Chapter 521 - 234: Notoriety Spreads

Chapter 521: Chapter 234: Notoriety Spreads

The leader in black was a cold and aloof man, with an unyielding nature that would sooner break than bend.

Although the agony of ’A Line’ was unbearable, when he spoke, it was not to answer Fang Shuwen’s question. Instead, he asked one of his own:

"Did Sikong Cheng die at your hands?"

Though the question answered nothing, it revealed a great deal.

The fact that Fang Shuwen had killed Sikong Cheng was a secret.

No one on Nameless Island knew.

But news of his death had clearly gotten out.

For the leader in black to mention it now meant he was clearly one of the few who knew.

After he spoke, the leader in black’s gaze swept over Luo Shuqing and the others, finally landing on her.

Then, he started to laugh.

"No wonder Sikong Cheng died, not with an expert like you present.

"His death was only to be expected.

"But you’ve underestimated Sikong Cheng... Did you really think killing him would be the end of it?"

"Oh?"

Fang Shuwen narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Are you saying he had a contingency plan?"

"It wasn’t Sikong Cheng’s contingency plan. It was you... you underestimated the ’Profound Celestial Iron Mirror’."

The leader in black took a deep breath, then looked at Fang Shuwen as if he were already a dead man.

"Everyone in the entire East Sea knows that Miss Luo is in the Eastern Domain.

"As for why we haven’t gone to the Eastern Domain to hunt her down... do you know the reason?"

"I’m listening."

"First... the timing isn’t right.

"Although the news has already spread throughout the East Sea, it’s still too early.

"People’s patience hasn’t worn thin just yet.

"So, they can still afford to wait.

"Second, the Eastern Domain is one of the Five Domains Under Heaven. Even those of us on the sea have heard of the Seven Great Sects’ reputation.

"We are reluctant to make enemies of them lightly..."

The leader in black paused, then looked at Fang Shuwen.

"Third... the East Sea isn’t cut off from the world. News will inevitably reach the Eastern Domain. It’s only a matter of when.

"I imagine Miss Luo is well aware of this point herself.

"Once this news spreads throughout the Eastern Domain, even if they don’t know what the ’Profound Celestial Iron Mirror’ actually is...

"...it’s just like how the Seven-String Ancient Chapter was brought to the East Sea. I doubt the people of the Eastern Domain would pass up the chance to acquire the greatest treasure of the East Sea.

"Therefore, before things reach that stage, if Miss Luo still wants to live, she only has one path available...

"...to return to the East Sea."

His words sounded absolute, but in truth, Luo Shuqing had few other options.

Xu Zhiyin could claim the whole affair was a baseless rumor, but the Golden Bell Tower’s attitude represented no one but themselves.

Once the news spread through the Eastern Domain, Luo Shuqing would have no choice but to flee.

Fleeing to the other Four Domains or back to the East Sea were her only options.

The former, however, would only delay the inevitable.

So, the leader in black was correct. Luo Shuqing’s only real choice was to return to the East Sea and set things right.

She would have to use the name of the Qingxiao Pavilion to either hand over the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror or clarify the truth about it.

Only then could the matter truly be put to rest.

Otherwise, she would surely be hunted to her death.

Fang Shuwen glanced at the leader in black.

"Keep talking."

The leader in black snorted and said:

"Between the Eastern Domain and the East Sea, there are only two islands one can stop at.

"Planting a few men on those two islands is incredibly simple...

"No one could hide what happened on Nameless Island last night.

"Besides, those fools had no intention of hiding it.

"The bizarre deaths of Sikong Cheng and his six top masters, combined with the fact that they created their own cover for their activities, clearly pointed to a secret plot.

"There aren’t many things that would make Sikong Cheng so cautious, but the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror happens to be one of them.

"We tried to intercept most of the ships that have left Nameless Island since last night.

"Whoever killed Sikong Cheng and his six masters must be an unparalleled expert.

"Someone like that wouldn’t be killed by mere sea bandits.

"Therefore, by simply checking which ships have gone silent, we can draw a rough conclusion.

"Then, it’s just a matter of investigating each one. If we’re lucky, we’ll find who we’re looking for."

Fang Shuwen frowned slightly.

"Even if you could plant your people on Nameless Island...

"...how could you know which routes the ships would take?"

"If we can plant our people on Nameless Island, why can’t we plant our people on the ships?"

The leader in black sneered.

The answer was brutally simple, and for a moment, Fang Shuwen was at a loss for words.

Nameless Island was a haven for all sorts, so it was no surprise that any faction might have agents there. These agents were far from foolish; it was only logical for them to make the most sensible choice when the time came.

But the leader in black’s words were laced with a chilling, bloodthirsty air.

To put it bluntly, the sea bandits they encountered during the day were nothing more than tools.

Their lives were used to probe for targets and flush out the enemy, allowing those pulling the strings to gather intelligence.

Hearing this, Zuo Xuan sighed.

"No wonder that band of bandits acted so viciously earlier today..."

It was a conspiracy built on a foundation of human lives. If a ship had no masters aboard, its passengers would die.

If a ship did have masters, it would receive a nighttime visit from the likes of this leader in black.