Stranger Danger

Chapter 903: Tide Rises at The Shores of Fury Wind River

Through the “Paranirmita Boundless Heavenly Demon Dependent”, Ye Qing manipulated Tao Chong into launching a suicide attack against the Moon King. The plan was to have the Moon King slay Tao Chong where he stood.

However, Tao Chong wised up for once in his life and realized that he was the one who was puppeteering things. So, he tried to cut a deal with the Moon King. Left with no choice, Ye Qing wiped out his mind and consciousness through the “Paranirmita Boundless Heavenly Demon Dependent” once more.

The good news was that Tao Chong’s painted skin was destroyed, and he was severely injured during the earlier clash. As a result, he successfully wiped out his mind and consciousness without breaking a sweat.

The bad news was that he underestimated the Moon King. His Magia had been this close from locking onto his position and killing him through his connection with the demonic lotus.

If he hadn’t made the snap decision to cut off his spiritual connection with the demonic lotus, he would not have gotten away with just some light injuries.

“You fought against the Moon King? No wonder!”

Feng Qingyou smiled. “There are three champions in Moon Bay, and they are the Old Fisherman, the Ghost Wife and the Moon King. All three of them are top fifty warriors on the Earth Champions Ranking. Old Fisherman is the strongest of them all, followed by Ghost Wife and finally Moon King.”

“On a related note, are you aware that the Moon King shares a connection with us?”

“Huh? How so?” Ye Qing asked.

“Are you familiar with the Moon King’s background?”

Noticing the puzzlement on Ye Qing’s face, Feng Qingyou explained without waiting for an answer, “It is commonly believed that the Moon King is a jianghu wanderer with no sect or faction to call to his name, and that the reason he was able to achieve what he achieved today is thanks to accidental opportunity and fortune. In reality, the Moon King is a disciple of the Nine Nethers Sect, specifically the direct disciple of the Nether Lord[1] of the Nine Nethers Sect himself. He is a Great Trueman who practices the ‘Moon God Canon’ of the Six Canons of Nine Nethers.”

“He’s the direct disciple of the Nether Lord?” Ye Qing exclaimed in surprise.

“That’s right,” Feng Qingyou nodded affirmatively. “If not for the Nine Nethers Sect, what makes you think that the Moon King could become one of the highest rulers of Moon Bay? Moon Bay is a very delicious cake, you know. No one without sufficient background and strength can claim it for themselves.”

“Tsk tsk... This truly is a mighty coincidence.” Ye Qing chuckled. As Feng Qingyou said, they did share a connection with the Moon King. It wasn’t a friendly one though. No, it was the kind of bond that only a river of blood could appease.

Thank goodness he managed to kill Tao Chong in time. Had the goatherd succeeded in informing the Moon King about their kidnappings, they would have been in serious trouble.

“Oh right! If the Moon King is the disciple of the Nether Lord, then Old Fisherman and Ghost Wife must have a patron as well, right?” Ye Qing asked curiously.

Feng Qingyou smiled. “That’s right. Old Fisherman is backed by the Fate Knowing Palace, and Ghost Wife the imperial household of Yan.”

“Tsk tsk... I have no idea that the waters of Moon Bay are so deep,” Ye Qing scoffed in disdain. The Nine Nethers Sect was one of the Nine Dark Ways, the Fate Knowing Palace was one of the Five Profound Sects, and the imperial household of Yan was, well, the imperial household of Yan. Truly, it was a riot.

Feng Qingyou refrained from commenting and changed the subject, “Now that the matter regarding Tao Chong is settled, what do you plan to do next, Joyless?”

“What’s next?” Ye Qing broke into a grin. “It’s time to play with Chen Cang, of course!”

Revenge was a dish best served hot, and he, Ye Qing, was oh-so hungry.

......

“So this is the Fury Wind River. The winds blow like a hurricane, the waves rush in furiously, and it almost feels as if the river would pour down from the sky. It deserves its reputation.”

At the rivershore, Ye Qing was admiring the raging winds and shocking tides before him.

“The magnificence of the Fury Wind River is well known under the heavens,” Feng Qingyou remarked. She was currently standing next to him while the strong wind kicked up her hair and clothes and made her look like a celestial. “But I do not believe that you have come here just to witness its magnificence. Am I right?”

It had been nine days since they left the Six Livestocks Market and journeyed east to this place.

“Of course not.” A smile danced on Ye Qing’s lips. “I told you that it’s time to play with Chen Cang, right? I’m a man of my word, and I never break my promises!”

“You’re saying that Chen Cang is hidden here?” Feng Qingyou asked.

“That is correct.” Ye Qing nodded before wrinkling his eyebrows a little. “I am troubled by something though.”

“What is it?” Feng Qingyou’s eyes flashed thoughtfully. “Is it about crossing the river?”

“That is a problem, but no, this is worse. I need to find an island that’s located somewhere in Fury Wind River,” Ye Qing answered with a sigh.

The river before them was named Fury Wind, and it was the biggest river in Yan. It began from the biggest mountain range of Yan, the Snow Dragon Ridge, and flowed southwest for hundreds of kilometers, cutting through both Yan and Qi.

Logically speaking, Fury Wind River boasted great geographical advantages as it connected Yan and Qi together. It should have been filled with fishing boats and merchant ships.

In reality, forget a boat, you couldn’t even find a fisherman loitering next to Fury Wind River most times of the year.

It was because the weather of Fury Wind River was unpredictable and violent all year long. Its waters raced like the blood of an angry god, its winds were as tall as hills, and its waves were rapid like wildfires. It was completely unsuited for riverfaring.

Of course, there were some periods where the wind and waves of Fury Wind River were slightly more manageable such as the beginning of spring and the end of autumn. A small number of fishing boats and merchant boats would traverse the river during those times.

However, it was neither the beginning of spring nor the end of autumn right now. It was currently the halfway point between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, and the period where the Fury Wind River was at its most dangerous.

This was because the surrounding ice and snow were melting and flowing into the Fury Wind River, significantly boosting its water level and velocity. It was not an exaggeration when people described the waves during this time as “tall and neverending like mountains”. One look was all it took to sap one’s desire to enter the river entirely.

There was no ordinary boat in the world that could withstand its ravages during this time. Even some boat-type Strange Artifacts were hardpressed to resist the elements.

As if that wasn’t enough, all sorts of powerful Strangers lived within Fury Wind River as well, which made what was already a perilous journey ten times more dangerous than before. If something bad happened, and you were unfortunate enough to fall into the river, that was it. This was why even powerful warriors were unwilling to risk the river unless they absolutely had to.

Unfortunately, Ye Qing had no choice but to brave the Fury Wind River. It was because this was where Chen Cang was hiding.

According to the Annon Sutra, Chen Cang was hiding on an island hidden somewhere in the Fury Wind River. Even more troublesome was the fact that was all the Annon Sutra had told him. It hadn’t deigned to give him a specific location.

It was difficult enough to navigate the Fury Wind River even when it was at its calmest, and now, it was at its worst. This was going to be an absolute pain in the ass to say the least.

“Chen Chang is hiding on an island hidden in the Fury Wind River?” Feng Qingyou voiced her doubts, “But from what I know, no island exists in this river at all. Are you sure about this?”

“I’m pretty sure.” Ye Qing shook his head. The Annon Sutra said it existed, so it must exist.

“Do you know where this island is?” Feng Qingyou asked.

Ye Qing rubbed his nose and shook his head again. This is starting to get embarrassing.

“In that case, please allow me to find a way!” Feng Qingyou replied smilingly after thinking for a moment.

“You have a way, Qingyou?” Ye Qing’s eyes lit up. “Tell me!”

“You’ll find out very soon.” Feng Qingyou kept him on tenterhooks. “I’ll need you to purchase some items for me though.”

“What do you need?” Ye Qing asked.

“Rice, wheat, foxtail millet, proso millet and soybeans!” Feng Qingyou answered.

“Excuse me?” Ye Qing blinked dumbly.

“You heard me right. I’m talking about the Five Grains.” Feng Qingyou smiled. “But of course, ordinary Five Grains won’t be useful for our purposes. I need old Five Grains that have been stored for at least a year, the older the better, and I need at least two sacks of each type.”

“Got it.”

Ye Qing was silent for a moment, but he didn’t ask. His appearance suddenly grew blurry, and he was gone just like that.

1. I have no idea if it’s the same Nether Lord who tried to descend back then. It might be him, it might not. ☜