119: Chapter 119 Black Jade Mansion

The sea area of Star Continent Anchorage was vast beyond imagination.

As Jiang Tao steered an inconspicuous small grey-canopied boat, carrying Wang Mingyuan toward Taikang Island, even he—a Primal Elephant Realm Martial Artist who had frequented these waters for twenty years—couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sight before him.

It had been three days since they departed from Fishing Ground No. 4.

During this time, they had passed through group after group of scattered islands.

Some islands were as small as reefs, barely large enough for a few people to stand on; others were as large as cities, with undulating mountains, dense vegetation, and bustling wharves and dense buildings visible along the coast.

The number of islands in Star Continent Anchorage was more than ten times that of the Shattered Star Archipelago Jiang Hanzhou had previously visited!

The population living on these islands reached an even more staggering scale.

According to Wang Mingyuan's knowledge, Taikang Island alone had a permanent population exceeding eight hundred thousand. If one included floating fishermen, merchants, Martial Artists, and personnel from various factions, it easily broke a million.

The total population of the entire Star Continent Anchorage far exceeded the three prefectures of Three Rivers Estuary where Jiang Hanzhou had originally been.

On the sea, boats and ships shuttled back and forth like a loom.

There were simple fishing boats casting nets, merchant cargo ships fully loaded with goods, and patrol boats from various Sects flying their banners. Occasionally, one could even see large, ornately decorated passenger vessels with flowing Formations carrying high officials and nobles.

Further away, between several islands, there were actually rainbow bridges suspended in the air. Figures moved on the bridges and carriages flowed like a stream, seemingly connecting several islands into a single maritime city-state.

“Star Islet Market is in that largest group of islands ahead,” Jiang Tao said, standing at the bow and pointing toward the cluster of brilliantly lit islands that seemed never to sleep. “It’s formed by seventeen islands connected by twenty-seven rainbow bridges. With a permanent population of over three million, it is the most prosperous trade center in the West Sea outside of the major main cities.”

Wang Mingyuan squinted his eyes. Even from dozens of miles away, he could feel the hustle and bustle and the vitality of that area.

Various spiritual lights flowed between the buildings, flying boats took off and landed like bees, and the fluctuations of powerful Formations vaguely enveloped the entire area; it was clearly a place of great importance.

“We aren't going to Star Islet Market.” Jiang Tao adjusted their course. “Taikang Island is eight hundred miles northeast of Star Islet Market. It’s the seventh-largest island in Star Continent Anchorage, with an area roughly equivalent to two islands of Fishing Ground No. 4. The largest power on the island is the Heavenly Heart Sect, which occupies the best Spiritual Vein and blessed land on the east side of the island, where they built ‘Heavenly Heart Villa.’ Our Prodigal Society's base is in the area of ‘Nanwan Wharf’ on the south side of the island.”

The small boat continued to sail for half a day.

The silhouette of Taikang Island gradually became clear.

The island was long and narrow, running north to south—narrow from east to west and long from north to south, like a long sword lying flat in the sea.

The island's terrain was high in the east and low in the west. To the east were continuous mountain ranges shrouded in mist, with pavilions and towers faintly visible among them; that was where the Heavenly Heart Sect's villa was located.

To the west were gentle hills and coastal plains, dotted with villages and towns and crisscrossed with farmland.

Nanwan Wharf was located at the southernmost tip of the island, a natural deep-water harbor.

At this moment, hundreds of boats of all sizes were moored at the wharf. On the shore, houses stood in rows, wine banners fluttered, and the air was filled with the clamor of voices; it was like a bustling seaside town.

Jiang Tao's small boat entered the wharf, but it did not stop in the busiest merchant ship area, instead circling to a relatively secluded corner.

There were several stone piers extending into the sea. At the end of one pier stood a three-story blue-grey stone building. An inconspicuous wooden sign hung outside the stone building with the four characters “Langtao Warehouse” written on it.

What appeared to be an ordinary cargo station was actually the headquarters of the Prodigal Society.

“You're back?”

On the ground floor of the stone building, a middle-aged man with the appearance of a scholar who was organizing account books looked up. A flash of surprise appeared in his eyes when he saw Jiang Tao, and his eyebrows twitched even more when he noticed the steady-tempered Wang Mingyuan behind Jiang Tao.

“Old Qin, this is Steward Wang Mingyuan from Dragon Abyss Palace's Fishing Ground No. 4,” Jiang Tao introduced. “Steward Wang, this is Qin Wen, the society's accountant and also my strategist.”

Qin Wen stood up and cupped his hands in greeting, his eyes filled with scrutiny. “Steward Wang's presence is a great honor, please excuse our lack of a proper welcome. May I ask...”

“Let's talk inside.” Jiang Tao waved his hand, his expression looking slightly tired.

The three went up to the third floor and entered a simply decorated but quite elegant study.

Jiang Tao personally set up a soundproofing Restriction, then sat down as if relieved, rubbing his brow.

“Chairman, about Fishing Ground No. 4...” Qin Wen asked tentatively.

“The matter has been resolved.” Jiang Tao slowly delivered the pre-prepared explanation. “A few ungrateful bastards in the society colluded with outsiders to hijack the Dragon Abyss Palace's fishing ground. I discovered it in time and cleaned house. That fast ship and twenty brothers were lost over there.”

Qin Wen's expression changed. “Twenty brothers? Vice Chairman Chen San also...”

Jiang Tao nodded, a flash of pain that was hard to detect passing through his eyes, but it was quickly suppressed.

“They're all gone. But it's just as well; those traitors were never settled to begin with, and this time they were all wiped out. Externally, we'll go with this story.”

How shrewd was Qin Wen? He immediately heard the unspoken meaning in Jiang Tao's words. He glanced at the calm Wang Mingyuan beside him and already had a guess in his heart, so he stopped asking for details and instead asked, “Then the transaction with the Heavenly Heart Sect...”

“Put on hold for now,” Jiang Tao said in a heavy voice. “Dragon Abyss Palace is already alert; it's not suitable to make a move recently. If the Heavenly Heart Sect asks, just say the situation is too tight and we need to wait a bit.”

Qin Wen nodded and took note.

Jiang Tao glanced at Wang Mingyuan and said, “Qin Wen is my confidant and can be trusted. Moreover, before returning, I already sent him a message about part of the situation, so he is aware.”

Wang Mingyuan nodded upon hearing this and spoke up at this moment:

“Chairman Jiang, could you explain in detail why the Heavenly Heart Sect is so obsessed with Dragon Abyss Palace's Spirit Fish? As far as I know, although Silver-Scaled Saberfish are precious, with the Heavenly Heart Sect's financial resources and channels, they aren't impossible to get. Why take such a big risk to collude with outsiders to steal them?”

Jiang Tao and Qin Wen exchanged a look.

After a moment of silence, Jiang Tao slowly said:

“Does Steward Wang know that the Heavenly Heart Sect has expanded extremely rapidly in recent years? They've opened seven Medicinal Pill shops and three auction houses in Star Continent Anchorage, and even ventured into maritime transport, purchasing three large cargo ships.”

“I've heard a bit about it,” Wang Mingyuan said. “But expansion requires massive funds. Although the Heavenly Heart Sect is well-managed, I'm afraid it would be difficult to support such a fast pace.”

“So they are raking in money everywhere.” Qin Wen took over, his voice lowered. “It's not just Spirit Fish. According to the information we have, the Heavenly Heart Sect has secretly taken over a lot of grey businesses in the past two years: smuggling prohibited drugs, selling stolen goods, and even... secretly providing protection to some pirate groups in exchange for a cut.”

Wang Mingyuan's brow furrowed tightly. “Are they crazy? Aren't they afraid of offending people they shouldn't offend?”

“Because they have someone behind them,” Jiang Tao sneered. “Black Jade Mansion, one of the overlords of the West Sea. Half a year ago, the Heavenly Heart Sect's Sect Leader, ‘Layman Lingxin,’ made a connection with a True Disciple of Black Jade Mansion.”