Taking Little Meili Home

After months at sea, Jiang Chuan felt he was going mad. Every day, he faced nothing but the boundless ocean, and the food was always fish, fish, fish. Jiang Chuan had exhausted every method he knew for cooking fish. However, out of boredom, he had drawn up a pile of blueprints, and several methods for improving the steam engine had emerged. The blueprints for the fortress cannon were completely finished and he was just waiting to start construction in Bilgewater after this trade was concluded.

A sailor on deck shouted, "Land ho! We've reached Demacia!"

Jiang Chuan hurried to the deck and gazed at the distant horizon. A city emerged on the far horizon, the final destination of this journey: White Cliff City!

White Cliff City was a large port in Demacia. Compared to Bilgewater, the workers on the docks of White Cliff City always worked at a leisurely pace. The entire dock exuded the orderliness of Demacia's prosperity. The workers' faces were filled with a sense of peace and harmonious smiles.

The children on deck looked at their familiar homeland and couldn't help but cry. They had suffered too much in Bilgewater and had never stopped thinking of home. To finally return to their homeland today made the children extremely excited.

The ship slowly docked. Jiang Chuan instructed Laurie to secretly transport the steam engine to White Cliff City. He would meet them after helping the children find their families in White Cliff City. There were bound to be Crownguard Family businesses in White Cliff City, and Jiang Chuan really didn't want to take a carriage to Silvermine City again. If he could resolve the matters of the children and the steam engine in White Cliff City, that would be ideal.

Jiang Chuan picked up Meili and asked, "Meili, does your family have any businesses or strongholds in White Cliff City?"

Little Meili touched her forehead and thought for a moment before saying, "I remember, my father has a jewelry store in White Fang City. I've been there before."

Jiang Chuan chuckled, "Then let's go eat first. I can't stand eating fish every day for months."

Jiang Chuan led the children to a restaurant and ordered food. Such a large group startled the owner. A man with over a dozen children would be a striking sight wherever they went, but faced with Jiang Chuan's generosity, the owner could only obediently keep quiet and serve all the dishes promptly.

After the children finished eating, Little Meili led the way to her family's jewelry store. Along the way, the children looked at everything. Jiang Chuan would buy anything interesting they saw and give one to each child.

Soon, they arrived at the jewelry store. Little Meili ran in first, with Jiang Chuan and the children following closely behind.

Today marked one year since the death of their father. Wilkoster had been granted a day off by the Dauntless Vanguard to mourn his family. After finishing his worship, Koster was preparing to tally his father's assets, with Luxanna temporarily managing them for him.

Shortly after Koster arrived at the jewelry store his father had opened in White Cliff City, he saw a little girl run in from the entrance. Koster was wondering whose child was so impolite when he saw the little girl run over, hug him, and cry, repeatedly calling him "brother." Koster looked at the little girl's face and was stunned. He picked up Meili, his voice trembling, "Meili? Is that you? Meili?"

Meili sobbed, "Wuwu, brother, Mom and Dad were killed by pirates. I was the only one who survived. Fortunately, the Guild Master sent us home."

Koster hugged Meili with immense joy, tears streaming down his face. "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back. Quickly take me to see that Guild Master."

Luxanna, standing nearby, was also stunned. Her uncle's entire family had perished during a long voyage over a year ago. Meili's sudden appearance today also surprised Luxanna. She was also very curious about who this Guild Master her sister spoke of could be.

After Jiang Chuan entered, he had the children sit down and then saw Koster approaching with Little Meili, followed by a curious Luxanna.

It had to be said that Luxanna was even more beautiful in person than in her game portrait. Her golden hair cascaded down her shoulders like a golden waterfall. Her eyes were the blue of tender cornflowers, her gaze soft and warm, bringing a sense of peace.

Koster looked at Jiang Chuan and said gratefully, "Sir, thank you for saving my sister. My name is Wilkoster, of the Crownguard Family. The one behind me is Luxanna, also of the Crownguard Family, my sister."

Jiang Chuan smiled, "Hello, my name is Roland. This was just a small favor. I'm very happy to have saved Meili and these children."

Luxanna looked at the group of children behind him and asked, "Are these all the children from that ship?"

Jiang Chuan looked at the children and said, "These children were tormented by those villains in Bilgewater. When I killed those villains, I asked the children about their hometowns. These children are all from Demacia and know the way back to their homes, so I brought them to Demacia to find their families. Can you help? I'm truly unable to do it alone."

Koster looked at the young, innocent faces and said, "We will help them find their parents and relatives."

Jiang Chuan smiled, "That's good. Little Meili is home, and a weight has been lifted from my heart."

Lux poured Jiang Chuan a glass of water and said, "Mr. Roland, how did you find these children?"

Koster said sternly, "Lux, that's very rude to Mr. Roland."

Lux stuck out her tongue and smiled, "I'm just curious."

Jiang Chuan waved his hand and said, "It's fine. I found them in Bilgewater. They were being guarded and trained by a local gang called the Bloodfang Gang. They would train the boys into assassins or soldiers loyal to them, and if they were girls, they would groom them into playthings for nobles."

Koster slammed his fist on the table and said coldly, "These beasts! I only regret not killing those scoundrels myself!"

Lux frowned and asked, "And then what?" Lux was clearly very angry about the Bloodfang Gang's actions.

Jiang Chuan took a sip of water and said, "Then? Then they all went on a deep-sea journey. Not a single one survived."

Koster laughed, "Well done! Mr. Roland."

Lux asked with a pale face, "All of them?"

Jiang Chuan smiled, "Yes, all of them. Everyone involved in this got the punishment they deserved. It's only fair, isn't it?"

Lux knew that the man in front of her was definitely more terrifying than anyone in the Dauntless Vanguard. Even in Demacia, there would be a few survivors, but he had killed them all and thrown them into the sea without mercy.

Koster laughed, "Mr. Roland, please allow me to host you properly on behalf of Demacia. Thank you for sending these children back to Demacia. I will explain this matter to His Majesty."

Jiang Chuan smiled, "Then I thank Demacia for its hospitality. The priority now is to resolve the issue of the children."

Lux smiled, "Since they are all children from that ship, it should be easy. I remember there was a list."

Jiang Chuan smiled, "That would be best. This is my first time in White Cliff City. I must take a good look around."

Koster laughed, "Leave the children's matters to me. Lux, take Mr. Roland to see the sights of our Demacia."

Jiang Chuan and Lux walked out of the jewelry store and strolled down the street. Lux constantly introduced Jiang Chuan to the fun places and delicious food in White Cliff City.

Looking at the lively Lux, Jiang Chuan smiled and said, "Miss Lux, which of these two sayings do you think is correct: 'Shadow Cannot Tolerate Light' or 'Shadow Follows Brilliance'?"

Lux was startled by the words of the famous man before her. Both sayings came from her own lips, but she had never told anyone about her situation. How did he know? Lux smiled and said, "Mr. Roland, I can't tell which of these two sayings is correct."

Jiang Chuan said, "Then let me tell you, both of these sayings are wrong."