[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-after-the-immortals-disappeared":3,"chapter-after-the-immortals-disappeared-after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-924":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","After the Immortals Disappeared",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2284808,4468,"Chapter 924: The Second Pirate Chief","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-924",924,"\u003Cp>As soon as He Lingchuan opened his mouth, Dong Rui interrupted him: \"But you’ve already picked it clean, there’s nothing left. It’s really gone!\" \"A divine tomb? Are there living gods inside?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The look Dong Rui gave him was like he was caring for the mentally disabled: \"What kind of talk is that? Of course not! Otherwise, would they let me take their blood and cut their bones?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>……\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qing'an returned home, and the sky had already grown dark.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His father, Lu Zhensheng, had already returned and was waiting for his report.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qing'an took out the forty thousand taels in silver notes, but he didn't say a word about the accident during the inspection at sea, only saying that today had gone exceptionally smoothly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the point of mentioning it? The archipelago had already been sold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only thing the old man could complain about was that he had sold it too cheaply—since the other party had their eyes on the archipelago, they might have been able to accept a higher price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Come to think of it, had that man surnamed He been swindling him these past few days?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qing'an felt a bit annoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Zhensheng let out a long sigh of relief upon seeing the silver notes, then gave a bitter smile: \"To bow for a mere few tens of thousands of taels of silver. Sigh, I never thought our father and son would come to this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anyone in business knows that everyone has times when they are short on cash,\" Lu Qing'an comforted him. \"It’s just a difficult half-month; it will pass. Once the autumn grain and taxes are collected next month, the treasury will be full again.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The land of Bailie was extremely fertile, with few disasters and no wars, and they could have a bumper harvest every few days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qing'an changed the subject: \"By the way, the month after next is the Baishun Festival. What are the plans for Second Brother and his wife?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In previous years, Lu Qinglin and his wife often returned home for the Baishun Festival to visit their relatives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There is fighting in the west, and Qinglin is still on the front lines, so it’s hard to say right now,\" Lu Zhensheng said casually. \"Most likely, they won't be coming back.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Qing'an said \"Oh,\" and felt relieved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His sister-in-law was a top-tier power broker in the Mou Kingdom, the daughter of the Great General of Yutian, Xia Lishang. Every time she came to visit, Bailie had to provide the highest standard of hospitality to show their respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What was the highest standard? Expensive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Spending money.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wasting manpower and wealth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These three phrases were becoming a taboo for Lu Zhensheng; he got a toothache just hearing them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just in time for the autumn harvest, and Bailie had finally managed to save some money. If Xia Lishang came, who knew how much would be squandered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she didn't come, it would truly be a joy for everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To save some money, Lu Qing'an could skip seeing his second brother; that was no problem at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>￥￥￥￥￥\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day was cloudy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The morning sunlight was blocked by thick clouds, and the wind on the sea was a bit chilly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fish Bone Reef was very small, only about thirty or forty square meters. Rather than a \"reef,\" it was more like a small, slanted strip of beach. The part exposed above the water was white and fine, shaped like a fish bone, hence the name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the tide rose, the entire Fish Bone Reef would be submerged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Today at the hour of the Dragon (7-9 AM) was the lowest point of the ebb tide. He Lingchuan arrived by boat, and his men set up a table and two chairs on the Fish Bone Reef, placing a jar of fine wine on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan sat there waiting, pouring and drinking by himself while listening to the rising and falling of the waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Hu and the other guards stood behind him with their hands behind their backs, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After half an hour, Qiu Hu leaned in and said: \"Young Master, more than half the time has passed.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan nodded, not in a hurry at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why was he certain the pirates would keep the appointment? It was simple: before Lei Ni left the pleasure boat yesterday, He Lingchuan had secretly placed an Eyeball Spider on her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This girl had indeed found the Second Pirate Chief and relayed the request of Young Master He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pirate den had immediately erupted into chaotic laughter, making jokes about him, the new island owner. However, after hearing about Lei Ni's experience on Suoding Island, the Second Pirate Chief decided to come and meet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If nothing else, the location He Lingchuan chose for the meeting showed his sincerity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Fish Bone Reef was not on land, nor even inside Blade Harbor; the beach and the sea were wide open and unobstructed, and there was no place to hide ships, which ruled out the possibility of an ambush.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If one wanted to talk properly, one had to find a location where both sides could feel at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another half hour passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as the hour of the Dragon was coming to an end, a fast boat suddenly approached and dropped anchor with exceptionally nimble movements.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Afterward, more than thirty burly men jumped off the boat and walked over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man in the lead was not tall, but had a large head and a thick neck, with a long scar on his left cheek extending from his eyebrow and eyelid to the corner of his mouth. No matter what expression he wore, he looked ferocious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These people had dark, shiny skin, like old farmers in the fields. But He Lingchuan knew that was the result of being exposed to the wind and sun at sea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had told Min Tianxi to bring only five men onto the reef, but this guy had brought over thirty. They were a dark, imposing mass, relying on their numbers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why would pirates listen to the words of a small \"island owner\"?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pirate leader looked him up and down a few times: \"He?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan gestured with his hand: \"The Second Chief is here? Please, sit.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was not afraid and sat down brazenly. The pirates spread out behind him, using their numerical advantage to surround Qiu Hu and the others, watching them like tigers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>35:6, the ratio of the two sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surrounded by the gang of pirates, He Lingchuan remained calm: \"How should I address you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My name is Min Tianxi.\" He didn't believe He Lingchuan hadn't inquired about his name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Chief Min.\" He Lingchuan personally picked up the pot and poured him a cup of wine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fragrance of the wine was enticing, but Min Tianxi didn't even lift his hand. How could he drink wine of unknown origin?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are the big sucker who bought the Yangshan Archipelago?\" Min Tianxi went straight to the point, seizing the initiative in the conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I bought the archipelago, but I am no sucker.\" He Lingchuan wouldn't be led astray by him. \"In a few days, you will know who the real sucker is.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" Min Tianxi was a bit curious. \"Who?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan smiled and said nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pirates on the side were whispering to each other, occasionally reaching out to point at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The more unscrupulous ones reached out, wanting to poke the shoulders of the Rongshan men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are these all of Chief Min's elite?\" He Lingchuan glanced at them. \"When their master is discussing matters, they dare to whisper and laugh on the side; their discipline is too poor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Min Tianxi frowned. When he was talking to someone, these boys were giggling and whispering on the side; it was indeed improper. In contrast, the five men behind He Lingchuan stood like pines, neither speaking nor moving, a stark contrast to the sloppiness and rudeness of his own side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of you, shut up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a roar from Min Tianxi, the private discussions of the pirates finally subsided one after another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Hu saw this, his eyes flickering slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pirate leader then asked: \"How much money did you spend to buy this archipelago?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan did not hide it from him: \"Eighty thousand taels.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only eighty thousand?\" Min Tianxi slapped the armrest of his chair with a \"slap.\" \"Oh my, if I had known it was only eighty thousand, couldn't I have just gone to Bailie to buy it? These islands and sea areas would all be mine legitimately from now on.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A trusted aide behind him reminded him: \"Chief, we are in a business that requires no capital; we can't spend money.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who would rob on their own territory?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Min Tianxi glared at him with a roll of his eyes. Being stupid again? Couldn't he hear that he was mocking this kid? \"You think spending these eighty thousand taels is worth it?\" This Island Owner He looked like a rich young master, but his gaze was steady. The guards behind him also had cultivation bases and didn't look weak in martial power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Min Tianxi's gaze swept over Qiu Hu twice. When being a pirate leader, the most important thing was not how many men one had under their command, but having a sharp eye to know how to pick the right prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone like Qiu Hu, whose ferocity was visible on the outside, looked like a tough nut to crack at first glance; the pirates of the Second Path would certainly not pick him as prey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about his master, Young Master He? Was he not as stupid as the rumors said? Should he test him? \"Very worth it.\" He Lingchuan raised his cup and sipped the fine wine. \"Just taking Dragon Spine Island alone, how much farmland can be opened, how many manors can be built? And there is no need to pay any exorbitant taxes or levies.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not only did he not have to pay, but he could also collect these fees from people who came to the island to buy houses and set up businesses. \"And yet, dozens of islands combined only sold for eighty thousand taels; if that isn't a bargain price, what is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Min Tianxi looked at him for a long while before asking: \"You know that the depths of the archipelago cannot be entered, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of the Yin-evil turbid Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan didn't even lift his eyelids: \"Usually, Yin-serpents don't swim to the periphery to hurt people either, Chief Min knows that too, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was talking about the recent changes in the Yangshan Archipelago, and at the same time answering Min Tianxi's previous question: he knew everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" Min Tianxi was very surprised. \"You know the reason?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This kid knew there was Yin-evil in the Yangshan Archipelago and still dared to buy it? Who gave him the courage?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course.\" He Lingchuan smiled. \"Without some confidence, how would I dare to buy the Yangshan Archipelago? Let's put it this way: within a month at most, the Yin-evil will fade from all the islands except for Dragon Spine Island.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Min Tianxi's playful expression slowly became solemn, and he suddenly burst into loud laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Almost, I almost believed it!\" Min Tianxi slapped his thigh, laughing uncontrollably. \"You mean you can drive the Yin-evil from the earth's veins clean? Even if you had a few peanuts on the table as a snack, you couldn't be drinking like this.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan just quietly waited for him to finish laughing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiu Hu stepped forward, his killing intent unleashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a few clangs, the pirates surrounding them immediately drew their blades.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation suddenly became tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan raised his hand and pressed it down, signaling both sides to stay calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Min Tianxi's laughter stopped, he continued: \"If the Yin-evil on Dragon Spine Island hadn't faded on a large scale, why would the Yin-serpents be dying in droves?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A coincidence, that's all.\" Min Tianxi frowned. \"In the Yangshan Archipelago, let alone the Yin-evil fading by coincidence, it wouldn't be strange if even stranger things happened. You still want to take credit for heaven's work?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the Yin-evil faded, that was a change in the earth's veins, a work of creation; what could it possibly have to do with this yellow-haired kid! At most, he could calculate the variables here, but trying to use this to swindle people was still too naive!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Lingchuan knew that words alone were not enough, and this pirate leader wouldn't believe him anyway, so he said: \"I say the Yin-evil can fade, so it will definitely fade. Then the problem between you and me becomes very prominent, Second Chief.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oh?\" Min Tianxi asked a question he already knew the answer to. \"What problem?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are digging for food on my turf without my permission.\" Entering the main topic, He Lingchuan didn't need to be subtle anymore. \"In the past, the Bailie people were incompetent and could only turn a blind eye; now that the Yangshan Archipelago has a new owner, I sincerely advise you that you should carefully consider the question of staying or leaving.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several pirates behind Min Tianxi sneered: \"Just based on the few of you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The kid has a big mouth; today we'll chop you up to feed the fish, and we'll take the archipelago!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With the land deed in hand, from now on, whoever sees our Chief Min will have to respectfully call him Island Owner!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2262,"2026-06-20T02:23:34.395Z",1,"Gemini 3.1 Flash Lite","0a4034ab5e4c3ab3de6f893c8296b7cb1eaa68fe4fda661e3e3b2b8bbed7d471","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-925","after-the-immortals-disappeared-chapter-923",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fafter-the-immortals-disappeared-cover.jpg"]