Chapter 22
Chapter 22
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: A Choice of Interests
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Port Number One was the Yun Clan's largest harbor, and it was the permanent residence of the deacon overseeing the outer waters.
The deacon of the outer waters was typically an elder from a branch family of the Yun Clan, or a disciple from the main lineage, usually at the seventh level of Qi Refining.
They were capable of handling any sudden incidents in the outer waters.
Lan Tianxiang's surprise attack on Port Number Two was an exception.
However, if Lan Tianxiang had attacked Port Number One, he might not have been able to escape.
Port Number One not only had the deacon of the outer waters, a seventh-level Qi Refining cultivator, but also five late-stage Qi Refining guest elders stationed there.
Even if they couldn't defeat the ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator Lan Tianxiang, they could have prevented him from causing too much damage to the port.
Chen Jianghe arrived at Port Number One, having been invited to a meeting.
The usually bustling scene was now sparse; the vast port was nearly empty.
Only a few dozen fishing boats were docked.
Because of the attack on Port Number Two, the junior Fishery Farmers who used to go to Port Number Two and Port Number Three were now taking the long way to Port Number One.
On his way to the Yuelai Inn, Chen Jianghe heard a piece of news.
Operations at Port Number Two and Port Number Three had been suspended. All junior Fishery Farmers could only come to Port Number One to purchase their daily necessities.
"Brother Jianghe."
Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun walked over together. They met in front of the Yuelai Inn, and seeing the deserted entrance, neither could manage a smile.
"Peiyao, Fairy Miaoyun."
Chen Jianghe nodded.
"Hasn't Brother Daniu arrived yet?"
"Why don't we go to the private room and wait for Fellow Daoist Yu?"
This exchange between Gao Peiyao and Zhou Miaoyun made Chen Jianghe realize that Zhou Miaoyun had already told Gao Peiyao about Yu Daniu's lack of talent in the art of talismans.
This also meant that Gao Peiyao would no longer hold any illusions about Yu Daniu.
In other words.
Yu Daniu had been given up on by the two women.
He was completely isolated.
"Alright, let's wait in the private room then."
Chen Jianghe followed the two women into the Yuelai Inn.
Yu Daniu was already being isolated, and he couldn't afford to be isolated as well. Otherwise, during this turbulent period for the Yun Clan, his safety couldn't be guaranteed.
Moreover, as long as he gained the approval of the two women, the matter of kicking Yu Daniu out of the alliance could be smoothed over.
At the very least, they needed to get through the current unstable situation.
"Brother Jianghe, I've already told Sister Miaoyun what happened at Port Number Two. Have you heard any news recently?"
As soon as they entered the private room, Gao Peiyao questioned Chen Jianghe directly, showing no intention of waiting for Yu Daniu.
Chen Jianghe sighed inwardly.
When they first established the mutual aid alliance, he knew that the so-called "mutual aid" wasn't charity. It was about providing assistance on the basis of mutual value.
Yu Daniu's spiritual root talent was poor, his breeding talent was poor, and now his talent for talismans was also poor. To them, he had no value.
Therefore, at this moment, Gao Peiyao unhesitatingly chose to side with Zhou Miaoyun and isolate Yu Daniu together.
"I don't know much either. Besides what happened at Port Number Two, I only heard some news when I arrived at the port."
"Port Number Two was turned into a ruin after being attacked by Lan Tianxiang, so its use has been suspended. Perhaps they're worried Port Number Three will suffer the same fate, so it has been suspended as well."
Chen Jianghe relayed the news he had heard on his way.
"It seems the news is true. The Yun Clan has gathered all its outer forces to protect Port Number One and maintain the normal operation of the outer waters."
Zhou Miaoyun nodded.
"Even so, I suggest that Sister Peiyao and Fellow Daoist Chen buy a month's worth of daily necessities each time you come. Visit the port as little as possible."
The Yun Clan's ninth-level Qi Refining master can't stay at the port forever, so it's still risky.
In fact, even the outer waters are dangerous, just far less so than the port.
"Sister Miaoyun is right."
Gao Peiyao looked at Chen Jianghe and said gently, "Brother Jianghe, don't leave Mirror Moon Lake during the fish dormancy period either."
"Mm."
Chen Jianghe acknowledged.
He wasn't in the habit of taking on odd jobs, especially not during this critical time.
The waters of Mirror Moon Lake weren't entirely safe, and the lands outside were even more fraught with peril. Chaos had likely already begun to spread.
"The current chaotic situation is actually quite profitable for me. Here are two spirit stones; I'll lend them to you for your cultivation, Fellow Daoist."
Zhou Miaoyun took out two spirit stones. With a flick of her fair hand, she used her spiritual power to send them floating before him.
"And these two Water Escape Talismans. One for you, Sister Peiyao, and one for you, Fellow Daoist Chen. They can save your lives in a critical moment."
"Then this little sister thanks you, Sister Miaoyun."
Gao Peiyao took the Water Escape Talisman and thanked her sweetly.
Chen Jianghe looked at the two spirit stones and the Water Escape Talisman before him. After a moment's hesitation, he accepted them and thanked Zhou Miaoyun.
The two spirit stones were of great use to him right now.
He could buy a Spirit Nurturing Pill, which he could consume and refine after the new year. By then, he would be able to break through to the third level of Qi Refining.
He would be able to cultivate the Water Escape Art that came with the Guiyuan True Water Art.
It was a life-saving spell.
Especially during this unstable time for the Yun Clan, learning the Water Escape Art would give him a means of survival.
As for the Water Escape Talisman, Zhou Miaoyun wasn't exaggerating. It could truly save his life in a critical moment.
Casting the Water Escape Art required spiritual power.
Chen Jianghe estimated that with his spiritual power at the third level of Qi Refining, he could cast it two or three times at most before running out.
A Water Escape Talisman, however, required no spiritual power.
One simply had to tear the talisman to activate the Water Escape Art stored within and escape far away through the water.
How far one could escape depended on the grade of the talisman.
A low-grade Water Escape Talisman contained the power of a Water Escape Art cast with the full strength of a third-level Qi Refining cultivator, allowing for an escape of up to two li.
A mid-grade Water Escape Talisman could cover a distance of ten li.
The talisman Zhou Miaoyun gave him was a low-grade one, but it was still quite valuable.
Among low-grade spirit talismans, the most valuable were the life-saving ones.
Offensive talismans usually cost one spirit stone each, while defensive ones cost two.
Five Elements Escape Talismans and Godspeed Talismans each cost three spirit stones.
In other words, Zhou Miaoyun had just given him resources worth five spirit stones.
She saw potential in Chen Jianghe's "breeding talent" and believed that her current investment would yield great returns in the future.
At the same time, this was also forcing Chen Jianghe to make a choice.
Yu Daniu's value was far less than hers. Keeping a worthless person in the alliance would only waste resources.
Chen Jianghe felt a sense of relief.
Thankfully, he had already sent a letter to Yu Daniu, telling him not to be impulsive and to voluntarily leave the alliance.
As long as Yu Daniu didn't offer to leave the alliance himself, Zhou Miaoyun and Gao Peiyao could only get Chen Jianghe to cooperate in isolating him, forcing him to quit on his own.
However, Chen Jianghe would not be swayed by anyone. The two spirit stones and the Water Escape Talisman were Zhou Miaoyun's investment in him, something he would have to repay in the future.
This was one of the core tenets of the mutual aid alliance.
He didn't owe anyone a favor.
Just then, the door to the private room opened.
Yu Daniu saw that everyone was already there and, looking slightly awkward, came to sit beside Chen Jianghe.
"Brother Jianghe, Little Sister Peiyao, Fairy Miaoyun, you're all here."
"Daniu, what took you so long?"
Chen Jianghe asked with a smile.
"Brother Jianghe, something big has happened to the Yun Clan."