Chapter 115: A Remarkable Tongue That Twists Truth into Lies
This novel is translated and hosted only on bcatranslation.
Big Boss Wu exchanged glances with the other three before stepping forward to speak. “We have come here in search of the Merfolk Tribe’s Territory.”
Merfolk Tribe?
Yu Zhao’s thoughts immediately turned to the blue heart displayed on the fifth floor of the Merfolk Pavilion. Masking her reaction, she asked calmly, “Wasn’t the Merfolk Tribe wiped out hundreds of years ago?”
“That’s the common belief, but the truth remains uncertain,” Big Boss Wu replied, shaking his head.
From his tone and expression, Yu Zhao could sense his lingering doubts. Yet, why would they venture across the seas for something so uncertain? Unless…
Lady Hua interjected, stepping forward. “Allow me to explain. Three months ago, I stumbled upon a map leading to the Merfolk Tribe’s Territory. It not only marks the location of their land but also includes detailed routes within it. The Merfolk are known for their unique physiology, and their tears remain incorruptible for millennia. Moreover, there might still be priceless treasures left behind in their territory.”
She glanced at Yu Zhao and added, “Given your noble background, you may not understand the struggles we itinerant cultivators face. Even if it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, we’ll brave it for the chance of fortune.”
Big Boss Wu, along with Zhao Xian and his wife, nodded in agreement. They all understood the risks involved in this expedition. However, fortune favors the bold. Without staking their lives, how could they hope to seize such a rare opportunity?
Yu Zhao neither confirmed nor denied Lady Hua’s claims, analyzing the credibility of their words. In truth, she wasn’t particularly interested in the supposed treasures of the Merfolk Tribe. Her curiosity leaned more toward whether any pureblooded Merfolk still existed in the world.
The Merfolk Tribe had vanished from the cultivation realm centuries ago. Where, then, had this map surfaced?
“May I take a look at the map?” Yu Zhao directed her gaze toward Lady Hua.
Though phrased as a question, her tone left no room for refusal.
With a wry smile, Lady Hua retrieved the map and presented it with both hands. “Of course, Yu Daoist. Please.”
As Yu Zhao’s fingers touched the map, she was momentarily startled.
Such a fine texture.
The map was crafted from a peculiar material that resembled both fabric and animal hide. It felt smooth and carried a natural chill to the touch.
Yu Zhao slowly unfolded the map. Ji Han Zhou, intrigued, moved closer to examine it alongside her.
The map was just as Lady Hua described—complete with the island’s contours and detailed routes. Embedded in the lower-right corner was a blue scale that shimmered with radiant colors depending on the angle of light.
Seeing the map, Yu Zhao found herself half-convinced.
She returned the map to Lady Hua. “What arrangements have you made for dividing the treasures if they’re found?”
“I’m the strongest, so I claim one share. Big Boss Wu provided the ship and handled the coordination, so he also gets one share. Zhao Xian and his wife share one portion, while the three Long brothers split two portions,” Lady Hua explained.
“Very well. I won’t take much. My junior brother and I will take two shares, the same as the Long brothers.”
Though everyone understood that verbal agreements often amounted to nothing in the face of real benefits, Yu Zhao made her stance clear. Whatever belonged to her would not be up for grabs.
Lady Hua and Big Boss Wu had no objections. Even if Yu Zhao demanded three shares, they would have no grounds to refuse.
Zhao Xian and his wife, however, felt a pang of bitterness.
Both were Golden Core cultivators, yet they only received a single share as a pair. Meanwhile, Yu Zhao, with her seemingly ornamental junior brother, secured two shares. The disparity was hard to swallow.
Yu Zhao, however, paid no attention to their discontent. If they had objections but lacked the courage to voice them, then they could stew in silence. Even if they spoke up, she had no intention of listening.
In the cultivation world, power dictated authority.
After resolving the issue of dividing the benefits, the group finally began their exploration of the Merfolk Tribe’s Territory.
“Merfolk live underwater. This island serves as a disguise to mislead cultivators. We first need to find the passage leading to the underwater world to truly enter their territory,” explained Yu Zhao.
The map only displayed internal routes but did not indicate the entrance. Therefore, Yu Zhao and the others dispersed to investigate individually.
Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou chose the same area to explore.
As the weakest among the group, Ji Han Zhou had to stay under Yu Zhao’s watchful eye. She remained alert, ensuring he wouldn’t fall victim to any of the others’ scheming hands.
Having faced numerous setbacks, Ji Han Zhou’s mindset had strengthened, allowing him to adapt well to the situation. He carefully examined the mountain rocks, inspecting even the tiniest crevices as if determined to leave no stone unturned.
Three hours passed.
Everyone reconvened after circling the island, only to find nothing. The island was as lifeless as their earlier investigations had suggested—void of spiritual energy and vitality.
Logically, if the Merfolk Tribe had built an underwater passage on this island, there should have been some traces.
Ji Han Zhou frowned, feeling he must have overlooked something. What were the merfolk’s habits?
They lived underwater. Could the passage be below the island instead of on it?
Suddenly, as if uncovering a monumental secret, Ji Han Zhou’s eyes lit up with excitement.
“Has Brother Ji discovered something?” asked Big Boss Wu with a sly smile. His sharp gaze easily caught the shift in Ji Han Zhou’s demeanor.
The others, hearing this, turned their attention to Ji Han Zhou.
Realizing his mistake, Ji Han Zhou quickly concealed his excitement, but his earlier reaction had already been noted.
“Brother Ji, we are allies now. If you have clues, there’s no need to keep them to yourself. Share them with us so we can analyze them together and locate the Merfolk Tribe’s territory sooner. Isn’t that right, Yu Daoist?” Lady Hua remarked with a sweet smile.
Yu Zhao responded with a laugh. “Lady Hua is absolutely right. Junior Brother Ji, let me tell you something. Your biggest flaw is being overly modest! You probably feel awkward revealing a clue you found that even these senior experts missed.”
Yu Zhao’s tone turned teasing, but her words were sharp. “That’s just wrong! All the seniors here are magnanimous individuals. They won’t mind in the slightest. Speak up confidently and let them know exactly where they failed compared to you.”
Ji Han Zhou: “!”
Lady Hua: “!!”
Everyone else: “!!!”
Yu Zhao’s sharp tongue had spun Ji Han Zhou’s hesitation into a story about him trying to preserve everyone’s dignity and acting for the greater good. She could have been a storyteller!
Lady Hua and the others were so furious that they nearly ground their teeth to dust, but they couldn’t find a valid retort.
Suppressing a laugh, Ji Han Zhou explained his earlier realization. As he finished, the group’s expressions shifted to understanding.
Of course! They had approached the matter with conventional thinking, assuming the passage would be on the island. However, considering the merfolk’s habits, the area below the island seemed more appropriate.
Excitement flared briefly before the group’s expressions turned serious.
On the island, they could respond to emergencies quickly. But in the deep sea, they would face not only their allies but also unknown underwater creatures, significantly increasing the risks.
Still, as the saying goes, “Fortune favors the bold.” They had come this far and would never return empty-handed. If they were to die, it would be on the path to treasure.