Martial Sovereign of the Turbulent World

Chapter 114: Chapter 113: Undercurrent, Gold, and the Treasure of Eternal Life

Gu Shouyu cleared his throat and said with a serious expression, "I’ve checked the ancient texts from Jigu Garden and the Astronomical Bureau. According to the Five Elements classification, the Tai Sui should belong to the Earth element.

"According to the principle of generation and restriction among the Five Elements, Fire generates Earth. That’s why ordinary fire-based attacks are useless against it—in fact, they might even promote its growth.

"To restrain it, our only option is to use Wood..."

"You certainly know a lot."

Fu Juemin’s interest was piqued. He nodded and said, "Continue."

"...I’ve already run experiments. If we spread enough wood shavings under the Tai Sui’s body to prevent it from touching water or soil, its proliferation speed will be greatly reduced.

"At that point, we can use cutting tools to continuously slice it. As long as we do it nonstop for twenty-four hours, ensuring the amount we cut off is more than what it can regenerate, if we’re lucky, we can keep digging inward until we find its core."

As he spoke, Gu Shouyu pulled a notebook from his satchel. "I’ve done the math..."

As Fu Juemin listened to Gu Shouyu’s explanation, his eyes lit up. When Gu Shouyu finished, he said slowly, "I’m putting you in complete charge of this matter."

He then called over Big Cat and ordered, "Get your men to procure wood shavings from a nearby woodworking factory as soon as possible. And clear out and seal off the surrounding area..."

Having issued his orders, Fu Juemin looked again at the Meat Mountain Tai Sui before him, finding it unexpectedly pleasing to the eye—almost endearing.

If Gu Shouyu’s method worked, all he had to do was wait for a Demon Soul Seed to fall into his hands. Manpower, money, and time—those were three things Young Master Fu had in abundance.

"ROAR—"

Just as he was lost in thought, a loud and strange noise echoed from deep within the empty waterway.

It was like the wail of the wind, but also like the bizarre cry of some beast.

"What was that sound?"

Fu Juemin looked up toward the sound and subconsciously activated [Yao Ling]. His consciousness shot through the grid-like network of underground waterways, but even when [Yao Ling]’s perception reached its absolute limit, he failed to pinpoint the sound’s origin.

Gu Shouyu, however, seemed completely unfazed. "It’s coming from the Concession," he explained. "Sounds like... the Westerners are tinkering with something."

"From the direction of the Imperial Garden?"

Gu Shouyu shook his head. "I’m not sure."

"You said before that the Westerners are also after this Tai Sui. So if we make our move, and they notice, will they try to stop us?"

Fu Juemin’s brow furrowed as he considered the problem.

In Shenghai, anything involving Westerners had a way of becoming complicated, even if it started out simple.

Gu Shouyu hesitated for a moment before replying, "

"For the past six months, ever since they discovered most methods are ineffective against the Tai Sui, the Westerners have rarely come around.

"As long as we’re fast enough, we probably... won’t be noticed."

"Let’s hope so."

Fu Juemin nodded expressionlessly.

With the next phase of the plan decided, the group made their way back by torchlight.

Once out of the underground waterway, the Qinglian Gang members waiting on the street quickly brought out pre-prepared tea dregs and cattails for Fu Juemin to get rid of the foul odor clinging to him.

Fu Juemin casually asked about the location of the next Alien Species, but the answer he received was the Du Mountain Reservoir, outside Shenghai City.

After calculating the travel time, he figured it would be dark by the time they got there. That, combined with the fact that he’d just been crawling through a sewer, made Fu Juemin decide to postpone the trip for another day.

This would also give him time to go back and arrange matters concerning the Tai Sui, and to let Gu Shouyu go home, get a haircut, take a bath, and what not.

’I have no idea how long it’s been since that guy brushed his teeth or washed his hair and face. He stinks up close. No wonder the sewer didn’t faze him.’

’Only a ghost could put up with such a slob.’

.......

「Nightfall. The Ink Garden, in the Ding Family’s study.」

On an executive desk of rosewood, over two meters long, the subtle aroma of clear tea drifted through the air.

Madam Ding was leaning back in her chair, quietly listening to Big Cat’s recent reports.

She heard that Fu Juemin had spent the last few days just practicing his martial arts, and the one time he did go out, he had specifically sought out some spooky, out-of-the-way places to explore.

Madam Ding wasn’t angry at all. On the contrary, a smile played on her lips, as if she were listening to amusing stories about her own child’s antics. Her eyes were filled with doting affection.

When Big Cat finished, she then gave him careful instructions.

"He takes after his mother. Let him do as he pleases in all things.

"Just remember one thing—you must ensure his safety at all costs."

"Yes."

Big Cat agreed. After a slight hesitation, he added, "When the Young Master went out today, someone was following us the whole way."

"Oh?"

The smile on Madam Ding’s face slowly faded. She lowered her eyes and gently toyed with the teacup on her desk.

"Did you get a clear look at who it was?"

"They looked like they were from the Woodcutter Gang. I’ve already sent someone to investigate."

"The eighth of the month is Wang Qiaofu’s fifth son’s first birthday banquet, isn’t it..."

Madam Ding looked up. Her tone was gentle, but it was laced with a chilling coldness. "When the time comes, I’ll take the opportunity to ask him for an explanation in person.

"Oh, right."

Madam Ding changed the subject. "Tomorrow, remember to go to the Hundred Industries Hall and get this year’s ledgers for me."

Big Cat’s eyes flickered. "I’m afraid Young Master Zhao’an won’t be willing."

"That’s why I’m sending you. Anyone else would most likely come back empty-handed."

Madam Ding shook her head and continued, "Also, from now on, don’t just call anyone ’Young Master’.

"Our Ding Family has only one Young Master..."

"Yes."

Just as they were speaking, a knock came from the door.

Big Cat went to open the door and saw a servant standing outside. The servant bowed and announced, "Madam, Mr. Liang is here."

Madam Ding, who had remained impassive until now, showed a slight change in expression upon hearing the name.

"Quick, show him in."

But before she could even rise from behind her desk, a hearty voice rang out.

"No need, I’ve already taken the liberty of letting myself in."

As the voice faded, a tall, thin man wearing a gray flat-brimmed hat and a woolen overcoat strode into the room.

He took off his hat as he entered, revealing the gaunt, middle-aged face of a man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Secretary Liang, what an honor."

A smile appeared on Madam Ding’s face as well. She turned to the side and instructed, "Big Cat, go brew a fresh pot of tea."

"Yes."

Big Cat took the opportunity to withdraw, leaving only the two of them in the study.

"Forgive my impertinent intrusion so late at night, Brother Moshan," the tall, thin man said self-deprecatingly as he removed the scarf from his neck.

Madam Ding shook her head, gestured for the man to sit, and then said with a serious expression, "For Secretary Liang to come in person at this hour, does Mr. Wen have urgent orders?"

The man nodded. Without wasting words, he took a newspaper from his briefcase and handed it over.

"Brother Moshan, have you heard of a man named Li Mingyi?"

Madam Ding nodded. "I’ve heard the name."

"Then take a look at this report."

Madam Ding picked up the newspaper the man had just handed her and read it carefully under the soft light of the study’s crystal chandelier.

A moment later, she put the newspaper down and met the man’s meaningful gaze over the top of it.

"What do you make of it, Brother Moshan?"

After a moment of thought, Madam Ding shook her head. "I’m just a woman, and one from a gang background at that. It’s not my place to comment."

The man didn’t seem to mind. He just sighed softly and said, "This Li Mingyi is truly a great talent.

"This is an essay he published overseas two months ago. As soon as it was reported, it caused a huge sensation. Even many Westerners took notice.

"Nowadays, both at home and abroad, many people already regard Li Mingyi as a savior..."

Madam Ding’s brow furrowed slightly, but she said nothing, merely listening as the man continued.

"...On the strength of this article alone, overseas expatriates actually managed to raise a national salvation fund for him.

"The sum was so staggering that, converted entirely to gold, it filled more than half a ship. A group of top martial arts experts was dispatched to escort it across the ocean. Seven days ago, it arrived at the Shenghai port.

"But..."

The man’s tone darkened, and his voice suddenly dropped. "As soon as the ship arrived in Shenghai, something happened.

"Not only were nearly all the expert escorts on board slaughtered, but the gold on the ship also vanished into thin air..."

"Who did it?"

Madam Ding finally spoke.

"That’s the problem, we don’t know."

The man shook his head and continued, "Actually, it wasn’t just the gold that went missing. I’ve received word that hidden within this donation was a map. The map is said to record the location of a hidden treasury from the former dynasty, the lifelong martial arts legacy of the deposed Emperor Qianming, and some... secret of eternal life.

"They say whoever obtains it can conquer the world..."

"And people actually believe such nonsense?"

Madam Ding couldn’t help but frown. "If such a world-shaking treasure truly existed, the previous dynasty wouldn’t have fallen."

"Tell me about it."

The man gave a wry smile. "The problem is, not everyone understands such simple logic.

"Right now, it’s not just Li Mingyi’s revolutionary insurgents and the Xin Republic’s Government who want to find this Golden Treasure. The Westerners, the compradors, the relics of the old dynasty, and even Jianghu Wanderers from the martial arts world have taken an interest and are flocking here.

"In a few more days, once the news spreads completely, heaven knows what kind of chaos will engulf a city as large as Shenghai..."

Madam Ding’s eyes shifted as she thought quietly for a moment, then she slowly began, "So, Mr. Wen’s intention is..."

"Naturally, he hopes that you, Brother Moshan, can help find the gold.

"Even if we can’t get it, we absolutely cannot let Luo Zhengxiong get his hands on it.

"Luo commands tens of thousands of elite troops and is entrenched in Jiangdong like a tiger. Once he gets this money, I’m afraid no one in Shenghai will be able to contain his ambition....

"As you know, Mr. Wen’s position within the organization has become increasingly precarious these past few years.

"We have reliable intelligence that the higher-ups have already sent someone down to seize Mr. Wen’s position as mayor.

"Once this person arrives in Shenghai, their first order of business will be to make close contact with Luo Zhengxiong’s faction..."

"If it really comes to that, has Mr. Wen considered an escape route?"

Madam Ding stared into the man’s eyes.

The man was silent for a long time before finally speaking in a low voice, "In a few months, Li Mingyi will be making a trip to Shenghai.

"Mr. Wen’s stance probably won’t be truly decided until after he meets the man...."

The vast study fell into a heavy silence.

After a moment, Madam Ding’s voice was heard, slow and deliberate.

"Moshan understands.

"The Qinglian Gang will do everything in its power to handle the matter Mr. Wen has entrusted to us.

"As it was before, so shall it be... from now on."

The tall, thin man rose. He said nothing, only giving Madam Ding a silent nod.

Then he put his scarf and hat back on and left the study without a sound.

Leaving Madam Ding alone, standing in the lamplight and shadows of the study, quietly lost in thought.