Chapter 657: Hell Has No Door, You Seek It Yourself

Bai Miaosheng followed on a passenger ship until they neared Huantu Island.

Someone had already sown seeds for Bai Miaosheng on the island. What was once a mere patch of soil now teemed with cornstalks.

Standing on the deck, Bai Miaosheng addressed Lan Qiao and Hong Jiao: "See? This corn is my weapon, my trap, my very capital for fighting and risking my life. Once they set foot on this island, even if Bai Wusong and Tan Jinxiao join forces, they won't leave here alive."

Hong Jiao said, "But the boss said not to kill Tan Jinxiao."

Bai Miaosheng's face darkened, but he remained silent. Lan Qiao pinched Hong Jiao's waist and quickly added, "Once Messenger Cai sees what our Master Miao can do, it's anyone's guess who the boss will be in the future!"

Bai Miaosheng smiled. He liked the sound of that.

But after smiling for a long time, "Tan Jinxiao's" passenger ship still hadn't docked.

Hong Jiao asked, "What if they don't dock and just meet at sea?"

This was indeed a serious problem. If the other party chose to rendezvous at sea rather than come ashore on Huantu Island, it meant they would have to fight on ships again. In such a scenario, Bai Miaosheng would clearly be at a disadvantage.

However, Bai Miaosheng had anticipated even this: "They won't have a choice in the matter. Messenger Cai will surely send ships to force them onto the island."

Bai Miaosheng's judgment was entirely correct. The Garrison Hall's warships were already lying in ambush nearby. Once Bai Wusong's ship arrived, the warships would strike, forcing Bai Wusong, Tan Jinxiao, and the others onto Huantu Island.

But the warships waited for a long time, yet Bai Wusong's ship never appeared. They only saw "Tan Jinxiao's" passenger ship circling Huantu Island, never docking.

Not only were they anxious, but the ship's owner was also worried. He went into "Tan Jinxiao's" cabin and asked several times.

"Sir, we've long since reached Huantu Island. Where do we pick up your people?"

"Tan Jinxiao" smiled at the ship's owner.

The ship's owner didn't understand the meaning of his smile: "Sir, have the people you're looking for arrived? Huantu Island is a special place; once daylight breaks, we won't be able to go ashore. This whole day will have been a wasted wait!"

"Tan Jinxiao" continued to smile, saying nothing.

The ship's owner grew anxious: "Sir, please say something! Don't just keep smiling. You've been smiling the whole way. At least tell us what to do now. We took your money for this one job; we can't spend a lifetime waiting here with you!"

Not only was "Tan Jinxiao" smiling, but "Xiao Yeci," "Liang Wucai," and "Juanzi" in the room were also smiling. Yet, no one spoke to the ship's owner.

The ship's owner returned to the captain's cabin and called a crew member: "Send a message to Master Miao. Tell him not to rush; Tan Jinxiao is definitely on guard."

Bai Miaosheng received the message and, for a moment, didn't know how to respond: "Why isn't old Tan docking? I suspect he might have noticed something."

Lan Qiao offered an idea: "Master Miao, I'll contact Messenger Cai and have him act directly to force Tan Jinxiao onto Huantu Island."

Bai Miaosheng sighed: "I'm worried about 'beating the grass to startle the snake' and scaring Bai Wusong away."

Lan Qiao felt they shouldn't be thinking about Bai Wusong now: "If Tan Jinxiao truly saw an ambush, he would have already sent word to Bai Wusong. If we just wait here, Bai Wusong won't come anyway. If Tan Jinxiao didn't see an ambush, we should simply force him onto the island and finish him. Once he's dead, he can't send messages, and Bai Wusong will still have to come!"

She was right. This girl had a very clear perception of things!

Bai Miaosheng nodded repeatedly, his admiration for Lan Qiao growing.

Lan Qiao sent a message to the Garrison Hall. She sent a telegram to the Garrison Hall, which then had to forward it to Cai Junshan. Cai Junshan was on a warship, quite close to Lan Qiao's ship, yet sending a message still involved such a roundabout route.

Regardless, the message arrived, and Cai Junshan immediately ordered the passenger ship to be forced to shore.

The warships appeared, equipped with high-pressure steam cannons, and advanced towards "Tan Jinxiao's" passenger ship. A high-pressure steam cannon, similar in principle to a steam machine gun, is essentially a steam pipe. The difference lies in the steam cannon releasing steam at much higher pressure and temperature.

Upon seeing the steam cannon, the ship's owner was instantly terrified. He immediately ordered the first mate: "Dock! Dock quickly!"

The first mate quietly asked, "Boss, shouldn't we consult with those guests?"

"Consult about what?" the ship's owner snapped. "One shot from that thing, and everyone on this ship is finished! If he doesn't say anything, I'll take it as his agreement. Dock immediately!"

The ship docked, and the owner and all the crew ran onto the island, but "Tan Jinxiao" still refused to disembark.

Bai Miaosheng was stunned: "Is old Tan being this stubborn today? He's determined to resist me to the very end, isn't he?"

Lan Qiao'er said to Bai Miaosheng: "Master Miao, in my opinion, we should just have Messenger Cai open fire. Let's deal with Tan Jinxiao first, at least get one major task done."

Bai Miaosheng shook his head: "Firing a cannon would make too much noise. Bai Wusong definitely wouldn't come then. I'll go to their ship and try to reason with Tan Jinxiao. You discuss with Messenger Cai and see if he's willing to come along. Old Tan used to listen to him. If we can persuade him, Bai Wusong definitely won't get away."

Cai Junshan indeed had the courage. He took dozens of fully armed men and boarded "Tan Jinxiao's" ship with Bai Miaosheng.

Tan Jinxiao had indeed listened to Cai Junshan before. Cai Junshan had once wanted to recruit Tan Jinxiao and give him a legitimate identity. Cai Junshan had even told Tan Jinxiao to cause trouble at Zuo Wugang's restaurant, and Tan Jinxiao had complied at the time. However, Tan Jinxiao botched the job and later betrayed him, which Cai Junshan hadn't expected.

Once on board, the group surrounded "Tan Jinxiao's" cabin. Bai Miaosheng plucked two cornstalks and stood by Cai Junshan, ready for battle at any moment.

Cai Junshan, wearing a protective suit and a mask, called out through the door: "Old Tan, come out right now, and all past grievances will be wiped clean."

There was no movement from inside the cabin. Cai Junshan waited a moment, then continued: "Old Tan, I know you've suffered many injustices, but for all these years, through so many things, I've always helped you and sided with you. You can't deny that, can you? There are some things I promised you, and I truly didn't deliver, but I had my difficulties because I genuinely couldn't do them. For these minor details, do you still hold a grudge against me? Now that it's a matter of life and death, with just one command from me, you wouldn't be able to escape even with wings. Yet, I've still come to discuss things with you calmly, precisely because I trust you. Can you still not trust me? What can Li Qi give you? He can give you nothing! His mind isn't even on San Tou Cha; after he's taken all he can here, he'll return to Lushui City to live a carefree life! And don't forget, Li Qi holds a high position in the Outer Province. He's one of us, and he has to obey orders from above. When he washes his hands of everything, who will you turn to? I'm giving you one minute. If you come out through this door, all the things I promised you before will still hold true. If you don't come out, you'll leave your life here today, and you'll have no one to blame but yourself!"

In the blink of an eye, a minute passed. Bai Miaosheng shouted: "Old Tan, come out! The human market currently has no boss; this good spot is waiting for you!"

Cai Junshan glanced at Bai Miaosheng but said nothing. He dared not easily agree to that.

After another minute, there was still no movement inside. Cai Junshan got angry: "No need to waste words with him, open fire!"

At Cai Junshan's command, three steam machine guns opened fire on the cabin. With a sharp shriek, high-temperature steam burned through the cabin door and flooded the room. Logically, the people inside should have been boiled alive. Even if "Tan Jinxiao" could withstand it, the few people around him would certainly die.

But Cai Junshan heard no wails of agony; instead, he heard laughter.

"Hahahahaha!"

Amidst the laughter, both male and female voices rang out, cheerful and unrestrained.

Hearing this laughter, Cai Junshan laughed, and Bai Miaosheng also laughed. They couldn't control themselves. Cai Junshan knew about Tan Jinxiao's Dao Sect. He knew he had fallen victim to the Laughter Cultivation technique. Was Tan Jinxiao going all out?

Cai Junshan dared not stay on the ship any longer. Just as he was about to disembark, he heard a series of dull thuds. Tan Jinxiao in the cabin exploded. Cai Junshan's position was extremely unfavorable. The shockwave of the explosion shattered his mask, and he lay on the ground, his face covered in blood.

The yellow-green 'Golden Nectar and Jade Liquid' rapidly boiled under the high temperature, a steaming mass splattering onto Cai Junshan's face. Cai Junshan was laughing at the time, having been affected by the Laughter Cultivation technique. Though his laughter was unwilling, his mouth was wide open. The Golden Nectar and Jade Liquid created by Tan Jinxiao, like asphalt, was flammable. A large, flaming mass spurted into Cai Junshan's mouth with a hiss. Cai Junshan's face and mouth were severely burned. He lay on the ground, unconscious.

Lan Qiao and Hong Jiao, covered in sticky residue, fought for their lives to drag Cai Junshan out of the cabin. Bai Miaosheng was not seriously injured. He unfurled a corn leaf, two meters long and one meter wide, which could entirely envelop a person. Like a shield, it blocked the splashing Golden Nectar and Jade Liquid.

He rushed onto the deck, broke off two corncobs, rubbed off the kernels, squeezed them into corn juice, and poured it into Cai Junshan's mouth. These few drops of corn juice saved Cai Junshan's life. Cai Junshan moved his throat and managed to gasp for air, but he couldn't speak or open his eyes.

Bai Miaosheng wanted to give Cai Junshan another sip of corn juice, but Hong Jiao shouted, "Master Miao, let's go quickly, I smell something off."

Lan Qiao spat: "You dare to smell that?"

The smell was indeed wrong; sniffing it twice more could be fatal.

"Not the burnt smell, but a fresh one..." Hong Jiao noticed a fresh scent, and Lan Qiao also smelled it.

Bai Miaosheng's face paled: "Could it be... there's still..."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The remaining three 'golden figures' exploded in succession. The bottom of the ship was blown open, and the cabin's ceiling flew off, landing directly on Huantu Island. Yellow smoke billowed across the entire ship, and azure flames engulfed everyone.

Bai Miaosheng carried Cai Junshan, along with Hong Jiao and Lan Qiao, and escaped from the ship.

A lump of gold was stuck in Cai Junshan's throat; he couldn't swallow it or spit it out, and he wanted Bai Miaosheng to help remove it. Bai Miaosheng squeezed Cai Junshan's hand, tears in his eyes, and said, "Messenger Cai, don't worry, I will definitely avenge you!"

Cai Junshan pointed to his throat; he wasn't concerned about revenge at the moment.

Bai Miaosheng gritted his teeth and said, "Tan Jinxiao, how dare you mess with me! How dare you injure Messenger Cai! I'll definitely have your life!"

Lan Qiao spat out some of the golden liquid from her mouth and asked, "Master Miao, where do we go to find Tan Jinxiao?"

Bai Miaosheng considered for a moment: "They might still be on Yuxiang Island!"

Hong Jiao wiped the golden liquid from her face: "Master Miao, after we left, Yuxiang Island became navigable. Could these people have already fled?"

Bai Miaosheng wasn't sure either: "Let's go back to Yuxiang Island first. Even if they've left, there will definitely be some activity at the dock."

Cai Junshan pointed to his throat, unable to say anything.

On Yuxiang Island, Tan Jinxiao touched the small porcelain bottle in his backpack, feeling a slight vibration. Then he held it to his ear and listened carefully: "There's a sound, a sound inside, and the taste is quite authentic."

Xiao Yeci looked at Tan Jinxiao's porcelain bottle and asked, "Brother Tan, what's in that bottle, and what's this 'authentic taste' you speak of?"

Tan Jinxiao waved his hand: "I can't tell you about that taste. I wandered around the island today, and there's a market, a big one! Let's all go to the market!"

"To the market?" Juanzi was startled. "Weren't we supposed to hide in the deep mountains? How can we dare go to the market?"

Tan Jinxiao shook his head: "Since it's already 'sounded,' there's no need to hide anymore. The front and the inside work are done. We need to treat ourselves to a meal. Let's go out and wander around, and we'll stay at that same inn."

This was no joke; Tan Jinxiao really did take everyone to the market. Li Banfeng never skimped on travel expenses for his subordinates. Xiao Yeci, Liang Wucai, and Juanzi all had plenty of cash. Things on the island weren't expensive, so Tan Jinxiao hired a carriage and told everyone to buy as much as they liked. They bought a whole carriage-load and sent it to the inn.

When the innkeeper saw Tan Jinxiao, he was so frightened he sank to the floor. Bai Miaosheng had told him that Tan Jinxiao wouldn't be coming back from this trip. How, after only a few days, was he back?

Tan Jinxiao tapped the table: "Hey, hey, hey! What are you sitting there thinking about? Are you not running this business anymore?"

"Master Tan..." the innkeeper cried, tears and snot streaming down his face. "This has nothing to do with us; it was all Master Miao's orders. We wouldn't dare..."

"What are you talking about? I don't understand," Tan Jinxiao said, patting the innkeeper's face. "Since I'm here, are you going to arrange our lodging first, or are you going to say hello to Bai Miaosheng first?"

Hearing this, the innkeeper wept bitterly: "Master Tan, I was wrong..."

Tan Jinxiao pinched the innkeeper's nose: "Don't talk about right or wrong. With all these people, just tell me where we're staying first?"

A new attendant, who had never seen Tan Jinxiao before, had just entered the first stage of body cultivation and was planning to save some money to quickly leave San Tou Cha. Finding Tan Jinxiao unfamiliar, he asked those around him, "Who is this man? Why is the innkeeper so scared?"

Several older attendants were terrified and quickly pulled the newcomer aside. "That's Master Tan, the biggest gang leader in the underground city. You don't know him?"

"I really don't..."

"Well, you didn't before, but you do now. If you offend him, our innkeeper is finished. We should look for another place soon; this business won't last."

Bai Miaosheng received news that Tan Jinxiao had reappeared on Yuxiang Island. Back at Yuxiang Island's dock, Bai Miaosheng was in no hurry to disembark.

Hong Jiao was still angry about the Huantu Island incident: "Master Miao, aren't we going ashore to deal with him? What are we waiting for now?"

Lan Qiao also felt sick, both physically and emotionally: "Master Miao, the island should be ready, right? Our Daomaying camp is just waiting for your word."

These two girls held quite a grudge. Bai Miaosheng knew in his heart that it wasn't just about holding a grudge. While the Daomaying camp outwardly served Bai Miaosheng, they were essentially Cai Junshan's subordinates. With Cai Junshan so severely injured, Daomaying had to show their loyalty and stance by quickly avenging him.

But Bai Miaosheng couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Tan Jinxiao had set a trap, luring him to Huantu Island. Now that his objective was achieved, why would he remain on Yuxiang Island, waiting for Bai Miaosheng to find him? Having navigated the underworld for so many years, no one was an easy opponent. Bai Miaosheng could infer that Tan Jinxiao was prepared for a direct confrontation. Bai Miaosheng had considerable influence on Yuxiang Island, so he shouldn't, in theory, fear a direct confrontation with Tan Jinxiao. However, he was indeed a bit worried. Tan Jinxiao's Dao Sect was too unique, and now that the other party was fully prepared, he had no idea what methods they might employ.

"Don't you two worry," Bai Miaosheng explained. "We can't be sure if the person on the island is truly Tan Jinxiao yet. We can't afford to fall for his trick again."

Just as he was speaking, a subordinate reported: "Master Miao, Tan Jinxiao is here, standing on the dock and cursing you! Many people on the island have come to watch the spectacle!"

Bai Miaosheng came onto the deck and looked at Tan Jinxiao on the dock. Tan Jinxiao pointed at Bai Miaosheng and cursed: "Bai Miaosheng, come on! Aren't you looking for your daddy? Your daddy is waiting for you right here. Don't be a coward! If you're a real man, come out now and fight your daddy. Let's sign a death pact. I won't call you unfilial, even if you disregard our father-son bond. Let's settle this here today! Why aren't you daring to come? Did you wet yourself when you saw your daddy, you brat? If you did, fine! Get out of the sea market right now. From now on, when you see your daddy, you'll kowtow first, then greet me. Don't miss a single courtesy!"

Bai Miaosheng gritted his teeth, wondering whether he should disembark. The crowd of onlookers grew larger. While they dared not make a sound openly, they all admired Tan Jinxiao in their hearts. This was why he was known as the underground city's top gang leader; he actually dared to challenge Master Miao. Don't underestimate these onlookers; the popular sentiment they carried was quite significant. Tan Jinxiao once made a scene in front of a brothel, causing half-asleep patrons to rush out to watch the commotion. They were willing to abandon a moment of precious leisure for the spectacle. That's how thrilling it was to watch!

Bai Miaosheng was very worried. If this situation dragged on, it would clearly be disadvantageous for him. The crowd grew, and Tan Jinxiao stretched his body. He could feel his combat power and cultivation rapidly ascending.

Mr. Kong Fang stood on a copper coin over two meters in diameter, facing the wind and waves, rapidly approaching a passenger ship. He had fought Li Qi on this ship before, and there were marks he left behind. He could still sense Li Qi's presence through these marks. The copper coin flew on the crest of a wave, and Mr. Kong Fang smoothly leaped onto the deck. After taking two steps towards the cabin, he saw a dark figure standing at the cabin entrance.

Mr. Kong Fang sighed softly: "I've always felt that your mastery of Shadow Cultivation is stronger than your Travel Cultivation."

The dark figure nodded: "I think so too."

Mr. Kong Fang then said: "I also believe that when it comes to cultivation, it's better to specialize in one area."

The dark figure asked: "Then which area do you specialize in?"

Mr. Kong Fang didn't answer. He looked towards the bow of the ship: "Are you staying near the border to study methods of crossing it? Given your status, it shouldn't be difficult to visit the Inner Province. Wouldn't it be better to get a travel permit from Liao Zihui and go openly?"

The dark figure shook his head: "What's so good about the Inner Province? Only a fool would go there."

Mr. Kong Fang pulled out a copper coin: "You can go anywhere you like, just don't stay here. I've tolerated you for so many days; I've truly shown you the utmost benevolence and righteousness."

The dark figure stepped out of the cabin, lowering his hat brim: "And what if you don't want to tolerate me? I find this place quite good; I don't plan on leaving for ten or eight years."

Mr. Kong Fang's fingertip trembled, and the copper coin flew towards the dark figure. To be honest, with such smooth back-and-forth, Mr. Kong Fang didn't know if the figure was a shadow or Li Qi himself. But no matter who it was, if struck by this copper coin, they would have to submit to Mr. Kong Fang's control.

The copper coin flew extremely fast, yet its trajectory was strange. Banfeng Yi barely managed to dodge it once, but the coin hovered in mid-air for a moment and then chased after him again. This time, the angle was even more cunning, and Banfeng Yi had nowhere to dodge. Mr. Kong Fang was about to add another layer of technique to completely control Li Qi when he suddenly heard a mournful singing voice reach his ears.

"Wèiya!"

Dingling!

The copper coin flying in mid-air shattered, astonishing Mr. Kong Fang. Who sang that just now? Was it Li Qi? He's a Sound Cultivator? Travel Cultivation, plus Shadow Cultivation, and now Sound Cultivation too? That copper coin had techniques added to it; even a full-force strike from an ordinary Cloud-level cultivator might not break it. Yet, his single sound shattered the coin?

Amidst his astonishment, Mr. Kong Fang heard gongs and drums sounding, and a mournful singing voice slowly emerged: "Bones piled high form mountain ridges, flesh decays to dust and grime. The road to heaven you won't take, the gate to hell you seek yourself!" Every word, every phrase, was like snapping icicles from a winter eave and nailing them one by one into his spine, sending shivers down Mr. Kong Fang's body.

White mist rose, the dark figure vanished, the cabin disappeared. Mr. Kong Fang lowered his head, unable to see the deck, and stretched out his hand, unable to see his five fingers. The gongs and drums continued without pause, and the mournful singing lingered in his ears, seeming distant yet close, illusory yet real.

Who was singing this, really? It sounded like a Ghost Singer!