Chapter 23 - 22: Weighing the Interests

Chapter 23: Chapter 22: Weighing the Interests

Port No. 1 was the Yun Family’s largest port, and it was the long-term residence of the Steward of the Outer Waters.

The Steward of the Outer Waters was typically an Elder from a branch family of the Yun Family, or one of their Direct Descendants, with a Cultivation usually at the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining realm.

This was enough to handle any sudden incidents that might occur in the Outer Waters.

Lann Tianxiang’s surprise attack on Port No. 2 was an exception.

However, if Lann Tianxiang had attacked Port No. 1, he likely would not have escaped.

Port No. 1 not only had the Steward of the Outer Waters, a cultivator at the Seventh-Layer Qi Refining realm, but it was also guarded by five Late-Stage Qi Refining Honored Guest Elders of the Yun Family.

Even if they couldn’t defeat Lann Tianxiang, who was at the Ninth-Layer Qi Refining realm, they could have at least prevented him from causing too much damage to the port.

Chen Jianghe arrived at Port No. 1, accepting an invitation to a meeting.

The once-bustling port was now practically deserted; barely anyone could be seen in the vast harbor.

Only a few dozen fishing boats were docked.

Because of the attack on Port No. 2, the Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers who used to frequent Port No. 2 and Port No. 3 had all started taking the long way to Port No. 1 instead.

On his way to the Yuelai Inn, Chen Jianghe overheard a piece of news.

Operations at Port No. 2 and Port No. 3 were suspended. All Basic-Level Fishermen and Farmers could now only come to Port No. 1 to purchase daily necessities.

"Brother Jianghe."

Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun walked over together. Meeting in front of the Yuelai Inn, they looked at the deserted entrance, unable to muster a smile.

"Peiyao, Fairy Miaoyun," Chen Jianghe nodded.

"Hasn’t Brother Daniu arrived yet?"

"Why don’t we go to the private room and wait for Fellow Daoist Yu first?"

This exchange between Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun made Chen Jianghe realize that Zhou Miaoyun had already told Gao Peiyao about Yu Daniu’s lack of Talent for the Talisman Dao.

This also meant that Gao Peiyao would no longer hold out any hope for Yu Daniu.

In other words, the two women had given up on Yu Daniu.

He was completely isolated.

"Alright, let’s wait in the private room then."

Chen Jianghe followed the two women into the Yuelai Inn.

’Yu Daniu has already been isolated. I can’t let myself be isolated too. Otherwise, my safety won’t be guaranteed during this period of turmoil for the Yun Family.’

’Besides, as long as I gain their approval, I might be able to smooth things over and prevent Yu Daniu from being kicked out of the alliance.’

’At the very least, we need to get through this current unstable situation first.’

"Brother Jianghe, I’ve already told Sister Miaoyun what happened at Port No. 2. Have you heard any news lately?"

As soon as they entered the private room, Gao Peiyao directed her question to Chen Jianghe, clearly having no intention of waiting for Yu Daniu.

Chen Jianghe sighed to himself.

’When the Mutual Aid Alliance was first established, I knew that ’mutual aid’ wasn’t charity. It was about providing help for a price, contingent on each person having value to offer.’

’Yu Daniu’s Spirit Root Talent is poor, his aquaculture talent is poor, and now it turns out his Talent for the Talisman Dao is also poor. To them, he no longer has any value.’

’That’s why Gao Peiyao unhesitatingly chose to side with Zhou Miaoyun right now, to isolate Yu Daniu together.’

"I don’t know much either. Besides what happened at Port No. 2, I only heard some news when I arrived at the port."

"Port No. 2 was turned into a ruin after Lann Tianxiang’s attack and its use has been suspended. Perhaps fearing Port No. 3 would suffer the same fate, its use has been suspended as well."

Chen Jianghe relayed the news he had heard upon his arrival.

"It seems the news is true. The Yun Family is concentrating all their outer forces to protect Port No. 1 and maintain normal operations in the Outer Waters."

Zhou Miaoyun nodded.

"Even so, I suggest that Sister Peiyao and Fellow Daoist Chen buy a month’s worth of daily necessities each time from now on. Come to the port as little as possible."

The Yun Family’s Ninth-Layer Qi Refining Great Cultivator can’t stay at the port forever, so it remains a risky place.

In fact, even the Outer Waters are dangerous now, just far less so than the port.

"Sister Miaoyun is right."

Gao Peiyao looked at Chen Jianghe and said in a gentle voice, "Brother Jianghe, don’t leave Jingyue Lake during the Fish Sleep Stage either."

"Mm," Chen Jianghe acknowledged.

He wasn’t in the habit of taking odd jobs anyway, let alone during this volatile time.

’Jingyue Lake’s waters are already unsafe; the world outside must be even more fraught with danger. Chaos has probably begun to spread.’

"This chaotic situation is actually profitable for me. Here are two Spirit Stones. I’ll lend them to Fellow Daoist Yuu for his Cultivation for now."

Zhou Miaoyun took out two Spirit Stones. With a point of her delicate hand, her Magical Power wrapped around the stones and sent them floating in front of him.

"And here are two Water Escape Talismans. One for Sister Peiyao and one for Fellow Daoist Chen. They can save your life in a critical moment."

"Then I must thank you, Sister Miaoyun." Gao Peiyao took the Water Escape Talisman and thanked her sweetly.

Chen Jianghe looked at the two Spirit Stones and the Water Escape Talisman before him. After a moment’s hesitation, he accepted them and thanked Zhou Miaoyun.

’Two Spirit Stones were of great use to him right now.’

’He could use them to buy a Qi Nourishing Pill. After the new year, he could consume and begin its Refinement, which would allow him to break through to the Third-Layer Qi Refining realm.’

’Then he could cultivate the Water Escape Technique that came with the Returning Origin True Water Technique.’

’This was a Life-Saving Magic technique.’

’Especially now, with the Yun Family’s situation so unstable, learning the Water Escape Technique would give him a way to protect his life.’

’And as for that Water Escape Talisman, Zhou Miaoyun wasn’t exaggerating. It really could save his life at a critical moment.’

Casting the Water Escape Technique required Magical Power.

Chen Jianghe estimated that with the Magical Power of a Third-Layer Qi Refining cultivator, he could cast it two or three times at most before running out.

A Water Escape Talisman, however, required no Magical Power to use.

One simply had to tear the Water Escape Talisman to activate the Water Escape Technique stored within it, allowing for a swift escape through water.

As for how far one could escape, that depended on the Tier of the Water Escape Talisman.

A Lower-Grade Water Escape Talisman contained a Water Escape Technique cast with the full power of a Third-Layer Qi Refining cultivator and could allow one to escape up to two li away.

A Middle-Grade Water Escape Talisman could allow for an escape of ten li.

The talisman Zhou Miaoyun had given him was a Lower-Grade Water Escape Talisman, but it was still quite valuable.

Among Lower-Grade Spiritual Talismans, the most valuable were Life-Saving Spirit Talismans.

Attack-Type Spiritual Talismans generally cost one Spirit Stone each, while Defense Type ones cost two.

Five Elements Escape Talismans and Divine Movement Talismans each required three Spirit Stones.

’In other words, Zhou Miaoyun had just given him resources worth five Spirit Stones.’

’She had taken a fancy to Chen Jianghe’s ’aquaculture talent,’ believing that this investment would yield great returns in the future.’

’At the same time, this was a way of forcing Chen Jianghe to make a choice.’

’Yu Daniu’s value was nowhere near as high as Zhou Miaoyun’s. A person with no value remaining in the alliance would only be a waste of resources.’

Chen Jianghe felt a surge of relief.

’Thankfully, he had sent a letter to Yu Daniu earlier, telling him not to be impulsive and to voluntarily withdraw from the alliance.’

’As long as Yu Daniu didn’t voluntarily offer to leave the alliance, Zhou Miaoyun and Gao Peiyao would have no choice but to get Chen Jianghe to cooperate in isolating him, forcing him to quit on his own initiative.’

’However, Chen Jianghe wouldn’t be swayed by anyone. The two Spirit Stones and the Water Escape Talisman were Zhou Miaoyun’s investment in him, an investment that would have to be repaid in the future.’

’This was one of the core principles upon which the Mutual Aid Alliance was founded.’

’He didn’t owe anyone any favors.’

Just then, the door to the private room opened.

Yu Daniu saw that everyone was already there and, looking slightly awkward, came and sat down next to Chen Jianghe.

"Brother Jianghe, Little Sister Peiyao, Fairy Miaoyun... you’re all here."

"Daniu, what took you so long?" Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.

"Brother Jianghe, something huge has happened with the Yun Family."