Chapter 420: Huai Medicine

The two had not yet arrived, so Li Yuanjiao stood with his hands behind his back, listening as Zong Yan recounted the various affairs of the island:

"There are over five thousand people on the island, most of whom make their living by fishing. We also grow rice and fruit on the island, but the cultivated land is scarce, so it is mostly tended by women and children."

"There are many demonic creatures nearby, some even subordinates of the Dragon Son. They often crave human flesh, and sometimes when our people go out to sea, a few are snatched away to satisfy their hunger."

After observing Zongquan Island for a short while, purple and golden lights flew in from the east and west, respectively. Zong Yan wisely opened the protective formation, and Li Qinghong and Kong Heng landed one after another. Li Qinghong looked around and said softly,

"There are several islands to the east, but none are as good as this one. This is a decent location; the territory isn't small, though unfortunately, the spiritual energy isn't dense."

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. Kong Heng clasped his hands together and said in a rich voice,

"I traveled westward. The sea is vast, with no suitable place to establish a base."

Having heard this much, Zong Yan finally understood. Joy welled up in his heart.

‘So, righteous cultivators from the inland are looking for a place to settle! Excellent! These individuals appear to be disciples of immortal sects. Zongquan Island has finally seen the light of day!’

Li Yuanjiao and Li Qinghong exchanged glances, making a decision. Seeing her brother's stern, rather fierce expression, and then glancing at Zong Yan, whose face was full of joy, Li Qinghong gently said,

"Fellow Daoist, you must have realized that we intend to establish a stronghold at sea. Zongquan Island suits our intentions well. Allow us to survey it further, and then we will discuss the details with you."

It is a common truth that people fear power more than they appreciate kindness. Since Li Yuanjiao intended to play the villain, Li Qinghong adopted a more courteous tone. However, the power gap between them was too vast. While Li Qinghong spoke of "discussing the details," Zong Yan understood there was no room for negotiation. It was merely a matter of whether these cultivators would find his island worthy. He meekly agreed, and only then did Li Qinghong say,

"Please take Guest Elder Kong Heng to survey the geomantic veins and check the spiritual energy."

Kong Heng announced his Buddhist title and departed. Li Yuanjiao then stood side-by-side with his sister and voiced his concerns. Li Qinghong pondered before replying,

"From what I've seen on my journey, the East Sea Dragon kin treat islands as fields and people as crops, raising them like pigs and cattle in a pen. Even the Tangjin Sect and Xuanyue Sect must obediently pay tribute. It would be almost impossible for us to avoid this."

"Indeed," Li Yuanjiao said, lowering his gaze. "I'm thinking about whether we can meet the Dragon Son, or perhaps find a way to negotiate and use other items as tribute. In any case, we must try."

"Meeting a member of the Dragon kin will likely be very difficult," Li Qinghong said, shaking her head gently. "Although he is only at the Foundation Establishment stage, Dragon kin are of noble status, and who knows how many demon generals follow him. It's unlikely he would agree to meet us, and he might make exorbitant demands. It might be better to start with lesser demons, bribing them with large sums. The cost might even be less."

The two soared through the pitch-black night, unconsciously descending into the sea.

In the night, the Zhulu Sea glowed with countless tiny emerald lights. The crystal spiritual lights of the deep sea shimmered like stars, infinitely dazzling in the darkness. Faintly, the resplendent golden halls of the Dragon Palace could be seen. Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly, saying,

"It's only after coming to the East Sea that I realize the inland is too small. The demonic creatures here are incredibly powerful. The strength of the East Sea demon race alone can rival Jiangnan. What's even more rare is their unified command, cohesive from top to bottom, deeply entrenched."

Li Yuanjiao sighed and looked back at Zongquan Island. Li Qinghong said softly,

"This island has no fire veins or earth veins to speak of. It can't provide much profit, just a few more incense offerings. What's important is having a foothold overseas. Our family's status as an aristocratic family is gradually solidifying; we need to consider reaching the Purple Mansion realm."

"Without suitable cultivation methods or opportune timing, it's just empty talk," Li Yuanjiao said, shaking his head. "In my opinion, the only thing within our reach is the treasure in Yu Muxian's possession. If we can acquire that item, our family can make a great leap forward."

Given Yu Muxian's identity, it was impossible for him to die in the inland. If they were to scheme against him, they would have to ambush and kill him in the East Sea, and they would also need means that the Dharma Mirror couldn't calculate to circumvent True Immortal Yuanwu's countermeasures. It would also be a troublesome matter. Li Yuanjiao simply said,

"Once things on the island are settled, you should return home first. I will stay on the island to guard and cultivate in seclusion, and first try to break through to the mid-stage Foundation Establishment."

"On the other end, send people to the major market towns to gather all information about Immortal Foundations and Purple Mansion cultivators. These things are forbidden to circulate inland, but there's a chance to inquire about them overseas."

"Alright," Li Qinghong responded. After all, the Thunder attribute Immortal Foundation was not coveted by anyone in Jiangnan, making it more suitable for her to remain in Qingdu. The siblings discussed for a while before returning to the island.

Kong Heng had already ridden the wind back, courteously saying,

"The island has three geomantic veins that are quite strong, but the rest are extremely weak, and the spiritual energy is shallow. It's impossible to set up Foundation Establishment-level formations; at most, they could support Qi Condensation peak."

Upon hearing this, Li Yuanjiao looked at Zong Yan and said gravely,

"When will the Dragon Son's subordinates arrive?"

Zong Yan quickly replied, "Any moment now!"

Just then, a cheer suddenly erupted from the island. A person rode the wind up and whispered something into Zong Yan's ear. Li Yuanjiao subtly glanced at him, and Zong Yan, understanding, bowed and said,

"Reporting, Esteemed Sir, our island practices the 'Six Yi Complete Unity Method,' follows the Purple Mansion Golden Core path, and cultivates the Witchcraft Sigil arts, including various methods of cultivating medicine... These were bestowed by the Dragon Son, all for raising people for the Dragon kin."

"Just now, they found an infant with a suitable birthdate..."

He spoke vaguely, fearing to break a taboo, and whispered, "Each time tribute is collected, the Dragon Son specifies a person with a particular birthdate for the next collection... If that person is not available, one hundred people must be offered in their place. Therefore... whenever one is found... there's inevitably cheering and joy."

Before the Li siblings could say anything, Kong Heng could no longer contain himself. He said in a deep voice,

"How can there be no compassion! Even if it's sacrificing the small for the large, you shouldn't be so smug! Are you suggesting that if you eat one less person next year, you'll have to thank that evil dragon?"

Zong Yan dropped to his knees with a thud, saying in terror, "Master! You mustn't say that, Master! If not for the Dragon Son's protection, we would have long ago been completely devoured by passing evil cultivators and demon generals. How can we not be grateful..."

Kong Heng was stunned, his face filled with dismay. After a few breaths, he exclaimed, "Does a minor evil cease to be evil?"

Zong Yan couldn't quite grasp him. He only raised his head in fear and murmured, "But Master Dragon Son truly saved us from a greater evil... Everyone understands choosing the lesser of two evils. Why must you condemn us so harshly for this?"

"But he clearly ate people, how can you still thank him?!"

"Enough," Li Qinghong interjected, smoothing things over. Kong Heng and Zong Yan had fundamentally different ways of thinking; they would argue until dawn and still not understand each other. Zong Yan meekly assented, while Kong Heng sighed, offered an apology, and seemed lost in thought.

After dismissing them, Li Yuanjiao stood with his hands behind his back, somewhat lost in thought, then slowly closed his eyes. Li Qinghong turned to look, and Li Yuanjiao said, "There's a demon outside."

The two rode the wind out and indeed saw a blue fish standing in mid-air, oddly possessing a pair of scaled wings on its sides, making it look particularly bizarre. Li Yuanjiao rode the wind to meet it. The enormous fish eyes of the fish demon stared at them, its large mouth opening and closing as it spoke clearly and articulately,

"Fellow Daoists, where do you come from? This is the territory of my Zhunan Dragon Palace."

This fish demon was at the ninth level of Qi Condensation, not yet Foundation Establishment. Since both Li family members were Foundation Establishment cultivators, their strength far surpassed his. Thus, the demon was quite polite, yet its words still treated them as equals.

Li Qinghong courteously said, "My brother and I are cultivators from a small sect in Xianhu. Our sect was destroyed, and we are passing through this area, hoping to establish ourselves here. However, we are unfamiliar with this place, so we hope Fellow Daoist can offer us much guidance."

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoists," the demon replied, retracting its wings and riding on demonic wind. Its fish mouth upturned, scales flapped one by one, dripping mucus downwards, a sight that was neither crying nor laughing. "I am of the Zaozhong Hui clan, humbly serving as a sea patrol for the Dragon Palace. My name is Hui Yao. If the two Daoists are willing to pledge allegiance to my Dragon Palace, I will naturally tell you everything I know."

The fish retracted its tail, transforming into a grotesque half-human, half-fish form. It held a trident in its hand and stared at the two. The status of humans and demons had reversed between the inland and overseas; Li Yuanjiao and his companions were now like the deer demon Lu Ken of old, the ones seeking favor.

Li Yuanjiao was not one to be arrogant about his status. Even though the fish demon was incredibly ugly, he maintained a smile and said gravely, "Fellow Daoist, please."

They rode the wind down together. Zong Yan had already come forward, bowing and saying, "Greetings, Grandpa Sea Patrol. This humble one has already prepared the tribute!"

Hui Yao chuckled, shaking his head as he spoke, "Heh heh! You're truly lucky. After so many years of hardship, you finally have hope!"

"Yes, yes, yes..." Zong Yan nodded, flattered, and motioned for his subordinates to scurry about. When the group entered the hall, servants brought tea. Zong Yan knelt beside Hui Yao, holding up a jade bottle that was entirely blood-red inside.

Hui Yao waved his hand and scolded, "Put it away! Don't bring such things to me!"

Zong Yan looked as if granted a great pardon and respectfully withdrew. Li Yuanjiao's expression remained unchanged, while Li Qinghong's smile grew wider. Hui Yao then said, "My subordinates don't understand the rules. Please excuse them, both of you."

Hui Yao was not foolish. The pure qi surging on the two's faces indicated they were either inland cultivators or disciples of some ancient sect. Since he was currently weaker than them, he wouldn't court death by openly offending them. If they truly killed him and escaped, the Dragon Son might not pursue the killer for a thousand miles.

Li Yuanjiao exchanged a couple of sentences with him, then cut to the chase, "May I ask, how is the tribute from Zongquan Island calculated?"

Hui Yao scrutinized them, then said very nonchalantly, "This place is barren, and the Dragon Son has never inquired about it. It has already been assigned to my Hui Yao clan. I collect it, and I use it!"

The siblings exchanged glances, realizing they were now in Hui Yao's grasp. Li Yuanjiao felt a great headache. However, Hui Yao then spoke, "Fellow Daoist cultivates Kan Water, don't you? May I witness its marvel?"

Li Yuanjiao nodded slightly. A grayish-blue flood dragon rose in the courtyard before them. Hui Yao examined it and nodded, "Indeed, it is the Jing Dragon King! No wonder I felt a sense of familiarity upon seeing you... The Dragon Son of my palace also cultivates this method, and he is also a Jing Dragon King."

Hui Yao muttered to himself, then said seriously, "Since the Daoist is settling here, this tribute is a matter of mutual benefit, and I will not make things difficult for your noble clan."

He extended his fish hand and leisurely said, "One medicine person per year, ten other spiritual items of 'fetal breath' level, two spiritual items of Qi Condensation level, minerals and spiritual items are all acceptable... As for how to handle passing demons extorting bribes, you two can deal with that yourselves."

Demons had little need for spirit stones, so the demands he made were mostly for spiritual items and human tribute. These conditions were far more demanding than Zong Yan's original tribute of three hundred people every five years. Though Hui Yao said he wouldn't make things difficult, the price he set was quite unappealing. Before the two could speak, Hui Yao directly stated,

"The rules of my Dragon Palace are... no matter where the two of you come from, once you are in my Dragon kin's territory, you must obey my Dragon kin's commands..."

Hui Yao was just short of saying, "Don't put on airs with me." His words were harsh. Zong Yan was drenched in sweat, terrified that the siblings lacked tact and would be enraged by the provocation. He dropped to his knees with a thud, clutching Hui Yao's fish feet, and cried,

"Grandpa Sea Patrol! This humble one was blind, didn't get proper information. Grandpa, for my many years of hard work, please give us a way to live..."

Hui Yao pouted and kicked him away. Li Yuanjiao, however, did not show anger. He courteously said, "I understand Fellow Daoist's meaning, but this matter of 'medicine persons' largely violates our family's rules. I wonder if it can be substituted with something else?"

"Something else?" Hui Yao laughed mockingly. "Others use medicine persons to offset spiritual items, but you're doing the opposite. How unwise. Do you understand its value? What could you possibly provide year after year?!"

Li Yuanjiao took a jade box from his storage bag and said softly, "How about this item?"

Hui Yao lowered his head to look and saw a small flower lying in the jade box. He sniffed it and asked, "A Foundation Establishment spiritual item?"

"Indeed. One flower is equivalent to five years." Li Yuanjiao flipped his hand to put it away, not giving Hui Yao a chance to examine it closely. Hui Yao wiped his drool and argued forcefully, "Five years? Where would you get so many?!"

Li Yuanjiao replied, "Fellow Daoist, think carefully. This is an inland spiritual flower, qualified enough to be presented to a demon general. I only managed to acquire this through some personal dealings with the Han family."

Hui Yao's face was filled with covetousness. Li Yuanjiao paused slightly, then asked, "Can this be used as tribute?"

"Yes! Yes!" Hui Yao quickly assented. Li Yuanjiao, however, began to play hard to get, saying gravely, "It's just unfortunate... this item cannot be shown to others... Ah... Let's just go back to the medicine persons then!"

"Fellow Daoist! Fellow Daoist! What do you mean by this?" Hui Yao's expression changed. Li Yuanjiao whispered, "This item was obtained through some illicit means. The Han family has always kept news of this item sealed... If word gets out, we'll probably be in trouble!"

Although the Wancheng Flower was not unique to their family, when combined with their characteristics, it would be very obvious. Li Yuanjiao had considered everything carefully; he naturally would not have overlooked this point. He immediately lured the demon with benefits, intending to get him complicit.

"Ah!" Hui Yao's expression instantly changed, and various possibilities flashed through his mind. Li Yuanjiao then chuckled, "I came to the East Sea simply to find a place to settle. If things don't work out, at most, we'll just pack up and leave. The Dragon Palace wouldn't pursue us to the inland. Fellow Daoist, think carefully!"

His tone was gentle, yet the threat was evident. Hui Yao was silent for a moment, then realized that in just a few words, Li Yuanjiao had silently moved in front of him, one hand resting on his sword.

Hui Yao was startled with alarm, vaguely seeing a bluish-white sword light flowing in Li Yuanjiao's hand. His legs went soft for a moment, filled with dread. The situation had changed too quickly; in just a few words, the power he relied on was completely neutralized. It seemed he had no choice but to obey this person.