Chapter 779 The True Face of the Problem Child

Ye Xiu was simply at a loss for words regarding Qin Qing’s ’vocabulary’. He said, "Meng Yinwan suddenly requested to lead the Restorer Alliance into battle on Phoenix Perch Island, and she even claimed she would mobilize every last member. I can’t help but suspect the Restorer Alliance is planning to rush to Phoenix Perch Island and join forces with Hell’s Gate. Of course, this is all just my suspicion. It might not be true."

Qin Qing felt that Ye Xiu’s suspicion was very likely the truth. She asked, "If the truth is what you suspect, wouldn’t allowing the Restorer Alliance to go to Phoenix Perch Island be like letting a tiger return to the mountains, bolstering the power of Hell’s Gate?"

"That’s still better than having the Restorer Alliance hanging around us like a ticking time bomb," Ye Xiu replied, completely unconcerned.

That made sense to Qin Qing. If the Restorer Alliance remained on Biluo Island, Ye Xiu would have no way of confirming their relationship with Hell’s Gate. He couldn’t just wipe out the entire alliance based on a mere suspicion, could he? But if he allowed them to go into battle, and they really were in cahoots with Hell’s Gate, it would be like sending a time bomb away from their side. Although this would mean increasing the power of Hell’s Gate, so what? Ye Xiu could go to Phoenix Perch Island by himself and easily crush Hell’s Gate. If worst came to worst, a barrage of missiles could obliterate the island. Or he could simply set up a Formation and trap Hell’s Gate on Phoenix Perch Island indefinitely.

"Elder Master."

Just then, a filthy Jiaojiao wandered in. She stretched out her greasy hands and said cutely, "It’s all gone. I want more."

"Still eating?" Ye Xiu felt a headache coming on. "Is your life just eating and sleeping? And what’s with this ’Elder Master’ address?"

Jiaojiao wailed, "Hey, I’m bored with nothing to do! What’s wrong with eating a little meat to pass the time?"

Ye Xiu found himself speechless. His disciple had a point; he couldn’t argue with that. However, he didn’t go get food for her. Instead, he said, "Jiaojiao, there’s something I think you should know. I’ve killed Beishan Xiao, the bloodthirsty madman who slaughtered your entire family."

Jiaojiao, who had been waiting for Ye Xiu to bring her some Rourou, turned deathly pale in an instant. Then, with a thud, she dropped to her knees and began kowtowing vigorously to Ye Xiu, her forehead striking the floor.

Ye Xiu quickly helped her up, only to see her face was already streaked with tears.

Ye Xiu and Qin Qing exchanged a look. Had Jiaojiao been protecting herself by playing dumb this whole time? It had to be! If Beishan Xiao had learned that a survivor from the clan he’d slaughtered still existed, he definitely would have come after her, likely to silence her for good. The power of Taoism was no match for Beishan Xiao. That’s why Jiaojiao played dumb, pretending to be a problem child. Upon finding out, Beishan Xiao probably couldn’t even be bothered to make the trip to kill a foolish girl. A problem child like that, even when grown, would pose no threat and have no ability to seek revenge. Heavens! Jiaojiao was only five years old! The hatred from her clan’s annihilation had forced her to mature so precociously!

"Jiaojiao, how about Master takes you out to have some fun?" Ye Xiu’s heart ached as if pierced by needles. He understood Jiaojiao’s feelings better than anyone, for he too had been forged into a butcher by hatred. He had become someone who didn’t dare to trust anyone easily. And Jiaojiao... she probably didn’t trust anyone at all. If this continued, she would become withdrawn, psychologically twisted, or worse.

"Jiaojiao will listen to Master," she said, wiping away her tears. She shot Ye Xiu a wary glance, forcing a look of obedience.

"Then let’s go right now."

Ye Xiu picked up Jiaojiao and immediately felt her body go rigid with tension.

The child really doesn’t trust anyone. She’s on guard against everyone.

Ye Xiu didn’t expose her, instead carrying her out of the villa and hopping onto Pipi Pig, heading for the outskirts of the Abandoned City. Only when she was on Pipi Pig’s back, out of Ye Xiu’s arms, did Jiaojiao finally relax a little. Still, she continued to sneak wary glances at him.

"Jiaojiao, why do you love meat so much, and how can you eat so much?" Ye Xiu tried to start a conversation with her. Every relationship starts with communication!

"I’ve never had meat before," Jiaojiao said after a moment’s hesitation.

Ye Xiu was taken aback. "Is Taoism that poor?"

Jiaojiao nodded.

It seemed the descendants of the prisoners weren’t living well at all... Ye Xiu’s heart ached for Jiaojiao even more.

Pipi Pig raced down the highway, the scenery on both sides a blur. Ye Xiu suddenly noticed that Biluo Island had become lively again, seemingly on its way back to its former prosperity.

In fact, Ye Xiu didn’t know that large groups of opportunistic merchants from various countries were already setting up their business empires on Biluo Island. Doing business here was tax-free; one didn’t even need to pay rent. Any shop with its doors closed was free for the taking. Moreover, when Kristina had the island’s five million-plus lower-class citizens evacuate, she only let them take their food, leaving everything else behind. This meant some merchants could simply occupy a shop or factory and immediately start selling its contents without any need for startup capital.

Of course, the biggest financial oligarch on Biluo Island was An Dongye. The girl had taken control of all the island’s underworld forces and seized its most valuable assets—oil, gasoline, metal, cars, gold and silver from the banks, and jewelry from the shops. Anything valuable that could be sold, An Dongye took by force. She then had it all transported to Tamwood City, where Oleg’s network of wealthy young heirs and heiresses handled the sales.

Furthermore, anyone opening a store, company, or business on Biluo Island had to pay daily protection fees to An Dongye, even if they didn’t pay rent. She even seized a number of residential properties to rent out to these merchants. It was also worth noting that An Dongye had monopolized the entire food supply on the island.

The An Dongye of today could be summed up in two words... very rich!

"Stop!"

As they neared the most prosperous part of Biluo Island, Ye Xiu had Pipi Pig halt. After the pig stopped, Ye Xiu jumped down with Jiaojiao in his arms.

"Find a place to hide nearby," he told the pig. "We’ll come find you when we head back."

"SNORT! SNORT!" Pipi Pig nodded and burrowed into the ground. Qin Qing had given Pipi Pig the Earth System Totem sent by Tu La, and the pig had now learned how to use it.

"Master, where are we going?" Jiaojiao asked tentatively from Ye Xiu’s arms, her body taut with nervousness.

"First, we’ll get you some new clothes, then I’ll take you to eat something delicious," Ye Xiu said with a smile.

Jiaojiao quickly waved her hands. "No need, no need! I’m easy to care for. One set of clothes is enough." Her master spending money on her made her feel very insecure.

Ye Xiu chuckled. "You stink."

Jiaojiao paused, sniffed herself, then sniffed Ye Xiu. "Master stinks more."

Only then did Ye Xiu remember he hadn’t changed. After the slaughter on Seven-Star Island and jumping into the sea with Ghost Shadow, his clothes reeked of blood and saltwater.

He laughed. "We both stink, which is all the more reason to buy new clothes."

Since her master was buying clothes for himself too, Jiaojiao didn’t object this time.

The two arrived at a children’s clothing store, but before they could even enter, a sales lady blocked their path.

"Go on, go on! Go beg somewhere else. This is a clothing store; we don’t have any food for you." The sales lady held her nose, scolding Ye Xiu disdainfully as he held Jiaojiao. "What has the world come to? Now even beggars are flocking to Biluo Island to beg."