Chapter 115: A Silver Tongue That Twists the Truth
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Boss Wu exchanged glances with the other three before he finally spoke up. “We’ve come here to find the homeland of the siren tribe.”
The Siren Tribe?
Yu Zhao’s thoughts immediately drifted to the blue heart she had seen on the fifth floor of the Siren Pavilion. Keeping her inner thoughts hidden, she maintained a calm demeanor and asked, “Wasn’t the siren tribe wiped out hundreds of years ago?”
“That’s what the rumors say,” Boss Wu replied, shaking his head, “but the truth is still uncertain.”
From his tone and expression, Yu Zhao could sense that even he had doubts. Why would they risk a perilous journey across the seas for something so uncertain, unless…
Lady Hua stepped forward, her voice filled with urgency. “Let me explain. Three months ago, I stumbled upon a map of the siren tribe’s homeland. It not only marks the location of their territory but also details a route through it. The siren tribe possessed extraordinary physiques, and their tears are said to remain uncorrupted for a thousand years. Who knows what priceless treasures might still be hidden in their homeland? Cultivator Yu, you come from a noble background, so you may not understand the hardships we loose cultivators face. Even if it’s a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den, we’re willing to risk everything.”
Zhao Xian and his wife, standing beside Boss Wu, nodded in agreement.
They all knew how dangerous this journey would be, but as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. Without risking their lives, how could they ever hope to seize such a great opportunity?
Yu Zhao listened carefully to Lady Hua’s story, weighing the truth of her words. She wasn’t particularly interested in the siren tribe’s treasures. What intrigued her more was whether any sirens might still be alive in this world.
The siren tribe had vanished from the cultivation world hundreds of years ago. How, then, had this map suddenly appeared?
“May I see the map?” Yu Zhao asked, turning to Lady Hua. Though her tone was polite, it carried a subtle authority that left no room for refusal.
Lady Hua let out a bitter laugh and reluctantly took out the map, handing it to Yu Zhao with both hands. “Please, Yu Daoyou.”
As Yu Zhao’s fingers brushed against the map, she felt a subtle thrill. The material was exquisite, unlike anything she had touched before.
The map was made from a blend of fabric and animal hide, smooth and naturally cool to the touch. Slowly, Yu Zhao unfurled it.
Curiosity piqued, Ji Han Zhou leaned in to examine the map alongside her.
Just as Lady Hua had described, the map depicted the island’s outline and included detailed routes within it. In the bottom right corner, a blue scale was embedded in the map, reflecting a dazzling light as the angle shifted.
Seeing the map, Yu Zhao found herself believing their story a bit more.
She handed the map back to Lady Hua. “What was your original agreement? How will the treasures be divided once we find them?”
“I’m the strongest, so I’ll take one share,” Lady Hua began. “Boss Wu provided the ship and handled the coordination, so he also gets one share. Zhao Xian and his wife will share one portion, and the three Long brothers will split two shares.”
“Alright,” Yu Zhao said, her tone firm. “I won’t ask for much. My junior brother and I will take two shares, the same as the Long brothers.”
Everyone knew that verbal agreements were often as worthless as the air they were spoken into when it came to real benefits. But Yu Zhao wanted to make it clear: what belonged to her, no one should try to take.
Lady Hua and Boss Wu didn’t object. Even if Yu Zhao had demanded three shares, they wouldn’t have been able to refuse.
However, Zhao Xian and his wife clearly didn’t share their ease. They found it hard to accept that Yu Zhao and her “pretty boy” junior brother could claim two shares, while they, both seasoned Golden Core cultivators, were only given one. The disparity felt too great.
Yu Zhao didn’t care what they thought. If they had complaints but didn’t dare voice them, that was their problem. Of course, even if they did speak up, she wouldn’t listen. In the cultivation world, the strongest had the final say.
With the terms of their agreement finalized, the group finally began their search for the siren tribe’s homeland.
“The sirens lived underwater,” Lady Hua explained. “This island is just a cover to deceive cultivators. Our first task is to find the passage to the underwater world. Only then can we truly enter the siren tribe’s homeland.”
Although the map provided a detailed internal layout, it did not mark the entrance. Yu Zhao and the others had no choice but to spread out and search the area.
Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou were assigned to one section.
Ji Han Zhou, being the weakest of the group, stayed close to Yu Zhao, ensuring that he wouldn’t fall victim to the others’ schemes.
After enduring countless hardships, Ji Han Zhou’s resilience had grown. He meticulously inspected every rock and crevice, determined to uncover any hidden clue.
Three hours passed.
The group circled the island but found nothing.
The island was as lifeless as they had initially observed, devoid of spiritual energy and vitality.
Logically, if the siren tribe had created an underwater passage on this island, they should have found some trace by now.
Ji Han Zhou furrowed his brow, convinced that they had overlooked something.
What were the sirens’ habits?
They lived underwater.
Could it be that the entrance to their homeland wasn’t on the island but beneath it?
It was as if Ji Han Zhou had stumbled upon a great revelation, and his eyes lit up with excitement.
“Brother Ji, have you discovered something?” Boss Wu, ever sharp-eyed, immediately noticed the change in Ji Han Zhou’s expression and pointed it out with a smile.
The others quickly turned their attention to Ji Han Zhou.
Cursing himself for his carelessness, Ji Han Zhou quickly composed himself, but it was too late—his earlier expression had already been noticed by everyone.
“Brother Ji, we’re allies now. If you have a lead, why keep it to yourself? Share it with us so we can analyze it together and find the siren tribe’s homeland more quickly. Don’t you agree, Yu Daoyou?” Lady Hua said with a smile.
Yu Zhao also smiled, her tone carrying a hint of mischief. “Lady Hua is absolutely right. Junior Brother, I have to say, your biggest flaw is your excessive modesty! Did you think that discovering a clue that eluded the others would embarrass them? That’s not the right attitude. The esteemed seniors here are all open-minded people; I’m sure they wouldn’t mind. Just speak up and let them know where they’ve fallen short compared to you.”
Ji Han Zhou: !
Lady Hua: !!
Everyone else: !!!
Yu Zhao had turned Ji Han Zhou’s attempt to withhold information into a matter of protecting the group’s pride and looking out for their best interests. Her words were sharp and clever, twisting the situation to her advantage.
Lady Hua and the others were so furious that they nearly ground their teeth to dust, but they couldn’t find a single argument to refute her.
Suppressing his laughter, Ji Han Zhou explained his thoughts.
As the group listened, a realization dawned on them.
This novel is translated and hosted only on Bcatranslation
Of course! They had been thinking in conventional terms, assuming the passage would be on the island. But considering the siren tribe’s nature, it made much more sense for the entrance to be underwater.
Their excitement quickly turned to concern.
On the island’s surface, they could handle unexpected situations. But if they ventured into the deep sea, they would need to watch out not only for their allies but also for unknown sea creatures. The risks would increase dramatically.
But, as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold.
Since they were already here, they wouldn’t allow themselves to turn back empty-handed. If they were to die, they would die in the pursuit of treasure.