Chapter 479: Entering Tranquil Hill
The night sea breeze fluttered the naval flag of the Sheng Ming Empire.
A gold level magic ship cut through the waves.
This vessel was clearly not a standard Imperial Navy warship. Its bow was thick and sturdy, with a bridge positioned squarely at the center of the deck—a perfect cube, equal in length, width, and height.
The surface of this cube was covered in intricate, layered magic formations. Embedded within these formations were countless gems: sapphires the size of fists, diamonds as large as human heads, and topazes as big as carriages.
It was the Treasure Chest.
The captain, Tan Mo, a gold level fighter and Rear Admiral of the Sheng Ming Empire's Navy, stood within the bridge.
He gripped the wheel with both hands, concentrating intently on navigating the flagship through the night.
The first mate approached, standing ramrod straight as he reported: “Lord, an urgent transmission from Channel Three!”
Tan Mo's brow furrowed instantly. Communication from Channel Three carried immense significance and often brought immense trouble.
“What's going on?” “Channel Three only relayed orders to me not long ago. Why now?”
Tan Mo tossed the wheel to the first mate, “Steer carefully. These waters aren't safe, especially at night.”
The first mate hurriedly acknowledged the order, though he inwardly rolled his eyes.
Normally, Tan Mo rarely came up to the bridge, preferring to stay in his cabin enjoying the company of beautiful women and indulging in fine wines and delicacies.
This version of Tan Mo was exceedingly rare.
The first mate knew the reason - it was that person aboard the Treasure Chest before departure!
Tan Mo entered the communications room and received the new orders from Channel Three.
“Another important figure wants to board my ship?” Tan Mo felt troubled.
The Treasure Chest had already sailed far from port, but according to Channel Three’s instructions, Tan Mo only needed to provide his precise coordinates.
Tan Mo's dilemma, of course, wasn't about providing coordinates. It was that his ship already carried someone he absolutely dared not provoke. Now another important figure was being sent aboard, giving him a headache.
But there was no choice - it was Channel Three!
"Before proceeding, I must report to that person of importance. Otherwise, misunderstandings could lead to trouble." Tan Mo steeled himself, entered the Treasure Chest, and relayed the situation.
The big shot gave him a thorough dressing-down. Tan Mo bowed and scraped his way out, struggling to maintain his composure.
He hurried back to the deck without delay.
By then, the Treasure Chest had come to a slow halt in the ocean.
Using the active sea chart, Tan Mo pinpointed the ship's current coordinates. He then ordered his subordinates to calculate the position using alternative methods, yielding another set of coordinates.
The two sets of coordinates matched perfectly.
Only then did Tan Mo transmit this critical data via Channel Three.
About ten minutes later, violent spatial fluctuations erupted directly above the Treasure Chest.
From the turbulence, a brilliant blue light coalesced.
The light condensed into a circular doorway.
A gold level clergyman stepped through the doorway, bearing a door-shaped emblem on his chest, and ascended to hover above the Treasure Chest.
Another figure followed closely behind him.
This latter individual was a towering, imposing figure, carrying a massive shield as tall as a man. Clad in heavy, full-body holy armor that concealed his features, he radiated an aura unmistakably of the saint level.
"A gold level clergyman of the Secret Gate Church, and a saint level shield guardian!" Tan Mo's heart skipped a beat as he hurriedly greeted them.
Though he himself was gold level, he lacked flight battle skill and could only look up.
The Secret Gate Bishop and the saint level shield guardian slowly descended, landing on the deck to formally meet Tan Mo.
Tan Mo displayed warmth, the saint level shield guardian remained silent, while the Secret Gate Bishop adopted an arrogant demeanor.
“Prepare the finest quarters for me. I require rest!” commanded the Secret Gate Bishop.
“Lord, that may prove difficult,” Tan Mo replied with a troubled expression, “You are unaware of the circumstances. There is a prominent figure currently aboard my vessel!”
“Important figure?” The Secret Gate Bishop scoffed in disbelief, “What legend level VIP could possibly be aboard your little vessel?”
Tan Mo hurriedly explained, “This guest is only gold level, but…”
The Secret Gate Bishop waved him off, cutting him off, “A mere gold level? What kind of VIP is that?”
"Is that so? Could you repeat that statement?" The voice echoed as someone stepped onto the deck.
The Secret Gate Bishop froze upon recognizing the speaker, his expression shifting to sheer terror, “I... I...”
Even the saint level shield guardian behind him hurriedly bowed in reverence.
The “important figure” was indeed only of gold level, but his uniform featured a black base adorned with crimson patterns.
This revealed his identity - he was a member of the Blood Light Punishment Institution!
"Lord Tu Ji, why have you come up? Is there something you require? Please state your command, and I shall fulfill it to the best of my ability." The imposing captain, Rear Admiral Tan Mo, now groveled like a lowly servant.
Tu Ji of the Blood Light Punishment Institution replied coldly, "You've already wasted too much of my time retrieving these two. This time, I'm heading to Two Eyes Island to investigate undead traces. The longer this drags on, the harder the investigation becomes! Should my mission be delayed, you will bear responsibility!"
"M-My Lord, this humble servant cannot shoulder such responsibility! I shall set sail immediately, departing at full speed to save every moment! I guarantee we shall reach the target waters within seven days!" Tan Mo hastily pledged.
“You had better keep your word.” Tu Ji finished, flicked his sleeve, and returned to the cabin.
The Secret Gate Bishop remained behind, glaring reproachfully at Tan Mo. The unspoken accusation hung heavily: How did a lunatic from the Blood Light Punishment Institution end up aboard your vessel? Why didn't you warn me sooner?
But seeing the bitter expression on Tan Mo's face, the Secret Gate Bishop ultimately only gave a cold snort, “Take us to the cabin. We need to rest.”
"No, not the hold below deck. Your forecastle is quite nice. Are there rooms there?"
"Yes, of course. Lords, this way please." Tan Mo bowed low, leading the way.
There was no night in Tranquil Hill.
Here, snow blanketed everything, the cold piercing to the bone.
Crimson blood and corpses littered the snow.
Lan Zao panted heavily as Xiong Ju and the others cleaned up the battlefield.
They had been unexpectedly swept into the fray during the fierce battle, entering Tranquil Hill together.
This turn of events surprised both sides.
But with reinforcements from Bing Xiao and Spring Boxer, the Bayonet Gang quickly gained the upper hand.
Their adversaries were the leaders of Flower Skirt Island's factions, including three silver level fighters.
Under Xiong Ju's relentless assault, their formation collapsed.
Spring Boxer seized the opportunity to unleash his battle skill, grabbing one of them and battering him into critical condition.
Xiong Ju executed his Savage Charge battle skill, immediately following with a Bear Pounce, killing one silver level fighter.
Lan Zao employed the alchemy projectile cores, coordinating with the human ringleader to pin down the third silver level opponent.
Thanks to Xiong Ju's relentless slaughter, the Bayonet Gang successfully broke through the stalemate. They ultimately eliminated the remaining two silver level foes, securing their victory.
"So, where exactly is this place? How do we get back?" Lan Zao asked.
“This is Tranquil Hill,” Spring Boxer answered, glancing at Bing Xiao.
Bing Xiao's face turned ashen, “None of you can return for now.”
Though victorious and having successfully brought the ice coffin into Tranquil Hill, Bing Xiao couldn't muster a smile.
The sudden expansion of the divine domain at the last moment was highly unusual.
Especially since Bing Xiao knew there had always been a mole within the Bayonet Gang.
“This is likely a conspiracy!”
“Perhaps our escape from Snow Bird Harbor was just the beginning of it.”
“The fact that I obtained Teng Dong Lang's complete body is highly suspicious.”
“The crucial question now is: who is the mole?”
"Is it Xiong Ju? The human ringleader? Including Hen Fa... even though his background check came clean. But we can't fully trust him yet!"
Lan Zao pressed urgently, his face etched with anxiety: "Why can't we go back? How can we get back?"
Bing Xiao swept a glance over the surrounding gang members, then fixed his gaze on Lan Zao: “What? You want to go back and face an ambush?”
Lan Zao: “Uh, that's not what I meant.”
“Alright, follow my lead from here on out,” Bing Xiao said, “Who knows? This place might grant you a massive boost that'll leave a lasting impression for the rest of your lives!”
Bing Xiao dared not let the gang members roam freely, so the best course was to keep them all under his watchful eye.
“Tranquil Hill?” The human ringleader murmured, confusion mingled with faint excitement. "Did I hear correctly, Lord Gang Leader? Is this the legendary Tranquil Hill?"
In an instant, the rest of the gang members turned their gaze toward Bing Xiao.