Chapter 351: Let Us Have a Ride Too

Three days later, at dusk.

Luo Zijun and Xu Ziyin had just returned to the inn when they saw Wang Qiangzhuang leading the others hurriedly downstairs, preparing to head out.

"Follow."

Seeing the two, Wang Qiangzhuang offered no explanation, gave the order, and walked quickly out of the inn.

The two had no choice but to follow behind.

Upon reaching the street, Yang Yan finally explained, "News just came from Daoist Wensong that the man called A Qiang snuck out the back door and headed outside the small town; it seems something is up."

Luo Zijun said, "Is it necessary for everyone to go?"

Song Erlang, who was to the side, said, "The other party are pirates, they move in groups, it's dangerous."

"Where are Daoist Wensong and Little Daoist Yiye?"

"Following behind them."

The group walked hurriedly along the road, attracting many gazes.

"Is it too blatant and disrespectful for a group of us to follow one person like this?"

"No, that guy should feel honored."

Song Erlang shook the folding fan in his hand, his face full of smiles, as if he were out for a stroll rather than tailing someone.

The group soon left the small town.

By this time, the sun had already set, and the surrounding light was growing dim.

On the small path ahead, a familiar figure suddenly appeared.

"It's Little Daoist Yiye."

Seeing that figure, the group immediately quickened their pace and walked over.

At this moment, Little Daoist Yiye lacked his usual composure, his face full of anxiety as he said, "Captain, my master is gone. I clearly saw him follow that man into the woods ahead, but when I went over, I couldn't find them."

Wang Qiangzhuang did not say much and immediately led the group toward the woods.

When they reached the woods, they found the trees dense, the light even gloomier, and the ground overgrown with wild grass, with no path to be found.

The group immediately began searching everywhere.

At this time, Yang Yan suddenly shouted from not far away, "Captain, come quickly!"

Hearing the call, the group immediately dashed over.

"This is... Daoist Wensong's horsetail whisk?"

On the grass lay a tuft of silver hair, the ends cut cleanly as if sliced by a sharp blade or sword.

Little Daoist Yiye hurriedly picked it up to examine it, his expression changing as he said, "This is indeed my master's whisk! It was cut by someone!"

The group was startled.

Daoist Wensong had clearly engaged in a fight with someone!

However, there were no other signs of a struggle in the vicinity; given Daoist Wensong's strength, it was impossible for him to disappear without a trace so suddenly, unless the opponent was terrifyingly strong or had used some other means.

Wang Qiangzhuang's figure flashed, and he had already darted toward the woods ahead.

The group hurriedly followed behind.

Passing through the woods, a massive lake suddenly appeared ahead; in the center of the lake sat an island, dense with trees and lush with greenery.

The lake's outlet connected to the sea not far away.

"Captain, there are footprints here!"

Song Erlang suddenly pointed at the ground and said.

The group immediately went over and discovered some footprints on the shore near the lake water; counting carefully, there were at least five people's footprints.

"Look, there are small boats here too!"

By the lakeside, three dilapidated small boats were tied up, rocking back and forth as they were pushed by the waves on the lake, with oars still resting on them.

"Is this meant to make us go to that small island?"

Wang Qiangzhuang raised his head, his gaze fixed on the island in the center of the lake, a look of contemplation appearing between his brows.

"Bang!"

At this moment, Little Daoist Yiye had already impatiently jumped onto a small boat, urging, "I want to go save my master, I don't care what kind of schemes or tricks they have!"

The others looked at Wang Qiangzhuang, waiting for her command.

"Let's go."

Wang Qiangzhuang withdrew his gaze from the center of the lake and also jumped onto the boat.

Just as the others were boarding, she suddenly said again, "Liu Sisi, you stay behind. If we haven't returned or sent word in an hour, go to Lao Jintang in town, find a man named Lao Cui, tell him our situation here, and have him find a way to save us."

Liu Sisi stopped on the shore and nodded.

Seeing the danger in what she said, Luo Zijun hurriedly said, "Captain, let me stay behind to keep Liu company? It's already dark, and out here in the wilderness, it's not safe for a girl like Liu to be left alone. Besides, my strength is lacking, and following you all is just a burden."

Liu Sisi glanced at him.

Lu Yao, who had just boarded the boat, also glanced at him.

Wang Qiangzhuang said with a stern face, "No, you must come with us."

"Why?"

Luo Zijun spread his hands.

Wang Qiangzhuang did not explain, only saying firmly, "That is an order! Get on!"

Luo Zijun had no choice but to board the boat.

The group of nine, split between two small boats, rowed side-by-side toward the small island in the center of the lake.

"Captain, you say they intentionally lured us to the island? What is their goal?"

After the boats had traveled a distance, Yang Yan could not help but ask.

Wang Qiangzhuang squinted at the island in the middle of the lake and said, "It could be intentional, or it could be unintentional. Regardless, since Daoist Wensong has gone missing, we must go and take a look. If it really is the Red Bird Pirate Group, then we won't need to rack our brains searching anymore."

"Will they just slaughter me right away?"

Song Erlang used the folding fan in his hand to make a throat-slitting gesture.

Meng Yang stood at the bow of the boat like an iron tower; upon hearing this, he let out a cold snort and said, "That depends on whether that bunch of pirates has the ability to do so."

No sooner had the words fallen than Lu Jianchen suddenly jumped up, pointing at the bottom of the boat and exclaiming, "The bottom of the boat is leaking!"

Everyone's expression changed as they looked down at the bottom of the boat.

"Oh no, our boat is leaking too!"

At the bottom of both small boats, for some unknown reason, a large hole had appeared, and lake water was rapidly rushing in through the holes.