Chapter 50: Fellow Daoist
Ji Yuan had never forgotten the agreement he made with Qiu Qianhai.
Back when Qiu Qianhai took responsibility and left Autumn Rain Island, the two of them had agreed that the next time he returned, he would place a shell at Ji Yuan’s doorstep.
At that time, they would meet on Autumn Rain Island.
Since the autumn of last year, from that day onward, every time Ji Yuan returned home, he would first check if there was a shell at his doorstep.
Unfortunately, he had never seen one.
Now, after waiting from last autumn until this spring, he finally saw a shell at his doorstep… Qiu Qianhai had returned.
Ji Yuan let out a long breath.
No matter what, it was good that he had come back.
Afterward, Ji Yuan pushed the door open and entered the house.
He first checked the situation inside to ensure there were no problems. Then, after collecting the Spiritual Eggs and Spiritual Soil that had accumulated over the past two days, he left.
He had deactivated the effect of the Pigsty.
He had no choice.
The Blood Essence produced was too outrageous.
Since he wasn’t home, Ji Yuan didn’t dare keep that building’s effect active. However, the Chicken Coop was much more manageable.
The Black Wind Boat cut through the water.
Ji Yuan only vaguely remembered the location of Autumn Rain Island, but it didn’t matter.
As long as he got close to that area, he would eventually find it.
After half a day of wandering around, Ji Yuan finally saw the familiar small island.
He steered the boat to shore, and as he leaped onto land, he stored the Black Wind Boat into his storage pouch.
Stepping on the soft, fine sand by the shore, Ji Yuan scanned his surroundings with a hint of vigilance.
Because… he didn’t see any sign of Qiu Qianhai.
Something felt off.
If Qiu Qianhai was truly here, he should have come out to meet him already.
Ji Yuan formed a hand seal with one hand and summoned the Dragon Scale Shield.
The tortoiseshell shield circled around him, giving Ji Yuan a momentary sense of security as he slowly walked deeper into the island.
The surrounding reed marshes had sprouted new shoots, still quite suitable for hiding someone.
After stepping into the reeds, he softly called out, “Old Hai?”
Calling out Qiu Qianhai’s full name would be too obvious. If anyone else heard it, it could cause trouble.
“Old Hai?”
Autumn Rain Island wasn’t big.
Ji Yuan called out a few times without receiving any response, and he knew then that Qiu Qianhai wasn’t on the island… Could something have gone wrong?
Ji Yuan quickened his pace, running from one end of the island to the other.
Sure enough, on the sandy ground by the shore, there were several deep grooves filled with water that had flowed in from the lake.
Not only that, but the nearby reeds even showed signs of being scorched by fire.
A battle had taken place here!
Ji Yuan carefully examined the surroundings.
The traces of battle were still relatively fresh, indicating that the fight had happened not long ago.
Qiu Qianhai had been waiting here for him, but someone had discovered him and attacked?
That was Ji Yuan’s first thought.
But where was he now?
Since Ji Yuan didn’t see anyone on the island, he once again deployed the Black Wind Boat and circled around Autumn Rain Island a few times.
Finding nothing unusual, he steered the boat beneath the water’s surface.
After several careful searches, he still found nothing.
With that being the case, there was only one possibility left.
One party had fled, and the other had pursued.
But where had they gone?
Trying to find someone in the vast expanse of Yunyu Marshlands was no different from looking for a needle in a haystack.
Unable to find anyone, Ji Yuan chose not to leave.
Instead, he stayed on a nearby small island for the night, but still found nothing unusual.
Qiu Qianhai did not return, and no one else came to Autumn Rain Island.
Helpless, Ji Yuan could only return to Zengtou Market.
Qiu Qianhai had once been a well-known figure in Zengtou Market, even referred to by some as “the second Han Feiyu.”
If he returned and was seen by someone, there would surely be rumors in the market.
This time, Ji Yuan didn’t even go home. He went straight into the marketplace.
On both sides of the street were mostly makeshift stalls selling talismans, pills, or various miscellaneous items.
There were also quite a few fishermen coming and going.
Ji Yuan deliberately slowed his pace, listening to their conversations.
But unfortunately, after walking through two streets, he didn’t hear a single word about Qiu Qianhai.
With no other choice, he wandered around until he reached a secluded courtyard. He raised his hand and knocked on the door.
“Dong dong dong——”
After a moment, footsteps came from within, and with a creak, a middle-aged man with graying hair and uneven-sized eyes poked his head out.
“Who are you… Come in.”
As usual, Cripple Li had been about to ask who he was looking for and prepare to send him away. But upon recognizing Ji Yuan’s face, he invited him in and even served him tea.
The last time Ji Yuan had visited, Cripple Li had noticed that his cultivation was only at the fourth layer of Qi Refining.
But today, he was already at the sixth layer, just like Cripple Li.
Such rapid progress in less than half a year… Cripple Li couldn’t help but take him seriously.
“He’s back.”
Ji Yuan didn’t drink the tea and got straight to the point.
Cripple Li was stunned at first, then quickly asked, “Where is he? How is he? Is he alright?”
An uncle was an uncle after all.
The moment he heard that Qiu Qianhai had returned, Cripple Li immediately lost his usual composure.
“I didn’t see him.”
Ji Yuan shook his head, pondered for a moment, and then said, “We had agreed last year to meet at a certain place after he returned. I went there but didn’t see him. However, there were signs of a battle.”
Cripple Li immediately understood and said, “I’ll go ask around.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“You’d better not. I’m his uncle, and the Qin family knows that too. No one would suspect me if I ask around, but if you do, you might draw the attention of those with ill intentions. Just wait here for me.”
Cripple Li calmly analyzed the situation.
After speaking, he hurried out, moving so quickly that he didn’t seem crippled at all.
Looks like he’s a crafty old man after all… Ji Yuan didn’t leave either.
Instead, he took out a beginner’s copy of The True Explanation of Alchemy and began reading it carefully.
When traveling outside, having more skills was never a bad thing.
Especially when buildings could be upgraded.
By noon, Cripple Li finally returned, his expression somewhat grim. “I didn’t hear anything. My guess is that he either killed that person or is still on the run.”
“You’d better go home and wait. If he comes back, he won’t come to me first, but he’ll definitely look for you.”
“Alright.”
At this point, Ji Yuan had no other options and could only agree.
“Uncle Li, if you hear anything, please let me know as well.”
Ji Yuan then told Cripple Li his address before taking his leave.
Perhaps because he was worried about Qiu Qianhai, Ji Yuan found it hard to focus on his cultivation after returning home.
With no other choice, he entered the Comprehension Room, attempting to comprehend the second layer of the Canglang Sword Manual.
After all, the Comprehension Room had the effect of calming the mind and focusing the spirit.
Three days passed in this manner, and Ji Yuan finally received a message from Cripple Li, saying that someone had seen Qiu Qianhai in Yunyu Marshlands. However, there were no details about the specific location or any other information.
With no other choice, Ji Yuan had to investigate on his own.
But the results were no different from what Cripple Li had said.
Just as Ji Yuan was about to return, he unexpectedly ran into Lu Wan.
Compared to her previously lively demeanor, she now seemed particularly cold.
No matter who she encountered, she only gave them a faint glance.
Remembering what she had said last time, Ji Yuan didn’t approach her.
The two of them simply nodded at each other from a distance, which counted as a greeting.
That night.
After returning from selling fish at the Fish Market, Lin Hu knocked on Ji Yuan’s courtyard gate.
Upon entering, he carefully took out a letter from his bosom and lowered his voice, saying:
“Brother Ji, this is from Lu Wan for you.”