บท 74: Don’t Want to Go
When the fisherman spoke, Qian Renxue showed great interest: "Can you describe the appearance of that scarred strongman in detail?"
The fisherman responded seriously, "I hid on the island for five or six days, so I remember my benefactor's appearance very clearly."
"He was about 1.8 meters tall and quite handsome, but he had a terrifying scar on his face."
"And my benefactor was also a soul master."
"When the typhoon hit, an ordinary person would have been swept away in no time."
"But my benefactor could face the typhoon and still catch fish in the sea."
"If it weren't for him, even if I had escaped to Soro Island, I probably would've starved to death in the storm."
Qian Gu Shizhen stepped forward and confirmed with Qian Renxue, "Every feature the fisherman described matches the appearance of Black Spear Douluo. It must be him."
He then turned to the fisherman and asked, "Do you know why your benefactor was on Soro Island?"
The fisherman scratched his head and said, "I was curious as well, wondering why my benefactor lived alone on that small island."
"But he always acted like someone with great wisdom, smiling without answering."
Hesitantly, the fisherman shared his guess, "From what I observed over those days, my benefactor was probably troubled by love."
After hearing this, Qian Renxue nodded slightly.
After being ordered to investigate Black Spear Douluo's disappearance, she had reviewed his files.
Before joining the Heaven Dou Army, he indeed had a tragic love story.
"It seems that Black Spear Douluo's feelings have never been resolved."
Qian Renxue sighed softly.
This was rather tricky.
After all, she was young and had no understanding of the elusive concept of "love."
She had no way to counsel Black Spear Douluo.
On the other hand, Black Spear Douluo was one of the few elite warriors of the Heaven Dou Empire.
If she could help him resolve his emotional troubles and bring him back to the empire, her standing in the eyes of Emperor Xue Ye would greatly increase.
This would make inheriting the throne much more natural in the future.
Therefore, she had to solve Black Spear Douluo's issue at all costs.
She looked up at the simple fisherman and asked, "Do you remember the way back to Soro Island?"
The fisherman patted his chest confidently, "Of course! Soro Island isn't some obscure place. Any seasoned fisherman knows about it."
Upon hearing this, Qian Renxue felt reassured.
It seemed Black Spear Douluo wasn't trying to completely isolate himself from the world.
Otherwise, he would have chosen an island no one could find.
From this perspective, there was still hope to resolve his emotional troubles.
But the first step was meeting him.
Before Qian Renxue could speak, Qian Gu Shizhen respectfully stepped forward and said, "Your Highness, I've already rented a large ship in advance. Shall we head to Soro Island to meet Black Spear Douluo?"
"Good thinking!" Aude stepped forward and lightly patted Qian Gu Shizhen on the shoulder.
Qian Gu Shizhen smiled warmly, "It's all thanks to your guidance, Lord Steward."
This made Aude feel quite pleased, and he bowed to Qian Renxue, suggesting, "Your Highness, if you wish to invite Black Spear Douluo back, you must show genuine sincerity. It would be best if you went in person."
"I had the same thought," Qian Renxue's gaze flickered slightly.
Emperor Xue Ye had sent her to handle Black Spear Douluo's matter, not just as a task but as a test.
Only by passing this test could she advance further toward the center of power in the Heaven Dou Empire and ultimately win the power game.
On the other side, Ye Tian, realizing the fisherman was lying, showed no interest in the conversation.
He walked over to Qian Renxue and bowed, saying, "Since I've escorted His Highness to the port, I consider my mission complete."
"I still have many teaching tasks to finish at East Sea Academy. Please allow me to take my leave."
Hearing this, Qian Gu Shizhen narrowed his eyes, reflecting on Ye Tian's good fortune.
If he had stayed...
Heh...
"What do you mean by this, Ye Tian?" Aude showed dissatisfaction.
"Are you saying it's beneath you to stay with His Highness?"
"Do you know how many people in the Heaven Dou Empire would give anything to get close to His Highness but can't?"
"You really don't know what's good for you!"
As expected of a palace steward, Aude was a master flatterer, and Ye Tian couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Aude always found a way to flatter Qian Renxue.
Ye Tian found it amusing—if Aude knew that the "His Highness" he so deeply respected was actually Qian Renxue, how would he react?
When Qian Renxue heard that Ye Tian wanted to leave, she turned slightly, surprised.
"You won't join us in going to Soro Island? Do you realize that if we successfully bring Black Spear Douluo back, everyone who helped will earn great merit?"
"For someone like you, such merit would be enough to elevate you past the rank of lord and be conferred the title of baron."
But earning this merit required Black Spear Douluo to actually be on Soro Island!
Ye Tian remained unmoved.
He knew that Black Spear Douluo's head had already been chopped off by Zhou Long.
How could they bring him back now?
What a joke.
"Your Highness overestimates me. My dream is merely to live as a wealthy man by the East Sea, and I have no desire for titles or rank."
"Not being able to serve the Empire and His Majesty already fills me with guilt. If I were to receive rewards without merit, I'd blame myself for the rest of my life."
"Hmph, you really are a lofty one," Aude sneered coldly.
In his view, Ye Tian was just putting on airs in front of Qian Renxue, seeking false praise.
How could anyone not desire wealth and status?
Qian Gu Shizhen also gave Ye Tian a new look after hearing this.
Ye Tian's noble character, coupled with his background, would surely make him a significant obstacle in Silvis Province's future.
Thinking of this, Qian Gu Shizhen chuckled inwardly.
His original plan had been to target Xue Qinghe.
If he could trick Xue Qinghe into Soro Island and kill him, then blame it on the Spirit Hall, it would undoubtedly spark a war between the Heaven Dou Empire and the Spirit Hall.
At that point, their evil soul masters could rise in the chaos and gain a foothold on the continent!
But now that Ye Tian had arrived at the port, it wouldn't take much effort to lure him along and kill him too.
That would also remove a potential enemy.
Qian Gu Shizhen's eyes gleamed.
He smiled warmly at Ye Tian, saying, "His Highness wants to reward you, Ye Tian! You must seize this opportunity and not upset His Highness."
"Even if His Highness were to be lenient and not hold it against you, I won't let you off easily."
The threat was clear.
Ye Tian found it amusing.
An old evil soul master nearing death had the audacity to threaten him.
If it weren't for wanting to uncover the evil soul master network behind Qian Gu Shizhen, the Heavenly Strategy Army would have long since taken action and killed him.
"I appreciate your advice, Lord Shizhen, but I truly don't want to go to Soro Island."
(End of chapter)
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