Chapter 1210

Yang Yuanqing was so humiliated by him that his face was blotchy blue and purple, extremely embarrassed.

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

Yang Yuanqing said sheepishly: "Island master, I, Yang, am also entrusted by others to be loyal; please fulfill your promise, island master."

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

Yang Yuanqing secretly thought: "You are the island master; who would dare oppose you when you speak? Could there be a change? Has Yan Tianlu regretted?" He smiled and said: "I don't know who is opposing."

Yan Tianlu coughed and said: "Come out!"

From behind a nearby curtain walked out several people; the leader was Chang Fanqi, beside him stood Hu Zhongyang and several Dakang naval officers. Seeing the scene, Yang Yuanqing was frightened out of his wits, he immediately understood what had happened and turned to flee.

Chang Fanqi had already strode forward; a punch struck his back, sending Yang Yuanqing flying sideways, he fell heavily to the ground, his nose bruised and face swollen. Before he could get up, Hu Zhongyang rushed over and stepped on his chest, angrily saying: "You, an insider who betrays, dare to frame Sir Hu!"

Yang Yuanqing cried out miserably: "Yan Tianlu, you go back on your word, you don't keep promises... you're not even fit to be an island master... such betrayal, how can you gain others' trust?"

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

Chang Fanqi and Hu Zhongyang lifted Yang Yuanqing like a chicken and tied him up. Yang Yuanqing shouted: "If you want to kill me, kill me; even if I frown, I'm not a hero."

Yan Tianlu sneered: "You, a traitor seeking glory, also dare to call yourself a hero, General Chang; I can hand the person over to you, as for how to deal with him, that's your business."

Chang Fanqi clasped his fists: "Thank you, island master, 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 freshwater supplies needed for your return sent along."

After Chang Fanqi expressed thanks, he led people escorting Yang Yuanqing away.

Hu Zhongyang, relieved, laughed: "Island master, you've kept me in the dark terribly!"

Yan Tianlu, smiling, looked at him and said: "How? Do you think I would be unfavorable to Hu Xiaotian?"

Hu Zhongyang laughed: "Island master is not that kind of person!"

"That's not certain; for the sake of protecting my son, I would do anything."

Hu Zhongyang said: "Island master, 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 is trustworthy, who is not—I can still tell. The Dakang emperor would love for me to kill Hu Xiaotian; if I killed Hu Xiaotian, he wouldn't spare my son either."

Hu Zhongyang said: "Hu Xiaotian is no ordinary person; island master, killing him wouldn't be that easy."

Yan Tianlu glared at him: "You're quite willing to speak for others; what benefits has Hu Xiaotian given you, making you devote yourself so wholeheartedly?"

Hu Zhongyang laughed: "It's 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 master come to Mangjiao Island?"

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

Hu Zhongyang deliberately said: "Island master, 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 infinite possibilities for cooperation."

Hu Zhongyang said: "Island master, I have a favor to ask."

Yan Tianlu raised his hand to indicate he needn't say more: "I will return your merchant ships and cargo completely; in two days I'll send you to Bohai State."

Hu Zhongyang overjoyed: "Thank you, island master!"

At this moment, an angry girl's voice came from outside: "Get lost, let me in!"

Yan Tianlu immediately recognized the voice outside as his niece Yan Nujiao. He gave Hu Zhongyang a look, Hu Zhongyang promptly chose to avoid, and at that moment Yan Nujiao broke through the guards' blockade and entered; she was visibly exhausted 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 guarding her so she couldn't step out of her residence; today he finally let her out, and Yan Nujiao immediately sought out her uncle, wanting to know the truth.

Yan Tianlu smiled: "Nujiao, who made you angry?"

Yan Nujiao's eye rims were red, she was about to tear up, she bit her lip and said: "Uncle, where is Hu Xiaotian?"

Yan Tianlu secretly sighed; he thought a girl would first ask about her brother, but he didn't expect her to first care about Hu Xiaotian's whereabouts. Yan Tianlu hadn't expected that Yan Nujiao already held some resentment toward him, her uncle, even thinking he didn't care about her second brother's safety; in Yan Nujiao's 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 to find out Bo Guang's whereabouts; he met with disaster on Mangjiao Island; I would even sacrifice my life to 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 Qingyuan's motive in taking him is ultimately to use him as leverage against me, so Bo Guang will not be in danger in the short term."

Yan Nujiao, eyes brimming with tears, said: "My second brother has always been spoiled; he can't endure hardship."

Yan Tianlu said: "If he were half as sensible as you, 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 came in; he originally had an urgent matter to report 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 master, something serious has happened!"

Yan Tianlu said: "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 the news; currently the entire Look Sea City has become panic-stricken; Prime Minister Yuan Tianzhao has been removed from office and imprisoned; his mansion was searched; over thirty officials linked to him have also been investigated; many merchants implicated in the Yuan Tianzhao case have also been jailed." He lowered his voice: "I've heard that even the Prince Yan of Da Yong, Xue Shengjing, in Bohai State's Treasure Gathering Studio 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; however, according to hearsay, the second-in-command was arrested in Yuan Tianzhao's mansion, and it's still unclear whether his identity has been exposed."

Yan Tianlu clenched his fists, pacing back and forth somewhat uneasily.

Yang Zongtong said: "Island master, I think Bohai State this time is well prepared!"

Yan Tianlu said: "Any news of Bo Guang?"

Yang Zongtong shook his head: "We've inquired everywhere, but still there's no news at all."

Yan Tianlu said: "Closely monitor the developments in Look Sea City; we must find out the whereabouts of the second-in-command 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 showed a greedy, fervent light; he had a fetish for treasures surpassing even beauties; suddenly hurried footsteps sounded outside.

Xue Shengjing put the cup back into the wooden box, closed the box; a light knock sounded at the door; without asking, he knew it was Ma Qingyun coming; besides him, no one would come to his Buddha-smile pavilion, nor would anyone disturb him while he was appreciating treasures.

Xue Shengjing grunted in agreement, indicating he allowed Ma Qingyun to enter.

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

Xue Shengjing glanced at him with some dissatisfaction and said, "What's got you so panicked? Did the sky fall?"

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

Xue Shengjing stared, then his big fat face flushed, his small eyes bulging as he snapped, "Bold! What is Yan Dongsheng? Doesn't he realize the Gathering Treasure House is my property? How dare he provoke me!"

Ma Qingyun said, "Prince, this is no ordinary matter. Bohai State acted with great speed, sealing off all branches of the Gathering Treasure House there overnight and arresting all the branch managers. It seems not a mistake but a direct move against you, Prince."

Xue Shengjing snapped, "A tiny Bohai State dares to openly oppose me!" He quickly calmed, his small eyes shifting as he said, "Since he clearly knows it's my property and still dares to do this, ……"

Ma Qingyun said, "The Bohai State's Chancellor, Yuan Tianzhao, has been arrested, and it's heard he's charged with treason."

Xue Shengjing said, "What about the Yanxi Hall?"

Ma Qingyun said, "So far nothing has happened to the Yanxi Hall, but all the core members of the Gathering Treasure House there have been rounded up, and I fear the investigation will soon reach the Yanxi Hall."

Xue Shengjing pressed his lips, his small eyes glinting: "Yan Dongsheng doesn't have that kind of guts; someone behind him must be backing him."

Ma Qingyun said, "You mean, Prince……"

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

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