192: In front of Shi Qing

Chapter 192: Right in Front of Shi Qing... "In any case, the child has been found safely, which is a good thing. However, there is one more matter; Brother Shi, have you heard about the business with Xia Ke Island?"

Ning Yuan changed the subject and looked toward Shi Qing.

"Xia Ke Island?"

Shi Qing was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then showed a look of surprise. "What? Has Brother Yue also received an invitation from Xia Ke Island?"

"But with Brother Yue's strength, Xia Ke Island indeed wouldn't let an expert like you slip by."

"Recently, while traveling through the Jianghu, I've also heard rumors of Xia Ke Island reappearing."

"It's not just me who received an invitation; even you and your wife have received one!"

Ning Yuan smiled and shook his head.

"Us?"

Shi Qing suddenly raised his head and looked at Min Rou. "Junior Sister, this is..."

"What my sworn brother says is correct."

Min Rou nodded. "Yesterday, Zhang San and Li Si from Xia Ke Island just delivered the Xia Ke Token, inviting us to Xia Ke Island."

Min Rou took out the Xia Ke Token from her robes.

Shi Qing immediately took it, his expression heavy. "It's actually true. It seems we have no choice but to go to Xia Ke Island this time."

"Brother Shi, do not worry. With me there, it will be enough to ensure your safety."

Ning Yuan said calmly.

Shi Qing immediately showed a look of gratitude and said excitedly, "To be able to make Brother Yue's acquaintance is truly the luck of my life. Tonight, we must drink until we are both drunk."

"Good, I will certainly drink this meal's worth."

Ning Yuan nodded in agreement... That night.

"I offer Brother Yue another toast. If not for Brother Yue's help this time, I don't know when we would have found my son."

Shi Qing had already drunk quite a bit, but he filled another cup and raised it solemnly.

"I cannot refuse Brother Shi's toast, but Brother Shi, you must not be so formal in the future. From now on, we are brothers, with no distinctions between us. What is yours is mine. Come, drink!"

Ning Yuan also picked up his wine cup and drained it in one gulp.

After several rounds of toasting, Shi Qing was already drowsy, swaying even while sitting.

"Brother Shi, it seems your alcohol tolerance isn't up to par!"

Ning Yuan chuckled.

Shi Qing forced himself to stay alert. "It's fine, I'm not drunk yet, let's continue drinking."

Shi Qing picked up the wine cup in front of him. "This cup is a toast for my son. I hope you will discipline and teach him well."

"That's easy to say, easy to say."

Ning Yuan said with a smile.

Soon, with a 'thud,' Shi Qing slumped onto the table, snoring like thunder.

"It seems Father is asleep, so I will accompany my godfather and continue drinking."

Seeing this, Shi Zhongyu suddenly stood up and said, "Father said today he must make sure my godfather enjoys himself to the fullest. Since he's drunk, I'm still here."

"Alright!"

Ning Yuan refused no one.

But in less than an hour, Shi Zhongyu could no longer stand steady.

Seeing this, Min Rou immediately called for someone to take Shi Zhongyu back to his room.

For a moment, only three people remained in the room.

One of them was still slumped on the table in a deep sleep.

Upon meeting Ning Yuan's gaze, Min Rou's heart panicked. Recalling the previous scene, her heart couldn't help but sink, producing an ominous feeling, and she immediately shook her head.

"Why is my Younger Sister-in-law shaking her head?"

Ning Yuan walked up to Min Rou and asked playfully.

"Don't..."

Min Rou took a worried glance at Shi Qing, who was slumped on the table, and spoke in a low voice.

But Ning Yuan had already grabbed Min Rou's wrist and, with a gentle pull, drew her into his arms. "What is Madam saying 'don't' to?"

Ning Yuan chuckled and asked in return.

"Senior Brother is right beside us, how can you..."

Min Rou was extremely anxious, her soul nearly departing from fright. Her gaze flickered, looking toward Shi Qing from time to time, terrified that he would turn his head and see.

If she were seen, she would be utterly humiliated.

But she didn't dare to refuse loudly, and soon her mouth was blocked.

Min Rou's pupils constricted, her eyes widening suddenly, and then she immediately raised her fists to beat against Ning Yuan's chest, her expression one of extreme anxiety and panic.

But Ning Yuan was relentless.

"Madam, rest assured, Brother Shi is already drunk. As long as you don't make too much noise, he won't find out."

Ning Yuan pinned Min Rou's hands behind her back, forcing her to lean forward and bend her waist.

Sometime later.

Min Rou's legs were trembling and felt weak.

Seeing her husband right beside her while she was... Min Rou was pale with fright, her legs turning to jelly.

After a long while, Min Rou finally straightened her clothes and calmed her hurried breathing.

"Senior Brother, I'll take you back to your room."

Min Rou, fearing Ning Yuan would do something else, quickly spoke up loudly and then moved to support Shi Qing.

"I'll just sleep here..."

Shi Qing was drowsy and had no strength, muttering discontentedly.

Seeing Shi Qing like this, Min Rou felt a surge of anger. Thinking about how she had just been violated, she became increasingly incensed.

She forcibly hauled him up.

"How about this, I'll help you take my Worthy Younger Brother back to his room to rest."

Ning Yuan also straightened his clothes and said with a smile.

"No need."

Min Rou immediately refused.

She didn't want what happened when they took Shi Zhongyu back to happen again.

No matter what, Shi Qing was still her husband.

If such a thing were done right beside her husband, she would be utterly humiliated.

Although some things had just happened out of necessity... she would avoid it if she could.

"Younger Sister-in-law, there's no need to be so polite. Brother Shi, I'll take you back."

Ning Yuan took Shi Qing from Min Rou's hands and asked loudly at the same time.

"Many thanks, Brother Yue."

Shi Qing responded in a daze.

"See, Brother Shi has agreed. Younger Sister-in-law needn't be so formal."

Ning Yuan said to Min Rou with a smile.

Although Min Rou really wanted to stop him, she was afraid that if she acted too strongly, Shi Qing would notice something and become suspicious. She could only sigh and remain silent.

Soon after, Min Rou settled Shi Qing onto the bed.

"I can't go on, I'm really too sleepy. Brother Yue's alcohol tolerance is too good; I, Shi, am indeed inferior."

Shi Qing lay on the bed, eyes tightly shut, speaking unclearly.

"Brother Shi, just rest in peace."

Ning Yuan said.

This gave Min Rou a fright. Seeing that Shi Qing had no reaction, she breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around and glared at Ning Yuan.

But she soon showed a pleading look.

Ning Yuan didn't force her this time; he simply whispered a few words into Min Rou's ear. Min Rou's cheeks turned crimson, and finally, looking back at Shi Qing on the bed with worry, she could only grit her teeth and agree.

"Fine, just this once. You must hide to the side and absolutely must not make any sound."

Min Rou said through gritted teeth.

"Alright."

Ning Yuan showed a look of satisfaction. Soon after, while Shi Qing's back was turned to her, Min Rou slowly knelt on the ground and took control with her lips... Early the next morning.

Shi Qing said to Ning Yuan with a bitter smile, "Brother Yue, I'm truly sorry. My alcohol tolerance is indeed poor."

"It's no matter. It's enough that my Worthy Younger Brother had the intention. Moreover, after you were drunk, I had a very pleasant conversation with my Younger Sister-in-law."

"That's good then, as long as Brother Yue wasn't neglected."

Shi Qing said with a smile.

Just then, Min Rou walked by, and Shi Qing immediately spoke up, "Last night, thanks to my wife accompanying Brother Yue. Otherwise, it would have been too rude to have no one to accompany the guest after I got drunk."

Hearing Shi Qing call her, Min Rou's heart tightened, but then hearing these words, her feelings became even more complicated.

But on the surface, she couldn't show the slightest bit of it. She could only force a smile. "I naturally wouldn't neglect a guest. You don't need to worry about these things."

"I am at ease with Junior Sister's handling of things."

Shi Qing nodded.

Then Shi Qing suddenly looked at Ning Yuan. "Brother Yue, I wonder when we will be heading to Xia Ke Island?"

"Calculating the time, it should be in the next few days. We'll travel together then."

Ning Yuan said after a moment of thought.

"That's good. Traveling together provides some security. This Xia Ke Island is incredibly mysterious. Over thirty years ago, it swept away many experts from various Jianghu Schools. To this day, there has been no word from those experts. It must be a mysterious and extremely dangerous place."

Shi Qing said with a solemn expression.

"And those two, Zhang San and Li Si. According to them, the two of them are only messengers of Xia Ke Island, and their strength doesn't even rank in the top twenty on the island. But the power of these two could probably rank in the top ten in the entire Jianghu. If it's truly as they say and they can't even make the top twenty, the experts of Xia Ke Island might be beyond imagination."

Min Rou couldn't afford to let her mind wander now; her expression was equally solemn.

Because the martial arts of either Zhang San or Li Si were much stronger than hers. Even if she and Shi Qing joined forces, they probably wouldn't be a match for just one of them.

And there were at least twenty people on Xia Ke Island stronger than Zhang San and Li Si. Such strength made Min Rou feel a heavy pressure in her heart, making it hard to breathe.

"Regarding the matters of Xia Ke Island, I do know a thing or two."

Ning Yuan said with a normal expression.

"Brother Yue knows?"

Shi Qing was stunned and immediately looked at Ning Yuan, then cupped his fists. "I ask for Brother Yue's guidance."

"It's not really guidance. Since we're in the same boat now, there's nothing to hide. However, what I know is only from hearsay; the inner details will need to be judged for ourselves."

"Brother Yue, rest assured, we understand. After all, none of us have been there, but having some understanding is always good."

Shi Qing immediately cupped his hands and smiled.

Min Rou, who was at the side, also nodded.

"In that case, I'll say it."

Ning Yuan's expression gradually became solemn. "Do you know why the experts of the previous generation all went to Xia Ke Island?"

"Why?"

Shi Qing was stunned, not knowing the reason, then said strangely, "Weren't they all forced onto the island by the people of Xia Ke Island?"

"Yes, isn't that what everyone in the Jianghu says? After all, the strength of those from Xia Ke Island is incredibly powerful. Once a Xia Ke Token is issued, you have to go whether you want to or not; no one can escape."

"It was like that back then, which is why the Chang Le Gang was so fearful, wanting Yu'er to be the gang leader and go to Xia Ke Island in their place."

Min Rou added from the side.

"It's more than that."

Ning Yuan shook his head. "If it were just force, there would always be people unwilling to go to the island. The real reason is that on Xia Ke Island, there is something even more attractive. That's why these martial arts experts all choose to board the ship and head for Xia Ke Island."

"Brother Yue means?"

Shi Qing's expression shifted, and he immediately sat up straight with a solemn look.

"For something to attract so many Jianghu experts to the same place, it must naturally be supreme divine techniques and Medicinal Pills that can increase one's internal power."

Ning Yuan said with equal seriousness.

"So that's how it is."

Shi Qing let out a long breath upon hearing this, a look of realization appearing on his face. "That makes sense then."

"Only for the sake of peerless martial arts techniques would so many people be willing to go. I just wonder what kind of peerless technique it could be to move the experts of every School and make the temptation unavoidable."

Shi Qing couldn't help but feel curious.

If it weren't for the fact that not a single expert from the previous generation had returned, the appearance of Xia Ke Island this time wouldn't have made the experts of the various martial arts Schools so wary.

Although everyone coveted peerless techniques, they also understood that one needed to be alive to practice martial arts.

They didn't know if the previous batch of experts was still alive. Now that the people of Xia Ke Island had reappeared, no matter how great the temptation, they still felt wary.

Not everyone was willing to give up everything they currently had for an unknown peerless technique.

"No one knows that. But according to the news that has leaked out, this peerless technique is supposedly the number one technique in the world today, a true supreme and profound divine power. Of course, no one has been able to master this technique yet."

"And besides that, some of the experts go for the laba congee of Xia Ke Island."

Ning Yuan said with a heavy expression.

"What is laba congee?"

Min Rou's curiosity was also piqued.

"laba congee is not laba congee in the ordinary sense."

Ning Yuan stood up with a look of lamentation. "It's said that this laba congee from Xia Ke Island is even more powerful than Shaolin Great Revitalizing Pill. After consuming it, one can increase their power by decades. Therefore, even if they can't comprehend the peerless divine technique, many experts are still willing to go to Xia Ke Island for the laba congee."

"There is such a divine object?"

Shi Qing showed a shocked expression. The effects of Shaolin Great Revitalizing Pill were known to the whole world and coveted by everyone; just one pill was enough to create a top-tier expert.

However, Shaolin Great Revitalizing Pills were incredibly rare. Even Shaolin hadn't been able to refine any for many years, and they might not even have a few left in stock. They were extremely precious, and even the people of Shaolin were reluctant to use them.

Because the Great Restorative Pill could be given to a sect expert when Shaolin's strength was lacking, ensuring that every generation had experts and avoiding a gap.

As long as there were experts, Shaolin could continue to endure and remain one of the strongest Schools in the world, not to be underestimated.

And this laba congee from Xia Ke Island actually had the same medicinal effect, and it seemed there was quite a lot of it, enough for so many experts to have some. How could this not be shocking?

"Could it be that Zhang San and Li Si have such power because of this laba congee?"

Min Rou suddenly cried out in surprise.

Shi Qing was also taken aback and looked at Ning Yuan.

Ning Yuan nodded slightly. "Correct. That is why Xia Ke Island is full of experts."

"So that's it."

Shi Qing showed a look of realization, and his emotions also stabilized. "If that's the case, then everything makes sense."

"If they had all achieved such high martial arts through their own cultivation, I would truly be shocked. If it's because they consumed laba congee, which is like the Great Restorative Pill, then it's understandable."

Min Rou also nodded and breathed a sigh of relief, but soon added, "No matter how they obtained their power, their martial arts are indeed formidable. Their power has been completely assimilated, and they are not inferior to any expert in the slightest."

"That's true. Fortunately, we'll be traveling with Brother Yue this time."

As Shi Qing spoke, he looked at Ning Yuan again with a smile and complimented, "With Brother Yue's strength, I imagine that even on Xia Ke Island, you would definitely be among the best, with few who can compare."

"Haha... I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare."

Ning Yuan shook his head with a smile. "But I will do my best. As long as I am there, I definitely won't let Brother Shi and my Younger Sister-in-law be in danger."

Ning Yuan gave a solemn guarantee.

"I'll be fine, but if we really encounter danger, I only ask that Brother Yue takes good care of my Junior Sister."

Shi Qing said solemnly.

Hearing this, Min Rou glanced at Shi Qing, a trace of complexity in her eyes.

"Brother Shi, rest assured."

Ning Yuan nodded slightly and gave his promise.

Catching a flight today...