Free Web NovelChapter 158: Chapter 157: Water Demon Mother
WHOOO—
The massive cruise ship sounded its horn, letting out a long, low "sigh" as it pulled away from the shore.
The crowd on the docks waved their handkerchiefs and hats vigorously toward the ship, pouring out their feelings of farewell.
Fu Juemin stood by the shore. Big Cat, Kitty, and a large group of Qinglian Gang members formed a circle around him, keeping the crowd at bay.
His gaze followed the ship’s receding silhouette until the figures on deck shrank into blurry dots and finally vanished into the gray haze where the sea met the sky. Only then did he slowly look away.
"He ’forced’ me away once. Now, it’s my turn to ’force’ him away...
I suppose that makes us even."
Beside him, the elegant Madam Ding spoke softly, her tone somewhere between a chuckle and a faint sigh.
A flicker of light crossed Fu Juemin’s eyes, but he didn’t respond.
They had originally agreed on one month, but Fu Guosheng had somehow gotten his hands on a few more tickets. It hadn’t even been half a month, and he was already rushing his family off to the Southern Ocean ahead of schedule.
Hence this hasty farewell.
"You’ve known him for so many years; you should know his temperament better than I do.
If he wants to go, just let him. Besides, the Southern Ocean isn’t that far.
And besides... you still have Aunt Ding here."
Perhaps fearing Fu Juemin felt dejected, Madam Ding reached out and gently patted the back of his hand, comforting him in a soft voice.
Fu Juemin smiled and turned to walk alongside Madam Ding, heading slowly toward the car.
On the outskirts of the crowd, a little girl carrying a bamboo basket of flowers was staring at them.
A thought stirred in Fu Juemin’s mind, and he beckoned to the girl. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she cleverly squeezed past the guards.
Fu Juemin patted the girl’s little head and bought a few winter daphne stems with a silver coin, which he then toyed with in his hand.
"That girl’s identity—have you confirmed it?"
Fu Juemin changed the subject.
Madam Ding knew exactly who he was asking about. She nodded. "It’s Li Mingyi’s only daughter, Li Huaisuang.
She has been sent to a safe place for resettlement..."
Madam Ding paused slightly before continuing, "You handled this very well. When Mr. Wen heard about it, he was full of praise for you. In a few days, he wants to meet you in person."
"I’m just glad I could help Aunt Ding."
Fu Juemin mused for a moment before adding, "Quite a few people saw that member of the Revolutionary Faction escape past me that night.
If they can’t find her, I’m afraid they’ll start to suspect us..."
"That doesn’t matter."
Madam Ding narrowed her eyes and said lightly, "Whether it’s the Westerners, the remnants of the old dynasty, or Luo Zhengxiong’s Woodcutter Gang, they’re all after Li Huaisuang for the Gold and treasure, when it comes down to it.
Now that many people know the treasure is hidden inside the Fish Demon, they aren’t as concerned with the person anymore..."
Fu Juemin frowned slightly at her words. "From what Aunt Ding is saying, does this mean Mr. Wen has already made his plans?"
Madam Ding didn’t answer directly. After a moment of silence, she sighed softly. "This month, the Xin Republic Central sent a letter of appointment for a new Secretary-General of the Shenghai City Council, who will also serve as the chief of the Public Security Bureau.
His name is Nan Xiangcheng. He arrived in Shenghai three days ago..."
Fu Juemin was taken aback.
He still remembered the phone number Aunt Ding had given him for the Mayor’s Secretariat—it belonged to a man named Liang, who was in charge of finance and considered one of Wen Zhiqiu’s most trusted subordinates.
Furthermore, authority over the Hua Realm’s Public Security Bureau had always been firmly in Wen Zhiqiu’s hands. It was a crucial bargaining chip that had allowed the Wen System to stand against Luo Zhengxiong’s Jianghai Defense Command for so many years.
Now, with a single order, Xin Republic Central was trying to cut off Wen Zhiqiu’s right and left arms, forcing him to move closer to the Revolutionary Faction...
’But is the path ahead truly bright if we follow the Revolutionary Army?’...
Fu Juemin’s heart sank, but these were not words he could say out loud.
"I saw in the news recently that the Zhao Family plans to invite you as the Martial Sacrificial Officer for this session of the Martial Arts Association..."
Madam Ding suddenly changed the subject. Her tone was casual, but her gaze was probing. "Did you accept?"
"Why wouldn’t I? They’re just a bunch of clowns."
Fu Juemin’s tone was flat, as if he were discussing a trivial matter. "To be honest, I’m curious to see what tricks they have up their sleeves..."
Madam Ding looked at him but ultimately said nothing, only giving Fu Juemin a solemn reminder to "be careful with everything."
After escorting Madam Ding to her car, Fu Juemin opened the door for her and handed her the two winter daphne stems he had just bought.
Madam Ding was taken aback for a moment, then a smile bloomed across her face. She chided him playfully, "You and your tricks... just like your father when he was young.
Ah, it’s a pity. Of Mayor Wen’s two daughters, the older one is already married, and the younger one is too young.
Otherwise... I would have certainly arranged a marriage for you."
Fu Juemin broke out in a sweat.
After seeing Madam Ding off, Fu Juemin called over Big Cat and the others who had gathered around. They got into a few other cars and hurried off in a different direction.
...
Half an hour later, they were at the edge of a desolate, muddy shoal.
From the river’s surface not far away came the RUMBLING roar of surging waves.
This was where the Huangling River met Hong Songkou. Near the bank, the Huangling River’s water was a turbid, earthy yellow, carrying silt and dead branches from upstream. It resembled a giant, writhing python of mud as it crashed into the salty tide of the Hong Song Sea in the distance.
Two immense and primal forces tore at, collided with, and merged with each other here. The river’s surface churned ceaselessly, constantly spitting up large patches of filthy, grayish-white foam.
Fu Juemin’s party got out of the cars and walked forward along the muddy riverbank.
Among the figures hurrying about on the mudflats in the distance, a few spotted them and immediately headed over.
The two groups quickly met. The man leading the group who approached Fu Juemin was a middle-aged man with dark skin and a steady demeanor—it was Xu Hengjiang.
Compared to the last time they met, Xu Hengjiang and the few Ghost Camp remnants with him looked much leaner and tougher. Just by standing there, they radiated a fierce and formidable aura completely different from that of ordinary Qinglian Gang members.
"I brought you a helper."
Fu Juemin smiled upon seeing Xu Hengjiang, then beckoned for someone behind him to come forward.
"Cao Tian."
The stern-faced Cao Tian stepped forward without a word.
After Li Tong left, Cao Tian’s mother and sister went with the Fu Family to the Southern Ocean. He was the only one who refused to leave, insisting on staying with Fu Juemin.
Fu Juemin let him be. Cao Tian was one of his earliest followers and was fiercely loyal. It seemed Li Tong had also taught him a few things before he left.
Cao Tian had a steady temperament and a decent Talent for the Martial Dao. His strength had already reached the Middle Stage of Blood Refining. Since Fu Juemin needed a reliable confidant and informant on Xu Hengjiang’s side, he decided to force Cao Tian into the group.
Cao Tian and Xu Hengjiang sized each other up. Xu Hengjiang said nothing, just nodded, then turned to Fu Juemin to discuss business.
"There’s been a complication."
Xu Hengjiang reported to Fu Juemin, his face calm.
"What kind of complication?"
Fu Juemin’s brow furrowed at his words. "Where’s Gu Shouyu?"
"Director Gu is over there."
Xu Hengjiang turned and pointed toward the riverbank behind them.
Expressionless, Fu Juemin strode forward.
This was the second Demon Hunting mission he had assigned to Gu Shouyu and Xu Hengjiang. The target was a malevolent spirit known as the "Water Demon Mother" that roamed the whirlpools near the mouth of the Huangling River.
A Demon Species, its strength was rated at the "Wolf Level." It possessed a degree of Water Control and the ability to command floating corpses.
It usually hid in whirlpools, making a sound like a baby’s cry to lure ships onto the rocks, then took the opportunity to drag people into the water and devour them...
It sounded somewhat similar to the water monkey Fu Juemin had encountered on the Luan River, though it was far inferior in terms of physical combat. According to the information Gu Shouyu had gathered, there were previous cases of people who had fallen into the water and been entangled by the Water Demon Mother, only to struggle free and miraculously survive.
