Chapter 336: The Value of Baijing Island

Night fell, and the group rested on Baijing Island.

The island had been completely secured, and what awaited them was the fate of being escorted back to Niujiao Bay to face trial.

However, under the interrogation of Dawei and Tangmu, six people stood out from among the captives.

They were all commoners.

Among them, two were craftsmen who had participated in building the pier, one had a bit of experience in the preliminary inspection and basic maintenance of ships, and the remaining three were sailors with excellent swimming skills.

After Luoning communicated with Knight Mixi, he removed these six people from the list of captives; they would be taken back to Wubei Territory to serve Luoning, just like Captain Weike.

Magic lamps illuminated the room brightly.

Luoning took out the map Blanche had given him, spread it on the table, and marked the approximate location of Baijing Island on it.

This island had no mineral resources; the only thing that could be called a specialty was perhaps those few coconut trees on the island.

But Baijing Island also had its value.

Its southwest coastal area was suitable for large ships to anchor, which was likely the main reason the White Whale Pirate Group chose it as their base.

"The commercial value of this island is very small, but it can be used as a maritime base."

Luoning looked to the bottom right of the position, where the area of the Screaming Archipelago was located.

And further to the top left was the direction of Jiliu Island.

If Luoning could obtain the usage rights to this Baijing Island, he might be able to use it as a springboard in the future to quickly move south.

"If I propose this to His Majesty the King, I wonder if he would be willing to include this island along with Jiliu Island into my territory?"

Luoning decided to try; if it didn't work, he could still try paying rent to obtain the operating rights for the island.

This island, which had no development value, shouldn't cost much.

Moreover, it wouldn't matter even if both methods failed.

Baijing Island currently belonged to the Kingdom; unless they were pirates, ordinary nobles wouldn't think of developing it, and he believed it wouldn't have a new owner for Along time to come.

As long as there was no new owner, Luoning would have a chance.

Boom!

A huge roar made the wooden building tremble slightly. Luoning raised his head and, through the wooden window on the east side, saw a brilliant purple-red light flare up not far away.

This light lasted for about two or three seconds, just like lightning suddenly streaking across the sky on a stormy day, illuminating the entire earth.

This was Meilongnika practicing a secret technique.

Luoning put away the map and walked toward the area where Meilongnika was practicing.

On the empty beach, Meilongnika was concentrating fully on practicing the Fire Dance Thunder Strike Slash.

Since obtaining this secret technique from Lulansi, he had been studying it for nearly ten days, but it was still somewhat difficult to master.

The fusion of two types of Battle Qi still required more attempts, and the amount of Battle Qi in his body and the mental energy consumed limited the number of times he could use it.

"Once more!"

Meilongnika held his long sword high, with Thunder in one hand and Fire in the other. The two types of Battle Qi were controlled by him on the long sword, unable to rush out, and as they merged, there was an impression of them devouring each other.

The purple and red light illuminated the beach, and Luoning could see the powerful energy surging behind the light.

Suddenly.

Boom!

The two streams of energy controlled on the long sword seemed unable to be contained any longer, rushing straight into the sky and erupting with a fierce light that illuminated the surroundings like broad daylight.

"Hoo, hah, hoo, hah!"

Meilongnika panted heavily; he could only practice until here tonight.

"Baron, I felt an unshakable power from that beam of light just now."

Meilongnika put away his long sword. "A technique not yet mastered is not worth mentioning. Besides, you can address me by my name directly."

"Alright, Mr. Meilongnika."

Luoning smiled: "I heard from my grandfather that you don't seem very interested in titles."

Meilongnika turned his head to look at the pitch-black sea. "Compared to becoming a noble and managing or developing a territory, I prefer pursuing greater power and enjoying the thrill of charging on the battlefield."

"Wubei Territory has many enemies; it is indeed a very suitable place for you."

A look of reminiscence appeared in Meilongnika's eyes.

"When I was young, there was war everywhere; bandits and rebel armies were burning, killing, and looting everywhere. My parents died in this chaos. It was Lord Lulansi who saved me, and subsequently, I joined the Wushan Family's Knight Squad."

He paused and turned his head to look at Luoning: "So, compared to my preferences for pursuing power and battlefield combat, repaying the Marquis for his life-saving grace and for raising me is the biggest reason I remain in Wubei Territory."

With his combat strength, he had received no shortage of secret invitations from other nobles, many of whom offered conditions several times better than Wushan Castle.

The reason he had been willing to remain an Honorary Knight all these years was because of his gratitude.

Luoning praised: "People outside say you have a solitary and cold personality, but in my view, you are a person with rich inner emotions."

Although he said this, Luoning also sensed the subtext in the other's words and couldn't help but ask: "My grandfather's health is not very good. Milosilafu says he might only have seven or eight years left. I don't know what your plans are after my grandfather passes away?"

Meilongnika frowned; perhaps hearing that Lulansi didn't have much time left put him in a bad mood.

"I will hand over the territory to my son, Tailan. The Taile Jiazu will continue to be loyal to Wushan Castle or whoever Lord Lulansi designates. As for me..."

A cold light flickered in Meilongnika's eyes. "I will leave Wubei Territory and become an assassin, making the murderer who backstabbed the Marquis pay with their life!"

This answer was quite unexpected for Luoning.

"You want to assassinate the Vila Duke?"

Luoning revealed: "Blanche told me that Andreya seems to no longer be a Meteor Knight."

"He broke through?" Meilongnika asked in surprise.

Luoning nodded. "It is said he broke through to become a Silver Moon Knight two years ago, but he has never publicly admitted or displayed his strength to the outside world, so it is not entirely certain."

Regarding this, Meilongnika actually felt it was very likely.

"Andreya's aptitude is only slightly inferior to the Marquis; it is possible for him to become a Silver Moon Knight in his seventies."

His tone held a hint of unwillingness.

Compared to a Meteor Knight, a Silver Moon Knight has further improvements in physical strength, endurance, speed, and explosive power, and is also capable of brief mid-air suspension.

With his current strength, it is completely insufficient for him to want to assassinate Andeliya.

"I think we will have opportunities to cooperate in the future."

Luoning said: "The things the Vila Principality has done to our Wushan Family will eventually need to be repaid one day."

Meilongnika heard that Luoning intended to win him over, and he said indifferently: "I follow Lord Lulansi and am loyal to the Wushan Family; I do not wish for the Marquis's bloodline to harbor hatred for one another or even kill each other after his death."

"No, no, no, you have misunderstood my meaning."

Luoning shook his head with a smile: "My enemy has never been Buleidun, and I believe Buleidun does not harbor hatred for me either. Furthermore, I have a certain degree of confidence that I can rid my grandfather of the trouble of his illness."

Meilongnika turned his head abruptly: "Really?"

"At present, I already have fifty percent certainty!" Luoning said with absolute assurance.

Meilongnika scrutinized Luoning carefully, as if trying to determine just how credible this statement was.

After Along while, he said solemnly: "If you can cure the Marquis, I will seriously consider cooperating with you." (End of chapter)