Chapter 230 - 37: Courting Death

Chapter 230: Chapter 37: Courting Death

Lin Yan’s gaze shifted from Zhao Tong to the copper mirror that had been wiped clean.

The rouge-red patch on the back of the copper mirror looked like a dried bloodstain.

He understood the underlying meaning in Zhao Tong’s words. Qing State was jointly governed by the Four Great Clans, who had reached a delicate balance. This, in turn, gave other factions an opportunity to operate on the fringes of their influence.

To maintain this balance, none of the Four Great Clans wanted to push these factions toward the other three.

The cabin fell silent, with only the mournful sound of the river wind whistling through the broken porthole.

"Six-fingered Yama..."

He silently repeated the name in his mind. Without another word, he turned and headed for the cabin door.

Zhao Tong was stunned for a moment, then hurried after him. "Young Master Yan, what about this ship...?"

"Report it as is."

Lin Yan didn’t even turn his head, his voice drifting in from outside the cabin door.

Zhao Tong froze, raising his sleeve to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead, a bitter smile on his face.

’Why must Young Master Yan make things so difficult?’

...

An hour later, Lin Yan saw Lin Mingye appear on the river’s surface once again.

"Young Master Yan, I was right, wasn’t I?"

Zhao Tong whispered softly beside Lin Yan. He had sent someone to Gourd Mouth with a message that clearly explained the merchant ship’s situation. However, the True Gang Realm master had not arrived, which proved he wasn’t concerned about the matter.

’The East River is so vast. Who knows how many merchant ships and wronged souls sink to its bottom every year.’

"Lin Yan, a very brazen gang of Roving Bandits has appeared recently. Uncle Shouzhi wasn’t stationed at Gourd Mouth."

Lin Mingye explained the situation before he even boarded the ship. Lin Yan glanced sideways at Zhao Tong, who gave a somewhat sheepish and awkward smile.

Once on board, the sight of the numerous bodies on the deck made Lin Mingye’s face turn pale, and he swallowed hard several times.

"Who did this?"

A few breaths later, Lin Mingye’s face was grim, his expression identical to Lin Yan’s when he had first boarded.

In the Martial Arts Realm, the strong preying on the weak was normal. Wiping out entire families to eliminate all future trouble was also a common occurrence. But such a cruel and sadistic massacre was extremely rare unless there was a deep-seated hatred between the two parties.

"The only clue is two words left behind by one of the deceased: ’Six Fingers’."

"Six Fingers? You mean that grandson of the Water Bandit Alliance leader, Six-fingered Yama Huo Shen?"

Lin Mingye had obviously heard of Huo Shen as well.

"It’s highly likely."

Lin Yan nodded. He wasn’t certain, as he hadn’t seen the two words himself. ’And what if someone was trying to frame him?’

"I’ll go back and report this to Uncle Shouzhi."

Lin Mingye’s expression was ice-cold. For Huo Shen to commit such an act in waters guarded by the Lin Family was a clear sign he held them in contempt.

...

...

Broken Dragon Beach.

Deep within the Reed Marsh, waterways crisscrossed in every direction. An outsider would lose their way almost immediately upon entering.

In a Water Stockade formed by several large ships lashed together, the lights were shining brightly.

And across the hundreds of miles of Reed Marsh that made up Broken Dragon Beach, there were more than a dozen such Water Stockades.

"Dismissed."

Huo Shen stepped onto the deck. When he saw a middle-aged man standing not far away, his expression darkened. He flicked the bloodstains from his hands and waved away the dozen or so men following him.

"Young Master, today’s score was really satisfying. Those broads on the ship..."

"Get lost."

Huo Shen didn’t turn his head. His voice wasn’t loud, but it made the speaker flinch, swallow the words on the tip of his tongue, and sheepishly lead the others away.

Soon, only Huo Shen remained on the deck, walking toward the middle-aged man.

"Young Master Shen, the Alliance..."

Huo Shen ignored the middle-aged man and walked straight into the cabin.

Inside the cabin, an old man sat by the window. The scar over his left eye looked particularly ferocious in the moonlight.

"Grandfather."

"You went out again?"

"Just a little skirmish." Huo Shen grinned. "A merchant ship from another prefecture. Not much loot, just some practice for the boys."

"Practice?" Huo Tong’s old face darkened. "How many times have I told you? The river has been restless lately. A mysterious group of Roving Bandits has struck multiple times, already drawing the extreme displeasure of the Lin and Cui Families. Don’t add fuel to the fire right now, or you’ll bring trouble on yourself."

"The Lin Family?"

Huo Shen sneered, crossing his arms, his expression full of disdain.

"Grandfather, the Lin Family member sent to guard the waters where I made my move is just some guy who recently broke through to the Blood Exchange Realm. I heard he’s from a branch family. Since he arrived, he’s barely even set foot on the river. He just holes up in their stronghold cultivating all day. The man’s clearly afraid of trouble."

Huo Tong didn’t respond, merely watching his grandson in silence.

"Besides, I was very careful. Not a single person on that ship was left alive, so it’s impossible for anyone to know it was me. And aren’t there a new bunch of Roving Bandits on the river lately? This will definitely be blamed on them."

"Caution is the parent of safety. Lie low for a while, and don’t go out again."

"I know, I know," Huo Shen replied perfunctorily. "Grandfather, it’s getting late. You should go back and rest."

"You are the only heir of our Huo Family now. Think things through carefully before you act."

Getting to his feet, Huo Tong said no more. He knew his grandson; the more he said, the more rebellious the boy would become. ’Besides, it’s just one merchant ship. It’s hardly a major incident.’

After he walked out of the cabin, the middle-aged man hurried to follow. The two figures left the Water Stockade, taking a small boat deeper into the Reed Marsh.

"Daren, how is the investigation coming along?"

"Old Alliance Leader, one thing is certain for now: this group of Roving Bandits seems to have another motive. They aren’t just after money."

"Oh? What have you discovered? Tell me." Huo Tong’s old eyes narrowed slightly.