The boat reached the shore and returned to the Sea Market. Pang Chengqiu and his carriage were still waiting on the shore.
Gu Qingzhao handed Qingya over to Pang Chengqiu, asking him to take him back to the Jinghong Hall to recuperate first. She then shared a carriage with Yu Qing and the other two, heading to the Bihai Shipping Company.
The Bihai Shipping Company was such a massive business that its trade reached everywhere. It had branches in all important locations, and a place like the Sea Market was naturally no exception.
Yu Qing did not want to delay for even a moment, fearing that delays would bring unexpected trouble. He was eager to pull Gu Qingzhao along to clear the two hundred million debt first.
Although two hundred million could not satisfy his appetite for debt clearance, it could at least remove his biggest burden.
After finding the Bihai Shipping Company, the procedures to transfer the debt to Qingya went very smoothly. With the Jinghong Hall acting as a guarantor, the Bihai Shipping Company had no reason to be unwilling.
After leaving the shipping company, Yu Qing and his fellow disciples breathed a massive sigh of relief. If they could not fill the hole with Ye Diandian, they could use the Immortal Peach Tree as compensation. However, the Bihai Shipping Company was different. If they did not repay the money, the company would not let them go.
Afterwards, the three of them followed Gu Qingzhao back to the Jinghong Hall. He needed to get back the two million taels IOU he had written to Qingya.
After the IOU was brought out, Gu Qingzhao, who was waving a round fan, was in no hurry to give it to him. She smiled and said, “Add a few more words, void the IOU and keep it for me, and I will give you one million taels.”
The three brothers looked at each other. One million taels for a voided IOU?
Yu Qing thought something was wrong and reached out to grab the IOU.
Gu Qingzhao blocked it with her round fan and raised the offer, saying, “Two million!”
Yu Qing directly pushed the fan aside, snatched the IOU back, and repeatedly confirmed if it was the one he had kept.
Gu Qingzhao asked again, “How much do you want?”
Having confirmed it was his IOU, Yu Qing said righteously, “A true man knows what to do and what not to do. I will not earn money this way.”
He directly tore the IOU to pieces with a swish, and then rubbed it into fine powder.
Watching the IOU turn to flying ash, Gu Qingzhao looked speechless and somewhat reluctant. After all, it was a unique item. She was on the verge of speaking but stopped. However, she had no choice. The debt clearance was her godmother’s decision, and returning the IOU was the proper thing to do. She could not force it.
“Farewell, Boss Lady!” Yu Qing cupped his hands. Since he had reduced Qingya to such a state, lingering in front of Qingya would be somewhat arrogant. Not daring to stay long, he took his leave.
After the three left the Jinghong Hall, Nan Zhu could not help but scratch his chubby face. “Fifteenth Brother, two million taels. If we do not negotiate, how do we know if there is a problem?”
Mu Aotie chimed in, “Are there such good things in this world?”
Yu Qing said, “Ninth Brother is right. Seventh Brother, you need to change this habit of being blinded by greed. Even thinking with your backside tells you that a voided IOU cannot be worth two million taels. No matter how rich the Jinghong Hall is, they would not play it this way. Silver falling from the sky, think about it yourself. Are there such good things? There must be a trap waiting for us. Walking around it is the wise choice.”
Nan Zhu thought it made sense, but still sighed with emotion. “A wasted trip, suffering for nothing, and busy for nothing.”
Yu Qing felt the same, but still comforted him, “At least we earned two hundred million, reducing the pressure by ten million a year.”
Nan Zhu chuckled, “What about the ten million a year for the Ye Diandian side? Whether it is ten million less or ten million more, is there any difference in the pressure we bear, for people like us who have no source of wealth? Where are we going to get the money for the Ye Diandian side next year?”
These words left the three of them silent.
Matters here were considered settled, and the three did not plan to stay long. They had reduced Qingya to such a state and humiliated Long Xingyun. Who knew if the two would keep their word? To some extent, the Sea Market was their territory. Continuing to stay would truly make them feel uneasy. Naturally, they had to leave quickly while they could and hide back in Youjiao Bu to feel at ease.
When they returned to Hu Youli’s house, Hu Youli was still not there.
Taking the opportunity, Yu Qing used “Big Head” to contact Liu Piaopiao again, asking if she had found out the identity of the “godmother”.
This trip to the Sea Market was not entirely in vain. Ever since “Big Head” was enlightened by the Nether Monk, it could understand human speech, read characters, and act with wisdom. This perfectly solved the problem of his inconvenient contact with Liu Piaopiao. It knew how to secretly approach Liu Piaopiao, and because of its small size, it was not easily discovered, making it usable as a messenger.
The three brothers had appraised the current “Big Head”. If they really wanted to sell it, it should fetch a high price.
Of course, they had no plans to sell it now. After all, it was tamed and convenient to use. It was just kept as a backup plan if they truly could not make a living.
When “Big Head” returned, it also brought back Liu Piaopiao’s reply, saying that since they had gone to the Nether Sea, she had absolutely no way to follow them there and take action.
Yu Qing provided her with another clue. Previously, it was the godmother contacted by Gu Qingzhao. They could investigate along this line…
Inside the highest pavilion of the Zhenhai Department, the Commander Zhu Xuan was receiving guests. Qi Duolai, who had hurried over, waited quietly nearby. It was not an urgent matter, so he did not dare to disturb.
After seeing the guests off, Qi Duolai approached Zhu Xuan and reported, “The three men with the Tanhua have returned, looking completely unharmed. Qingya, on the other hand, has all four limbs broken and is lying in the Jinghong Hall recovering. Also, the debt that the Tanhua owed to the Bihai Shipping Company was actually transferred to Qingya. I do not know what this means. Additionally, Long Xingyun and Yin Shanhe seem to have left the Sea Market. We need to wait for confirmation from Xingluo Island.”
Zhu Xuan turned around in confusion. “Did you not say that Qingya would team up with Long Xingyun to harm that Tanhua? How did it end up with him getting injured and helping the other person pay off the debt?”
Qi Duolai said, “When we called Qingya over for questioning earlier, this is what he said. Now, the situation is unclear.”
Zhu Xuan said, “Then call Qingya over and ask him again.”
Qi Duolai shook his head. “I am afraid it will not be easy this time. First, Qingya has difficulty moving. Second, this matter involves the young lady of the Liang family again. Gu Qingzhao went to the Liang mansion and seemed to have met the young lady. After Gu Qingzhao left, the young lady of the Liang family also left later.
You know how it is. Other matters are easy to talk about, but whenever the Liang family is involved, Qingya would rather be beaten to death than utter a single word. And since the Liang family is involved, we cannot force him to speak.
However, one thing can be imagined. Long Xingyun and Yin Shanhe should know the course of events. Later, the Chilan Pavilion should also be informed. If you want to know what happened, you might as well inquire at the Chilan Pavilion.”
Zhu Xuan fell silent. After a long period of thought, he slowly said, “We only need to pay attention to this matter. Let the rest go. Having left the Sea Market and the Nether Sea, there are some things we should not interfere with. Whether to ask the Chilan Pavilion and the Liang family, or whether to arrest and interrogate those three guys involved with the Nether Temple, leave it to Qianliu Mountain to decide. We just need to report the situation truthfully.”
Hearing this, Qi Duolai nodded. “That is fine. Less trouble is better than more trouble.”
The night curtain slowly drew open, and the Sea Market once again became brilliantly lit.
In the room, Yu Qing, Nan Zhu, Mu Aotie, and Xiao Hei, who was carrying the “Big Stick” on his back, stood in a row, facing Hu Youli, who was standing alone to one side.
Nan Zhu said cheerfully, “Youli, thank you for your hospitality these past days. Sorry for the intrusion.”
Hu Youli quickly waved her hand. “No intrusion at all. You even helped me get the Tanhua’s calligraphy. I am the one who gained.”
This made the three brothers feel a bit embarrassed, feeling they had taken advantage of her. Nan Zhu chuckled and said, “Since you like it, then next time. Next time we meet that Tanhua, we will have him write a few more pieces and send them to you.”
“Really?” Hu Youli widened her eyes, clasping her hands tightly in front of her chest, looking as if she were about to cheer.
Yu Qing glared at Nan Zhu, really wanting to ask him if he knew how expensive the postage was and if he would pay for it. Thus, he interrupted, “Do not listen to his nonsense. Youli, we are leaving. Xiao Hei, have you thanked your sister for her care?”
Xiao Hei immediately waved goodbye. “Sister, remember to come and play with us. I will treat you to delicious food.”
Hu Youli stepped forward and rubbed his head. “Okay, I will come and play with you when I have time. By the way, you have not told me where your home is yet.”
Hearing this, Xiao Hei did not know whether he should say it or not. He was quite strict about keeping the secrets he was supposed to keep, so he immediately turned his head to look at Yu Qing and the others.
Yu Qing immediately helped answer, “We have no fixed abode. We do not necessarily live in one place. Let us keep in touch when there is a chance.”
The matter with Zheluo Mountain had caused quite a stir. He knew that people would eventually find out who they were. People did not know now because some matters involved people of a higher level. Those in the know would not speak indiscreetly and spread it everywhere. It would take a process and time for it to spread widely to the lower levels.
Hu Youli made an “oh” sound, knowing they were unwilling to say. She had asked Xiao Hei many times, and he just would not say it. She had felt then that it was a secret.
In the end, Hu Youli saw them off to the balcony and watched with her own eyes as the four of them flew down the stairs and left. She gently leaned over the railing, resting her cheeks in her hands as she watched. Her two fox ears twitched slightly, and her eyes sparkled brightly under the lights, unknown what she was thinking about.
Xiao Hei looked back three times for every step he took, waving goodbye from time to time. Yu Qing and the others also occasionally looked back at the figure on the balcony.
Until the very end, they still did not tell her their true identities.
As Yu Qing had said, dragging her in too deeply would harm her. They did not have the ability to give her any guarantee, so it was better to keep a certain distance. She had her own life. Being able to have her own house in the Sea Market was something many people could not compare to. It was also quite good to continue carrying a bunch of goods to sell on the street after daybreak.
At the Haixiao Pavilion, Xu Wenbin stood with his hands behind his back in front of the wall, staring at the crisscrossing clue map on the wall in deep thought.
Emei knocked and entered, approaching him to report, “They openly brought the child carrying the stick and boarded the ferry. It looks like they are leaving the Sea Market. We have found out the situation at the Bihai Shipping Company. The two hundred million owed to the shipping company was all transferred to the local boss Qingya, to be repaid by him. However, Qingya is nowhere to be seen. Gu Qingzhao provided the guarantee in the name of the Jinghong Hall. Long Xingyun and Yin Shanhe are currently unknown to have gone where.”
Xu Wenbin looked very surprised. “How could Qingya help him pay off a two hundred million debt?”
Emei said, “I do not know.”
After silently thinking for a while, Xu Wenbin looked somewhat relieved. “Qingya helped him pay the debt, Long Xingyun is nowhere to be found, and he dares to leave openly with the child. It seems the current trouble has been resolved by him, or at least delayed. I do not know what kind of tricks this guy pulled, making me worry so much.”
Emei’s eyes showed hope. “If you want to know what happened, why not just go and ask? Young Master, should we chase after them?”
Xu Wenbin’s gaze returned to the clue map on the wall. “We do not know exactly who the person is that used him as bait, nor do we know what they want to do…” Speaking to here, he slightly shook his head.
Among the star scattered islands, on the pier of one of the islands, a ferry boat docked.
The three adults and one child went ashore. After taking a few steps, they all looked back, only to see the merman boatman pushing the ferry away quickly with a splashing sound. In a moment, it disappeared into the darkness, giving the feeling of fleeing in panic.
Just as they were feeling puzzled, they suddenly felt the thudding sound of footsteps walking on the wooden boards.
The group turned their heads in unison, only to see the figure of a woman walking gracefully towards them, dressed in white.
The three brothers suddenly felt something was wrong. They took out their illuminating fluorite stones one after another, and their hands gradually reached for their sword hilts.
As the person approached and her features became clear, they realised it was a fair skinned, gracefully figured woman, walking towards them with a face full of charming smiles.
Nan and Mu became even more vigilant, but Yu Qing was stunned because he recognised this person. It was exactly the sea clan woman he had seen by the sea with the Nether Monk when he first arrived at the Nether Temple.
Xiao Hei felt the atmosphere was wrong and quickly grabbed his stick, shouting, “Come any closer, and I will beat you to death!”
The woman chuckled. “Small person, but quite a temper.”
Yu Qing reached out to stop Xiao Hei and stared at the woman, saying, “You?”
The two senior brothers immediately looked at him, and Nan Zhu asked, “Who is it?”
Yu Qing also did not know who this woman was and could not recall her name, only knowing she was of the sea clan.
The woman smiled and said, “Everyone, there is no need to be nervous. My name is Yu Jiaojiao, and I am the Matriarch of the sea clan. Scholar Tanhua, we meet again.”
The Matriarch of the sea clan? Nan and Mu looked at each other and then both looked at Yu Qing’s reaction.
Yu Qing slowly loosened his hand from his sword hilt and cupped his hands. “I did not know the Matriarch was visiting. Please forgive my offence. Is the Matriarch returning to the Nether Sea?”
Yu Jiaojiao shook her head. “I heard you seem to be leaving, so I came specifically to find you.”
Yu Qing was puzzled. “What do you want with me?”
Yu Jiaojiao said, “I want an item in your hands. You know what it is.”
Yu Qing’s eyes flashed, guessing roughly what it was, and asked, “The ring?”
Yu Jiaojiao nodded. “Worthy of the number one scholar in the world, you understand at once. Yes, it is that ring.”
Yu Qing asked tentatively, “What do you want with that ring?”
Yu Jiaojiao said, “That ring is originally related to our sea clan. I will not hide it from you. Our sea clan has a forbidden land. Because there is no key to open it, it has been sealed for many years. Those two rings, when combined, are the key to open it. That item is useless to you. You might as well return it to our sea clan. What do you think?”
The key to the forbidden land? The three brothers looked at each other.
Yu Qing said, “I am afraid I will disappoint you. The ring was given away. It is not in my hands.”
Yu Jiaojiao’s smile did not change. “Given away? Can such a thing be given away as a gift? I would like to know who you gave it to. Feel free to name names.”
These words made Yu Qing frown. A person who had lived for several thousand years, if spoken aloud, would probably cause an earth shattering shock. It would likely bring no good to them either.
“What, you cannot say it? Then you are trying to trick me. Scholar Tanhua, that originally belonged to our sea clan. I do not want to hurt our harmony. Name your price.”
Just as Yu Jiaojiao finished speaking, a fine and dense “jingling” sound suddenly came from the dark, hazy sea surface.
It was crisp and pleasant, with a melodious feel that cleansed the mind. However, the three brothers did not dare to turn around and look. They continued to be vigilant towards the person in front of them. Only Xiao Hei turned around and stretched his head out from among them to look into the distance, as he could see in the dark.
Yu Qing was no stranger to this sound. The first time he heard it, it came from the hands of this sea clan Matriarch. But this time, the sound seemed to contain something else.
Yu Jiaojiao’s gaze suddenly turned to the pitch black sea surface, and she blurted out, “The tides are merging!”
Her gaze suddenly fixed on Yu Qing’s face again. “You really gave it away?”
Yu Qing was speechless and shrugged his shoulders, looking as if he knew she would not believe him even if he told her.
Yu Jiaojiao suddenly flashed up and dived into the sea water beside the pier. She barely splashed any water, and there was almost no sound. Her figure glided underwater, leaving a slight ripple on the water surface as she moved away, seemingly heading towards the source of the sound.
Only then did the group turn around to look at the sea surface. Mu Aotie asked, “Is it that woman from the tower ship who has come?”
They did not know. Although they all had the same guess, none could be certain.
“It is not suitable to stay long. Let us go.”
Yu Qing called out, reached out to hold Xiao Hei’s hand, and pulled the wild hearted boy away.
The light of the fluorite stones gradually faded, and several figures quickly left.
PS: End of Volume Four. Next Volume: “Youlan Mountain Pass”