Chapter 112: A Plain and Unremarkable Deserted Island
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
“Please disembark, you two,” Boss Wu said with a grin as he looked at Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou.
Yu Zhao stood on the ship’s deck, gazing out toward the distant island. It was a small, isolated piece of land surrounded by steep cliffs with no shoreline suitable for docking. Because of this, Boss Wu had anchored the ship about a hundred feet away from the island, leaving a gap between them and the rocky cliffs. The moment the ship steadied, Boss Wu seemed eager to get Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou off the boat.
Wang Zhen frowned slightly, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Sensing her unease, Zhao Xian gently patted the back of his wife’s hand, then shook his head. Wang Zhen lowered her gaze and remained silent.
Yu Zhao, unfazed, spoke up. “Boss Wu, this island is where Lady Hua and the others are headed. I fear it might be inconvenient for my junior brother and me to go ashore.”
“We don’t mind. The more, the merrier,” replied the second of the Long brothers, Long Two. His eyes were fixated on Yu Zhao, his gaze sharp and unsettling like a venomous snake eyeing its prey. The sinister aura surrounding him was palpable.
“Exactly! The more, the merrier!” added Long Three, the youngest of the Long brothers, with enthusiasm. “I’m sure neither Lady Hua nor Zhao Xian will object, right?”
Lady Hua responded with a playful laugh, while Zhao Xian merely said, “Go ahead.”
“With such warm invitations, how could we refuse?” Yu Zhao smiled slightly, signaling Ji Han Zhou with a glance. Ji Han Zhou, his expression serious, nodded and lightly tapped his foot on the deck, launching himself toward the island. Yu Zhao followed close behind.
The seven people on the ship watched as Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou landed safely on the island, with no incidents occurring during their descent. Their relief was palpable.
One by one, the others quickly followed suit, leaping toward the island in a hurry. Boss Wu, needing to secure the boat, was the last to leave.
Upon landing, Yu Zhao immediately surveyed the island. It was similar in size to the one she and Ji Han Zhou had briefly visited earlier. However, this island was barren, with nothing but bare rocks—no vegetation, not even a blade of grass. It felt like a deserted island. What secrets could be hidden on such an unremarkable piece of land?
Suddenly, the sound of something cutting through the air came from behind her. Without thinking, Yu Zhao channeled her spiritual energy to her feet and swiftly dodged.
Boom!
The spot where Yu Zhao had stood moments before was blasted, leaving a three-foot-deep crater. Her expression turned cold as she reappeared on a nearby rock.
Long Three laughed heartily. “Big Brother, you missed! Need some help from me and Second Senior Brother?”
Long One, the eldest, scowled. “Stop wasting time and finish them off. The longer we wait, the more things could go wrong.”
“Don’t worry. They won’t get away,” Long Three said dismissively. He didn’t see a challenge in a young woman at the early stage of the Golden Core realm and a pretty boy like Ji Han Zhou. He could easily handle both with one hand tied behind his back.
Ignoring the Long brothers’ discussion about how to deal with her, Yu Zhao turned her attention to Boss Wu. “Boss Wu, didn’t you promise to ensure the safety of my junior brother and me? Are you going back on your word?”
A sly look flashed in Boss Wu’s eyes. “I only said I’d get you safely to shore. I never promised what would happen after. If you have to blame someone, blame yourselves for being foolish enough to board my ship.”
“But we paid the fare,” Yu Zhao countered.
“So what? I brought you ashore, didn’t I? Keeping you alive after that? Well, that’s a different price altogether,” Boss Wu said with a sneer.
As Yu Zhao and Boss Wu exchanged words, no one but Ji Han Zhou noticed the thin wisp of smoke rising from Yu Zhao’s wide sleeve.
“Enough talking, Boss Wu,” Long One interrupted impatiently. “Just finish them off. We have more important matters to attend to.”
Perhaps it was nerves, but since setting foot on the island, Long One had felt increasingly uneasy. The ongoing argument was only making him more agitated.
Boss Wu grunted in agreement but then seemed to have a thought, giving Lady Hua a lewd wink. “Lady Hua, wouldn’t you like to keep Ji Han Zhou around for a bit longer…?”
“Get lost! Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to!” Lady Hua spat back.
Boss Wu burst into laughter, but the humor vanished from his face as he suddenly turned menacing, eyes flashing with murderous intent. “I’m sorry, you two, but I’ll be sending you on your final journey!”
With that, he kicked off from the ground, his body disappearing in a blur.
At the same time, the three Long brothers attacked Yu Zhao from different directions, leaving Ji Han Zhou completely disregarded. To them, someone at the late Foundation Establishment stage like Ji Han Zhou wasn’t worth their attention.
Ji Han Zhou, having spent so much time with Yu Zhao, had come to understand the unpredictable nature of her illusions. He knew that charging in recklessly would only hinder her, so he instead positioned himself at a vantage point where he could both attack and retreat if necessary. His life-bound flying sword trembled in his hand, ready to strike.
Lady Hua and Zhao Xian didn’t join the attack. It wasn’t out of kindness, but simply because they believed the Long brothers and Boss Wu could easily take care of Yu Zhao.
However, they were quickly proven wrong. Despite her young appearance, Yu Zhao was highly experienced in combat. Even as the four men surrounded her, she evaded their attacks with ease, as if she were merely playing with them. The Long brothers and Boss Wu were growing increasingly frustrated. They couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.
Every time they launched an attack, Yu Zhao would somehow slip away at the last moment, making it seem like they were deliberately holding back. It was as if she knew exactly where and when they would strike.
“Hold it!” Long One called out, signaling a stop.
If this continued, they might not even land a hit on Yu Zhao, and their spiritual energy would be drained, putting them at a disadvantage for whatever came next. Reluctantly, Long Two and Long Three halted their attacks as well.
Boss Wu, though seemingly rough on the outside, was cunning. The moment the Long brothers pulled back, he retreated too, his eyes flickering with suspicion.
“Lady Hua, Zhao Xian, are you just planning to sit back and reap the rewards while we do all the work?” Long One asked, his tone accusing.
The couple’s expressions darkened slightly, and Lady Hua let out a mocking laugh. “If you can’t even handle a little girl who’s weaker than you, don’t blame me! What a bunch of useless fools!”
“Lady Hua! Don’t think we’ll go easy on you just because you’re a woman!” Long Three shouted, enraged.
“Go ahead, try me! I was taking on three at once while you were still hiding in your mother’s skirts!” Lady Hua sneered.
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
“You dare insult my mother? I’ll kill—”
“Shut up!” Long One snapped, cutting off his brother. “This is not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves.”
Their group had only come together out of mutual interest, and he knew they would eventually turn on each other. But now wasn’t the time for that. Right now, they needed to kill this troublesome woman.
Long Three grudgingly closed his mouth, but his eyes remained fixed on Lady Hua, full of venom. He even made a throat-slitting gesture at her, to which she responded with a derisive snort.
Standing on a higher rock, Yu Zhao watched the group’s interactions, a subtle smile curling her lips. She knew that a fortress was often brought down from within. The real show was about to begin.