Chapter 330 - 294: Xiao Jin Island

Chapter 330: Chapter 294: Xiao Jin Island

If Xiong Liangsheng’s family was truly trapped on an unknown island near Wenqu Island, Jiang Xu’s mood would undoubtedly turn sour.

He remembered clearly that most of the numerous small islands surrounding the Youxian Sea Main Island were not ungoverned territories.

These islands usually had their own lords.

They were either Cultivators or powerful figures from the secular world.

But regardless of their status, they held absolute authority in their own territories and had undisputed dominion over everything on their islands.

Even the power behind mortal lords was not to be underestimated, as these lords were often recognized and protected by the Seven Stars Association.

The Seven Stars Association, a powerful organization, maintained order in the Youxian Sea region and strictly controlled disputes and conflicts within its territories.

Any act of trespassing or challenging a lord’s authority would be seen as a provocation against the Seven Stars Association, likely resulting in severe sanctions from them.

This meant that if Xiong Liangsheng’s family was truly within the jurisdiction of some lord, Jiang Xu would have to act with extreme caution to rescue them successfully.

He needed to ensure the rescue was a success while avoiding a direct confrontation with the local lord and the Seven Stars Association as much as possible.

’The difficulty will likely be immense.’

Jiang Xu, of course, understood this, which was why he was so worried.

Because on these islands, everything—be it people or property, residents or slaves—belonged to the Island Master.

Without the Island Master’s permission, no one could take anything from the island.

Of course, Jiang Xu didn’t want to take anything; he wanted to give something to Xiong Liangsheng’s family.

But Xiong Liangsheng himself would surely object to returning the item to his family under these circumstances.

Such an action wouldn’t solve the real problem and might even bring greater danger to his family.

If the Island Master discovered someone secretly handing over an item, not only would the item be confiscated, but Xiong Liangsheng’s family might even face harsher treatment.

In a place where power was so concentrated and unchallengeable, any minor action could be misinterpreted as a challenge to the Island Master’s authority.

Most importantly, Jiang Xu didn’t know if merely delivering the item without any further intervention would be enough to fulfill the Heart Demon Oath.

Since that was the case, Jiang Xu decided he might as well see this through to the end.

’Since I’m already here, I might as well just rescue them and then give them the item. That would be safer.’

After memorizing their location, Jiang Xu planned to head over as soon as he set foot on Wenqu Island to avoid any complications from delay.

If jumping into the sea right now wouldn’t draw too much attention, Jiang Xu would have been tempted to dive in and swim over to them immediately.

After all, the people on these islands were relentlessly exploited, their deaths met with utter indifference.

If they were tortured to death while he was dawdling, Jiang Xu feared that even if the Heart Demon Oath wasn’t triggered, his own guilt would be unbearable.

’But why would Xiong Liangsheng’s descendants travel all the way from Lu Cun Island to the vicinity of Wenqu Island?’

Doubts swirled in Jiang Xu’s mind as he constantly replayed Xiong Liangsheng’s story.

According to Xiong Liangsheng, although he had broken a taboo on Lu Cun Island, he had covered his tracks well, so his family’s identity shouldn’t have been exposed. They should have been able to live peacefully on Lu Cun Island.

But the reality was clearly different. Not only did Xiong Liangsheng’s wife and children not remain on Lu Cun Island, they had somehow ended up on a vassal island near Wenqu Island, far from their home.

What could have happened to force Xiong Liangsheng’s family to leave their home? Jiang Xu found it all quite perplexing.

Perhaps Xiong Liangsheng’s affair hadn’t remained as quiet as he thought.

Over time, maybe some clues were discovered, leading to his family being threatened or persecuted, forcing them to flee Lu Cun Island.

Or perhaps his family had come to this unfamiliar sea in search of Xiong Liangsheng, or maybe they were lured here by some unknown cause.

...

The Dharma Ship sped across the Youxian Sea like a bolt of white silk.

Wenqu Island had been just an insignificant black dot on the horizon. But as the Dharma Ship advanced, after just a few hours, the dot began to spread like an ink wash painting. Its outline sharpened, transforming from a hazy blur into a three-dimensional form.

An emerald mountain range awoke in the morning light, its layered peaks appearing and disappearing as if they were mist-shrouded immortal mountains.

The island’s vegetation glistened emerald under the sunlight.

The coastline was dotted with reefs, and waves crashed against them, sending up layers of white spray.

As the Dharma Ship drew closer, the aura of Wenqu Island grew stronger. The fresh sea breeze was mixed with the sweet fragrance of plants and trees, a remarkably pleasant scent.

Along the way, Jiang Xu went to consult Master Fatty.

He asked whether the location he had sensed was an occupied island.

And what the Island Master there was like.

Master Fatty was clearly delighted to be returning to his homeland, and he was more talkative with Jiang Xu than usual.

But when Jiang Xu mentioned the specific coordinates where he sensed Xiong Liangsheng’s family was, the atmosphere suddenly and subtly changed.

Master Fatty’s smile flickered out like a candle in the wind. The muscles in his face tensed slightly, and his previously endless stream of words came to an abrupt halt.