True Heart (1)

The person outside the door was dressed in fine clothes, looking like a wealthy person.

"Please come in, please come in!" Li Erchan thought it was another God of Wealth like Zhang Jingrong, so he immediately smiled and opened the door.

Sun Dinglong thanked him and quickly entered the Li Mansion, looking up at Li Guanyue who was walking towards him.

"Master Li, I have a long-standing grudge against Zhang Jingrong. I imagine you would not want to pass on the authentic martial arts of the Thirteen Taibao Horizontal Training."

So, I've come this time to lend you a hand.

Li Guanyue's face darkened, and he immediately became vigilant. He gestured to his son to close the courtyard gate and keep watch.

He carefully examined the other person.

"Where did you find out about this? And why should I trust you to help me?"

"Master Li doesn't know the details of that person, but I can tell you that it will be very, very difficult for you to completely break free from Zhang Jingrong's surveillance and go far away on your own."

Sun Dinglong smiled slightly and explained.

"But with our assistance, we can definitely make them lose both their money and their wealth, suffering heavy losses!"

"Oh? And who are you, that you're so confident?"

Li Guanyue's heart skipped a beat. His previous plans had actually been exposed and guessed by this person right in front of him.

He was indeed worried that he might not be able to deal with the Zhang family's forces on his own.

Although he himself was quite capable and had some trump cards, there were several more Ninth Grade Master openly stationed in Ci Tong Port than in his hometown. If something happened... "We... you can call us 'Hundred Changes'," Sun Dinglong replied with a smile.

Looking at this simple-minded fool in front of him, he inexplicably felt a sense of anticipation for Zhang Jingrong's anger and dejection after he realized he had been tricked.

The Thousand Sect Alliance had previously suffered significant losses due to this Daoist Daozi of the Great Dao Sect.

This also led to the Demon Eagle Sect Leader becoming increasingly disappointed with their lineage.

Now, it has been discovered that this Zhang Ying wants to practice new Hard Skill. They could easily collaborate with Li Guanyue to subtly add or subtract elements from the existing Hard Skill training methods.

So secretly and without anyone noticing, that Zhang Ying practiced something unusual.

Sun Dinglong knew very well that Zhang Ying definitely had a powerful force protecting him at all times.

Therefore, even slightly obvious malice is easily detected.

But if it's an extremely subtle method that takes a long time to be detected, then... "Master Li, as long as you cooperate with us, after the matter is accomplished..." Sun Dinglong calmly took out a roll of silver notes from his sleeve and handed it over.

Li Guanyue took a look and his eyes widened in disbelief.

These were all silver notes with a face value of one thousand taels! Good heavens. These people really don't treat money like money! He didn't want to reveal his family's martial arts techniques in the first place, but now, encouraged by the person in front of him, he suddenly had an idea.

If he were careful and dealt with both sides simultaneously, making money from both, wouldn't he reap double the rewards when he left for distant lands? Thinking of this, he felt a surge of excitement.

"Don't worry, I will definitely cooperate! But how to cooperate still needs to be discussed carefully," he said in a deep voice.

It will definitely be very difficult to gain the trust and confidence of both sides.

But it wouldn't hurt to give it a try; what if it works?

Moreover, if all else fails, one can always use their own children as collateral.

Anyway, if you lose your children, you can have more. With a large sum of money and a fleet of ships, you can find a wife anywhere you go.

"When the time comes, as long as you have money and power, you can have as many children as you want, right?" Sun Dinglong didn't know what he was thinking, but smiled slightly, took a step forward, and began to speak softly.

The two whispered and plotted for a while.

Sun Dinglong, satisfied that Li Guanyue had memorized the key points of the plan, left.

He promised to help him leave Citong once the matter was settled.

Of course, agreeing is one thing, doing it is another.

If this doesn't work out, it doesn't matter; it's just a minor setback. If it does succeed, Zhang Rongfang is very patient.

After obtaining Li Guanyue's second condition, he immediately mobilized his resources to search for the so-called missing ship.

Aside from his cultivation, he would spend his days at Cotton Cloud Residence, boasting and debating with his three friends.

It was all luck, really.

He had only been searching for a short time when the shipowner Isibass sent someone to his door to inform him that the West Wind was in one of his fleets.

Without paying a single penny, the West Wind was transferred to Zhang Rongfang's command.

He immediately took the boat and went to find Li Guanyue.

Early morning of April 17th.

A coastal area on the outskirts of Citong.

Zhang Rongfang, Li Guanyue, and two other subordinates walked along the shore to the Dock.

At this moment, three large ships, old and battered, but with somewhat strange designs, were moored at the Dock.

The three large ships were linked together and chained to the Dock.

There were also Isibass crew members on shore, waiting to be contacted.

Before Zhang Rongfang and his group had even gotten very close, Li Guanyue's eyes were already wide open.

He stared intently at the ships on the Dock, his face filled with shock. He was almost speechless.

"Well, Master Li, is the second condition fulfilled?" Zhang Rongfang asked gently from the side.

Li Guanyue looked at one of the three large ships, on which the words "West Wind" were clearly engraved.

The shock he felt was far more intense than it appeared on the surface.

"Young Master Zhang is truly a man of his word! He always keeps his promises! I admire him greatly!!" Li Guanyue paused for a moment before nodding, his emotions slightly agitated.

"Yes, you have fulfilled the second condition."

"So, Master Li, can you tell me the third condition?" Zhang Rongfang said with a smile.

Li Guanyue had never actually considered the third condition.

He thought that completing the second one would also take a long time.

"But now, it seems Master Li hasn't figured out what the third condition should be. It's alright, you can take your time to think about it, I'm not in a hurry," Zhang Rongfang said with a kind smile.

"Young Master Zhang is indeed a man of his word. In that case, allow me, Li, to think it over carefully." Li Guanyue revealed a smile.

In fact, if it weren't for the ancestral rule that his family's martial arts skills must never be passed on to outsiders, he would have wanted to pass them on directly to the tycoon in front of him.

This person is truly efficient, sincere, and considerate.

Li Guanyue quickly boarded the ship and carefully inspected it. He found that it was indeed his previous flagship, and he was slightly moved.

This ship is the culmination of his hard work and dedication in building it.

Now that it's finally back in his hands, his opinion of Zhang Rongfang has improved considerably.

"How is it?" Zhang Rongfang asked from the side.

"Very good! Very satisfied!" Li Guanyue wanted to find fault, but found that he couldn't find any fault at all.

Not only was the West Wind recovered, but its interior was also completely repaired. Although the exterior looked old, the interior had been repaired and patched up, making it look brand new.

Now it can be set sail at any time.

"That's good." Zhang Rongfang nodded. "In that case, I'll take my leave now. Master Li, please think of your third condition as soon as possible."

"Of course!" Li Guanyue nodded earnestly.

Shortly after the handover was completed, Zhang Rongfang led his men away.

Li Guanyue then inspected the West Wind and the other two ships once more.

After confirming that everything was alright, they disembarked and returned home.

Now that we have the ship, the next step is to recruit sailors and prepare for a long voyage.

But Li Guanyue had another plan in mind.

Late at night a few days later.

He quietly left the Mansion and stopped on a deserted beach, approaching a large black reef, where he waited silently.

The night was hazy, and the moonlight was dim. Layer upon layer of dark gray waves resembled oil smeared on the coast.

It didn't take long.

Soon, a black figure wearing a straw hat quietly appeared on the other side of the large reef and walked towards him.

"Master Li, it seems you're ready to begin?" The figure raised his face, revealing himself to be Sun Dinglong, who had previously visited the Li Mansion.

"Since I've promised, I will definitely do it. But..." Li Guanyue hesitated.

"Just what?"

"However, Zhang Jingrong's influence is too great; I'm worried that something might go wrong."

"Don't be afraid. After you teach him some of the content, with our help, he can easily sail away and leave this country."

"By then, no matter how powerful Zhang Jingrong is, he won't be able to do anything to you," Sun Dinglong said with a smile.

"But... I can't bear to think that Young Master Zhang is such a bad person!" Li Guanyue sighed. "I still think it's better if the agreement we made before doesn't count."

"Is Master Li really going to seriously teach Hard Skill?" Upon hearing this, Sun Dinglong's smile vanished.

"Exactly, but I feel that for such a small benefit, it would be unethical to harm a good person like Young Master Zhang," Li Guanyue sighed.

"Add another five thousand taels!" Sun Dinglong said decisively after a moment of silence.

"I'd still prefer that."

"Eight thousand!" Sun Dinglong continued to raise the price.

"I"

"Ten thousand!"

"Alright, it seems Brother Sun is a man of strong character. In that case, I, Li, will go all out this time!" A smile finally appeared on Li Guanyue's face.

He felt that if the conversation continued, the other party might turn hostile, so he immediately stopped.

"Master Li, it's best not to be too greedy," Sun Dinglong said calmly, taking out all the silver notes from his sleeve, rolling them up, and handing them over.

"Brother Sun is absolutely right!" Li Guanyue nodded with a smile. "Don't worry, since I've promised, I'll definitely handle it perfectly for you!"

"That's good!"

Sun Dinglong nodded. The money can be temporarily entrusted to this person; sooner or later, we'll get it all back with interest.

He wasn't in a hurry at all.

The next day.

Zhang Rongfang gotten up and was washing himself when he listened to the person who was pretending to be him reporting on the events of the past few days.

He took a moment to check his Attribute Points and found that he had accumulated as many as 18 Free Attribute Points.

His current life points are 78. This means that if he accumulates four more points and adds them all to his life, he can reach 100.

He hadn't noticed it before, but now that he suddenly realized this key point, a thought struck him.

I'm starting to look forward to it.

"The day before yesterday, the Western Sect sent people to build Sea Gazing Temple in the western suburbs. The person in charge is Zen Master Wangshu, who comes from True Buddha Temple. He has already come to visit."

"The Chain Gang and the Jade Sea Gang have clashed again, with twelve members of the Chain Gang killed and more than sixty injured. The Jade Sea Gang has four members killed and more than ten injured."

The Chain Gang a complete defeat, ceding the two Dock in Districts One and Two.

"Someone has discovered traces of the White Ten Sect within the city, suggesting they may be entering the city to spread their teachings again."

"A cargo box slipped at the Third District Dock and injured the young daughter of Magistrate's family. The Prefect himself arrived and, in a fit of anger, dismissed several officials. He attempted to confiscate the cargo box and arrest the owner behind it, but the person escaped and the attempt failed."

"The Gesang Fleet arrived at Ci Tong Bay this morning, and the latest batch of cargo is being unloaded."

Before the disguised old Daoist could finish speaking, a soldier suddenly jogged in from outside.

"My lord! Urgent report! Li Guanyue of the Li Mansion and his family mysteriously disappeared last night. Some say they saw him on the Pengsha fleet, which set sail at four o'clock. Suspected escape!"

Zhang Rongfang was slightly taken aback. His hand, which was holding the teacup, froze in mid-air.

"Is the message confirmed?"

"It's information relayed by the surveillance team guarding the Li Family and the Dock," the soldier replied quickly.

Zhang Rongfang closed his eyes.

He let out a long sigh.

"Let's go take a look."

Seeing this, Chen Han, who was standing to the side, also felt somewhat helpless.

He had actually advised Daozi not to trust that person too much, but Daozi felt that one should treat others with sincerity, and if one wanted to learn someone's family's secret techniques, one should naturally give their utmost sincerity.

As expected, something bad has happened.

Leading a group of men, Zhang Rongfang hurriedly headed to the Li Mansion.

However, when he arrived at the Li Mansion, it was deserted, with only a group of servants remaining.