novelraw Chapter 271 - 139: Jiang Family
Chapter 271 - 139: Jiang Family
After parting ways with Gu Qingqing and the others, Rong Ye first went to purchase the elixir that allows breathing underwater, and then headed to the docks of Tianhai City alone. This dock was very large, with nearly a thousand ships of various sizes. At this moment, many ships were setting sail, while those that had gone out for night fishing were returning, making the whole dock bustling with activity.The largest and seemingly most powerful ships there bore flags with the word "Jiang" written on them, indicating that they belonged to the Jiang Family. There were about ten large ships, thirty medium-sized ships, and over a hundred small ships, a very substantial fleet.
In comparison, the other people’s ships seemed somewhat insignificant.
Rong Ye stood on the dock for a while, not immediately seeking a ship to set out to sea, but observing the surroundings first.
He noticed that not all ships here, like those of the Jiang Family, belonged to a particular family or faction. Some were privately owned, and many people, like him, had come alone, giving some Spirit Stones to those operating the ships to board and head out to sea together.
He found a medium-sized ship and, after paying ten mid-grade Spirit Stones, boarded it, then waited to set sail.
About two quarters of an hour later, the ship had around fifty people on board before slowly setting sail and leaving the dock.
The Heavenly Illusion Sea was vast, the largest ocean in the entire Sub-immortal Realm. Today’s weather was relatively good, and the sea was very calm. Their journey was also uneventful, and after sailing for about an hour, they stopped at a location along the coast. Following that, except for those who stayed behind to watch the ship, everyone else got into the sea, including Rong Ye.
Before descending, he had already taken the elixir that allows breathing underwater, and while wandering in Tianhai City, he also purchased clothing suitable for use in the sea, which made movement much easier once he was in the water.
This was Rong Ye’s first time diving into the sea. He had only heard about the underwater world before and had never seen it, making him very curious.
Initially, due to remaining near the surface, he couldn’t see much until he reached a deeper area. There, he could see various fish, both large and small. Some he had seen before, while others were entirely new to him, making it feel very intriguing.
The seabed was quite dim, so people diving in always carried special lights that could glow underwater, allowing them to see their surroundings. Naturally, Rong Ye had brought one too.
After descending about thirty to forty meters, he took out his lamp, letting it hover beside him to admire the surrounding scenery.
However, he didn’t have long to enjoy the view before an attack occurred. He was targeted by a fish about a meter long. Rong Ye couldn’t identify the species but could see its teeth were incredibly sharp. Unlike the other fish he had seen, which feared humans, this one charged fiercely.
Due to buoyancy, moving underwater was indeed not easy. Compared to these fish that naturally live at the seabed, Rong Ye’s movements were quite hampered, and he wasn’t particularly accustomed to fighting underwater. He sustained some injuries initially, but since his attack methods involved talismans, he quickly adapted and managed to kill the fish.
Like in forests, blood in the sea attracts demon beasts, so soon, various demon beasts surrounded Rong Ye, conveniently providing him with practice targets.
...
Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu listened to a storyteller in a tea house recounting various versions of merfolk legends. After the storyteller moved on to other topics, they didn’t stay long and decided to leave the tea house.
Just as they exited the tea house, they encountered a group of people passing by on the street in front.
The leading man appeared to be in his early twenties, dressed in a black brocade robe, with a jade crown on his head. His looks weren’t of the handsome young man type but had a more cold and hard facial line, yet very handsome. At that moment, sitting on his horse, he exuded a somewhat aloof demeanor.
Riding alongside him on another horse was a middle-aged man. Compared to him, the middle-aged man had a deceptively friendly appearance, always wearing a smile, though the sharpness in his eyes couldn’t be ignored.
Behind them followed a team of about twenty people, presumably their guards. These individuals appeared well-trained, moving with stern faces and fixed gazes.
"I wonder what Young Master Zhuo has hunted this time? It’s been over half a year since Young Master Zhuo last went to sea, and now he’s setting out again. With his abilities, he’s sure to catch something valuable!" a man nearby whispered to his companion.
"Exactly. Ever since Young Master Zhuo advanced to the ninth tier, he hasn’t gone to sea. This time he’s going out again, so the previous rumors must be true. The Jiang Family has indeed encountered something unusual," his companion, who apparently knew much more, whispered back in excitement.
"Something unusual?" The man seemed surprised and was very curious about such aristocratic gossip, something ordinary people like them always found fascinating. "Tell me more, I haven’t heard any news about this."
The companion cautiously looked around before leaning close to the man and whispering, "I’ve heard that the Jiang Family recently faced a strange situation. Several of their ships, after leaving the harbor at night, returned with all crew members unconscious, unaware of what happened. Each time, one or two people went missing from the ship. It’s rumored within the Jiang Family that they encountered the legendary merfolk. I believe Young Master Zhuo is setting out to investigate this matter."
"Aren’t the Merfolk just a rumor? Could they really exist?" The man was clearly skeptical as he asked.
"Who said rumors can’t be true?" His companion rolled his eyes at him, "And even Young Master Zhuo is alarmed; it surely isn’t something simple."
"That’s true. Young Master Zhuo is the next heir of the Jiang Family. If he takes action, it must be something significant." The man suddenly realized.
The two then started discussing the great accomplishments of Jiang Zhuo, while Gu Qingqing and Jun Wu exchanged glances, looked in the direction where Jiang Zhuo had left, then walked off to the side.
On the other side, Jiang Zhuo, who had already left, seemed to sense something and suddenly turned back to look, but saw nothing. He furrowed his brow before turning away expressionlessly.
"What’s the matter?" Jiang Zhuo’s Third Uncle, who was beside him, asked upon seeing him look back.
"Nothing." Jiang Zhuo shook his head, suppressing the strange feeling in his heart.
Jiang Third Uncle looked at Jiang Zhuo and said no more.
The two returned to the Jiang Family mansion, and the gatekeeper, upon seeing them arrive, quickly stepped forward to take their horses. The pair then entered the Jiang Family’s residence and headed to the study of the current Family Head, Jiang Zhuo’s father.
Jiang Zhuo’s father, Jiang Tong, was in the study, waiting for Jiang Zhuo and Jiang Third Uncle.
"Your son greets you, Father." With Jiang Tong’s permission, Jiang Zhuo entered the study and bowed to his father.
Jiang Third Uncle also greeted Jiang Tong and sat down with Jiang Zhuo on the bench opposite him.
"Tell me, did you discover anything?" Jiang Tong asked as he looked at them.
"I also heard the singing, and neither my uncle nor I could resist its effects. It highly resembles the singing of the Merfolk." Jiang Zhuo didn’t look pleased, feeling frustrated that he hadn’t withstood the singing.
"Zhuo’er is right. When we woke up, the boat was already at the harbor, and two people were missing." Jiang Third Uncle’s face also darkened, finding the situation quite disgraceful.
Upon hearing this, Jiang Tong’s expression turned somber.
Both Jiang Third Uncle and Jiang Zhuo had ninth-level cultivation, and their Divine Sense was strong. Yet they were still hypnotized by the singing, rendering them unconscious, and they didn’t even realize how they returned to the harbor. Just how formidable could the other party be?
"The Jiang Family has been in Tianhai City for over three hundred years, and we’ve never encountered such an event. Merfolk are just rumors; could they really have appeared?" Jiang Tong still found it hard to believe that Merfolk existed in the Heavenly Illusion Sea, thinking it might be the work of other forces or demon beasts instead.
Jiang Zhuo and Jiang Third Uncle were equally reluctant to believe in Merfolk, but having experienced firsthand that sense of vulnerability, they had to acknowledge it, albeit with trepidation.
"Father, I think whether it’s Merfolk or not, we should temporarily avoid sending ships to that area until we have a clear understanding of what’s happening. It would be best to hunt elsewhere for now." Jiang Zhuo suggested to Jiang Tong after some thought.
The Heavenly Illusion Sea is vast, with many demon beasts, and the Jiang Family owns a hunting territory there. Since the recent strange occurrences happened there, it would be wise to avoid it until they figure out what’s causing the disturbances.
Jiang Tong pondered over this and shook his head, "Although the Jiang Family dominates Tianhai City now, we’ve held such a large territory for years. Other forces have long been dissatisfied. If we start hunting elsewhere right now, it’s easy for them to unite against us. We can’t recklessly hunt in other places unless the situation becomes dire."
Though the Jiang Family has established itself for three hundred years, enjoying a time in the spotlight, this doesn’t mean they can truly act with impunity in Tianhai City. If they were to provoke widespread anger among other forces, even if they survived, the loss would be considerable, an outcome Jiang Tong didn’t wish to see.
Jiang Zhuo pursed his lips. Raised in status and privilege, his cultivation journey had been smooth, and he’d never experienced such setbacks. This left him feeling aggrieved. He understood that moving the Jiang Family to other hunting grounds could easily spark anger, but the phenomenon that causes unconsciousness was too strange for him to risk the Jiang Family encountering it.
"You two have worked hard last night; go and rest. I need more time to deliberate on this matter." Jiang Tong could see the discomfort in Jiang Zhuo and Jiang Third Uncle, and after some thought, he addressed them.