Chapter 916: Must Have a Purpose

Well, since the Yangshan Archipelago had already been sold, whatever entanglements the pirates might have with this young man in the future were no longer Bailie's concern. Bailie could just relax and watch the show unfold.

Having understood this, Yang Zhubu changed the subject and continued to accompany He Lingchuan, enjoying the scenery and chatting.

On the way back, another Yinhui carcass floated past the boat, but He Lingchuan and his companions ignored it, not even asking a single question. Even after the pleasure boat docked and everyone disembarked, He Lingchuan never once inquired about the anomalies of the Yangshan Archipelago, nor did he mention "Yinhui." Yang Zhubu knew this was not normal. The eyes of those dozen or so burly men weren't blind; their failure to question such strange occurrences indicated that Young Master He was well aware of the situation. The island purchase itself was far from simple.

Upon arriving at Blade's Edge Port, he accompanied He Lingchuan and his party to the designated restaurant.

Seeing He Lingchuan ascend the stairs, Lu Qingan, who had been waiting there, greeted him with a hearty laugh: "The boat ride was rough; you must be tired, Young Master He."

"The sea was calm today, but there were many strange things," He Lingchuan said with a smile as he exchanged pleasantries. "Yang Zhubu is the one who truly worked hard."

Lu Qingan immediately understood that their sea trip had encountered something unusual. He glanced at Yang Zhubu, who was about to speak, but He Lingchuan preempted him: "However, I'm quite satisfied with the inspection and handover of the outer islands. How about we settle the remaining formalities, Old Master Lu?"

Time to pay the final installment? Lu Qingan's spirits immediately lifted. "Excellent, Young Master He, you're straightforward!"

Closing the deal and getting the money quickly was the top priority. Everything else could be discussed later.

Yang Zhubu, sidelined and overlooked, quietly closed his mouth again.

Lu Qingan had already prepared the acceptance agreement, which was produced for both parties to sign, with two copies for each to keep.

He Lingchuan promptly paid the final installment of forty thousand taels and smoothly received the deed for the Yangshan Archipelago.

With this deed in hand, others could now call him "Island Master He."

Agreement, deed, receipt—all the paperwork was complete.

The ownership of the Yangshan Archipelago was finally settled.

He Lingchuan did some mental calculations. Eighty thousand taels of silver had just been handed over, leaving him with only two hundred thousand taels in cash.

Money was spent quickly, but earned with difficulty.

Lu Qingan also felt a tinge of melancholy. The Lu family had sold off ancestral properties more than once, but none had been sold as cheaply as the Yangshan Archipelago was today.

But as he touched the forty thousand taels in bank notes, he comforted himself, saying that a "chicken rib" (something useless but hard to give up) would remain useless if not converted into money, only incurring more costs for nothing.

Therefore, the ultimate profit from this transaction was actually more than eighty thousand taels.

"Young Master He, you must be tired from your journey. Please stay here, enjoy some tea, listen to the opera, and get some good rest. I, Lu, have family matters to attend to, so I must take my leave."

He was eager to leave as soon as the money was in hand, not bothering to deal with this fop.

He Lingchuan smiled, "No problem. May I ask where in Bailie one can buy Shaoling ore?"

"Shaoling ore?" Lu Qingan was unfamiliar with this business. Hearing the question, he turned to Yang Zhubu, "Do you know?"

Yang Zhubu thought for a moment: "If Young Master He doesn't need a large quantity..."

"Just for artifact refining, I'd need about three hundred catties," He Lingchuan added. "Raw ore will do."

"Your Yangshan Archipelago already has it."

"Huh?" He Lingchuan was surprised. It's on his own island?

Even ore? Are the islands that abundant?

"It seems, it seems like it's on one of the central islands of the archipelago..." Yang Zhubu frowned, thinking for a long time. "Leini's family would definitely know; her father even mined there!"

"Alright." He Lingchuan didn't dally any longer. He cupped his hands in farewell to Lu Qingan. "Old Master Lu, let's keep in touch frequently in the future!"

"Good, good, let's collaborate more in the future!"

Lu Qingan smiled as he went downstairs, with Yang Zhubu following behind him.

He left the restaurant, boarded his carriage, and let out a long sigh of relief.

The curtain was drawn back, and Yang Zhubu also got in, whispering, "Master, there's something strange about this trip."

"Tell me." Lu Qingan closed his eyes, not particularly worried. The deal was done, money and goods exchanged; what tricks could He play now?

Yang Zhubu then recounted all the unexpected events from the morning, thoroughly and completely.

Lu Qingan straightened up as he listened: "Are you saying he might have known about the Yinhui in the Yangshan Archipelago all along?"

"Those carcasses floated right in front of him, and that girl Leini mentioned it more than once, but Young Master He didn't ask a single word," Yang Zhubu answered very directly. "From my half-day spent with him, Young Master He appears carefree and cynical, but he's quick-witted and bold."

Otherwise, how would he dare to negotiate with pirates?

"He knows about the Yinhui, and possibly the anomalies of the Yangshan Archipelago." Lu Qingan recalled his and his father's analysis: the sudden changes in the archipelago and He Lingchuan's timely appearance were too much of a coincidence.

In other words, He Lingchuan likely knew about the situation on the Yangshan Archipelago all along, but still insisted on buying it.

What could be the reason?

Could it be that he has a way to deal with the Yinhui and the malevolent turbid energy?

Recalling the incomplete Yinhui carcasses on Blade's Edge Port beach, Lu Qingan shivered. Could that have been He Lingchuan's doing?

But then he thought again, how could that be?

The Lu clan's ancestors had invited all the notable experts of their time, yet none could dispel the malevolent energy from Yangshan Island. How could someone named He, not yet even twenty years old, have a solution?

He thought for a moment, then instructed Yang Zhubu to keep quiet about it. There was no need to trouble his father with these messy affairs.

When Dong Rui arrived at the restaurant, He Lingchuan was lounging in a soft chair, watching the actors below perform arias.

The table was covered with a dazzling array of tea snacks and pastries.

"You're here? Have some tea," He Lingchuan waved him over. "This opera is quite good. Old Man Lu treated us to it."

Ever since he changed his disguise, Dong Rui had grown increasingly fond of bustling places. This restaurant, in particular, had a resident opera troupe that performed excellently. He stretched lazily before sitting down. "Why no wine? I want wine."

If he wanted tea, why didn't he go to a teahouse? Why come to a restaurant?

"You'll have to pay for drinks yourself." Lu Qingan was right; He Lingchuan could rest here, enjoy tea and watch the opera freely because the Lu family had paid for it in advance.

However, meals and alcoholic drinks were extra expenses that He Lingchuan would have to cover himself.

That fellow Lu Qingan was really stingy, He Lingchuan thought, stroking his chin. Last time, after signing the agreement, Lu Qingan had treated them, and perhaps he had been too informal? He had only ordered the most expensive dishes and the best wines.

This time, Lu Qingan wasn't having it; he only covered the private room and tea.

As soon as the final payment was made, the treatment declined. Sigh! This Lu fellow really didn't understand the tricks of business; no wonder their territory was shrinking.

Dong Rui was resolute: "I want wine, and you're paying!"

"What's wrong with spending a little money, kid? You're even stingier than the Lu family!"

"You're going to drink with tea snacks?" He scoffed. "All these cakes and desserts, are they suitable for drinking?"

"Yes."

"Alright, alright." He Lingchuan snapped his fingers a few times, calling over a waiter. Dong Rui quickly asked, "What's the best wine you have here?"

"Berry Brew. It's made from four kinds of berries and mountain spring water..."

"We'll take that, two jars to start!" Dong Rui ordered without hesitation. "And bring us a plate of spicy shredded chicken, a plate of fermented grains and clove fish, and a plate of sliced conch in aged vinegar!"

He Lingchuan could only offer a wry smile.

Dong Rui ignored him, tapping a rhythm on his knee while watching the opera.

It wasn't until the food and wine started arriving that he asked He Lingchuan:

"Alright, tell me. What do you want to ask me to do now?"

He Lingchuan looked surprised: "I invited you to have tea and watch the opera to catch up. Does there have to be an ulterior motive?"

"So you just called me because you're idle, truly nothing else?"

"Truly nothing." He Lingchuan lifted the jar and poured him some wine. "Come on, eat and drink to your heart's content. How much can one meal cost? Don't save my money."

With that, he called the waiter again and ordered a few more substantial dishes.

There were slow-roasted juicy lamb chops and plump stir-fried crabs. When the last basin was brought out, Dong Rui swallowed.

This... such a grand dish?

The basin was larger than a child's bathtub, and in it lay a beautiful, colorful large lobster, weighing at least six or seven catties. One antenna alone was longer than Dong Rui's arm.

Of course, cooked lobster only has one color.

The waiter also loudly announced the dish: "This is our establishment's most impressive signature dish, Creamy Lobster!"

"Oh, I've wanted to try this for a long time."

Tihu (醍醐) refers to cheese or cream, so this dish was Creamy Lobster.

Blade's Edge Port was a hub for goods from all directions, a place where various ingredients and spices converged. As long as one had money, anything exotic could be found and eaten, including this Creamy Lobster, which was quite peculiar to most common folk.

When the rich creamy aroma blended with the fresh sweetness of the lobster, He Lingchuan was at a loss for words, only able to exclaim:

"Holy moly!"

Saying nothing more, he rolled up his sleeves and dug in.

The meal was devoured with gusto, most of the food and wine consumed.

Dong Rui occasionally stole glances at He Lingchuan, seeing him drink wine while commenting on the opera troupe's performance, seemingly carefree.

Several times, he almost spoke but stopped himself, yet He Lingchuan didn't notice.

Finally, Dong Rui's impatience got the better of him, and he slapped his silver chopsticks onto the table with a "smack."

"Alright, out with it!"

He Lingchuan looked bewildered: "Say what? Is the tune not good?"

"Stop pretending!" Dong Rui's heart had been pounding all this time, and he had to get it out. "How could someone as stingy as you treat someone for no reason?!"

And he ordered such grand, substantial dishes!

Unsolicited favors indicate an ulterior motive.

As soon as that basin of lobster appeared, his heart started pounding. He had no idea what kind of difficult task He would impose on him this time!

He Lingchuan slowly took a sip of wine, then exhaled. "Truly refreshing."

"Actually, I did indeed want to talk to you about something today."

Dong Rui looked at him with an "I knew it" expression.

"In the center of the Yangshan Archipelago, there are a few islands that humans have never set foot on. They're not large, but they're flat and have beautiful scenery. After I get rid of the malevolent energy there, would you like to take one and become an island master?"

Dong Rui froze, taking two breaths to process it: "You want to give me an island?"

Well, well, such a good deal?

"There are forty-two of them; I can't develop them all at once." He Lingchuan propped his chin. "We've been striving together for so long. When I benefit, how could I forget you?"

Dong Rui immediately said, "Isn't there a Clover Island there? I'll take that one!"