Chapter 967: Platinum Island

As he stood before He Lingchuan, Min Tianxi's mind was still replaying the earlier card game.

"What were you doing just now?"

Min Tianxi stood with his hands neatly by his sides, replying, "Just eating, drinking, and having fun with the brothers."

They had been eating meat and drinking wine while playing cards.

He Lingchuan, who could obviously tell he had been drinking, smiled and said, "It's fine to gamble to pass the time, but remember, there's no perpetual winner at the gambling table. A person who leads troops must learn self-discipline, discretion, and maintain a clear mind and integrity."

So, the master was well aware of his every action and word. Min Tianxi's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly responded, "Yes, sir."

Gambling was also referred to as "playing for money" in their area.

"How is the recruitment for the guard unit going?" He Lingchuan, owning such a vast enterprise as the Yangshan Archipelago, naturally needed to cultivate his own armed forces to prepare for the future.

"We've recruited 370 able-bodied men from Blade Port and Bailie. Our men also brought in 180 of their relatives and friends from their hometowns to enlist. Furthermore, over 1,700 laborers who came to the island to farm have also signed up to enlist. They're of all ages; there's even a sixty-year-old man who insisted on signing up, claiming he had combat experience." He scratched his head. "Including our original 610-plus men, the total number is exactly 2,860."

"Qiu Da said there would be a test tomorrow, and only those who pass will be retained." Qiu Da was Qiu Hu, as the guard unit now referred to him.

Was that a lot? He Lingchuan wasn't surprised at all. The workers recruited to the Yangshan Archipelago, drawn by the wages for farming and palm harvesting, would naturally be even more attracted by the higher salaries of the guard unit—which were more than double the former.

Since they were already on the island, enduring sun and wind to work, it was easy enough to also sign up for the guard unit. If they passed, they could earn a high salary. Most farm laborers thought this way, which was why even old men wanted to give it a try.

This was also He Lingchuan's purpose in recruiting a large number of laborers to the island: the source for conscripting soldiers would naturally be able-bodied young men, and the more, the better.

There were standards for selecting recruits, testing their physical strength, endurance, speed, and courage. Having served as the Grand Commander of the Yuheng Army for over half a year, He Lingchuan had gained significant experience in selecting and training soldiers.

If strictly adhering to He Lingchuan's standards, the first batch of elite soldiers would typically be chosen from the best of the best; it would be good if four hundred of those seventeen hundred-plus registered laborers remained. However, the Yangshan Archipelago was currently severely lacking in armed forces, so the standards had to be relaxed.

Most of the time, one had to yield to reality.

Qiu Hu would be in charge of this work moving forward. He Lingchuan also shared some of his insights, but he, however, had more important matters to attend to.

"Have you ever been to Platinum Island's Ghost Market?"

An island named after platinum—interesting.

"I've been there five or six times, bought things and sold things." Min Tianxi was gradually learning He Lingchuan's temperament; the master preferred his subordinates to give concise and efficient reports, without beating around the bush. He knew it was best to answer exactly what was asked. "It's an outlaw territory, a good place to fence stolen goods, attracting buyers from all over the world and all sorts of valuable items of unknown origin. We like to take stolen goods that are difficult to offload openly to sell them there."

"Whose territory is that?"

"Platinum Island appears to be a no-man's-land, but in reality, the Taihang Sect has the most influence."

"The Taihang Sect?" "How far is it from here?"

"With favorable winds, it's about two and a half to three days by boat."

"Go prepare the boat." He Lingchuan looked at a letter on the desk. "We're taking a trip to Platinum Island."

"Oh? Alright!" Min Tianxi turned to make preparations for the voyage.

Shimmering sea, dense jungles, silent reefs, soaring gulls and egrets, and of course, the ceaseless sound of the tides. After staying for a long time, one would realize that island scenery was all quite similar.

East of the Yangshan Archipelago, there were several other island groups, totaling hundreds of islands. Platinum Island was just one of them.

Local livelihoods here were unique.

This area belonged to no single power, or rather, these major island groups were home to dozens of factions, forming a unique ecosystem even more free than the Free Port. The islands had limited area and relatively narrow waterways, making them unsuitable for large-scale transit businesses. However, they were perfectly suited for operating casinos, black markets, and various peculiar trades.

It was truly an outlaw territory, where outsiders simply couldn't interfere.

Thanks to favorable winds, He Lingchuan's boat reached its destination in just two days, faster than originally planned.

The waterways among these island groups were even more complex than those of the Yangshan Archipelago. Navigating a boat between the islands was like walking through dark city alleyways; without a local guide, one would certainly get lost.

Min Tianxi counted as half a local. He led He Lingchuan and Dong Rui ashore at Platinum Island's pier, where they found it resembled an ordinary seaport:

Fishing boats were unloading at the docks, gulls were snatching food from boatmen, and a tavern waiter was swatting flies by the window.

However, deeper inland, the cobblestone streets were clean, and the buildings on both sides were neatly maintained. Dong Rui was somewhat surprised. "This place looks quite nice, doesn't it?"

He had originally thought that since Platinum Island was a no-man's-land, its appearance would be chaotic, dirty, and bustling. But upon seeing it now, it was brighter than an average small town, and there were no fierce-looking men staring at them incessantly.

Even the countryside in Beijia was dusty, yet this place was remarkably clean by comparison.

Taverns and inns lined the streets here, suggesting every kind of business imaginable. However, He Lingchuan quickly noticed a pawn shop on one street corner and a "materials shop" at the end of an alley; these two types of establishments were ubiquitous on Platinum Island.

Everyone knew what a pawn shop did. But what about a "materials shop"?

Min Tianxi immediately explained, "These materials shops are all for receiving goods. If we have anything good, we can take it in for them to see, and they'll give an appraisal. If we think the price is fair, the deal is done."

Dong Rui immediately asked, "What if you can't agree on a price, and the shop owner tries to take your treasure and your life?"

"If you can leave the shop alive, you can report it to the Taihang Sect, and they'll ensure justice." Min Tianxi chuckled. "Heh, just kidding. Transactions here are usually safe; otherwise, if there were one or two incidents, no one would dare come anymore."

Even the most chaotic places, as long as people are present, will gradually develop a semblance of order amidst the chaos.

"It seems the Taihang Sect manages this place quite well, though it's a bit too quiet." Platinum Island was not small, yet it was remarkably quiet everywhere, with few pedestrians.

As the three walked along the street, they could even hear the melodious chirping of birds from the trees.

"Since it's called the 'Ghost Market,' it naturally only truly opens for business at night."

Min Tianxi pointed eastward. "East of where we landed, on the cliffside, there's a cape tower that you can see from here. When it lights up, the Ghost Market opens; if it lights up two lamps, there's an auction that night."

However, He Lingchuan had come to Platinum Island not to partake in the Ghost Market's bustle, but to find someone.

Min Tianxi led the two through streets and alleys, heading deeper into Platinum Island.

Fewer and fewer people were seen, and the buildings grew taller and grander, resembling mansions with imposing gates. Min Tianxi was relatively unfamiliar with this area and had to ask for directions twice before leading He Lingchuan to their destination for this long journey:

Old Bai's Materials Shop.

Compared to the grand manor next door, its facade was rather small. When they had asked for directions earlier, everyone pointed to this spot, and one person even said, "You can't mistake it; there's no other Old Bai's Materials Shop on this island."

But it looked so ordinary that Min Tianxi had to look up several times before finally saying, "This must be it."

He Lingchuan stepped inside. As the wind chimes at the door tinkled, the attendant behind the counter looked up:

"Welcome, customer! How may I help you?"

The place looked like a junk shop, with most of the displayed items appearing dusty and unrefined, neither impressive nor high-class.

But then, He Lingchuan's gaze swept across the shelves and immediately fixed on one item:

A small, half-burned candle, made of pale platinum.

Wasn't this something from the Heavenly Palace?

Typically, they were either displayed in the Stargazing Tower or held by Lampkeepers or Heavenly Palace attendants. He Lingchuan had not expected to see one in a junk shop.

Could it be a fake?

He pointed at the half-candle and asked, "May I take a look at it?"

"Of course." The attendant took down the candle and placed it on the counter. "Please examine it here."

He Lingchuan stood before the counter, examining the half-candle under the wall lamp. Though it was a bit dusty, its feel and the faint fluctuations emanating from within proved it was not a fake.

"Do you sell this? How much is it?"

The attendant chuckled, "Since you know what this is, you must also know its price is not low." With that, he held up three fingers. "This much."

Things from the Heavenly Palace truly were expensive; even a broken candle end fetched such a high price.

Dong Rui couldn't help but interject, "Isn't there a risk in buying something like this?"

The attendant had a practiced line of patter: "Risks are relative. If you don't publicize it after buying it, trouble won't come knocking at your door."

One couldn't expect no-questions-asked returns from a black market shop.

He Lingchuan smiled, handed the candle back, then took a letter from his sleeve and placed it on the counter. "Someone arranged to meet me here."

The attendant saw the wax seal on the envelope and immediately said, "Please follow me."

He Lingchuan left Min Tianxi in the shop and went inside with Dong Rui.

After walking through a long corridor and taking a few turns, He Lingchuan estimated they had entered the adjacent large courtyard.

The garden's style here seemed strangely familiar.

Three people approached them, conversing as they walked.

One of them looked up, saw He Lingchuan, first paused in surprise, then brightened. "Brother He, you've finally arrived!" He then turned to the other two beside him and said, "Gentlemen, I have an honored guest to receive, so I won't see you out."

The two clasped their fists. "Brother Songyuan, please attend to your business. We'll take our leave!"

As they passed He Lingchuan, they nodded in greeting, and He Lingchuan returned a smile.

Once their figures disappeared, the remaining man scrutinized He Lingchuan from head to toe, clicking his tongue twice:

"Still in one piece, impressive."

He Lingchuan also gazed at the signet ring on the man's left hand. "Mr. Fang has a new face, but he's glowing with health; it seems you've had a very prosperous year."

The two clasped arms, both bursting into hearty laughter, clearly delighted.

The person He Lingchuan had specially traveled to Platinum Island to meet was, of course, Fang Canran.

The two masterminds behind the chaos in the Heavenly Palace and the turmoil in Lingxu City finally met after a year!