Chapter 701 374: One Million Silver, Counting the Spoils of War! (2)

"I see."

Su Mu realized this as he saw the effect on the pill label. These two bottles of pills were obtained from the Sea Tide Gang Leader Zhao Lei in the secret room, while the other four bottles of Profound Armor Pills were obtained from the Blackwater Gang Leader Wang Heng.

The effect of the Profound Armor Pill is mainly on enhancing the refinement of muscles and bones, making the skin tougher. Long-term consumption can make the skin as tough as armor.

Aside from the Fourth Grade Elixirs, Su Mu took inventory and found he had quite a number of pills. After setting aside those useful for boosting Qi blood and assisting in cultivation, thirty-five bottles remained. Selling these pills could probably net twenty to thirty thousand taels of silver.

In addition to the pills, the harvest in terms of weapons and armor was also substantial. There were dozens of Fifth to Sixth Grade weapons, and four Fourth Grade weapons: two sabers, one sword, and one axe.

"None can compare to the Golden Flood Dragon Spear... and certainly not to that Third Grade Spiritual Spear!"

To Su Mu's eyes, the four weapons were unimpressive. After witnessing the Third Grade Spiritual Spear in Jiang Yao's hands, even his Golden Flood Dragon Spear seemed less appealing.

Truth be told, he was somewhat envious of Jiang Yao's spear, but he concealed his longing well.

Jiang Yao left a rather remarkable impression on Su Mu. She seemed barely over twenty, yet her strength had reached Half-Step Grandmaster, indicating her talent surpassed even that of her elder brother Baili Feng. Her ability to fight one against three was a testament to her exceptional aptitude.

Among the younger generation Su Mu had encountered, only his second sister Baili Hongtang could somewhat compare to Jiang Yao. Unfortunately, Baili Hongtang's talent was evidently hindered by the trivial matters of the Cyan Fish Gang.

Everyone in this world has their own path and life to lead, and others need not interfere.

Moreover, Jiang Yao's character was gracious and poised, her demeanor reflecting the style of a prestigious family. Coupled with her notable destiny, her background was likely not simple either.

Setting aside whether he could obtain it or not, it would be sheer folly to make a move against Jiang Yao, the Judge of the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, over a spear. Su Mu was not one to act recklessly just for an item.

Admiration is admiration, but one must keep things in perspective.

Nonetheless, this matter did reignite in Su Mu the desire to once again take up the forging skill he had set aside. He aimed to personally craft a long spear of the Upper Three Grades Spiritual Artifact level.

Bringing his thoughts back, Su Mu took a deep breath to calm his inner excitement in the ship's cabin.

"Later, I'll have second sister help me quickly sell off these weapons and other items."

Su Mu was already preparing to leave Donglai County. Besides pills and weapons, there were numerous cultivation techniques and secret skills, which he had no intention of selling.

Additionally, among the spoils Su Mu had collected during this period, the direct acquisition of silver notes amounted to a total of three hundred and fifty thousand taels.

Time passed, and three days later, ships stranded on the island began to set sail one after another.

"What? In the battle at Profound Turtle Island, four of the thirteen great pirates were killed on the spot, and six were captured alive?!"

"Well done! These damned sea pirates, who commit arson, murder, and plunder, have been difficult to wipe out even after several military campaigns by the County Mansion. Fortunately, this time with the intervention of the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, they've finally been brought to justice!"

"No wonder it's the Demon Slayer Bureau established by the Grand Emperor, tasked with slaying demons and monitoring local officials. This Lord Jiang is truly acting on behalf of heaven!"

Only Su Mu and Jiang Yao understood the hidden details of this battle. The matter of the Secret Realm involved the Upper Three Grades and was of great importance. Jiang Yao naturally concealed the fact that Liu Sha escaped into the Secret Realm in her report.

The news of this battle spread quickly as participants returned from the auction, causing a stir in Donglai and several surrounding counties!

Majority of the civilians were overjoyed upon hearing the news. Sea pirates were rampant, and several military campaigns in Donglai County and surrounding counties had failed to completely eradicate them. Large forces like the Cyan Fish Gang and the White Whale Gang occasionally went to sea to fight.

However, they could mostly only ensure the safety of their own shipping routes, as sea pirates generally avoided direct confrontations, retreating into the deep sea after a single skirmish. The major forces could only sigh in frustration.

This victorious battle brought great excitement to the populace across the counties, greatly enhancing the reputation of the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau!

Even the recent battle where the Cyan Fish Gang killed several notable pirates was frequently mentioned, boosting the Gang's influence more than ever!

In the blink of an eye, five days had passed since the battle at Profound Turtle Island, yet everything remained far from settled. This was because that Judge of the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, Lord Jiang, had arrived at Donglai County City.

"Third Brother, that Judge of the Demon Slayer Bureau, Lord Jiang, seems to hold you in great regard and has been secretly inquiring about your whereabouts these past few days."

In the Tang Court of the Cyan Fish Gang, second sister Baili Hongtang spoke, her voice carrying a hint of teasing.

Su Mu smiled helplessly, but this was within his expectations. If he were Jiang Yao, he would have conducted some investigations afterward as well, especially since Jiang Yao was from the Qingzhou Demon Slayer Bureau, a special government office with highly vigilant individuals.

"Alright, I won't tease you anymore, Third Brother. More than half of the items you asked me to sell have been sold, and the remaining small portion won't be difficult to sell. I'll just hold on to them for the Cyan Fish Gang for now."

Hearing this, Su Mu's eyes sparkled.

"Third Brother, the items you sold this time are valued at three million and fifty thousand taels."

"So much?"

Su Mu was surprised; he had kept quite a few pills for himself, and basically did not sell any Martial Arts Secret Manuals. He estimated the value to be around one million five hundred thousand taels, but now it had suddenly doubled out of nowhere!

"Third Brother, have you forgotten that in the previous battle, you killed the sea pirates, including Gongsun Liang? According to the agreement from that battle, your spoils were worth seven hundred and twenty thousand."

"And you returned the remnants of the Flood Dragon Shocking Skill; how can this money be taken from Third Brother?"

"I see."

Su Mu nodded lightly, feeling delighted. Over three million taels was indeed a huge sum!

This amount should certainly come in handy once he heads to Qingzhou, combined with his alchemy skills, it should cover about seventy to eighty percent of the expenses before he advances to a Grandmaster.

Taking the silver coins, Su Mu then asked about his elder brother.

"Don't worry, Third Brother. Third Grandpa said that Eldest Brother is at the final critical stage, and he is very compatible with Third Grandpa's Xiao Huang Ting cultivation, so this time the digestion is thorough, but it will take some more time. In about a month's time, he will be able to fully advance to a Martial Arts Grandmaster."

"That's good to hear."

Hearing this, Su Mu felt genuine joy and after a few exchanges, Second Sister remembered something and spoke again.

"I've already transferred that Zhou Ding you mentioned to Ink Scale Hall; this child is adapting very quickly and has some talent in Martial Dao. I've asked him to start as a junior steward."

"Good."

Su Mu nodded. Second Sister Baili Hongtang was somewhat puzzled by this matter; the child was a bit impulsive, and aside from his energy in doing things, she could not see what special qualities Zhou Ding had that attracted her younger brother Su Mu's attention.

However, since it was suggested by Third Brother, she naturally trusted him unconditionally, especially since they were in need of people at the moment. Baili Hongtang believed Su Mu would not misjudge.

"What do you plan to do about the young girl from the Li Family? She seems to be infatuated with you, Third Brother. It seems she's been trying to use the Li Family's power to find you during this time..."

Second Sister Baili Hongtang's tone turned deep again, but Su Mu seemed unaware, feeling quite gratified after learning of Li Lu's actions from her.

After finishing the conversation, Su Mu looked in the direction of the East City. Before leaving, he planned to visit the Li Family and resolve these matters thoroughly.

"Alright, I understand."

"Do you need me to step in?"

...

In a quiet little garden of Tang Garden, the fragrance of wine filled the air.

The sound of footsteps approached.

Another set of hurried footsteps immediately greeted the approach inside the small garden.

"Second Miss, is that you?"

"Is there any news from Master?"

Seeing that it was Baili Hongtang, Li Lu greeted her and eagerly inquired. She knew that it was this woman who took her in, and this person should be her master's friend in the Commandery City. Li Lu followed the others and also called her Second Miss.

"Not yet at the moment..."

Hearing this, a hint of disappointment flashed in Li Lu's expectant, watery eyes, but she quickly regained her spirits and solemnly bowed to Hongtang in front of her.

"Thank you, Second Miss."

"No need for that, your master is my close friend." Baili Hongtang helped Li Lu up, pausing slightly, "Today, there's something I need to tell you."

"Please speak, Second Miss."

"I received a secret message from your master. He's freed himself from danger and has likely left Donglai. He asked me whether you want to return to the Li Family or stay with me?"

Li Lu stood frozen for a long while before coming back to her senses. Her eyes welled up with tears, her head hanging low, her face expressing both joy and sadness.

"Second Miss, could you help me deliver something to Master?"

Li Lu did not answer, but instead wiped her tears, turned around quickly, and rushed into the room to fetch something finely wrapped in gray cloth.