Chapter 494 - 417: Ambush

Chapter 494: Chapter 417: Ambush

After the battle of the Netherworld Ship, the Celestial Sword Sect did not leave in a hurry.

The two Supreme Elders ordered them to first tally the spoils of war while also dispatching a team of disciples to the Thunder Shock County docks to rent a Tower Ship suitable for river travel.

The Five-toothed Warship was simply too massive. Aside from Thunder Shock Marsh and the Grand River, it could hardly navigate ordinary waterways.

Furthermore, the first-floor hall was where over four hundred Black Market merchants and Jianghu figures had been slain. The stench of blood and death was so thick it was suffocating, refusing to dissipate.

Though the Celestial Sword Sect was known for its overbearing methods, it had no desire to sail such a blood-soaked vessel around, making a public spectacle and alerting the entire world.

Dealing with it on the spot was the best course of action.

And so, the members of the Celestial Sword Sect remained in Thunder Shock Marsh for another day to take stock of their haul.

Not only had they eliminated the Netherworld Ship’s Black Market in one fell swoop, but the sheer volume of spoils far exceeded their expectations.

Although many of the Black Market merchants had moved some of their more valuable goods off the ship beforehand to mitigate their risk, what remained on board was still a staggering fortune.

Besides the eighty thousand crates of Opium, the most plentiful items were various medicinal herbs, weapons, armor, and chests filled with gold and silver.

A rough estimate placed the value of these goods at no less than eight hundred thousand taels of silver.

Of course, compared to the Opium, which was worth several million taels of silver, this all paled in comparison.

After conferring, Jiang Buyu and Ye Guhong decided to distribute the medicinal herbs, weapons, and armor. Aside from a small portion set aside for the disciples stationed in Thunder Shock County, the rest was given as rewards to the disciples who had participated in the battle.

Every disciple received at least thousands of taels of silver’s worth.

This was on top of the various rare and bizarre items they had each confiscated from the assorted smaller Black Market vendors.

Though not every item was exceptionally valuable, there were often unexpected treasures hidden among them. Everyone in the contingent made a fortune, and morale soared.

Once everything was sorted, a three-story Tower Ship sailed into the depths of Thunder Shock Marsh on the evening of the second day, pulling up alongside the gargantuan Five-toothed Warship.

The disciples boarded sampans, transferring the crates of goods to the new vessel.

Afterward, they doused the Five-toothed Warship with oil and set it ablaze.

The flames shot into the sky, casting a crimson glow over half the surface of the marsh.

The massive hull twisted and disintegrated in the inferno, eventually collapsing into a scattered, charred frame before sinking into the depths.

With that done, the members of the Celestial Sword Sect finally boarded their ship and began the journey upstream toward Jiangkou.

Traveling upstream, the ship was already slow. On top of that, the Celestial Sword Sect deliberately slowed their pace. It wasn’t until nightfall on the third day, with the bright moon hanging high in the sky, that the Tower Ship finally docked at Jiangkou Pier.

On the pier, Celestial Sword Sect disciples who had returned to Jiangkou ahead of time had already made the necessary arrangements.

Dozens of horse-drawn carriages and Porters were already waiting on the shore. A forest of torches lit up the pier, making it as bright as day.

As soon as the ship docked, the Celestial Sword Sect disciples filed off and began directing the Porters to move the crates.

The remaining disciples spread out to form a perimeter, driving away all the nearby Tugmen and traveling merchants to clear a large, open space.

Amid the hustle and bustle, a figure in white slowly approached.

The disciples on guard instantly grew alert, their hands going to their swords as they prepared to shout a challenge.

But when they got a clear look at the newcomer’s face, they all froze.

Beneath the moonlight, her figure was slender and graceful, clad in a white dress that seemed purer than snow.

She wore no conical hat, allowing the cool moonlight to illuminate a face that was stunningly beautiful, yet appeared somewhat gaunt.

"Junior Sister Feng?!"

A look of pleasant surprise appeared on the face of one of the Celestial Sword Sect disciples, a man of about thirty, and he couldn’t help but call out, "What are you doing here?"

The newcomer was none other than Feng Qingxuan.

"Brother Yu."

Feng Qingxuan’s gaze swept over the busy disciples as she asked in a low voice, "Where... where have you all come from?"

Brother Yu smiled. "We’ve just wiped out the Netherworld Ship’s Black Market. This is all the loot, and we’re about to transport it to a secret chamber in the Ruins Market for storage. What’s a Junior Sister like you doing out here all alone?"

With her unrivaled beauty and exceptional talent, Feng Qingxuan had no shortage of admirers and suitors within the Celestial Sword Sect, and this Brother Yu was one of them.

Seeing that something was amiss with her expression, he naturally showed particular concern.

Feng Qingxuan ignored his question and pressed on, "Brother Yu, which Elders were in command of this operation? Were any of the Supreme Elders present?"

Brother Yu was taken aback. Though he found her question odd, he still replied, "Jiang Taishang and Ye Taishang are leading, and the three Elders—Jian You, Sword Fear, and Sword Fool—are all here."

Seeing her expression grow even more troubled, he couldn’t help but ask anxiously, "Junior Sister Feng, what in the world happened? If you’re in any trouble, you can tell me. I’ll definitely find a way to help you."

Feng Qingxuan seemed completely oblivious to his attentiveness, merely shaking her head gently. "I do have urgent business. I must report to the two Supreme Elders immediately. It is a matter of great importance. Please, Brother Yu, take me to see them."

Seeing her grave expression, Brother Yu nodded at once. "Of course. Follow me, Junior Sister."

He turned to give a few instructions to a disciple beside him, then led Feng Qingxuan aboard the Tower Ship.

On deck, Jian You stood with his sword cradled in his arms.

"Elder Jian You."

Brother Yu bowed. "Junior Sister Feng has an urgent matter and requests an audience with the two Supreme Elders."

Jian You frowned. "You should be at the sect focusing on your Cultivation. What are you doing here?"

Feng Qingxuan bowed her head. "I truly have an urgent matter that I must report to the two Supreme Elders in person."

Jian You pondered for a moment before leading Feng Qingxuan to a cabin deep inside the vessel.

He knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A calm voice came from within the cabin.

Jian You pushed the door open and entered first.

The cabin was spacious and simply furnished.

Two Grandmaster’s Chairs stood side by side, occupied by Jiang Buyu and Ye Guhong. At that moment, they both looked up.

"Disciple Feng Qingxuan greets Jiang Taishang and Ye Taishang." Feng Qingxuan bowed deeply, her posture deferential.

"Feng Qingxuan?"

The two men were slightly surprised to see her.

Jiang Buyu’s brows furrowed slightly. "Why are you here? What urgent business do you have with us?"