Chapter 211
Chapter 211
Mulan and Shen Lang did not return home immediately, instead staying out for one night. This was so Shen Lang could tidy up his pitiful appearance and not worry his mother-in-law. Of course, Mulan had sent someone ahead to inform her mother and Jin Mucong that Shen Lang was safe.
A day later, Shen Lang and Mulan returned to the Count’s estate. By then, Shen Lang had recovered his neat appearance from before he left. He covered the wounds on his body with his clothes, as if nothing had happened in Raging Tide City. Mulan’s expression was a little awkward, but she clung to Shen Lang even more affectionately than usual.
As soon as he returned home, Shen Lang received startling news.
The King had issued a royal edict himself, ordering Jin Mucong to enter the National Academy to study?
What a ridiculous affair.
Previously, when the Count of Xuanwu's Estate was on the brink of annihilation, the Fifth Prince, Ning Zheng, had to kneel outside for a day and a night before the King finally permitted Jin Mucong to study at the National Academy. It was a final gesture of consideration, a promise to leave one heir for the Jin Clan.
But after granting permission, the King never followed through. For half a month, no royal edict arrived to summon Jin Mucong to the National Academy.
And now, after the Count of Xuanwu's Estate had paid off its debts, discovered a gold mine, and was poised to expand its power like a wildfire, he sends an edict? Summoning Jin Mucong to study at the National Academy at a time like this—wasn't this just taking him hostage?
If Jin Mucong refused to go, he would be defying a royal edict. The Count of Xuanwu's Estate had not yet amassed enough power to defy the King. Until their strategy to establish a kingdom across the sea succeeded, the Jin Clan had no grounds to bargain with the King, much less the strength to oppose him. Only after successfully seizing Raging Tide City and the Thunder Prefecture Archipelago would the Jin Clan gain the upper hand.
Moreover, if Jin Mucong didn't go, it would likely create a flaw in Shen Lang's plans.
‘It’s a good thing for the heir of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate to study at the National Academy, so why refuse? Could it be that your family is harboring some ulterior motive?’
The heirs of other ancient noble families all studied in the capital; it was undoubtedly a great honor. In fact, most heirs of ancient noble families had a history of studying at the National Academy, so why was Jin Mucong the only one who couldn't? It was because the King disliked Su Pepe.
Ever since she had said that even a tiger doesn't eat its own cubs, no one from the Jin Clan needed to go to the capital for a royal audience. No matter what joyous occasion the royal family celebrated, they only needed to send gifts; the King had no desire to see them anyway. And yet, now that he was allowing Jin Mucong to study at the National Academy, shouldn't they be moved to tears with gratitude?
Shen Lang narrowed his eyes and began to devise a plan. Just then, Jin Mucong spoke.
"Brother-in-law, I'll go. I'll go to the capital."
Su Pepe was startled.
"No. You can't go. You're so straightforward, and the capital is full of people with complicated minds. You'll be bullied to death if you go there."
Besides, the fatty had been trembling in fear for two days, insisting at every turn that he wouldn't go to the capital, waiting only for his brother-in-law to come and save him. The grand eunuch was still waiting for Jin Mucong at the Prefect's manor, set to enter the capital the day after tomorrow. If Jin Mucong didn't go, he would be defying a royal edict.
Jin Mucong said, "Mother, ever since I was young, I've grown up under your and Father's care, and you've both protected me so well. And Brother-in-law, I know you have me listen in on all the family's affairs, big and small, to teach me. I may be foolish, but I am the heir of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, and I must contribute to the family.
"This is the most critical moment for our family, and the Riptide Island strategy is at its peak. Brother-in-law has laid the net and is waiting for the enemies to rush to their deaths. The plan to establish a kingdom across the sea in Raging Tide City must also begin soon, so we can't show even the slightest weakness. Only by taking Raging Tide City and the Thunder Prefecture Archipelago can our family completely escape the crisis of our fiefdom and find long-term stability. For that goal, even Brother-in-law risked his life to go to Raging Tide City, so there's no reason I shouldn't go to the capital.
"I am the heir of the Jin Clan. I can't just sit back and enjoy the fruits of others' labor. I don't have any other talents, but at a time like this, going to the National Academy is the greatest contribution I can make to the family. So, I will go to the capital! Brother-in-law, once our Raging Tide City strategy succeeds, you'll definitely come to the capital to bring me home, right?"
***
In the waters surrounding Riptide Island, the Jin Clan's warships were spread out. Any ship that approached within five li of Riptide Island was issued a warning. If they did not leave after the warning, the Jin Clan's warships would immediately commence an attack.
At that moment, ten pirate ships appeared, charging boldly toward Riptide Island.
Jin Shiying led several warships to intercept them and shouted loudly.
"These are the waters of our Jin Clan! No ship is to approach! Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy! Retreat immediately!"
The moment Jin Shiying finished speaking, several large crossbows were deployed on the decks of the Jin Clan's warships.
"Hahahaha."
A burst of crazed laughter echoed out. Qiu Xiao emerged onto the deck, took out his manhood, aimed it at the sea, and began to piss.
"What kind of ships are these? You call these warships? They look like children's toys."
Qiu Xiao pointed behind him and continued.
"Now *this* is what you call a ship. Your Jin Clan is finished. Dragging out a few pieces of junk and acting all high and mighty."
He wasn't wrong. Compared to the Pirate King's warships, the Count of Xuanwu's vessels were truly nothing. Not only were they fewer in number than the pirates' ships, but many were also smaller. In terms of naval combat strength, the Jin Clan was complete dregs compared to the Pirate King, Qiu Tianwei, and didn't seem to have the right to even engage them in battle.
Although the Count of Xuanwu's Estate had forty to fifty ships on the sea right now, and Qiu Xiao had only ten, there was no doubt that in a real battle, Qiu Xiao's ten warships would crush the Jin Clan's fleet and achieve a resounding victory.
It couldn't be helped. The warships of Raging Tide City were built entirely for naval warfare and plunder. They were not only high in tonnage but also incredibly sturdy and built for speed. In contrast, the Jin Clan's warships were originally built to transport goods, with a few large crossbows temporarily mounted for combat. Because the ships were small, the crossbows were not large either, capable only of short-range fire with limited lethality.
"Prepare for battle!" Qiu Xiao roared.
On the decks of the ten pirate warships, giant crossbows were deployed, far outnumbering those of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate. Thousands of pirates bent down, nocking fire arrows to their bowstrings. With a single command from Qiu Xiao, a volley of countless arrows would be unleashed, annihilating the Jin Clan's warships.
"I, Qiu Xiao, will land on Riptide Island. Whoever stands in my way will be killed without mercy! I am the Young Lord of Raging Tide City, son of the Pirate King. Anyone who dares to stop me will not escape death!"
As expected, the warships of the Count of Xuanwu's Estate did not block him.
Qiu Xiao's ten pirate warships swaggered into Riptide Island's harbor.
Qiu Xiao leaped from his ship, landing directly on the pier. He raised his scimitar and shouted.
"Where is the general who lost to my subordinate, Qiu Hu? Where is Count Jin Zhuo? Where is that bastard Shen Lang? And where is my wife, Jin Mulan? Tell them all to come and present themselves before me, Lord Qiu Xiao! Jin Zhuo? Shen Lang? I heard you found a massive gold mine on Riptide Island. I must verify if the rumors are true! Right now!"
Count Jin Zhuo appeared. Seeing Qiu Xiao, he felt a sense of relief.
Just as Lang'er had predicted, Qiu Xiao had come. This fool had truly walked into his own grave. And he hadn't come alone; he had brought thousands of pirates and ten warships with him.
But did they really have to kill all thousands of pirates here? And then seize all their warships? And then send thousands of severed heads to Qiu Tianwei?
***
Inside the Count of Xuanwu's Estate.
After hearing Jin Mucong's words, his mother-in-law, Mulan, and Shen Lang were all stunned. They had always thought their fatty would remain a child forever. Even when participating in top-secret matters, he would doze off or lose focus. They never expected him to say such things.
Shen Lang asked Jin Mucong, "Fatty, are you really sure?"
Jin Mucong nodded vigorously.
"I thought about it for two days. At first, I was just scared and afraid, but in the end, I realized it was the right thing to do."
Su Pepe's eyes reddened slightly. She often hit and scolded Jin Mucong, sometimes even throwing him out. But how could she not love her only son? Moreover, since Shen Lang had joined the Count of Xuanwu's Estate, he had compensated for all of Jin Mucong's shortcomings. In a way, Jin Mucong was shaping up to be a very good heir.
He was an exceptionally good child. He never caused trouble and was always obedient, completely unlike the rowdy children commonly seen outside. But now, that son was leaving the family's embrace to enter the capital, a den of demons rife with strife and conflict. She couldn't help but feel worried and pained. This son had never left his family's side.
Of course, she knew in her heart that a boy needed to go out and gain experience to grow stronger, just as a young eagle must leave its parents' side to learn to fly.
***
Only Shen Lang and Jin Mucong remained in the study.
"Brother-in-law, while you were away recently, I was so curious about the rest of *Journey to the West* that I wrote a few tens of thousands of characters myself. Please take a look."
Shen Lang took the manuscript. He read for over half an hour and was very surprised, even amazed.
The fatty's writing was incredible in its depiction of emotion. When describing the defeat of a single demon, his skillful portrayal could make the reader burn with righteous fury, to the point where it would feel like an injustice to the entire world if that demon didn't die. He was exceptionally skilled at drawing out resentment and knew how to link the plot points together, one step after another.
For example, after defeating a small demon, a larger one would appear. The moment the larger demon was defeated, an immortal would show up. After defeating the immortal, the plot would unfold to reveal that the true source of all evil was the Jade Emperor.
Didn't that sound familiar? It was just like the fantasy novels of later generations, where the enemies grew progressively stronger and the conspiracies piled one on top of another.
However, that style wasn't suitable for *Journey to the West*. In *Journey to the West*, the conspiracies had to stop at an appropriate point. Even if the demons had backers, if an even greater backer appeared behind the celestial immortals, leading to continuous fighting, the story of seeking the scriptures couldn't progress. Therefore, a conspiracy-driven, escalating plot was best kept in moderation.
But in the manuscript Jin Mucong wrote, the mastermind was the Jade Emperor. It was incredibly interesting, but if the story continued in that direction, the main plot would be derailed, and Sun Wukong, resentful of the Jade Emperor, would have to wreak havoc in the Heavenly Palace once again. If that happened, would Sun Wukong still go to the West to obtain the scriptures? If the plot followed Jin Mucong's hundred-thousand-character outline, Sun Wukong would have to kill the Jade Emperor and destroy the Heavenly Palace.
Furthermore, the story of *Journey to the West*, from the point of obtaining the scriptures, becomes a series with a picaresque structure. It constantly encounters new demons and new predicaments, but they are quickly resolved. The content Jin Mucong wrote was interesting and extraordinary, but in the end, it only escalated the turmoil without concluding any single episode. The main plot of journeying to the West to retrieve the scriptures had, at some point, gone astray.