Chapter 93: Boarding the Ship

As Xue Lingxue skillfully plucked the qin strings, healing melodies permeated the air. The audience, initially captivated by the thrilling scene they had just witnessed, gradually settled into a tranquil state as the music unfolded, bringing about a sense of peace and serenity.

"The Benevolent Melody of Restoration" differed entirely from the "Morale-Boosting Melody: The Rise of the Azure Waves," eliciting a wholly distinct emotional response.

Infused with foundational qi, the divine skill specifically targeting Chu Liang alone conveyed a warm, stream-like energy that moved in harmony with the music.

It flowed into his body, concentrating on his wounds and countering the continuous harm inflicted on him. This gentle process promoted the healing of his injuries.

As Chu Liang felt the infusion of life into his body, he gradually regained his composure.

While Master Lu was a formidable cultivator at the sixth realm, the power that accompanied the slash of the saber could be dispelled by Xue Lingxue. However, the process of dispelling this power proved quite challenging. In fact, Xue Lingxue was secretly surprised.

The difficulty in neutralizing this force indicated the high cultivation level of the attacker.

Yet, Chu Liang not only faced such a formidable enemy but also managed to escape alive!

While enduring such injuries, he confronted the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess, a cultivator at the sixth realm, and even withstood the opponent's pressure with an unwavering spirit.

This was not an easy task.

After a while, the music came to an end.

The evil qi that stuck to Chu Liang's wounds was finally cleared, and the bleeding stopped. Although the wounds had not fully healed, they were no longer fatal. As long as he could practice self-healing techniques, recovery was only a matter of time.

"Miss Xue, thank you for saving my life," Chu Liang said, opening his eyes and expressing his gratitude.

"Don't mention it. Young Hero Chu's actions of punishing evil and promoting good are admirable. I just did what I could to help," Xue Lingxue praised, seemingly convinced by Chu Liang's words after witnessing the earlier scene.

In fact, all the spectators present could tell that Chu Liang had spoken the truth. The House of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess had indeed committed such crimes.

On one hand, the recent rise in missing girls in the Southern Regions lent some credence to the situation. On the other hand, the eyes of the masses were sharp.

While some might struggle to discern right from wrong and others may resist acknowledging the truth, most people could differentiate between the two.

"It was indeed wrong of me to disturb Miss Xue's performance." Chu Liang apologized again, "However, this wrongdoing of mine should ultimately be attributed to the father and son who are guilty of these heinous crimes...Eh?"

Chu Liang turned his head and found that Lord Xia, who was still nearby a moment ago, had disappeared. He was still bound by the Demon-Binding Rope.

Where could he have run off to?

Chu Liang looked up and saw Lord Xia, tightly bound by the tortoise-shell bondage method, crawling on the ground. Like a wriggling maggot, he struggled as he moved forward with his buttocks raised.

He continued for a long time and managed to inch to the edge of the stage. If he was given the time of another song, he might have escaped under the stage.

"

Heh...

" Chu Liang smiled and walked over, pulling him back.

Lord Xia had hoped to sneak away while no one was paying attention, but unfortunately, it was too difficult.

Feeling the chill around his neck, he knew that he had been caught again. Instantly, his eyes were filled with despair, and he looked as if he had just lost his father.

He had indeed just lost his father.

But he felt even more devastated now that he was caught again.

"Shouldn't he be handed over to the imperial court, and have the imperial court deal with him?" Lin Bei asked.

"Not yet," Chu Liang frowned. "We don't have specific evidence against the House of the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess. If we hand him over to the imperial court and there is a lack of clear evidence for the investigation, the Mount Shu Sect might end up taking the blame. Let's find concrete evidence first before turning him in."

Upon hearing this, Lord Xia suddenly chuckled, "

Hahaha

, right! You have no evidence at all! You're falsely accusing a member of the imperial family! This crime deserves death! I advise you to release me now. I won't hold you accountable. Otherwise..."

Smack!

Lin Bei swiftly delivered a resounding slap, knocking out a few teeth. He shouted, "Shut up."

Following that, Lin Bei flipped his hair. With his chest puffed up, he revealed a proud expression. "Evidence of your crime? I laid my hands on the evidence a long time ago."

...

On the Qinnan River, the setting sun gradually faded away.

In the distance, melodious music echoed, catching the attention of Xue Hu, whose eyes lit up.

"Hoist the sail!" He boarded the boat and immediately ordered his subordinates.

The subordinates of the Eastern Whale Division around Xue Hu immediately raised the sail and steered the boat forward. A total of three large ships slowly started moving, heading towards the center of the river. Once they exited the Qinnan River and continued east along the Divine Illumination River, they would reach the Eastern Regions.

That was their territory.

With the entire South Gate City focused on the performance of Xue Lingxue, the voyage today would be peaceful, calm, and even safer than usual.

That was what Xue Hu thought as he stood at the bow of the ship.

As soon as that thought crossed his mind, a sharp cry rang out from high above in the sky, resonating like the majestic call of a divine bird.

"

Hmm?

" Xue Hu looked up.

In the sky, a burst of flames erupted.

Boom—

The explosion reverberated, causing Xue Hu's vision to blur and his ears to ring.

The burst of flames appeared to have descended onto the deck. He quickly turned around to witness the flames dissipating, revealing the elegant and imposing figure of a beautiful woman.

He had an inkling about the woman's identity, as a name vaguely familiar from his travels crossed his mind. However, uncertainty lingered in his thoughts.

And so, he asked, "Who are you, and why are you on the cargo ship of the Whale Gang?"

The woman didn't bother with pleasantries. With a subtle lift of her brows, she commanded, "Kneel."

Bang!

A surge of imposing pressure was released.

The pressure released was like a mighty wave crashing down from the sky, affecting not only this ship but also the other three where all the other Whale Gang members stood.

Regardless of whether they were martial practitioners or ordinary people, they all heard this voice. It wasn't loud, but it was enough to make them kneel before her.

Not a single person dared to hesitate.

It was more like a law instead of a command.

Creak...

Xue Hu was the only one who resisted. After all, he was a martial art cultivator at the peak of the fifth realm with a firm will forged through numerous battles.

He wasn't someone who would just yield to the imposing pressure unleashed by a powerful cultivator.

Although he was struggling and his knees were already making a creaking sound, he persisted in his attempt to resist the pressure.

When Di Nufeng saw this, she raised her brows slightly and uttered, "Hmm?"

As soon as the "Hmm" sounded, Xue Hu felt as though his shoulders had been struck by a heavy hammer, and he immediately knelt down with a bang! Then, there was a cracking sound as the force pushing down his knees cracked two holes in the deck.

He felt an overwhelming fear because the pressure exerted by the person in front of him was different from the usual aura of a powerful individual. It was the pressure unleashed by the legendary divine phoenix![1]!

It was pure dominance!

If it weren't for the intimidating presence of this divine phoenix, how could the Mountain-Subjugating Marquess have stood there obediently, allowing Di Nufeng to strike him down with a punch?

Indeed, it was that dreadful name, Di Nufeng of Mount Shu. In the hearts of many in the martial world, she was considered a ruthless female devil who killed without blinking.

He could only blame his luck for this unexpected encounter with her today.

When Chu Liang and Lin Bei boarded the ship, they witnessed a remarkable scene. Di Nufeng stood boldly on the deck in a carefree manner, while the three ships remained anchored in place as everyone on board knelt before her. It was as though they were welcoming the arrival of an empress.

This was somewhat expected. The two didn't bother wasting any words as they quickly opened the cargo hold. As expected, after removing some items used for concealment, they discovered a large group of women hidden in the hold.

These women were captured from various places in the Southern Regions, and the combined total of the three ship holds amounted to hundreds of them.

Although they were now exposed to daylight, their eyes were filled with fear instead of relief.

After comforting them briefly, Chu Liang and Lin Bei returned to the deck to report to Di Nufeng.

"The cargo holds are indeed filled with kidnapped women," Chu Liang said.

"

Humph...

" A glint of killing intent shone in Di Nufeng's eyes. "You bunch of scum..."

In the twinkling of an eye, she raised her hand, ready to begin the slaughter!

Xue Hu sensed her killing intent and raised his head, saying, "You can kill me, but can you please tell me how everything got exposed... Otherwise, I won't die in peace!"

"Heheheh..."

As soon as these words were spoken, a strange laughter was heard, and a figure jumped forward, swaying his waist. It was Lin Bei.

"It's you!" Xue Hu recognized him instantly, his eyes widening with anger. He couldn't believe that this was the person who had caused his downfall.

"Do you think I was really drunk? Did you think my presence there that day was a mere coincidence?" Lin Bei spoke with a wicked smile, "Under the astute guidance of the Peak Master of Mount Shu, Di Nufeng, two capable and intelligent disciples of Mount Shu had long seen through your sinister plot. Our visit to South Gate City was part of an official investigation. When I pretended to relieve myself that day, it was to gather intelligence and undermine your evil plan! Every move you made was closely monitored under the watchful eyes of our Senior Aunt Di Nufeng!"

Di Nufeng gave a heavy nod as she said, "Yes! That's right!"

1. Di Nufeng's name means Empress Phoenix ☜