gain practical benefits. Two birds with one stone! Why bother squeezing your head in with that crowd of crazed people?"
As he spoke, he handed the ruby to Chen Qing. "Kid, this is your reward."
Chen Qing accepted the ruby and clasped his fists. "Elder Shen is wise."
In the afternoon, Shen Xiuyong's business indeed flourished. Two more groups laden with spoils were intercepted by him.
One group consisted of private soldiers from some small family, while the other was a hastily assembled team of rogue cultivators.
Facing Shen Xiuyong's businesslike expression, both groups, though their hearts bled, could only grit their teeth and accept their fate, each leaving behind "tea money" of considerable value before being allowed to pass.
Chen Qing watched silently from the side. Shen Xiuyong's methods were ruthless, extracting just the right amount to make the other party hurt without pushing them into desperate action.
He naturally also received some share of the profits, several gold ingots of decent quality and a few ordinary precious medicines of fair age, considered his reward. Better than nothing.
Just then, a ship silhouette came weaving crookedly into view.
It didn't come from the direction of the island's core battlefield, but rather hugged the island's edge, drifting out from a relatively secluded waterway.
The ship's design was quite remarkable. Built entirely from dark iron heart wood with smooth lines, the bow featured carved exotic beasts. Clearly it had originally been a vessel at the level of a lower-grade treasure weapon.
However, looking carefully, the hull showed damage in multiple places. Several marks were obviously from impacts, and the railings retained large patches of dark red bloodstains. The deck was completely empty.
Chen Qing's eyes narrowed slightly, his heart stirring.
He was precisely lacking a treasure ship that could move freely through the complex waters of Qianchuan Marsh.
Though this ship before him was severely damaged, its frame seemed to remain intact and could barely still be used.
He immediately indicated to Shen Xiuyong, "Elder Shen, there's a damaged treasure ship drifting over from that direction. The hull shows signs of intense combat, and the bloodstains are fresh. I'm afraid there's something suspicious."
Shen Xiuyong looked in the direction Chen Qing pointed and squinted. "Oh? A wrecked ship? Bloodstains? Interesting... Let's go take a look."
The two approached, and Shen Xiuyong reached out from a distance. His powerful Lihuo true qi surged forth, pulling and stabilizing that damaged treasure ship.
He leaped onto the ship with a bound, and Chen Qing followed closely behind.
The scene on the ship was shocking.
Besides extensive bloodstains, broken weapon fragments and torn clothing scraps were scattered in the corners of the deck.
In a hidden compartment deep in the cargo hold, Shen Xiuyong felt around and pulled out a token fragment soaked with blood on more than half its surface. On it, the character "Zheng" could faintly be seen.
"A Zheng family ship?"
Shen Xiuyong pinched the fragment, looking thoughtful. "Judging from the degree of destruction and the blood distribution, the people on the ship likely met with disaster. The attacker was ruthless and cleaned up fairly thoroughly, only leaving this wrecked ship to drift out... Hehe, quite convenient for us."
He turned to look at Chen Qing, who was carefully examining the ship's keel. Seeing the interest revealed in his eyes, he understood.
Shen Xiuyong smiled and patted the ship's railing. "Kid, you've taken a fancy to this wreck? Good eye. Iron heart wood foundation. Though it's badly injured, the core wheel and rudder mechanisms don't seem completely broken. Still usable."
Chen Qing nodded honestly. "This disciple does indeed have such intention. As a fishing ground executive, if I have this ship, conducting business will be much more convenient."
"Fine then!"
Shen Xiuyong waved his hand magnanimously. "This ownerless thing counts as our spoils of war now. It's temporarily yours! However..."
He changed tack and pointed to the waterway in the not-too-far distance that led to the rocky beach of Nine Waves Island. "Since you have a ship now, perfect. This waterway also can't be left empty. You drive this ship and go guard that waterway."
"Though that place is secluded, it connects to the back mountain trails of Nine Waves Island and several hidden small docks. There's no guarantee that fish won't slip through the net or that fat sheep wanting to take shortcuts won't try to get out from there. You guard that spot, and just like me, conduct legitimate inspections."
Chen Qing frowned slightly.
Guard a waterway alone? The risk was undoubtedly much greater than staying by Shen Xiuyong's side.
Though Nine Waves Island was broken, there was no guarantee that Zheng family remnants or formidable water bandit leaders hadn't managed to escape. If he ran into someone tough...
Seeming to perceive Chen Qing's concerns, Shen Xiuyong chuckled and pulled out two palm-sized crude little figures cut from special straw paper from his chest.
The figures were one male and one female, holding hands.
"Here, take these. 'Paired Mother-Child Heart-Linking Paper Figures.' A little trinket concocted by the Ghost Valley Sect. Not worth much but very useful. You and I each take one. As long as one is activated, the other will move in response no matter where it is as a warning. I'll hang mine at my waist in a prominent place. As long as your paper figure moves, I'll know immediately and arrive in an instant! Isn't that considerate?"
As he spoke, he stuffed one of the paper figures into Chen Qing's hands.
Chen Qing accepted the paper figure. It felt light as nothing in his hand, yet he could clearly sense the subtle mysterious connection contained within.
He tried injecting a trace of weak Qingmu true qi into the paper figure. Sure enough, the paper figure in Shen Xiuyong's hand also synchronously lifted its hand slightly.
"Thank you, Elder Shen."
Chen Qing said with a smile.
Watching Chen Qing play with the paper figure, Shen Xiuyong's eyes rolled as if he suddenly remembered something. He pulled out three metal spheres the size of dragon eyes, dark red throughout, from an inconspicuous leather pouch at his waist.
"Kid, I'll give you another piece of 'insurance.'"
Shen Xiuyong held the three spheres in his palm, his tone carrying a hint of enticement. "'Thunderbolt Fire Seeds'! Genuine Scarlet Flame Valley products, enhanced versions! As for their power... hehe, if someone at the late stage of embracing elixir strength takes one unprepared, they'll be shocked senseless with their true qi in chaos. Mid-stage embracing elixir strength? Even if they don't die, they'll shed a layer of skin! Thrown out at a critical moment, absolutely a good thing for preserving life and turning the tables!"
"Nowadays these are priceless even if you have money. I bought them in Fengle Prefecture back in the day. I don't need them anymore."
Chen Qing immediately recalled that when Ye Rong'er had shocked back Tu Gang, she had used something similar. The power was astonishing.
The three in Shen Xiuyong's hand were clearly higher-grade goods.
For him in his current state, these things would absolutely count as trump cards!
His heart immediately stirred greatly.
"Elder Shen, these items..."
"Ah, don't rush."
Shen Xiuyong smiled and interrupted him with a 'you know what I mean' expression. "We're from the same sect, I won't cheat you. On the market, an ordinary version costs seven or eight thousand taels. These enhanced versions... Seeing as we're destined to meet, I'll charge you eleven thousand taels each! Three in a bundle, an honest thirty-three thousand taels!"
Thirty-three thousand taels!
Chen Qing's heart jumped fiercely. This price was simply outrageous!
One must know that previously, a Wu family retainer earned only ten thousand taels a year, and a lower-grade treasure weapon cost thirty thousand taels. Though these 'Thunderbolt Fire Seeds' had impressive power, the price was truly not low.
This Shen Xiuyong really did seize every opportunity to do business!
Chen Qing's face showed difficulty as he said, "Elder Shen is perceptive. This disciple's wealth is meager. How could I have saved so much from the meager salary and extras of a fishing ground executive? Right now... I truly can't gather that much silver."
He paused and looked toward that distant waterway. "How about this? This disciple will first go guard the waterway. If it's truly as Elder says and fat sheep pass by, whatever 'tea money' this disciple extracts, I won't keep a single coin. It will all go to Elder to pay for these three fire seeds. How about that? If it's not enough, this disciple will make up the difference later."
Hearing this, Shen Xiuyong squinted and sized up Chen Qing for a moment.
This kid looked honest and dutiful but also knew how to bargain!
However, having him guard that waterway would likely yield some profit. Using spoils of war to offset debts seemed reasonable enough.
Moreover, the Thunderbolt Fire Seeds were useless items just sitting in his hands.
"Fine!"
Shen Xiuyong seemed quite magnanimous. "Who told me I find you pleasing to the eye, kid! I'll agree! These three 'Thunderbolt Fire Seeds,' you take them first. Consider it me lending them to you on credit! Remember, one fire seed costs you eleven thousand taels, three for thirty-three thousand. Whenever you gather enough, we'll call it even!"
As he spoke, he stuffed the three Thunderbolt Fire Seeds into Chen Qing's hands.
Chen Qing carefully stowed away these three powerful weapons and the pair of paper figures, clasping his fists. "This disciple understands! Thank you, Elder Shen! This disciple will go guard the waterway now."
"Go on, go on. Be sharp!"
Shen Xiuyong waved his hand and returned to lie on the reclining chair on his treasure ship. "If there's a situation, contact me with the paper figure!"
Chen Qing said no more and leaped onto that damaged treasure ship.
He tried injecting a trace of Qingmu true qi into the wheel and rudder at the ship's stern.
Boom!
A muffled turning sound rang out, and the paddle wheels on both sides slowly began to rotate!
"It still moves!"
Chen Qing's heart leaped with joy. Though the speed was far from what it would be when intact, it was enough to control it and sail toward that branch waterway.
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