Volume Two: The Weapon Codex Chapter 103: Visitors from Treasure Island

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The man who was kicked into the room, Fang Tianguan, also rolled aside, clutching his stomach and wailing, “What kind of hero are you? I already stopped, yet you still hit me!”

Li Jue hurriedly helped him up and leaned in for a closer look. Indeed, he recognized the man: “Qian Jin? It’s been years. Do you still remember me?”

These two were old acquaintances. After the Li family gradually declined, those former friends who had once sought to attach themselves drifted apart, leaving only Golden Silver Island maintaining contact. Over time, as Li Jue grew busier and had little time for social visits, their connections slowly faded from both sides' attention.

During his childhood, Li Jue had once stayed as a guest on Golden Silver Island for a time and recognized the refined and affable young man before him as Qian Jin, the island’s second young master.

“Aren’t you the richest family around here, within a hundred miles? How come you’re running a shady robbery business in the middle of the night?” Li Jue asked, puzzled. The name Golden Silver Island was not for nothing; besides operating inns and relay stations across hundreds of miles, they also handled some freight transport.

There was no other family in this region; all trade was monopolized by Golden Silver Island. Vast sums of money flowed continuously into the Qian family’s coffers. Even the servants in the Qian household were living in luxury.

Upon hearing this, Qian Jin’s expression darkened. “Don’t mention it. The old master must have lost his mind again and decided to have another duel with the Hua family—ten rounds in a row this time. Either our own family members go, or we hire fighters. Whichever side loses has to feed the divine beast. Just thinking about that chore is exhausting.”

The reason their two families still lived in the wilderness instead of the nearby big city was because the divine beast’s lair was here; their ancestors had a great debt of gratitude to the beast, so they remained to guard it.

“That’s quite costly. Why not settle it with a civil contest instead?” Li Jue suddenly recalled the unique Daoist methods on Golden Silver Island, where all disputes were resolved with real gold and silver. Almost everyone in the Qian family was money-obsessed.

The more wealth they accumulated, the stronger their Daoist power became. Just now, after a few exchanges with Liu Xiaoyi, Qian Jin had suffered considerable losses. The copper coins spared were one thing, but most of the gold bars used to block the Green Huang Sword were ruined, turning his efforts to dust.

Liu Xiaoyi jumped down from the roof and stood shoulder to shoulder with Li Jue. “You two know each other? Ma Shan, release the people!”

This shop was one of the many properties owned by the Qian family. The nighttime attacks on wealthy merchants staying here had only started within the last half month. Tomorrow would be Qian Jin’s turn. Usually, his acquaintances were either money-grubbers or foodies, and few had real skill. In the end, he had to go in person.

The family elders and siblings had gathered some helpers. Compared to the losses of the Qian family members on the field, hiring mercenaries would be less costly.

“Boss, we’ve never faced anyone like this before. We let you down,” the five men, having recovered their senses, bowed their heads before Qian Jin. This was the only failure in more than ten days, and they felt ashamed.

Who was Qian Jin? Among all the embarrassing moments he’d had, this was the least significant. He didn’t take it to heart and soon smiled at Liu Xiaoyi, sending a chill down the latter’s spine.

“Heh heh heh, Brother Li, who is this expert?”

“He’s Liu Xiaoyi, a fellow traveler. Don’t be fooled by his youth—he was holding back just now,” Li Jue lavishly praised Liu Xiaoyi, though inwardly he was already pushing him onto the sinking ship.

Hearing this, Qian Jin dropped to his knees, clutching Liu Xiaoyi’s thigh tightly. His once-smiling face clouded over, and a few tears fell. “Brother Liu, I know your skills. Please help me! I’ll pay any price!”

The noise inside disturbed two girls resting in the inner room. As they pushed open the wooden door, Baozi rubbed his blurry eyes, and upon seeing the many people in the room, immediately screamed.

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That scream fully ignited Qian Jin’s crying. “Expert! I’ll pay whatever it takes. I just don’t want to face the divine beast! It stinks too much!”

“What kind of divine beast makes you all fight duels just to avoid seeing it?” Liu Xiaoyi chuckled. If it was truly a divine beast worshiped by the family, why would everyone avoid it?

Qian Jin explained, “Outsiders don’t know. Our families’ divine beast is a Bai Ze, but it’s bound by mysterious chains. Over time, its wounds have festered, and a terrible stench constantly emanates from its cave. The last person who went to feed it still hasn’t recovered their sense of smell. Everything smells foul.”

Bai Ze? Legend says it’s a guardian beast controlling all dispelling Daoist techniques, a symbol of good fortune. Who had the power to chain it here?

“Brother Li, you should decide on this matter. We’re not in a rush,” Liu Xiaoyi said, giving Li Jue face. He was eager to see the divine beast himself—whether this beast, existing only in myth, was truly as miraculous as records claimed.

Before Li Jue could reply, Qian Jin suddenly stood and embraced Liu Xiaoyi tightly. “Everyone, rest well. I’ll immediately mobilize reinforcements to support you.”

Golden Silver Island lay some distance from Yellow Wind Village. Originally thought to be a water-surrounded island, as the group traveled in the Qian family’s luxurious carriage through winding mountains, they finally realized why.

Such a peculiar terrain could only have been discovered by luck. The Golden Silver Palace stood atop a nearly circular base, surrounded on all sides by cliffs. Below was a bottomless abyss, with only one narrow, winding path leading to it.

As the carriage raced along this path, Meng Qiao and her companion tightly shut their eyes, afraid to look to the sides. The tracks pressed near the edge—if they deviated even slightly, the spacious carriage would plunge off the cliff and be smashed to pieces.

“Don’t worry. The elders say Bai Ze protects Golden Silver Island. It won’t have trouble for ten thousand years,” Qian Jin excitedly explained. Two families lived on the island: the Qian family in the Golden Hall on one side, and the Hua family in the Silver Shop on the other. Both depended on the terrain to build their homes, with the cave imprisoning the divine beast deep in between.

Strong experts from both families had once tried to free Bai Ze, but no matter what Daoist techniques they used, the rusted iron chains were impervious—no amount of polishing could remove even a speck of rust.

A messenger had already arrived. A man from the Qian family stood at the gate waiting. Qian Jin happily called out, “Third brother, why are you alone? Where are the old masters?”

The third brother sighed and replied helplessly, “Don’t mention it. We’ve been squabbling with the old master of the Hua family since last night, guarding the cave entrance all night. Everyone’s gathered there.”

Knowing his unreliable second brother had brought guests of similar age, he knew these were reinforcements. But honestly, these newcomers did not seem likely to overcome that fierce woman from the Hua family.

The Qian family had cultivated the Dao for generations, specializing in spear techniques. The Hua family had always been stronger in their exchanges. The current score of four wins to five losses over ten rounds owed much to the few high-level experts they’d hired.

But Hua’s formidable woman had already won three consecutive rounds. If she defeated Qian Jin, she would secure the duel completely. The sacrificial food for Bai Ze was already prepared—livestock waiting to be sent into the cave after the outcome.

The two old masters, bald and shining, stood before the cave, each refusing to yield an inch. Anyone who tried to intervene was repelled by the force they unleashed.

“Stuck in a deadlock again. What to do? The older they get, the less peace they give us.”

“If they start fighting and Bai Ze is affected, the blame on our families will be huge. Maybe we should hold the duel a day early.”

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“I think that’s fine. Miss Man Ying can go anytime. But your Qian Jin hasn’t shown up for days. He hasn’t run off, has he?”

As the crowd murmured, Qian Jin came running from afar, waving his arms. “I, Qian Jin, am a man of honor! Why would I fear a woman? Come on, let’s fight now!”

“Good! That’s what we want to hear!” A figure leapt from the crowd, wielding a gleaming silver spear, and without hesitation aimed straight for Qian Jin’s face.

“Brother Liu, just fight her. Go for it!” Unexpectedly, Qian Jin didn’t advance but instead drew back, pushing Liu Xiaoyi away with both hands.

Liu Xiaoyi was caught off guard and found himself facing the spear tip. He had no choice but to draw his sword to block. “Is this how things are done on Golden Silver Island?”

The attacker paused, asking, “Aren’t you here to fight Qian Jin? You must be his hired help. Watch the spear!”

Despite the question, the gleaming silver spear never stopped. It roared like a dragon, bringing a fierce wind. Though the wielder was a young woman, her presence was overwhelmingly oppressive, at least two levels above Liu Xiaoyi’s cultivation!

“I am Liu Xiaoyi, here to assist Brother Qian. May I know your name, miss?”

“Hua Man Ying!”

Sword and spear clashed relentlessly for over ten rounds without a clear winner. Spectators could easily see the disparity in their levels, yet Liu Xiaoyi protected himself flawlessly, every sword move smooth and unhesitating, drawing rounds of applause.

Was this truly a friendly duel? Liu Xiaoyi felt increasingly uneasy. Her strikes aimed for vital points. One misstep could be disastrous!

“What are you thinking about!” Suddenly, Hua Man Ying shook her spear, which split into nine tips, each thrusting from a different angle. Liu Xiaoyi’s vision was filled with the bright steel as he was forced to unleash the Crescent Moon Slash.

Their blades collided twice, dispersing true qi and stirring dust. The two struggling elders were moved, stepping back from the circle, saying, “Let the juniors finish their contest first!”

Hua Man Ying was surprised Liu Xiaoyi could withstand her full assault. In the previous three rounds, she hadn’t even used her true skills and had already overwhelmed the Qian family.

“He Lailei!” As sword and spear clashed again, a crane formed from swirling wind appeared above Hua Man Ying’s head, soaring directly toward the crown of Liu Xiaoyi’s head.