Chapter 153: Isle of Xiao
Zheng Qian and the various disabled disciples obtained the limb regeneration pills they desperately needed, and they were all tremendously thankful to Xiao Nanfeng.
"Go treat your injuries, juniors," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.
"Yes, Senior Brother!" The junior disciples immediately departed.
"Zheng Qian, I'm about to pay a visit to my master. Please accompany me."
"Elder Ku isn't at the Taiqing sect presently, or the cultivators in purple wouldn't have dared to target me," Zheng Qian replied, smiling bitterly.
"Oh?"
"A month ago, Elder Ku told me that he had reached a threshold with his cultivation and would have to leave Taiqing Island for the time being as he searched for a place to break through."
"He's right. Elder Ku did leave Taiqing Island a month ago," one of Ye Dafu's lackeys confirmed.
"In that case, Zheng Qian, you've already met my master?" Xiao Nanfeng asked curiously.
"That's right. Elder Ku even served as guarantor in your name to allow me to borrow two million taels of gold from the Taiqing sect."
"Two million taels of gold in my name?" Xiao Nanfeng was astounded.
"I heard that Zheng Qian's been using this money to buy slaves and children from all around this last half year. The Isle of Xiao has almost been filled to its brim!" one of Ye Dafu's lackeys added.
"Trading in slaves and children?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.
Zheng Qian glanced at Ye Dafu and the others, hesitant to speak with them around.
"Ye Dafu, please keep an eye on the cultivators in purple with your group. Zheng Qian and I will be around the harbor, so come find us again later," Xiao Nanfeng instructed.
"Got it!" Ye Dafu nodded and left with his lackeys in tow.
Xiao Nanfeng and Zheng Qian walked toward a remote location by the harbor.
"I suppose I should address you as Young Master Xiao, Benefactor," Zheng Qian began.
"You know my identity now, too?" Xiao Nanfeng was rather surprised.
Zheng Qian nodded. "Yes, Benefactor. When I arrived at Taiqing Island, Elder Ku summoned me and explained who you were. He arranged for us to live on an island, the Isle of Xiao, that originally belonged to your father, the one over there."
Xiao Nanfeng looked toward where Zheng Qian was pointing. There was a rather large island far away, lush and vibrant with life.
"When Elder Ku heard about my circumstances, he guessed at why you had hired me. He said that there was no longer anyone trustworthy within Marquis Xiao's lands, and had me borrow two million taels of gold from the sect so that I could assist you in developing a stable foundation of wealth and power," Zheng Qian explained.
Xiao Nanfeng sighed. "Master really did do me a tremendous favor."
"Over the last six months, I've been recruiting forces and equipment on your behalf. Marquis Wu's lands are poorly kept, and there are countless orphans roaming the territory who would starve to death otherwise. I decided to take them in and inculcate them from childhood as a relatively cheap and completely loyal workforce. In addition, I wrote to several officials I knew well who were displeased with Marquis Wu's martial governance and refused to associate with the corrupt, greedy, and self-serving officials that filled his court. They were willing to join me on my behalf, but the constant flow of people seems to have made it appear as though I were trading in slaves," Zheng Qian explained.
Xiao Nanfeng nodded thoughtfully. "I really must thank you for your effort, Mr. Zheng."
What Xiao Nanfeng lacked most now was a strong foundation. Zheng Qian had done an astonishing amount to help him shore that weakness up; he had made up for Xiao Nanfeng's effort to save him multiple times over.
"Of course, Benefactor. I know that you will treat these people with kindness and generosity, far more than they would receive in Marquis Wu's domain," Zheng Qian replied respectfully.
"Do you have enough money?" Xiao Nanfeng asked.
Zheng Qian smiled wryly. "I've almost used up the two million taels of gold, but I'll do my best to find a sustainable source of revenue quickly. It would be best to pay back the loan as quickly as possible—the third prince of Tianshu has already started to pressure me using the loan as an excuse."
"Don't worry. I've brought back the three million taels of gold from Marquis Wu's treasury." Xiao Nanfeng grinned.
"You have?" Zheng Qian's eyes lit up.
Zheng Qian had been pursued largely because of this tremendous sum of gold. He hadn't expected that anyone would be able to retrieve it from Marquis Wu's manor, but Xiao Nanfeng had done so!
"Don't worry about gold. I can get more than three million taels if that's not sufficient," Xiao Nanfeng continued confidently.
The storage bangle he had obtained from killing Marquis Wu had quite a few treasures. None caught his eye, but they could fetch a rather significant sum if sold. Furthermore, he had sole access to the divine undying realm, and selling the resources within would alleviate any problems with gold at least in the short term.
"In that case, I can relax." Zheng Qian sighed in relief.
"Tell me more about what the third prince of Tianshu is doing."
"Na Lanfeng, the third prince of Tianshu and the most senior of the disciples of the Mortal division, tried to recruit me after hearing of my success with managing the Isle of Xiao. When I refused, he had his men threaten me and thwart my plans. While Elder Ku was on the island, he didn't dare do much with brute force, but it's been getting worse since Elder Ku departed. Benefactor, he's a very difficult foe to deal with," Zheng Qian remarked in worry.
"Nalan Feng? Don't worry about him. Focus on your responsibilities."
"Understood!"
"Since my master isn't here at present, there's no reason for me to stay. Accompany me to buy a few things. Then, we'll head back to the Isle of Xiao together," Xiao Nanfeng suggested.
"Of course!" Zheng Qian nodded.
After half a year, Zheng Qian felt that Xiao Nanfeng had changed tremendously. His strength, presence of mind, and aura had all improved. Zheng Qian found him far harder to predict and analyze than before.
Xiao Nanfeng and Zheng Qian headed to the apothecary, a weapons store, a relic store, and a miscellaneous goods store in a big loop around the island.
The news that the apothecary's shopkeep had been summarily deposed by Xiao Nanfeng quickly spread throughout the harbor. By the time Xiao Nanfeng reached the shops on his itinerary, the shopkeepers treated him with the utmost politeness. The reason he brought Zheng Qian along with him was so that they would recognize him and associate him with Xiao Nanfeng, so no one would dare to make things difficult for Zheng Qian in the future.
Xiao Nanfeng bought quite a few items from each store. Zheng Qian noted the shopkeepers' sudden deference.
Ye Dafu and his lackeys returned shortly after.
"Senior Brother, we've finished our investigation! Those cultivators in purple headed deep into the mountains to meet someone unknown to us, but their ship is currently in the harbor. I overheard that they would be heading to the Isle of Nalan," Ye Dafu whispered.
"The Isle of Nalan?"
"The Isle of Nalan is the island that the sect ceded to Emperor Tianshu. Emperor Tianshu doesn't live there, of course, and Nalan Feng is its current custodian. The cultivators in purple will likely report to him this evening."
Following Ye Dafu's finger, Xiao Nanfeng could see an island in the distance, one not too far away from his Isle of Xiao.
"Senior Brother, Nalan Feng is known to be very difficult to deal with. Please be careful!" Ye Dafu warned.
Xiao Nanfeng frowned for a moment before looking toward Ye Dafu. "Ye Dafu, you've always said that I could ask you for help with anything. I do have a request—do you dare accept it?"
"Anything you command, Senior Brother!" Ye Dafu pledged.
"I'd like you to kidnap those cultivators in purple and bring them over to me," Xiao Nanfeng whispered.
"What? Kidnap Nalan Feng's guards?!" Ye Dafu cried out.
"That's right. I had a conflict with them today, so it'd be suspicious if I were to do it myself. I need to make sure that I have an alibi while it takes place, so you'll have to do it on my behalf. Will you do so despite the risks? If not, I'll think of something else."
"Naturally, Senior Brother! I brought back a batch of sea serpents as pets for fun, and it looks like they'll come in handy. Senior Brother, I'll make my move tonight after they sail off."
Xiao Nanfeng glanced at Ye Dafu in surprise, not expecting such an immediate response.
"I'll count on you, then." Xiao Nanfeng nodded solemnly.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother!" Ye Dafu patted his chest.
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