Chapter 924 - 419: End of Rest, Easy Duty, Patrol of Evil Suppression Island, Opportunity Gained!

Chapter 924: Chapter 419: End of Rest, Easy Duty, Patrol of Evil Suppression Island, Opportunity Gained!

Li Xian thought, "It seems that Lei Chong has already used sinister tricks. Among these three, if they’re not all his cronies, then they must be dissatisfied with me, or just can’t stand me. This division of military command into four actually implies an intent not to let me interfere. Since that’s the case, it won’t help to forcibly contend. Since it’s not under my control, their lives or deaths ultimately depend on their own fortunes, and I have no obligation to care for them. Instead, I’m quite at ease." He cupped his hands and smiled, "I look forward to Brother Hong’s great talents and strategies, please guide us in governing the nation."

Hong Dexin heard the words "great talents" and "guide the nation", which made him even more angry, knowing that Li Xian was mocking him covertly. But arguing would mean transferring the military command back to him. So he just snorted coldly and led the hundred-man army onward to the right. After another half hour of travel, they saw the "Lake of Repentance."

The lake was vast, its expanse covered with rolling waves and shimmering ripples. Occasionally, colorful light flickered, which was very pretty. Looking further into the depths, there was a light white mist, hovering over the lake surface.

Passing travelers were rarely accompanied by boats.

The bandits of Jade City were numerous, Evil Suppression Island could only imprison some. But its notorious reputation was because it housed vicious criminals, mostly Martial Arts Second Realm. Passage to Evil Suppression Island was only possible by boat.

In the Martial Arts Second Realm, falling into water would cause one to sink. Although their lightweight skill was exceptional, it was hard to traverse the lake on empty air. Moreover, the "Rainbow Fish" within the lake, these fish beasts, were incredibly fierce. Their scales could reflect multicolor patches, hence their name, yet their character was as savage as wolves and tigers.

Hong Dexin called out twice. A large ship gradually approached from afar. Li Xian, Hong Dexin, Zhang Qiusheng, Wang Jue, and others rode ahead to board the ship with their horses, while the remaining hundred lined up to board. Once everyone was on board, they sailed toward Evil Suppression Island.

About half an hour later, the ship had entered the dense mist. Li Xian observed the lake surface, then lightly grasped the fog. He faintly sensed something strange about the mist, thinking, "Dongran Lake deep within also has lingering mist, constantly present year-round. But that’s because the lake area is vast and the humidity is thick, naturally forming. Near the Water Altar, these dense mists have been harnessed by a five-element mystical technique, forming a natural barrier to repel outsiders. Yet this mist here seems not naturally formed, but rather feels like it’s drifting from elsewhere."

"There must be something odd about Evil Suppression Island, but if I ask those three, they will definitely provide false information or brush it off."

Li Xian’s eyes gleamed slightly, his heavy pupils revealing from under the silver mask, scanning the ship’s interior layout. Suddenly, he saw Hong Dexin and Zhang Qiusheng opening a room door and heading toward Wang Jue’s room. Li Xian knew those three were hiding ghosts, secretly watching. Seeing them gather now, they must be discussing something important.

Li Xian concealed his presence, sneaking outside the door, the three were all Martial Arts First Realm, so naturally couldn’t detect Li Xian. Li Xian criticized inwardly, "Since it’s eavesdropping, I have a better method." He pulled out a strand of hair, inserting it through the door crack into the room.

The hair was very short, and the room was dark, making it hard to spot. Li Xian returned to his room, listening to the three through the strand of hair. Zhang Qiusheng spoke, "Gentlemen, I wonder if, upon reaching this place, you have any uneasy feelings." Wang Jue said, "Indeed, the atmosphere feels very oppressive, and upon breathing a bit hastily, the chest feels blocked, could the rumors be true? Is there... a real ghost in this lake?"

Hong Dexin replied, "Nonsense, don’t scare yourself, even if there’s a ghost, if it dares appear before me, we can easily slay it with one sword. Moreover, why would someone like General Lei deceive us?"

Zhang Qiusheng said, "I’m still somewhat uneasy. Several days ago, rumors became rampant, suddenly a dense mist veiled the lake surface and halted there. It couldn’t be blown away, nor driven off. Heard that some Gold Appraisal Guards died here. Initially, I thought it was just a coincidence, what’s there to fear of a mass of mist? Yet now being in the situation, the feeling is entirely different, this mist... this mist..."

Hong Dexin couldn’t keep a stiff mouth and said, "Let’s not bother with too much, we’re only here for a little over half a month. Just staying safe will be trouble-free. Moreover, if we complete that task, the future will be promising!"

Wang Jue said, "It’s a rare opportunity, let’s review the plan again, so everyone remembers it well. Once on the island, there’s no need to discuss further, even reducing our meetings. General Lei mentioned that this person is quite formidable, frequent encounters will surely be detected and arouse suspicion."

Hong Dexin and Zhang Qiusheng both nodded. Wang Jue said, "This person offends General Lei, dying here, isn’t my fault. He’s a Martial Arts Second Realm, highly powerful, not someone we can contend with, yet precisely because of this, there’s a weakness, hence choosing this place to make him a water ghost!"

Hong Dexin said, "General Lei’s major plan is to have us act separately. During the return journey, the ship will be destroyed. Li Xian is a Second Realm Martial Artist, if the ship is destroyed mid-journey, he’ll surely sink to the lake bottom. In such a manner, even with great capabilities, he’ll be buried here."

Zhang Qiusheng said, "But temporarily blowing up the ship, if detected on the spot, surely will be stopped. Therefore, during these ten days, leveraging daily opportunity, we secretly damage the ship’s keel bit by bit, then use ’iron glue’ to glue it. So this way, when the ship travels halfway, right in the depths of the lake, the iron glue soaked by water will cause the keel to completely open up, the ship will be destroyed mid-journey. Such accident, no one expects it, he dies a reasonable death."

Wang Jue said, "We need to find a way to put a few Second Realm renegades on the ship, so when the ship’s destroyed later, it can be blamed on the renegades, saying the renegades seized the chance for revenge." Hong Dexin said, "Although we can perform lightweight skill, if we’re all on board a sinking ship, we won’t sink, yet it’s still very dangerous. Let’s not forget, there are mutant fish in the lake."

Zhang Qiusheng said, "At this time, General Lei has arranged for me to feign illness and remain in bed, thus missing the return. After the ship’s completely destroyed, I’ll navigate to rescue you all. By then, the plan’s complete, and the lake fish are fierce, surely devouring everything. Though Li Xian is favored by General Xu, but General Xu might not really care for him, to speak harshly, his death is just a death. After a few days, who will still remember him?"

Hong Dexin said, "Good, let’s plan this way, and utilize everything effectively. Taking advantage of such an opportunity to establish merit for ourselves. When then renegades escape the island, we courageously capture them. This merit is considerable. But during these ten days, our daily routine reports must be coordinated first, initially saying how rampant the renegades are, that several renegades are missing. Organize everything well in advance. General Lei will then use the opportunity to show the routine reports to Central Lang General. By then, we three will speak the same story, and when Central Lang General compares with the routine reports, finds no lies, naturally, success will be achieved."

Zhang Qiusheng said, "In the routine reports, we need to slightly praise Li Xian’s outstanding ability and loyalty. This person’s capability is truly remarkable, if we skip over him directly, and the three of us directly praise each other, then the credibility of the routine reports will be greatly reduced. Therefore, we must openly praise him, so his residual light reflects upon us. His ultimate death by sinking, us fighting renegades till the last moment, collective glory will highlight our merits. The rewards earned will naturally be greater."

Wang Jue said, "Indeed, he’s been promoted by General Xu, dying with such glory doesn’t damage General Xu’s face. Being in good spirits, naturally rewards us. This dead man, though he has some honor, yet being lost here is of no concern to us."

Zhang Qiusheng said, "But just now Brother Hong, not faring well with Li Xian. If he has already grown suspicious because of this, it surely won’t be good."

Hong Dexin sneered coldly, "This is unavoidable. If this person gathers military authority and has the soldiers be loyal to him. With more eyes and ears, the variables increase. Therefore we should quickly divide the troops, rally the troops. These troops don’t know his capabilities, nor have they pledged him allegiance, receiving them now, in these ten days, won’t our safety be more assured?"

Zhang Qiusheng said, "Indeed, indeed." Wang Jue said, "Alright, this is our final discussion. Let’s each return!"

The three rose, bowing to each other.

After discussing, the three coordinated division of labor, checking various details one by one. Li Xian listened throughout, finding it extremely amusing, "Seems that Lei Chong indeed harbors killing intent towards me. These three are definitely not simpletons, even though their martial cultivation isn’t as good as mine, they don’t confront me directly but use these risky schemes to harm me. Yet they could never expect I’ve already overheard everything."

Li Xian mused, "I’ll pretend I don’t know. Although their scheme is sinister, it might actually work in my favor. Humph, you’re eager for achievements, intending to harm me. Then don’t blame me for being ruthless."

Pretending to be unaware, on the deck practicing martial arts techniques, seizing the time to train.

Zhang Qiusheng feigned leisure, leaving the cabin, grabbing a soldier, asking, "How long has this Master Li been practicing sword here?"

The soldier respectfully said, "He’s been practicing for quite a while, started as soon as we entered the mist, and has continued until now." Zhang Qiusheng asked, "Hasn’t left momentarily?"

The soldier thought for a while and said, "No."

Zhang Qiusheng nodded with satisfaction, leaving with hands clasped behind. Li Xian had already noticed but pretended not to know, secretly chuckling, thinking, "Lei Chong ah Lei Chong, your risky scheme will assist my ascent to the gold rank? With such generosity, I happily accept!"ℯ