Demon Sword Sect’s Undercover
Chapter 347 - 347 346 Return to Crab Claw

347: Chapter 346: Return to Crab Claw 347: Chapter 346: Return to Crab Claw Bai Qingqian had found forty-three Thunder Attribute Artifacts for him, which was a significant amount.

If these had been common artifacts of the Five Elements, the number wouldn’t be anything special, but Thunder Attribute Artifacts were rare and precious.

The fact that she could collect so many showed how much effort Bai’s Trading Company had put into this.

She had nearly invested the entire trading company into this endeavor.

This was a favor he couldn’t avoid.

Out of the forty-three Thunder System Magical Artifacts, he selected fifteen; his method of selection was quite peculiar.

He didn’t choose based on monetary value but on the mechanism of operation—picking one of each type that operated the thunder in a similar way.

What he wanted to learn was the method of manipulating thunder, not to truly use these artifacts in combat.

The remaining artifacts were returned to Bai Qingqian to sell.

Currently, the market prices for Thunder Attribute Artifacts were high, making for a lucrative deal.

In the evening, Bai Qingqian personally cooked and set up a banquet for him to welcome him.

He could vaguely sense the woman’s intentions, but some things were best not indulged.

He hoped to have the backing of a trading company, but if he became the owner himself, that would be a different story.

What a mess.

She was a good woman, but in his heart, he still couldn’t let go of another who would often hit and scold him, who also had a fiery temper.

Maybe another time.

The next day, everything in Mirage City was as usual; Bai’s Trading Company operated normally, the landlord did not bring up the increase in rent again, and the tax inspection fizzled out without issue.

Instead, it was Fuyunlai Trading Company that got liquidated and reorganized.

Everyone watched with detached curiosity, and they could probably discern something from it.

As for the murderer, when didn’t similar incidents occur in Mirage City?

Squabbles and grudges between Cultivators were not part of Jiedu Mansion’s concerns.

Could they manage even if they wanted to?

Rumors in the alleyways always remained just that and failed to form any binding force, gradually fading with time;

The pressing matter was that although Bai’s Trading Company had made a comeback, Fuyunlai had collapsed.

This was a chance meatier than Bai’s Trading Company, with many business dealings in Mirage City.

If one didn’t hurry to sink their teeth into a piece, could they justify their usual friendly relations with Zeng Ji?

That’s how the business world worked: when one company fell, others attacked en masse.

Where was the place for mercy and righteousness?

Upon visiting Jiedu Mansion again, he needed to find himself an island.

Having been in the Lizhi Sea for nearly five years, there were still more than two years before his stay would end.

He couldn’t afford to waste his time in Mirage City.

Within a hall, he cheerfully presented a Thunder Attribute Treasure, which was quite valuable.

Zhu Changwen, however, did not accept it, warily saying, “I dare not accept something from Junior Brother Hou.

I fear I won’t live to use it!”

Hou Niao gently placed the item on the table, “Senior Brother, why do you say such things?

You understand the situation.

The cycle of causality is clear as day, and you know that I am not a man of unpredictable moods.

I have a matter to request of you, Senior Brother.

If you won’t accept a gift, how can I speak my request?”

Zhu Changwen sighed, knowing that he was temporarily entangled with this guy.

Did it really matter, though?

Jiedu Mansion didn’t have a bad opinion of him.

On the contrary, many people secretly approved of his direct approach to resolving grudges.

If I’m not scheming against him, what do I have to fear?

“State your request first, then I’ll see if it’s doable.

The nearby vacancies in the Lizhi Sea are few, one for each carrot, and there are many interests involved.

It’s not easy for me to assign forcefully.”

Hou Niao seemed at ease, “I don’t seek a lucrative post either.

As you know, our Quanzhen Sect has limited dependence on external things.

But familiarity breeds closeness.

I’m only familiar with the nearby waters of Crab Claw Island.

Could you help me see if there’s any unoccupied island nearby?

Preferably one that’s quiet, without too many issues.

The rest doesn’t matter.”

Zhu Changwen was taken aback and replied irritably, “If you have such requirements, why be picky at all?

You might as well go back to Crab Claw Island.”

Hou Niao was surprised, “It’s been so many years, and no Island Master has been appointed there?”

Zhu Changwen explained, “The shellfish farm was partially destroyed, and the production is far from what it used to be.

It will take many years to fully restore the former yield.

Moreover, it’s an ominous place, and no one has been willing to come in recent years, so it has been left idle.

“If you’re willing, going to that place is very simple; there’s no official business, just focus on your cultivation.”

Hou Niao laughed heartily, “Then that’s the place for me.

The best thing is having nothing to do.

I’m most annoyed with tasks, they make it seem like someone’s chopping up all my time into little pieces, so bothersome!”

Zhu Changwen didn’t ask further.

Since the person had such a preference for the area around Crab Island, he must have his reasons, but it was none of his business; in the world of cultivation, everyone has their own secrets, and one must learn to remain indifferent.

At the moment of parting, whether it was because the gift he took felt heavy on his conscience, or someone asked him to pass on a message, he added a couple more words,

“Lu Shilun, although not quite a friend, is still someone I interact with in Jiedu Mansion; in my view, he’s a reserved person, not one to stir up trouble.

Some matters might not truly reflect his intentions.

“He doesn’t have many friends in Mirage City, but there are only two he is on such good terms with that they can be considered inseparable: one is Dai Guan from Fengxing Trading Company, and the other is Wen Yitong from Lianshan Chamber of Commerce…”

Zhu Changwen implied as much as he wanted, his meaning very clear; Fengxing Chamber of Commerce has the backing of the Quanzhen Sect of Shan Country, so of course, there wouldn’t be any issues.

However, Lianshan Chamber of Commerce came from the Wu Sect — that’s where Zhu Changwen’s implied meaning lay.

Hou Niao smiled without a word, bid farewell to Zhu Changwen, and walked out of the mansion at a leisurely pace.

Wu Sect, that was an old rival.

He was not surprised.

But outside Jiedu Mansion, he saw an unexpected acquaintance,

Duanmu Chai approached him, examining him from head to toe before nodding,

“Very good!

If you had truly died in the mouth of a tiger whale, the Quanzhen Sect would have no place to save face.

It’s best that you made it back.

I see that your cultivation has also made significant advancements, good, good.”

Seeing his travel-weary appearance, Hou Niao felt somewhat moved.

He vaguely saw a shadow of his former senior brother from Yinling, Xiang Zhiwen, in him — both of them were so eager to do good, running around for their junior brothers, yet always appearing so cold and distant, as if they did not want anyone near them.

“Big Brother, the tiger whale couldn’t kill me.

I was almost dragged off into the deep sea, and I barely made it back,” Hou Niao replied.

Duanmu Chai stared at him with the protective look of an elder, “I heard you are not pursuing the charges against the officer from Jiedu Mansion?

What are you thinking?

We Quanzhen sword cultivators always avenge our grievances promptly; we don’t let them linger overnight.

The action you took when you returned was good, but it wasn’t thorough!

And now, you’ve let that guy off; did Jiedu Mansion put pressure on you?”

Of course, Hou Niao didn’t mind his big brother’s protective nature; it’s always better to have someone looking out for you than not,

“Not at all!

Elder Wang Chuquan had also discussed it with me.

Jiedu Mansion wants to save face, I want tangible benefits; it’s just everyone getting what they need.”

Duanmu Chai looked at him doubtfully, “What tangible benefits do you get?

Just for Bai’s Trading Company?”

Hou Niao did not deny it, “Bai’s is just a part of it.

As for the truth behind everything, as long as Lu Shilun is still alive, we will eventually find out!

“I’m cautious, brother.

I don’t want to know too much about the higher-ups’ doings.

When I reach a certain realm, I’ll inquire about secrets appropriate to that realm.

Asking now is a bit premature.”

Duanmu Chai nodded slightly, gaining a deeper understanding of this junior brother who was still somewhat unfamiliar to him; he was someone whose pride resided within, someone who preferred to handle his own matters without troubling others.

His words indicated his stance quite clearly; you take revenge to the extent of your abilities, and this matter is just the beginning—it’s far from over.

“In that case, make your decisions on your own.

If you need anything, just speak up, and don’t think that if you don’t seek others out, they won’t come seeking trouble with you!

“Come on, let’s find a quiet place to have a drink!”

Hou Niao gestured invitingly, “Outside is too noisy.

I actually know a good place, where the food and drinks are quite unique.”