Chapter 1208: [Storm and Cloud Converge] (Part 1)

Yang Yuanqing was humiliated like this, his face blotched blue and purple, extremely embarrassed.

Yan Tianlu burst out laughing, saying, "But I like it; in my life I most admire someone like you, a despicable villain!"

Yang Yuanqing said awkwardly, "Island Lord, I, too, am acting on someone else's entrustment to be loyal; please fulfill your promise."

Yan Tianlu nodded and said, "I will certainly help you achieve what I promised you, but regarding killing Hu Xiaotian, a few people on the island disagree."

Yang Yuanqing thought to himself, "You are the island lord; who would dare oppose you when you speak? Could there have been a change? Did Yan Tianlu regret it?" He smiled and said, "I don't know who opposes it."

Yan Tianlu coughed and said, "Come out!"

Several people walked out from behind the curtain, the leader being Chang Fanqi, with Hu Zhongyang and several Dakang naval officers beside him. Seeing the scene, Yang Yuanqing was so frightened his soul nearly left his body; he immediately understood what had happened and turned to flee.

Chang Fanqi had already strode after him, punching him in the back, sending Yang Yuanqing flying sideways and crashing heavily to the ground, his face bruised and swollen. Before he could get up, Hu Zhongyang rushed over and stepped on his chest, shouting, "You treacherous wretch, dare to frame Sir Hu!"

Yang Yuanqing screamed, "Yan Tianlu, you go back on your word, break your promise… you don't even deserve to be island lord… how can one who betrays trust be trusted by others?"

Yan Tianlu chuckled, "It's not me who broke faith; when did I ever reach an agreement with you? All along I've had an understanding with Hu Xiaotian—he helped rescue my son, and I've never owed you anything."

Chang Fanqi and Hu Zhongyang lifted Yang Yuanqing like a chicken, tied him up, and he shouted, "Kill me if you want; even a frown would make me no hero."

Yan Tianlu sneered, "A wretch who sells his lord for glory—you also dare call yourself a hero? General Chang, I can hand him over to you; as for how to deal with him, that's up to you."

Chang Fanqi clasped his fists and said, "Thank you, Island Lord, for your kindness!"

Yan Tianlu said, "The water level of the lagoon has risen; General Chang, you can return soon. I will also have the fresh water supplies needed for your journey sent along."

After Chang Fanqi thanked him, he led his men, escorting Yang Yuanqing away.

Hu Zhongyang laughed with relief, "Island Lord, you've kept me in the dark all this time!"

Yan Tianlu smiled, narrowing his eyes at him, and said, "What? Do you think I would be unfavorable to Hu Xiaotian?"

Hu Zhongyang laughed, "Island Lord, you're not that kind of person!"

"Who knows? To protect my son, I would do anything."

Hu Zhongyang said, "Island Lord, why aren't you afraid of Yang Yuanqing's threats?"

Yan Tianlu said, "I've lived most of my life; what storms haven't I seen? Who can be trusted, who cannot—I can still tell the difference. The Dakang emperor would love for me to kill Hu Xiaotian, but if I did, he wouldn't spare my son either."

Hu Zhongyang said, "Hu Xiaotian is no ordinary person; it wouldn't be easy for you, Island Lord, to kill him."

Yan Tianlu glared at him, "You're quick to speak for others—what benefits has Hu Xiaotian given you that you'd go to such lengths for him?"

Hu Zhongyang laughed, "Just that we currently share common interests."

Yan Tianlu sighed, "Common interests are actually the most reliable relationship in this world."

Hu Zhongyang said, "Will the young island lord come to Mangjiao Island?"

Yan Tianlu shook his head, "He won't return by sea; Hu Xiaotian promised me he would help him arrange a safe retreat."

Hu Zhongyang deliberately said, "Island Lord, you trust him that much?"

Yan Tianlu patted Hu Zhongyang's shoulder and said, "Common interests—Hu Xiaotian urgently needs a partner like me. At least for now we have endless possibilities for cooperation."

Hu Zhongyang said, "Island Lord, Zhongyang has a favor to ask."

Yan Tianlu raised his hand to indicate he needn't say more, "I will return your merchant ship and cargo to you entirely, and in a couple days send you to Bohai State."

Hu Zhongyang exclaimed joyfully, "Thank you, Island Lord!"

At that moment, an angry girl's voice came from outside: "Get out of the way, let me in!"

Yan Tianlu immediately recognized the voice outside as his niece Yan Nujiao. He gave Hu Zhongyang a look, and Hu Zhongyang promptly chose to avoid. At that moment, Yan Nujiao broke through the guards' blockade and entered. She was visibly worn out these days, worried not only about her second brother but also anxious about Hu Xiaotian's disappearance. She didn't know what had happened on the island. Yan Tianlu had people place her under house arrest, strictly guarded so she couldn't step out of her residence; today he finally let her out, and Yan Nujiao at once sought her uncle to demand an explanation.

Yan Tianlu smiled and said, "Nujiao, who made you angry?"

Yan Nujiao's eyes were red, on the verge of tears, she bit her cherry lip and said, "Uncle, where is Hu Xiaotian?"

Yan Tianlu secretly sighed, thinking that as a girl she would first ask about her brother, but he hadn't expected her to first care about Hu Xiaotian's whereabouts. He hadn't realized that Yan Nujiao already held some grievances against him, her uncle, even thinking he didn't care about her second brother's safety; in her mind, the only person she could trust now was Hu Xiaotian, yet Hu Xiaotian had vanished like a stone sunk in the sea these days.

Yan Tianlu said, "He has already returned to Dongliang Jun."

Yan Nujiao looked at her uncle, half-believing, half-doubting.

Yan Tianlu understood her confusion, sighed, and said, "Nujiao, rest assured—I am doing everything I can to find Boguang's whereabouts; he met with disaster on Mangjiao Island, and even if I had to sacrifice my own life I would bring him back, otherwise what face would I have to see your father, my elder brother?"

Yan Nujiao said, "But how can we find his whereabouts in the vast sea of people?"

Yan Tianlu said, "Lu Qianyuan's motive in taking him is ultimately to use him as leverage against me, so Boguang will not be in danger in the short term."

Yan Nujiao said with tears welling up, "My second brother has always been spoiled and pampered; he cannot endure hardship."

Yan Tianlu said, "If he had even half your sense, that would be good."

Yan Nujiao again asked about Hu Xiaotian's whereabouts; Yan Tianlu only said that an emergency had occurred in Dongliang Jun, and Hu Xiaotian was rushing back.

While the uncle and niece were talking, the law enforcement elder Yang Zongtong entered, intending to report an urgent matter to Yan Tianlu, but seeing Yan Nujiao present, he immediately stopped speaking. Yan Tianlu urged Yan Nujiao to go rest first; after she left, Yang Zongtong then said, "Island Lord, something serious has happened!"

Yan Tianlu asked, "What exactly is so alarming?"

Yang Zongtong said, "Bohai State has had a major incident; the second-in-command was arrested by Yan Dongsheng. They must have gotten word, and now the entire Wanghai City is in panic. Prime Minister Yuan Tianzhao was stripped of office and imprisoned, his mansion searched, and over thirty officials linked to him have been investigated, with many merchants implicated also jailed." He lowered his voice, "I've heard even the Da Yong Prince Yan Xue Shengjing's Treasure Pavilion in Bohai State has been affected."

Yan Tianlu sucked in a cold breath, "Yan Dongsheng actually dared to target Xue Shengjing's property? This is no ordinary matter!"

Yang Zongtong said, "It's still unclear why he arrested the second-in-command, but according to hearsay, the second-in-command was seized in Yuan Tianzhao's mansion, and it's unknown whether his identity has been exposed."

Yan Tianlu clenched his fists, pacing back and forth with some unease.

Yang Zongtong said, "Island Lord, I think Bohai State is making preparations this time!"

Yan Tianlu asked, "Any news of Boguang?"

Yang Zongtong shook his head, "We've inquired everywhere, but still there's no word."

Yan Tianlu said, "Keep close watch on Wanghai City's developments; we must find out the second brother's whereabouts as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

In the Yongdu Prince Yan's mansion, Prince Yan Xue Shengjing quietly played with the nine-dragon white jade cup in his hand, his small eyes gleaming with greedy, fervent light; he had a fondness for treasures surpassing even beauties, when suddenly hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Xue Shengjing put the cup back into its wooden box, closed the box, and a light knock sounded at the door; without asking he knew it was Ma Qingyun coming, for no one else would visit his Buddha Laughter Pavilion, nor would anyone disturb him while he admired treasures.

Xue Shengjing grunted in assent, indicating agreement for Ma Qingyun to enter.

Ma Qingyun pushed open the door, entered the room, and his usually steady face showed unprecedented panic: "Your Highness, something serious has happened!"

Xue Shengjing glanced at him with some dissatisfaction and said, "What's the matter, so panicked? Could it be that the sky has fallen?"

Ma Qingyun said, "Just received news: Bohai State has sealed off all branches of Treasure Gathering Hall there."

Xue Shengjing was stunned upon hearing this, then his big fat face flushed, his small eyes bulged out, and he angrily said, "Bold! What is Yan Dongsheng? Doesn't he realize Treasure Gathering Hall is my property? He actually dared to provoke me!"

Ma Qingyun said, "Prince, this is no ordinary matter; Bohai State acted very swiftly, sealing off all branches of Treasure Gathering Hall in Bohai State overnight and arresting all branch managers. It seems not a mistake but directly aimed at the Prince."

Xue Shengjing angrily said, "How dare a tiny Bohai State openly oppose me!" He quickly calmed down, his small eyes turning, and said, "Since he clearly knows this is my property and still dares to do this, ……"

Ma Qingyun said, "The Prime Minister of Bohai State, Yuan Tianzhao, has been arrested, and it's heard that it's for treason."

Xue Shengjing said, "What about Prosperous Swallow Hall?"

Ma Qingyun said, "So far nothing has happened to Prosperous Swallow Hall; only the core members of Treasure Gathering Hall have been completely rounded up, and I fear this matter will soon be traced to Prosperous Swallow Hall."

Xue Shengjing pursed his lips, his small eyes gleaming: "Yan Dongsheng doesn't have that much courage; surely someone behind him is backing him."

Ma Qingyun said, "The Prince is saying……"

Xue Shengjing coldly said, "It must be someone who knows the inside story! Someone dislikes my Treasure Gathering Hall and has set their sights on my estate."

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