Chapter 344 - 261: Advance Preparations (Part 2)

Chapter 344: Chapter 261: Advance Preparations (Part 2)

"Are you from the East Sea, sir?"

Ichida Keizai couldn’t help but feel a great sense of satisfaction seeing Ota Masayuki, who was once so lofty he wouldn’t even have deigned to look at him, now fawningly trying to make conversation.

But he was well aware of his position, so he didn’t respond at all, simply forging ahead as if he hadn’t heard a thing.

After passing through several corridors, they finally arrived at the ship’s ammunition hold.

Wu Liangchen was having his men take inventory of the ammunition inside. Since little had been used, there was far more here than on the previous two ships.

"Brother Xiaowu, I’ve brought the man!" Yan Feng stepped forward, his tone quite familiar.

Hearing this form of address, Ichida Keizai’s heart filled with envy.

Only those extremely close to Wu Liangchen were qualified to use it.

He would never dare to imagine having such a privilege, so he could only watch with envy.

Wu Liangchen nodded and then looked toward Ota Masayuki in the group.

This was actually their second meeting, but Ota Masayuki didn’t know that.

Because during their first encounter, Ota Masayuki had been completely unaware of his presence.

At the time, Wu Liangchen had been outside a window and overheard him expressing an opinion. He’d found the man not entirely detestable, so he had spared his life, killing Miyagi Yoshiaki instead.

To think they would meet again at the Huangpu Guard in the blink of an eye. ’It seems we’re truly fated.’

Meanwhile, Ota Masayuki also saw Wu Liangchen.

Although he was terrified, a flicker of surprise still crossed his eyes.

He had, of course, seen a portrait of Wu Liangchen, but this was the first time he had seen him in person. He discovered that the man’s real presence was far more formidable than the portrait suggested.

Just then, Wu Liangchen waved his hand, and Yan Feng, Ichida Keizai, and the others all withdrew.

In the blink of an eye, only Wu Liangchen and Ota Masayuki remained in the vast ammunition hold.

At this point, Ota Masayuki surprisingly calmed down.

He knew that Wu Liangchen probably didn’t intend to kill him. Otherwise, why would he go to the trouble of having him brought here?

Wouldn’t it have been easier to just kill him back at the Huangpu Guard?

Thinking this, he calmly met Wu Liangchen’s slightly scrutinizing gaze.

Then, Wu Liangchen spoke.

"I had you brought here for one reason: Who is the Folangji merchant supplying your East Sea nation with firearms and warships, and how can I contact him?"

Ota Masayuki shuddered slightly, then gave a bitter smile. "Is this the condition for my survival?"

Wu Liangchen nodded. "You could say that. As long as you truthfully tell me everything you know, I will not kill you."

Ota Masayuki didn’t press for any guarantees, as he knew it would be meaningless.

A man like Wu Liangchen would never be swayed by mere words. The only thing he could do was earn his chance to live through sincerity.

Therefore, he took a deep breath, as if steeling his resolve, and said solemnly, "Although I am a direct son of the Ota family, I don’t have access to secrets of this level."

"However, I am on very good terms with my older brother. He is the eldest direct son and is highly regarded by the Monarch. So, I have managed to overhear a few fragments about these matters from him."

"The Folangji merchant who sells weapons to our East Sea nation is named Richmond. He’s a major merchant who has plied the sea routes for many years, and his power is substantial. I don’t know what kind of agreement he reached with the Monarch, but he provided us with a large quantity of firearms and warships over a three-year period. That’s how our East Sea nation was able to develop such a massive firearms force."

"Richmond..."

"Yes. When I left the capital, he hadn’t departed yet. He is highly respected by the Monarch and is often summoned to the palace for secret talks. But as for his current situation—whether he has left or not—I do not know," Ota Masayuki said with great sincerity.

Wu Liangchen nodded. He then asked some more questions about the internal affairs of the East Sea nation, and Ota Masayuki held nothing back, his cooperation absolute.

This attitude greatly satisfied Wu Liangchen.

’That’s the advantage of dealing with smart people. Once you make the stakes clear, you don’t have to worry about the rest.’

"What is the Vajra Institute’s status in your East Sea nation? How strong is this sect?" Wu Liangchen suddenly remembered something and asked.

A hint of surprise appeared on Ota Masayuki’s face, clearly astonished that Wu Liangchen knew of the Vajra Institute.

But he quickly replied, "Its status is very lofty. You could say that before, the Vajra Institute’s position in the East Sea nation was supreme. Even successive Monarchs had to show the sect due respect."

"Before?" Wu Liangchen keenly caught the key word in Ota Masayuki’s statement.

"Yes, before. Ever since the current Monarch got involved with this Richmond, relations with the Vajra Institute have become very tense. I heard from my brother that the Monarch and the abbot of the Vajra Institute even had a major argument, but no one knows the specific reason."

"After that, the Vajra Institute’s status within the East Sea’s official system began to plummet. Even the annual rites were canceled. The Vajra Institute, however, had little reaction. They even proactively closed their mountain gates and no longer interfere in worldly affairs. That’s why you rarely see any disciples from the Vajra Institute out and about these past two years."

As he said this, he stole a glance at Wu Liangchen, wondering why this astonishingly talented young man was asking about the Vajra Institute.

Wu Liangchen naturally paid him no mind. After a moment of thought, he suddenly asked, "Do you want to return to the East Sea nation?"

"Yes!"

’It would be a lie to say no. If it were possible, I wish I could fly back to the East Sea nation right this second, hide in my small courtyard, and never come out again.’

"Good. In that case, don’t leave. In a few days, I happen to be making a trip to the East Sea nation. I’ll take you back with me then," Wu Liangchen said lightly.

Ota Masayuki wanted to slap himself a few times.

’Serves me right for opening my big mouth. Now look what’s happened.’

But he didn’t dare refuse and could only force a smile. "Th... thank you!"

Wu Liangchen smiled faintly. "Don’t mention it."

With that, Wu Liangchen clapped his hands lightly. Ichida Keizai immediately ran over and said with the utmost respect, "Master Wu, what are your orders?"

"Arrange a room for him. He’ll be staying on the ship for a while, so don’t treat him poorly."

"Yes, sir!"

Although he was also very surprised, Ichida Keizai was much calmer than Ota Masayuki.

In his eyes, Wu Liangchen’s command was everything. Without a moment’s hesitation, he turned to Ota Masayuki and said, "Please, follow me."

Ota Masayuki had no choice but to withdraw, his face a mask of misery.

After he left, Wu Liangchen stared at the ammunition covering the floor and fell into deep thought.

His reason for asking about the person selling ammunition to the East Sea nation was simple: he wanted to use him to find the route to the hidden overseas realm.

After all, these firearms had flowed in from that hidden overseas realm, so these Folangji merchants must have very close contact with the people there.

Through this campaign, Wu Liangchen had gained a very clear understanding of his own current strength.

He was invincible in the current age.

This was not an exaggeration, but a fact.

Never mind Martial Artists of the same level; even an army of hundreds or thousands armed with firearms would find it impossible to encircle and kill him.

First, his divinely keen perception allowed him to avoid most risks in advance. Second, his powerful Body Technique and reaction speed gave him more than enough confidence when facing an army’s attack.

Most critically, Wu Liangchen was not lacking in ranged attacks either. In fact, at long distances, his pebbles or arrows were even more accurate than firearms.

Therefore, Wu Liangchen had already walked the path of martial arts in this world to its very end. Even though he had relied on the secret document left by the founding emperor of Great Yan to push his realm to Opening Veins, this was not a long-term solution.

After all, with the aid of the Ten Thousand Laws Tripod, Wu Liangchen had no Cultivation bottlenecks.

Thus, even the Vein Opening Realm wouldn’t be able to hold him for long. He had to plan ahead and prepare for what came next.

By now, the entire giant ship was under the control of the young brothers from Flower Square. The sailors from the East Sea nation were under strict surveillance to ensure they didn’t cause any trouble.

With his worries behind him settled, Wu Liangchen silently left the giant ship and headed for the Huangpu Guard.