Chapter 473: Cang Xu – I Still Have One Small Final Wish
The Bayonet Gang members quickly scrambled to the ground.
Spring Boxer and Lan Zao were astonished to find that the ground outside the black market showed no signs of severe damage, it seemed the earthquake had been confined solely within the black market.
“Strange. What exactly happened?”
“Did someone deliberately destroy the black market?”
Xiong Ju shook his head. "No, that's not it. The stronghold over there was destroyed too. Let's hurry back. The boss and the others need us to return immediately."
The group sprinted at full speed and soon reached the stronghold.
All the buildings near the stronghold had collapsed, turning the area into a vast expanse of rubble. The casualties were horrific, with countless people buried beneath the debris.
The scale of destruction far exceeded that of the black market, and the Bayonet Gang's temporary base lay buried within it.
Bing Xiao and the human ringleader had remained behind at the base.
Bing Xiao's expression was grim.
The moment he sensed the battle between Qian Xing and Master Cai Jing; he immediately ordered all personnel to withdraw and fortify the base defensively.
Bing Xiao feared this battle would trigger island-wide turmoil. Amidst the chaos, opportunists might exploit the situation to raid the Bayonet Gang's temporary stronghold.
This was their sole remaining base.
As the veteran old gang leader, Bing Xiao understood the Bayonet Gang's precarious position on Flower Skirt Island.
The existing silver level factions had already carved up the island. The Bayonet Gang was an outsider, and the arrival of several silver level members had severely disrupted the established order.
The Bayonet Gang had not truly integrated into Flower Skirt Island. To achieve genuine integration, the gang would inevitably face a baptism of blood and fire, needing to displace the existing powers to secure their position.
Therefore, Bing Xiao's order was exceptionally prudent.
He deeply feared that amidst the chaos, rival factions might unite to target the Bayonet Gang, disguising themselves as rioters to assault their stronghold.
The stronghold itself seemed insignificant, even if overrun, the Bayonet Gang could easily relocate to another temporary base.
Yet, in Bing Xiao's view, this stronghold was not to be lost lightly.
Three primary reasons justified this stance.
First, the basement housed the Bayonet Gang's funds, vast cultivation resources, weaponry, and equipment. Most crucially, it contained the ice coffin holding Teng Dong Lang's corpse.
Second, the Gang members had fled from Snow Bird Harbor. Despite recuperating, their morale remained low. Should they fail to defend even their sole stronghold on a place like Flower Skirt Island, it would deal a severe blow to their morale. For the current Bayonet Gang, this would be adding insult to injury.
Third, Bing Xiao desired the Bayonet Gang to establish a foothold on Flower Skirt Island. Failing to hold their only stronghold would project an image of weakness and vulnerability to other factions. Establishing a foothold later would demand greater sacrifices and bloodshed.
Bing Xiao's proactive decision to contract defenses demonstrated foresight and seasoned prudence.
Yet he never anticipated the stronghold itself would face such devastating impact. The earthquake struck with sudden, earth-shaking ferocity!
Buildings collapsed without exception, and the once level ground became uneven and scarred.
Within the Bayonet Gang's temporary stronghold, a rudimentary protective formation had been established, offering some degree of defense. Yet under such overwhelming force, this defense proved as flimsy as paper, utterly useless.
Most critically, the ice coffin hidden in the basement was also damaged.
A corner of the ice coffin shattered, nearly severing Teng Dong Lang's lower leg from his knee.
This turn of events pushed Bing Xiao to the edge of a cliff.
His journey to Tranquil Hill hinged on Teng Dong Lang's body remaining intact.
When he had retrieved the corpse from Snow Bird Harbor, he had been immensely relieved to find it undamaged.
"Teng Dong Lang's body has been damaged. Time is running out for me. The only path left is to reach Tranquil Hill as quickly as possible!"
Cruel reality had severely disrupted Bing Xiao's plans.
He had no choice but to accelerate everything, pushing forward with the Tranquil Hill operation at all costs.
Fortunately, during his time on Flower Skirt Island, his primary focus had been advancing this very plan.
Through wild duels, he had gathered most of the materials.
The only remaining key ingredient was mithril.
Thus, the entire plan was already nearing its final stage.
However, Bing Xiao required a substantial quantity of mithril, a rare metal that proved difficult to acquire through conventional channels.
Bing Xiao had previously discovered that large quantities of mithril were being sold on the black market. Unfortunately, the gang's funds were insufficient to purchase the amount he needed.
Mithril was prohibitively expensive.
Thus, Bing Xiao reluctantly ordered Xiong Ju to raid the black market and seize sufficient quantities by force.
“May their mission succeed,” Bing Xiao silently prayed, weighed down by pressure. "Otherwise, everything will be irreversibly lost. All our prior efforts will be for naught."
Spring Boxer, Xiong Ju, and the others returned with ample mithril, finally easing Bing Xiao's worries.
“Well done!” Bing Xiao praised.
Xiong Ju pointed at Lan Zao: “We also owe it to Hen Fa. He was the one who intercepted the shop assistant fleeing with the mithril.”
Bing Xiao smiled and nodded at Lan Zao.
Lan Zao chuckled. "I was just trying to get rich; I happened to snatch the mithril by accident. Since that's the case, I'll be on my way."
A flicker of concern crossed Spring Boxer's face, but he couldn't stop Lan Zao from leaving. He could only caution, "Then you'd better be careful lately. After all, they might mistake you for one of the Bayonet Gang."
Hearing this, Bing Xiao's heart stirred.
A seasoned veteran, he immediately blocked Lan Zao's path: “Hen Fa, don't rush off. You helped us this time, we can't let you face danger alone. You came to the island with us, and now you've helped seize the mithril. To others, you're clearly one of us!”
“If you leave alone now, they might not come after us immediately, but they'll definitely target you first. Though your strength has grown rapidly, you're still only iron level and alone. You'd be easy prey for ambushes and traps.”
“Here's what we'll do: stay with us for now. Once this chaos passes and their suspicions fade, you can act freely again. This is the safest course.”
"You've had it rough. Luckily, you've awakened your bloodline. Don't get overconfident and doom yourself. Your future is still bright. The view from the silver level is far prettier than iron!"
Bing Xiao delivered a heartfelt speech.
His real goal was to keep Lan Zao firmly within the Bayonet Gang.
Now was the perfect opportunity!
His words held genuine merit, not mere empty flattery.
By openly raiding the black market, the Bayonet Gang had crossed a major line. They were bound to face joint accountability from other silver level factions.
The Bayonet Gang had long been a thorn in the side of every power on Flower Skirt Island.
After all, boasting multiple silver level members, their formidable strength inspired fear and envy.
Their latest act constituted a severe provocation against Flower Skirt Island's established order.
The island's silver level factions were known for their cooperative nature.
Faced with such a formidable adversary as the Bayonet Gang, they would undoubtedly unite to confront them.
Lan Zao had already intended to stay and join the Bayonet Gang. After hearing Bing Xiao's words, he furrowed his brow, deep in thought. Then, he finally nodded.
Bing Xiao patted Lan Zao on the shoulder, settling him in. He then ordered Xiong Ju, the human ringleader, and others to defend the perimeter of their stronghold.
Only then did he enter the basement, accompanied solely by Spring Boxer.
Upon entering the basement, Spring Boxer gasped and hurried to the damaged ice coffin.
In Spring Boxer's heart, Teng Dong Lang was like a second father. The latter had always shown him immense care and spared no effort in nurturing his growth.
The sight of Teng Dong Lang's damaged body filled Spring Boxer's face with profound sorrow.
“Alright, kid, now's not the time to wallow in sorrow,” Bing Xiao reminded him, “We need to hurry.”
"Now, do exactly as I say. Watch every step I take carefully and do your absolute best to commit them to memory. You'll likely need them yourself someday," Bing Xiao instructed.
Bing Xiao began processing the various alchemy materials stored in the basement.
Spring Boxer immediately noticed that Bing Xiao was primarily using the rare materials he had won from the wild duel.
Spring Boxer couldn't help but feel curious. While arranging the materials as Bing Xiao instructed, he asked him the reason for this action.
Without turning his head, Bing Xiao replied while working: “This way, we can go to Tranquil Hill.”
"Go to Tranquil Hill? With these?" Spring Boxer was utterly surprised.
He had always assumed they would leave Flower Skirt Island by ship, gradually approaching Tranquil Hill.
“Old gang leader, are we building a teleportation formation?” Spring Boxer asked again.
"Of course not! I'm no magician, just a fighter. We're setting up a priest's ritual."
"A ritual? What kind of ritual could transport us directly to Tranquil Hill?"
“A special ritual, naturally! I can't explain the details clearly, but you'll understand once you experience it." Bing Xiao stated.
While Spring Boxer and Bing Xiao prepared for the special ritual with intense anticipation, far away in the depths of the ocean near the Mother Nest, another group faced their own unique ritual.
The difference was that this group's mood was utterly dreadful.
Zhou Zhang observed the necromancers with keen interest as she delivered her ultimatum: “The next ritual is the teleportation blood sacrifice. Have you selected your first candidate?”
The undead, led by Jian Gui, wore expressions so grim they were frightening.
Their gazes instinctively converged on Cang Xu.
Cang Xu's expression was grim. He closed his eyes slightly before slowly opening them again. He looked at Zhou Zhang, his voice hoarse and strained as he said, “It will be me.”
“Hehehe, I hope you succeed in converting!” Zhou Zhang chuckled for a moment before strolling away leisurely.
Dead silence fell over the shack.
“Everyone... please be at ease,” Cang Xu opened his mouth, his face bitter. "According to our agreement, I'm the one with the slowest progress. I won't go back on my word. I'll be the first to participate in the blood sacrifice."
Xiao Wang Zi turned his head away, unable to bear the sight.
Qi Ling averted her gaze.
Ku Feng, however, gazed steadily at Cang Xu and declared, “I will be the second.”
This was certain.
As a fighter, his progress in forging memories could never match that of Xiao Wang Zi or Qi Ling.
And after Cang Xu, Xiao Wang Zi and Qi Ling would certainly not aid him further.
The reason was simple.
Xiao Wang Zi was already struggling to keep up, compelled to devote all his efforts to competing with Qi Ling.
As for Qi Ling, determined to hold onto her position, how could she possibly spare the energy and time to aid Ku Feng?
Cang Xu nodded.
After everyone had departed, he returned alone to the shack to see Jian Gui.
“I never imagined death would feel like this,” Cang Xu's opening words drew a deep sigh from Jian Gui.
“What is it like?” Jian Gui inquired.
“Helplessness, despair... yet perhaps because I anticipated it, I remain strangely calm,” Cang Xu replied, his expression complex.
Jian Gui gazed at him, certain lingering concerns gradually dissipating.
Facing death, Cang Xu might trade the secret of fabricating memories to Zhou Zhang for a sliver of survival.
Jian Gui had always guarded against this possibility.
“You may not die,” Jian Gui offered reassurance, “there is still hope.”
“Convert my faith?” Cang Xu smiled faintly, “Perhaps.”
“Lord Jian Gui, before I die, I have one small wish.”
“Speak.” Jian Gui sensed what was coming.
Sure enough, Cang Xu's request matched his expectations.
At life's end, Cang Xu wished to peruse the soul aspect inheritance.
“Especially that spell for detecting undead bloodlines...”
"Lord Jian Gui, forgive my audacity. Though my bloodline mutation remains incomplete, it has indeed reached its final stage. I am truly curious, what exactly is my undead bloodline?"
“Though I lack your ability to break through the seals of divine spells and magic spells for fleeting freedom...”
“Even in death, I wish to carry these memories with me.”
“Perhaps this is the lingering regret of my life, my sole regret before dying.”
"Or perhaps I truly can convert successfully. Upon my return, these spells would be my reward for enduring such peril. Lord Jian Gui, I know this is presumptuous, but would you grant me these blessings?"
Jian Gui sighed again.
Facing imminent death, Cang Xu's boldness no longer seemed presumptuous, it felt entirely justified.
Most crucially, his words struck a deep chord within Jian Gui.
For the predicament Cang Xu now faced, Jian Gui would inevitably face it too!
The present Cang Xu was the future Jian Gui.
In truth, even with fabricated memories, Jian Gui lacked the confidence to escape unscathed. Facing such precarious danger, he willingly set aside some of his steadfast principles to accept this pitiful old man's “audacity.”
After all, he had already compromised his principles before.
With the first compromise, the second came far easier.
Moreover, Jian Gui also wished to stabilize Cang Xu, ensuring the latter maintained the secret of the fabricated memories as much as possible. Though he could kill Cang Xu, it was best not to risk arousing Zhou Zhang's suspicion over it.
“Very well. I shall impart to you the entirety of the intermediate soul aspect inheritance.”
“Xu Jia, I am truly sorry.”
Jian Gui bowed his head to Cang Xu with utmost sincerity, performing a magician's salute.
Moments later, Cang Xu departed Jian Gui's hut with satisfaction.
“All my goals have been accomplished.”
“I never imagined it would happen under these circumstances, heh.”
“Now, I'm truly looking forward to meeting up with the commander.”
Cang Xu gazed distantly toward the golden altar, where vast numbers of sea beasts had been driven together. An eager anticipation welled up within him, yearning to reunite with the dragonman youngster once more.